DJI has made the already stellar OM 5 even higher with the Osmo Cellular 6. There are a number of new options, a greater design, and new software program tweaks to convey your smartphone movies to a brand new degree. After all, the system continues to be actually costly and Android customers do not get all of the options or ease of use, however that is nonetheless the very best client gimbal you will get.
Yearly, DJI launches a brand new iteration of its smartphone gimbal. In 2022, that system is the DJI Osmo Cellular 6. In the event you’re a DJI fan, you’re not seeing issues: the corporate has gone again to the total “Osmo Cellular” branding moderately than the abbreviated “OM” branding we noticed on the previous few gimbals.
DJI is pulling out all of the stops this time round. Not solely is it providing all of the options of final 12 months’s DJI OM 5, however it’s additionally bringing in new {hardware} and software program options. However is all of it well worth the very excessive worth — and will Android customers even hassle? Discover out within the Android Authority DJI Osmo Cellular 6 evaluate.
About this DJI Osmo Cellular 6 evaluate: I examined the DJI Osmo Cellular 6 over a interval of six days. I used it with a Samsung Galaxy S21 Extremely. The unit was supplied by DJI for this evaluate.
What you have to know in regards to the DJI Osmo Cellular 6
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- DJI Osmo Cellular 6: $159 / £145 / €169
The Osmo Cellular 6 launched on September 22, 2022. It’s the follow-up to 2021’s DJI OM 5. The Osmo Cellular 6 is a smartphone gimbal, which makes use of a three-axis motor to permit for extremely steady smartphone video footage. It’s suitable with each Android telephones and iPhones, though the latter get preferential remedy as sure options are iPhone-exclusive.
Contained in the field, you’ll discover the gimbal itself together with a magnetic smartphone clamp, a mini-tripod, a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, a smooth carrying pouch, and numerous bits of paperwork. The tripod mount on the underside of the gimbal is the usual 0.25in measurement, so you can even mount it on tripods you already personal.
The DJI Osmo Cellular 6 has all of the {hardware} and software program options of the OM 5 however throws in a couple of extra for good measure.
To make use of the gimbal, you snap the included magnetic clamp onto your cellphone. The magnet on the again of the clamp then connects to the gimbal arm. The gimbal then auto-adjusts to the scale and weight of your cellphone. You solely have to set the gimbal on this style as soon as per session, although, as a result of the magnetic clamp means that you can join and take away your cellphone as a lot as you want without having to reset the gimbal.
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DJI carries a ton of equipment that work effectively with the Osmo Cellular 6. Probably the most notable is the Fill Gentle Telephone Clamp, which is bought individually for $59. This replaces the included magnetic clamp and comes with a fill mild in-built. The sunshine has a number of tones and brightness settings and prices with an included USB-C cable. Moreover, DJI presents an Osmo Cellular 6 Vlog Combo which incorporates the usual gimbal bundle together with a wi-fi microphone equipment. Utilizing all these instruments collectively may allow you to have an especially moveable skilled vlogging equipment.
The simplest method to get all these merchandise is from DJI.com, however they’re additionally obtainable at third-party retailers comparable to Amazon and Finest Purchase.
DJI Osmo Cellular 6 vs OM 5: What’s the distinction?
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DJI all the time presents one thing new with its newest gimbal, however this 12 months, it pulled out all of the stops.
- Facet Wheel: On the left aspect of the gimbal, you’ll discover the brand new Facet Wheel. Though the very first DJI Osmo Cellular got here with a scroll wheel (which DJI faraway from all future fashions), that is totally different. It means that you can management focus and zoom manually on supported telephones.
- Show: For the primary time within the line, the Osmo Cellular 6 has a show. It is rather small and works solely to offer you fast visible cues for vital info, together with battery life, your digital camera mode, and extra.
- Folding arm tweaks: The DJI OM 5 had a tricky-to-unfold arm. The Osmo Cellular 6 has a equally designed arm, however it’s a lot simpler to unfold.
- New software program tips: DJI has up to date its Lively Observe system to five.0, which permits for extra environment friendly object monitoring in addition to the usage of the front-facing digital camera. It additionally has a brand new iPhone-only characteristic referred to as Fast Launch.
- Connectivity: The Osmo Cellular 6 connects to your cellphone with Bluetooth 5.1. It is a minor improve over the 2 earlier fashions, that are caught on Bluetooth 5.0. You gained’t discover a distinction in use, however it’s considerably higher for future-proofing.
- Design: The DJI Osmo Cellular 6 is barely bigger and heavier than the 2021 mannequin. It additionally is available in only one colour this 12 months: Slate Grey. This replaces the lighter Athens Grey from final 12 months, and Dawn White is not obtainable.
How is the brand new DJI Osmo Cellular 6 design?
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As with each DJI gimbal, the Osmo Cellular 6 appears like a premium product. It’s been years since DJI provided a gimbal that wasn’t made totally of plastic, however the construct high quality of the Osmo Cellular 6 is particularly good. Though it’s small, it doesn’t really feel like a toy.
Talking of its measurement, the Osmo Cellular 6 is barely bigger and heavier than the OM 5. It’s not by a lot: the 2022 mannequin is 309g in weight as in comparison with the 2021 mannequin’s 292g. It’s significantly taller when folded up, measuring 189 x 84.5 x 44mm as in comparison with the OM 5, which clocked in at 174.7 x 74.6 x 37mm. So portability is unquestionably knocked down a peg this 12 months. Nonetheless, the gimbal nonetheless feels extremely moveable to me, and I believe solely of us very used to the scale and weight of the OM 5 could have any complaints.
The Osmo Cellular 6 is barely bigger and heavier than the 2021 mannequin.
As with the OM 5, the Osmo Cellular 6 has a built-in extension rod. It’s the identical size as earlier than (215mm or ~8.5in), feels steady, and is a helpful characteristic for vloggers or individuals who take a whole lot of selfies.
One of many largest variations with the design, nonetheless, is the brand new Facet Wheel. The Facet Wheel means that you can management zoom and focus, with zoom the default. Turning the wheel both zooms in or out. Urgent the wheel swaps modes, and turns of the wheel management focus as a substitute. The wheel feels nice. It is rather grippy in your fingertips and the turns are clean.
Clearly, the quantity and high quality of your zoom will rely in your smartphone. For my Galaxy S21 Extremely, I may zoom out to 0.6x or zoom in as much as 8x. There’s a noticeable jolt on the show whenever you shift from the ultrawide lens to the first lens or from the first lens to the telephoto, so filmmakers would have to be conscious of that. Nonetheless, when you’ve swapped lenses, zoom strikes easily by way of numerous magnification ranges.
Focus is simply as easy. Simply press the Facet Wheel after which flip the wheel to get a crisp have a look at your topic.
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One other huge addition this 12 months is the show. It has a couple of indicator lights to rapidly get you data throughout your shoot. On the left of the show, you’ve a battery degree indicator and a connection indicator. Subsequent to that, you’ve 4 mode indicators: Comply with mode (common stabilization), Tilt Locked mode (retains the digital camera horizontal as a lot as doable), FPV mode (all three axes observe the motion of the digital camera), and Spin Shot mode (pushing the joystick controls the rotation of the digital camera). You may toggle by way of the modes linearly utilizing the multi-function button (indicated by an M on the entrance panel).
DJI has nailed the interface on the Osmo Cellular 6.
All the opposite buttons on the DJI Osmo Cellular 6 are the identical as earlier fashions: a report/shutter button, a button to swap from portrait mode to panorama mode, a joystick for controlling motion, and a set off for locking motion or activating Lively Observe.
Total, DJI has as soon as once more nailed the interface right here. All the pieces is simple sufficient to know {that a} novice filmmaker may decide up an Osmo Cellular 6 and get proper to filming, whereas execs will recognize the assorted ranges of management they’ve over the digital camera’s motion and stabilization.
What are the brand new DJI Mimo software program options?
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To make use of the DJI Osmo Cellular 6, you’ll have to have the DJI Mimo app in your cellphone. This lets you management the settings and features of the gimbal itself. It additionally acts as a digital camera app which you’ll use to seize video and picture content material. It isn’t really helpful to make use of different digital camera apps with the gimbal because you’ll lose a ton of performance, though you possibly can should you like.
For iPhone customers, getting the app is easy: simply head to the Apple App Retailer and set up it. It’s a bit extra sophisticated for Android customers. Regardless of launching on the platform again in 2018, the DJI Mimo app not seems on the Google Play Retailer, so that you’ll have to get it by way of one among two avenues. In the event you personal a Samsung cellphone, yow will discover Mimo on the Galaxy Retailer. In the event you don’t personal a Samsung cellphone, you’ll have to sideload the app from DJI.
Android customers might want to both use the Galaxy Retailer or sideload an app to make use of the Osmo Cellular 6.
Clearly, it is a large inconvenience for Android customers. I requested DJI for a proper clarification as to why the app not seems on the Play Retailer, however it declined to specify. Traditionally, Apple’s App Retailer has extra strict pointers for the safety of its apps, so it’s not going the app was faraway from the Play Retailer as a result of it’s insecure. With out a assertion from DJI, although, we gained’t know for certain.
No matter the way you get the Mimo app, the Osmo Cellular 6 helps all of the video options of earlier fashions. That features:
- Timelapse: Your cellphone sits in a stationary place and data footage for a set time period. When completed, the software program hastens the footage to create a fast-paced edit.
- Hyperlapse: A timelapse shot that provides additional aptitude by transferring the digital camera from one level to a different very slowly whereas recording.
- Panorama: The digital camera takes images whereas it strikes from one level to a different routinely after which items the images collectively to make one extra-wide picture. A “Clone Me” choice inside this characteristic additionally means that you can digitally add your self to varied spots inside the closing picture.
- Story Mode: The software program instructs you on the right way to report three or 4 totally different photographs. You shoot these photographs, after which the app edits all of them collectively right into a professional-looking video full with music and even title playing cards. That is a simple means for anybody to create beautiful social media movies with none video modifying experience.
- Dyna-Zoom: When you bodily transfer backward, the zoom in your digital camera zooms in at an analogous tempo. This creates a barely disorienting shot that’s used for dramatic impact in TV, films, and commercials. It’s particularly useful for product evaluations and meals movies.
- Shot Guides: Launched final 12 months with the OM 5, this characteristic is form of like a extra superior model of Story Mode. Somewhat than create the edits for you, Shot Guides provides you an instance shot (utilizing AI to find out your surroundings) so you possibly can then attempt to mimic it.
Together with these returning options, there’s a model new iPhone-only characteristic in addition to the yearly improve for DJI’s Lively Observe.
Sadly, the latest software program characteristic for the Osmo Cellular 6 is iPhone solely.
The iPhone-only characteristic is named Fast Launch. If you snap your clamped iPhone onto the gimbal’s arm, it’ll routinely launch the Mimo app. This eliminates an additional step from on the brink of begin your shoot, which might be the distinction between capturing a second or lacking it. DJI has no plans to convey this characteristic to Android gadgets, sadly.
DJI can also be rolling out Lively Observe 5.0 with the Osmo Cellular 6. Lively Observe is a software program characteristic that locks the digital camera onto a topic and retains it centered irrespective of the place you or the topic strikes to. With model 5.0, Lively Observe is healthier than ever, working extra effectively on smaller and faster-moving topics. It additionally now works on the front-facing digital camera, so you should use it for selfie movies. It’s nonetheless not good (and certain by no means shall be), however it continues to get higher and higher yearly. Lively Observe 5.0 is unique to the Osmo Cellular 6 and won’t come to earlier DJI gimbals.
The rest?
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- Spot examine: The show will present a inexperienced mild when your cellphone is magnetically connected to the arm correctly. Nonetheless, if it detects it’s barely off, the sunshine will flip crimson, giving the person an easy-to-understand system of realizing whether or not or not the cellphone is able to shoot. It is a model new characteristic for the Osmo Cellular line.
- A powerful maintain: The magnetic pressure that holds your smartphone to the arm is 47.5 Newtons. That is roughly robust sufficient to carry two 2-liter soda bottles. In different phrases, your cellphone isn’t going to fall off the arm, irrespective of how heavy it may be.
- Energy: The battery contained in the Osmo Cellular 6 is identical because the one which appeared within the OM 5. It has a capability of 1,000mAh and may internet you over six hours of gimbal utilization below best circumstances. It prices at as much as 10W, which may get you from zero to 100% in just below 90 minutes. Needless to say you can not leech energy from the gimbal to cost your cellphone. This was a characteristic the DJI OM 4 supported however DJI eradicated with subsequent fashions.
- Compatibility: DJI has a really useful PDF chart exhibiting all of the telephones suitable with the Osmo Cellular 6 and what digital camera options they help. Some notables are all flagship Pixel telephones from the Pixel 4 ahead, all OnePlus flagships from the OnePlus 8 ahead, and all Samsung flagships from the Galaxy S10 ahead.
DJI Osmo Cellular 6 evaluate: The decision
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For the previous few years, DJI has held a vice-like grip on the buyer smartphone gimbal market. Whereas there are actually different notable corporations on the market, nobody presents the {hardware} high quality and, most significantly, the software program high quality of DJI. My time with the DJI Osmo Cellular 6 signifies that its lead over the competitors isn’t weakening in any respect. If something, it’s going to be stronger than ever.
Flat out, the Osmo Cellular 6 presents every part we noticed with the terrific OM 5 after which throws in a bunch of latest options. The Facet Wheel provides a brand new layer of usefulness {and professional} air to the gimbal, whereas the show makes working the system simpler than ever. Lively Observe continues to get extra highly effective and DJI’s dependable steady of capturing modes outpaces the competitors by leaps and bounds.
Actually, the one main factor that’s disappointing in regards to the Osmo Cellular 6 is the way it signifies that DJI doesn’t actually care a lot about Android customers. The Fast Launch characteristic being iPhone-only is a bummer and the truth that most Android customers might want to sideload the Mimo app is extremely inconvenient. Hopefully, this isn’t an indication that DJI is simply going to surrender on Android help altogether sometime.
There’s additionally the query of the worth. It’s commendable that DJI didn’t increase the worth this 12 months — the Osmo Cellular 6 is launching on the similar $159 worth we noticed with the OM 5. Nonetheless, that’s nonetheless actually costly for a smartphone gimbal. With gimbals, although, you are inclined to get what you pay for, and DJI’s possession of the market permits it to command that worth.
The Osmo Cellular 6 might be the very best smartphone gimbal on the market for iPhone customers, however Android customers have to know what they’re in for.
If that’s too costly for you, the DJI OM 5 ($129) has now completely dropped in worth. You’ll save $30 however miss out on all the brand new options the Osmo Cellular 6 presents. This may be best, although, if portability is of utmost significance for the reason that OM 5 is smaller and lighter than the Osmo Cellular 6.
If even the OM 5 is simply too dear for you, the DJI OM 4 SE ($99) is a superb purchase. It doesn’t fold up as compactly because the Osmo Cellular 6 or OM 5, however it nonetheless travels effectively.
Exterior of DJI, Zhiyun might be your next-best wager. Probably the most comparable product to the Osmo Cellular 6, although, is the Easy 5 ($169), which is definitely dearer and fewer compact. Going with the Easy 4 ($99) as a substitute would prevent a bunch of money, however you’re getting a a lot much less highly effective product.
The underside line right here is iPhone customers shouldn’t even have a look at the competitors: the DJI Osmo Cellular 6 is the very best smartphone gimbal on the market. Android customers want to know what they’re getting themselves into, however even then, you in all probability gained’t discover one other comparable product that works higher than this. The query now turns into: how will DJI prime itself subsequent 12 months?
DJI Osmo Cellular 6
Compact and moveable • New show panel • New Facet Wheel
The very best client smartphone gimbal will get even higher
The DJI Osmo Cellular 6 presents extra skilled options than most earlier entries within the collection. It is costly, however this can ship the options, transportability, and software program tips to please everybody.