Making Your Smartphone Videos Shine: A Detailed Review of the DJI OM 5
In the age of social media and vlogging, everyone wants their videos to look professional and engaging. Handheld footage, however, often suffers from unwanted shakiness, especially when you’re on the move. Enter the DJI OM 5, a compact and powerful gimbal designed to transform your smartphone videos, turning them from amateurish to cinematic. But with a hefty price tag, does the OM 5 live up to the hype? We spent weeks putting it through its paces to find out.
The DJI OM 5: Design and Features
The DJI OM 5 arrives in a sleek package, including a soft carrying pouch, magnetic clamp, riser pad for smaller phones, USB Type-A to Type-C charging cable, manuals, quick-start leaflets, grip tripod, wrist strap, and the star of the show, the OM 5 itself. Available in Athens Gray and Sunset White, we opted for the former for our review.
One of the key features of the OM 5 is its compactness and reduced weight compared to its predecessor, the Osmo Mobile 4. Weighing in at just 292g, it’s incredibly light and easy to carry around. The magnetic clamp is a major upgrade, allowing for quick and secure attachment of your phone, even with a case. The extension rod, similar to a selfie stick, adds versatility and allows for a wider range of shot possibilities.
The OM 5 boasts a responsive joystick, a multifunction button for easy switching between cameras and phone orientation, and a conveniently placed power button. The trigger button activates features like ActiveTrack, allowing the gimbal to automatically follow your chosen subject. The 3-axis range of motion enables smooth panning and tilting movements, perfect for capturing dynamic shots.
Performance and Battery Life: Putting the OM 5 to the Test
The OM 5 can handle smartphones up to 290g, making it compatible with virtually any phone on the market. We tested it with both an iPhone 12 and a Realme 6 Pro and found it to be incredibly stable and user-friendly. The magnetic clamp functioned flawlessly, even with a case on our iPhone. The design is well-thought-out, with a hinge that allows for easy folding and storage.
Using the DJI Mimo companion app, which is available on both iOS and Android, you can unlock a range of features and shooting modes. The app provides clear tutorials and guidelines for new users, ensuring a smooth onboarding experience.
The OM 5 includes various shooting modes, from the standard photo and video modes to more advanced options like:
DJI OM 5 Shooting Modes
- Timelapse: Speed up time and capture mesmerizing movements like cloud formations or sunsets.
- Hyperlapse: Similar to timelapse but with an added zoom effect, giving a dynamic perspective.
- Dynamic Zoom: Create a vertigo effect around your subject, also known as the dolly zoom effect.
- Slow Motion: Record slow-motion videos at 8X speed for capturing stunning details.
- Pano: Stitch together 3×3 images to create a panoramic view. The ClonedMe feature allows for multiple appearances of the subject in the same image.
- Story: Choose from various pre-made templates to create professional-looking videos with effects and music.
The OM 5 delivers fantastic video stabilization, offering a significant improvement over handheld footage. Even when walking over uneven surfaces, the gimbal effectively smooths out the movement, making your videos appear much more professional. The ActiveTrack 4.0 feature is another highlight, accurately tracking your chosen subject with impressive precision. It even works well on tripods, allowing for hands-free recording.
The Trade-offs: Compactness vs. Battery Life
While the OM 5 is exceptional in its compactness, it comes with a trade-off: a significantly reduced battery capacity compared to the Osmo Mobile 4. The 1,000mAh battery is capable of lasting up to 6.4 hours under ideal conditions, but in our usage, it consistently delivered around six hours of runtime, which is still sufficient for most shooting sessions.
The lack of smartphone charging, a feature present in previous models, is another drawback. We found it particularly frustrating to have to rely on external chargers during long shoots.
Verdict: Is the DJI OM 5 Worth the Investment?
The DJI OM 5 is an excellent tool for anyone looking to take their smartphone video game to the next level. With its compact design, advanced 3-axis stabilization, versatile shooting modes, and the impressive ActiveTrack 4.0 feature, it delivers professional-looking footage with ease, even on budget smartphones.
However, the substantial price tag and missing features like smartphone charging may deter some buyers. For those seeking a more affordable alternative, the DJI OM 4 SE presents a compelling option, offering most of the OM 5’s functionality at a lower price point.
Ultimately, the DJI OM 5 offers a compelling package for passionate content creators looking to elevate their smartphone videos. If you’re serious about upping your game and don’t mind the price, this is a worthy investment.
Here’s a summary of the key pros and cons:
Pros:
- Fits virtually every smartphone
- Light and compact design
- Excellent build quality
- 3-axis stabilisation significantly improves video quality
- ActiveTrack is a valuable feature
- Extension pole adds versatility
Cons:
- DJI Mimo app not available on the Google Play store in India
- Arm can be a bit tricky to fold and unfold
- Limited video recording options on Android
- No smartphone charging capability
