Aside from drones, one of the things that put DJI on the map is their gimbals, which are not just for cameras but for mobile devices as well. The Osmo Mobile has been one of the best solutions for getting steady, creative shots for content creators just starting with their smartphones, with each iteration getting better and better.
With the recent launch of the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 and the Osmo Mobile 7P, how does DJI outdo themselves and other contenders in the market?
One of the things that surprised me with the Osmo Mobile 7P is its form factor. While it has been getting more compact over the years, it seems they’ve made this one even smaller, easily fitting into a 3.5L sling bag with room to spare. The design remains generally the same compared to the Osmo Mobile 6 and past models—folding neatly into a little package—and while you still have the thread on the bottom, there is a built-in tripod on the Osmo Mobile 7P this year.
They also retained the telescoping extension rod for easy vlogging, being able to shoot over a crowd, or getting creative shots without needing to put strain on your lower back. This was especially helpful for keeping the phone closer to eye-level when we had to put the 7P down on a table.
Like past Osmo Mobiles, DJI has also kept the magnetic clamp on the 7. For the uninitiated, this means that you can easily remove your phone from the gimbal itself should the need arise and easily snap it back on without the need to recalibrate and balance. This year, though, they made sure that the clamp can fit more devices, especially those with larger camera modules.
One of the biggest additions to the Osmo Mobile 7P is the Multifunctional AI Module (yes, we’re getting AI here too).
The reason why I think this is the biggest, or one of the biggest, additions to the Osmo Mobile 7 is that you can now use tracking functions using the native camera of your phone. In past iterations (or at least in the ones I’ve tried), you had to use the DJI Mimo app to do this, which often resulted in less than favorable results when shot with your phone’s native camera app.
This also opens up the use of other third-party camera apps, such as Kino, so you can immediately get that cinematic look out of your device.
The second reason why this Multifunctional Module is a big deal is because it allows you to connect a DJI Mic Mini to it since it has a built-in receiver, boosting the audio quality of your videos with clearer talking-head shots.
As you may have guessed from the photos, this also has a built-in light in case you want to vlog your nighttime adventures wherever they may be.
When it comes to controls, it’s pretty much the same as the Osmo Mobile 6, with the joysticks, trigger, control wheel, and mode buttons being incredibly easy to learn and get used to, especially with the tutorials that DJI has on the Mimo app.
I was unable to try the Osmo Mobile 6, but DJI is claiming that this has even better 3-axis stabilization than before. I can’t vouch for that, but the footage I was able to take was incredibly smooth and stable.
In terms of modes, you’re still getting the standard Follow, FPV, Tilt-lock, and—a personal favorite—the spin shot for those trippy shots.
As far as battery life is concerned, DJI claims up to 10 hours with the Osmo Mobile 7P, and, just like its predecessors, it can double as a power bank in case your phone is running low.
Honestly, we still have more tinkering to do with the Osmo Mobile 7P to really flesh out a proper in-depth review for you guys, but it is impressive to see how far mobile gimbals have come since they first burst onto the scene.
DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Initial Review Verdict:
If you’ve gotten to this point, then you shouldn’t be surprised that I was impressed with the DJI Osmo Mobile 7P, but, to put that into context, I personally haven’t dabbled all that much with mobile gimbals recently.
We know that DJI has seen some tough competition from the likes of Hohem in this segment, which have their fair share of tricks up their sleeves and, from what I can recall, did beat DJI to the punch when it comes to tracking modules for their offerings.
What DJI does have going for it, though, is brand equity, and with that comes more peace of mind when it comes to after-sales service since you can pretty much see a DJI Concept Store in most major malls nationwide these days.
With that being said, the Osmo 7P does make for a solid companion if you’re just starting out with content creation and are just using your phone before making the jump into something like the Osmo Pocket 3 or a mirrorless camera.
The Multifunctional AI Module is also a sweet addition to the mix, especially if you want to pair it with the DJI Mic Mini to really up your game. Plus, the Mic Mini can make the jump with you when you’re ready to level up your gear.
DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Pricing Philippines
The DJI Osmo Mobile 7P is priced at Php 7,499, which includes the Multifunction Tracking Module as part of the combo, as well as the built-in extension rod. If you want the same capabilities—sans the Module and extension rod—and are on a tighter budget, you can also get the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 for Php 4,599.
The Osmo Mobile 7 is also compatible with the Multifunction AI Module but requires a separate purchase.
