Important for cell creators like me

Most premium smartphone gimbals accessible right now have a monitoring function. This lets you middle on a topic after which transfer round it (or have it transfer round you) whereas at all times retaining it in body mechanically. That is nice, however it requires you to make use of a digital camera app made by the gimbal producer. This implies you don’t get the identical high quality/options you’d in case you may use your cellphone’s default digital camera app. It’s a substantial compromise: in order for you monitoring, you have to sacrifice utilizing the digital camera you understand and belief. Fortunately, the brand new DJI Osmo Cell 7P doesn’t have this downside, making it one of the vital thrilling gimbals in the marketplace proper now.

After all, the brand new Osmo Cell 7P additionally has all of the options you’re keen on from the Osmo Cell 6 and a few extra new tips that put it head and shoulders above most rivals. It nonetheless treats Android as a second-class citizen, however the great things would possibly outweigh that for many patrons. Clearly, there’s loads to speak about, so let’s leap in!

For those who’re considering to your self, “I don’t bear in mind DJI ever providing a “P” model of its smartphone gimbals,” your instincts are appropriate. That is now the primary time that DJI has cut up its gimbal choices into two halves: common and premium.

The common Osmo Cell 7 mannequin is a bit unusual in that it truly, in some ways, is a step down from the Osmo Cell 6, which launched in 2022. The 2 most notable downgrades listed here are the shortage of the Facet Wheel and the shortage of an extension rod. The Facet Wheel was among the best additions to the Osmo Cell 6, because it gave you a tactile solution to management zoom/focus, so it not being right here is disappointing. Likewise, the extension rod was a nifty new addition to the Osmo Cell 6 that allowed it to double as a selfie stick. With out these options, the Osmo Cell 7 simply appears like a nerfed Osmo Cell 6. The value drop, although, would possibly imply it doesn’t matter (extra on that later).

Exterior of those omissions, the Osmo Cell 7 has all the identical options because the Osmo Cell 7P, with a barely smaller and lighter physique. In different phrases, DJI has weakened the Osmo Cell 6 to create the Osmo Cell 7 after which added again within the options it eliminated to make the Osmo Cell 7P. In the meantime, it additionally added new options to the Osmo Cell 7 that don’t seem within the Osmo Cell 6. This makes DJI’s lineup fairly complicated. I made a desk beneath to provide the core variations throughout the three gimbals:

You could be questioning what the Multifunction Module is. That is the killer function of the DJI Osmo Cell 7 collection that differentiates it from all different DJI gimbals — and many of the smartphone gimbal business.

As talked about earlier, with all earlier DJI gimbals, you have to use the DJI Mimo app to reap the benefits of the Energetic Observe function. Whereas you should utilize your cellphone’s default digital camera app with any DJI gimbal, Energetic Observe solely works when the Mimo app is up and within the foreground. So, for each shoot, it’s worthwhile to resolve: would you like Energetic Observe with Mimo images/movies, or would you like all of the options and reliability of your cellphone’s native digital camera app with out Energetic Observe?

The Multifunction Module makes it so that you don’t have to make this selection. The module is a tiny field that snaps onto the facet of the cellphone clamp. Relying on the way you join it, it could both level towards you or away from you. As soon as linked, a tiny digital camera inside will do the monitoring, so the Mimo app doesn’t must be open in your cellphone. Now, you possibly can observe your topic and use no matter digital camera app you want!

The Multifunction Module has no show and might’t be managed out of your cellphone. As an alternative, it makes use of hand gestures to perform. To begin monitoring, you (or the particular person you’re filming) would maintain up your palm. A light-weight on the Module will flip from crimson to inexperienced, signaling that you’re now being tracked. As soon as monitoring begins, you possibly can transfer the gimbal round (and/or the topic can transfer round), and the gimbal will at all times be locked onto the topic. To cease monitoring, you possibly can simply maintain up your palm once more, which turns the sunshine from inexperienced to crimson.

For those who’re a cell videographer who likes to compose your pictures in a sure manner, you could be involved that the topic’s face will merely at all times be within the middle of the body. DJI solved this downside by a distinct gesture: the “double L” (make an “L” form along with your left thumb and pointer finger, make the identical form along with your proper hand, and join them to create a “body”). When you might have activated monitoring, you possibly can carry out this gesture, and the sunshine will flip strong yellow. Whereas it’s yellow, body your shot the best way you want. Do the “double L” gesture once more, and monitoring will proceed, however now your topic will at all times be framed as supposed.

I attempted this out and was completely blown away by how straightforward and efficient it’s. Getting it to trace you is useless easy with the palm gesture, however it’s astounding how effectively it does its monitoring. I attempted to faux it out by hiding after which displaying my face — mainly taking part in peek-a-boo. Every time my face got here again, it re-tracked me immediately with the framing composition I needed. I additionally tried to confuse it by having my associate enter the shot, however the module stayed targeted solely on me and ignored her.

You too can use gestures to cease/begin recording or take a photograph. By utilizing your fingers to make a “V” signal (aka, “peace”), you can begin a recording countdown. The sunshine on the module flashes yellow for a bit after which goes again to inexperienced, displaying you that you’re recording (or a photograph is taken). By flashing the “V” signal once more, the recording stops. This simply mimics a distant shutter button utilizing Bluetooth, so it ought to work on any cellphone and in any digital camera app.

With these gestures, you are able to do every little thing you want with out touching the gimbal. You could possibly arrange the gimbal on a tripod utilizing the usual 1/4-inch connector on the gimbal’s deal with. As soon as arrange, you may begin monitoring, body your self correctly, after which begin/cease recording from the place you’re standing, permitting you to stroll round a room and at all times be within the body. It’s like having a digital camera operator round always!

The Multifunction Module doesn’t solely do monitoring, both (it’s multi-functional, in spite of everything). It additionally has a built-in fill gentle that may get as brilliant as 40 lux (measured from a distance of 0.6m from the topic). You too can change the colour temperature from 2,500K to six,000K with a couple of stops in between.

The Multifunction Module can also be a receiver for the DJI Mic Mini ($169.99 at Amazon) system. Utilizing a equipped brief USB-C cable, you join your cellphone to the module. You then wirelessly join your Mic Mini transmitter to the module, and increase: your physique mic is now transmitting to your cellphone, supplying you with terrific vocal audio when you file. Sadly, this solely works with the Mic Mini and never the superior DJI Mic 2 ($349 at Amazon).

Lastly, when you find yourself utilizing the Multifunction Module as a mic receiver, it can additionally cost your cellphone. It truly is an unimaginable little field.

As proven within the desk within the earlier part, the module additionally works with the DJI Osmo Cell 7 (i.e., the common mannequin). Nevertheless, with the 7P, the module comes within the retail field with the suitable cellphone clamp. With the usual mannequin, you’ll get a cellphone clamp with out help for the Multifunction Module. If you wish to use the module, you should purchase the DJI OM 7 Collection Monitoring Equipment ($49.99 at Amazon) individually, which comes with the module and substitute cellphone clamp. Keep in mind, although, that the Osmo Cell 7 additionally doesn’t have the Facet Wheel or the extension rod. So, in case you really need the module, shelling out for the Osmo Cell 7P is the one solution to go.

Though the Multifunction Module is probably the most vital new addition to the Osmo Cell 7 lineup, DJI didn’t simply cease there. Listed below are another new options that make these gadgets higher than the Osmo Cell 6:

• ​Simpler folding: The gimbal may be folded with the magnetic smartphone clamp hooked up, so that you don’t have to take away it earlier than folding it up.
• One-tap monitoring: If you’re monitoring somebody with the Mimo app (i.e., not utilizing the Multifunction Module), now you can hot-swap between topics with only one faucet. Whereas recording within the Mimo app, you possibly can merely faucet on what you need to observe, and the gimbal will begin following that topic. Beforehand, you would want to cease monitoring the present topic after which begin monitoring the brand new one, however now it’s only a one-tap course of.
• Constructed-in tripod: Beforehand, with the DJI Osmo Cell 6, the cell tripod legs got here as a separate half that you’d screw onto the bottom. With each the Osmo Cell 7 and Osmo Cell 7P, the legs are constructed into the deal with itself, so that you don’t want to fret about lugging round that separate half anymore.

• Extra digital camera help: The Mimo app helps extra lenses and resolutions for the very best Android digital camera telephones. For those who use the Mimo app over your native digital camera app, there’s the next likelihood Mimo will help all of your cellphone’s lenses at as much as 4K/60 high quality.
• Greater battery: The battery contained in the Osmo Cell 7 and 7P is far bigger at 3,350mAh. After all, the Multifunction Module eats up extra battery, particularly in case you’re utilizing the fill gentle, so it will seemingly be a wash in case you plan to make use of it loads.
• Apple Watch help: For those who join an iPhone to the Osmo Cell 7/7P and that iPhone is linked to an Apple Watch, you’ll be capable of management gimbal capabilities from the smartwatch. This consists of framing, beginning/stopping recording, swapping from portrait to panorama, initiating Energetic Observe, and extra. This works on Apple Watch Collection 7, 8, 9, and 10; Apple Watch SE 2; and Apple Watch Extremely 1 and a pair of.

With all these new options, the Osmo Cell 7 collection additionally helps all of the belongings you noticed on the Osmo Cell 6 and earlier:

• Timelapse: Your cellphone sits in a stationary place and information footage for a set time frame. When completed, the software program accelerates 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 mechanically after which items the images collectively to make one extra-wide picture. A “Clone Me” possibility inside this function additionally lets you digitally add your self to varied spots throughout the last picture.
• Story Mode: The software program instructs you on how one can file three or 4 completely different pictures. You shoot these pictures, 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 manner for anybody to create gorgeous 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 identical tempo. This creates a barely disorienting shot that’s used for dramatic impact in TV, films, and commercials. It’s particularly useful for product opinions and meals movies.
• Shot Guides: A extra superior model of Story Mode. Reasonably 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.
• Mother and father & Youngsters Mode: Preserve youngsters and oldsters within the body. As you file, the Mimo app will be aware the vital interplay moments after which immediately create a montage video from this filming session.

I’ve been reviewing DJI’s smartphone gimbals for years now. Each time a brand new one launches, I find yourself calling it the very best smartphone gimbal you may get. Effectively, issues are not any completely different in 2025: Except you’re on the lookout for one thing actually area of interest that the DJI Osmo Cell 7P doesn’t present, there’s no cause to get anything.

Truthfully, I’d have given the Osmo Cell 7P an ideal 5/5 rating if it weren’t for the truth that a extremely cool function — with the ability to management the gimbal from a smartwatch — is locked to the Apple Watch. This, mixed with the truth that you continue to have to sideload the DJI Mimo app on Android telephones (it isn’t accessible on the Play Retailer), continues to make it really feel like Android is an afterthought within the Osmo Cell world. Significantly, although: that’s my solely gripe right here.

After all, it’s straightforward to say, “That is the very best smartphone gimbal,” however that doesn’t essentially imply it’s the very best for you. Due to its feature-richness, the DJI Osmo Cell 7P is kind of costly for a cell gimbal, beginning at $149. Whereas which may appear excessive, remember that that’s truly cheaper than the DJI Osmo Cell 6, which launched at $159 — and that didn’t have the Multifunction Module and all the opposite new options of the Osmo Cell 7 collection!

The existence of the DJI Osmo Cell 7 — which lands at $89 — is a pleasant comfort, because it provides of us who would possibly balk at spending $150 for a gimbal a pleasant different possibility. Nevertheless, contemplating it doesn’t include the Multifunction Module, doesn’t have a Facet Wheel, and lacks an extension rod, you might be dropping various performance. Fortunately, with the Osmo Cell 6 inevitably coming down in value, in case you don’t need/can’t afford the Osmo Cell 7P and don’t a lot care in regards to the Multifunction Module, going with the Osmo Cell 6 ($149 at Amazon) could be your subsequent most suitable choice.

DJI additionally makes certainly one of my favourite devices in recent times: the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 ($519 at Amazon). That is an all-in-one answer for creators, primarily duplicating what an Osmo Cell gimbal does however without having a smartphone. It’s smaller, simpler to make use of, and has a greater ecosystem of equipment. Nevertheless, the Osmo Pocket 3 solely has one lens, and that lens won’t be pretty much as good because the one in your $1,000 smartphone. Nonetheless, the creator ecosystem universally accepts that the Osmo Pocket 3 is an important piece of drugs, so in case you don’t just like the Osmo Cell 7 or Osmo Cell 7P for some cause, the Osmo Pocket 3 is unquestionably value a glance — assuming you don’t thoughts spending far more than you’d on a gimbal.

Exterior of DJI, your greatest wager for one thing akin to the Osmo Cell 7P can be the latest Zhiyun flagship: the Zhiyun Easy 5S AI ($169 at Amazon). Just like the Osmo Cell 7P, the Easy 5S AI has a module that enables for monitoring without having to make use of the gimbal’s app (it even makes use of the very same gesture controls — clearly an inspiration for DJI). It additionally has extra lights, with a fill gentle constructed into the gimbal’s arm and the choice to place extra fill lights on the smartphone clamp. Nevertheless, it doesn’t fold up for simple transport, doesn’t have built-in tripod legs, doesn’t have an extension rod, and the module doesn’t help wi-fi mics. It additionally has a a lot weaker app that’s closely geared in direction of Asian audiences, so these of you used to DJI’s Mimo will most likely be disenchanted with it. Lastly, it has a a lot increased MSRP at a whopping $219 (though it’s on sale very often).

For me, I’m closely contemplating leaving my DJI Osmo Pocket 3 behind and going all-in on the Osmo Cell 7P. Having the ability to use my Google Pixel 9 Professional’s digital camera without having to sacrifice monitoring is an enormous plus that the Osmo Pocket 3 merely can’t present. After all, the Pocket does have a less complicated setup, and I can use the superior full-sized DJI Mic system. I’ll give it a whirl and see what occurs, however the very notion that I’m even considering of dropping the Osmo Pocket 3 for this could present you simply how good it’s.