DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is a smartphone gimbal that folds up like an origami
DJI may be known for making drones, but they’re also making smartphone camera gear that makes your smartphone video incredibly stable and smooth.
This week the dronemaker released its third iteration of the Osmo Mobile, dubbed the DJI Osmo Mobile 3. The Osmo Mobile is something of a blogger’s dream, taking the best of steadicams, and the best of selfie sticks, and merging them into one device that drastically improves the quality of your smartphone footage.
The biggest improvement in the Osmo Mobile 3 above its predecessors is the foldable function. DJI calls it the “most travel-friendly Osmo Mobile to date,” making this DJI’s first gimbal with a folding design.
Here’s how it works:
- Simply mount your compatible smartphone (most phones, include Android and Apple devices are compatible) to the Osmo.
- Use the Osmo to control the gimbal’s movement (automatic modes make this even easier; ie. Quick Roll rotates the orientation from portrait to landscape, and ActiveTrack can track a specific subject, while keeping that subject centered within the frame.)
- Images and video appear directly on your phone, or you can opt to view them in the DJI app. That makes it easy to post your footage directly to social media, or send it wherever else it may need to go — no memory card required.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is already on sale on DJI’s site, as well as at flagship stores and select Apple Stores, before hitting the shelves at other retailer partners. It starts at $119 for the standard version which includes Osmo Mobile 3, a wrist strap, storage pouch and anti-slip pads; or $139 for the Osmo Mobile 3 combo which includes all the components of the standard version along with the Osmo Grip Tripod and the Osmo Carrying Case.
That’s an incredibly low price, especially considering that the original Osmo Mobile, which was released in September 2016, first debuted at $299 — well over twice the price of the new Osmo Mobile 3.
Other useful specs:
- 15 hours of battery life
- Charging time: 2.5 hrs *Measured with a 10W charger
- Longest folded size: 157 mm
- Longest unfolded size: 285 mm
- Weight: 405 grams
- Wireless: Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0
DJI has recently been ramping up its efforts in the Osmo ecosystem, with its Osmo (which has a built-in camera), as well as its Osmo Pocket, an ultra-tiny version of the gimbal.