Today DJI has unveiled the fifth iteration of its affordable smartphone stabilizers that help turn the device in your pocket into an amazingly capable movie production tool. Although the DJI OM 5 now includes a telescopic arm this makes it easier to capture group photos and low-angle photos, the improvements come at a significant cost for battery life.
Like the DJI OM 4 which debuted just over a year ago, the new OM 5 features the same easy to use magnetic clamp system but with greater adjustability so that larger phones, including those carrying a bulky protective case, can be easily attached and removed from the cardan shaft. The OM 5 also features a smaller, lighter design, even with the addition of an integrated “extension bar” that can place a smartphone at an additional 215 millimeters (approximately eight and a half inches). ) further away from the user. DJI has basically turned the gimbal into a stabilized selfie stick for capturing larger group photos, but the extra length will also make it easier to capture more creative photos from higher or lower angles.
The extension bar doesn’t extend or remove automatically, so you can’t use it as a short-range camera cart, but you probably wouldn’t want it in any way, while the OM 4 model of the year last had 15 hours of battery life, the new OM 5 comes out after six hours and 20 minutes. This is still pretty decent—You would probably fill the phone’s storage to capture video before the OM 5 needs a recharge – but it’s a significant drop in battery life, as the OM 5 doesn’t look much smaller than the OM 4. The storage space required for this telescopic arm apparently left much less space for the battery.
Other upgrades to the DJI OM 5 include stronger cardan motors to keep larger and heavier smartphones stable, improved image recognition, and tracking to automatically block specific issues on the card. frame, and a new in-app ShotGuides feature that will scan a scene, automatically recommend a series of screenshots for editing, and automatically edit them together in a video.
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OM 5 is available now on the DJI website in two color options: Athens Gray and Sunset White, for $ 139. Optional upgrades include a $ 39 carrying case (the device comes with a fabric storage bag), as well as a $ 79 alternative magnetic clip per phone that adds battery-powered LED lights to enhance selfie photos with little light.