It was less than a year ago when we last saw a new version of DJI’s handheld smartphone gimbal. Given the popularity and competitiveness of the category, though, we’re not surprised they’re cranking out new models even faster than Apple cranks out new iPhones. As such, the outfit has introduced the DJI Osmo Mobile 8, which brings a selection of new key functions to the popular accessory.
What’s new for this iteration? According to DJI, the gimbal can now rotate and pan your smartphone a full 360 degrees continuously, allowing for seamless rotating shots. It also boasts full compatibility with Apple’s DockKit for better iPhone integration, updated tracking algorithms, and longer battery life.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 is a handheld smartphone gimbal equipped with three-axis stabilization to ensure smooth footage, regardless of any kind of movements you make during shoots. When used with the DJI Mimo app, it also uses the outfit’s ActiveTrack 7.0 tech, which lets you lock onto a subject and keeps them in frame the entire time, automatically compensating for zoom levels, obstacles, or any sudden movements. Unlike previous versions of the gimbal, this one offers Apple DockKit support, allowing it to use the iPhone’s native tracking algorithms for better compatibility with third party camera apps on iOS.
Like the last model, it uses a Multifunctional Module that’s included with the device. When attached to the side of the magnetic phone mount, this module gives users an LED fill light for illuminating scenes, while serving as a wireless receiver for DJI’s wireless microphones. The module also adds DJI’s own autonomous subject tracking without having to use the DJI Mimo app, allowing you to use whatever camera pp you prefer. Oh yeah, the module can now track not just humans, but also dogs and cats, while supporting gesture control via predefined hand motions. If you don’t need any of those features, you can just leave the module in the box and use the gimbal without it.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 uses a new pan axis that supports continuous 360-degree horizontal rotation, eliminating the forced stop in previous versions, allowing for smoother footage of subjects moving around the gimbal’s vicinity. As with previous versions, the handheld gimbal can extend in length using the built-in extension rod while tilting the head in various directions, allowing for more creative shooting angles for all sorts of subjects and scenes. There’s also a built-in tripod for setting it down on a flat surface, a magnetic phone clamp for fast and secure mounting (the magnetic mount also works with MagSafe, so iPhone users can ditch the clamp), and a slide wheel for easily controlling zoom and focus.
When using the DJI Mimo app, it supports all sorts of creative shooting modes, such as timelapse, hyperlapse, panorama, dynamic zoom, and more. It can even use AI to analyze scenes and recommend shot sequences you can do. Other features include a maximum phone weight of 10.6 ounces, a foldable design for better portability, 10 hours of video recording between charges, and even USB-C port that lets you charge your phone from the gimbal’s battery if you need the extra juice.
The DJI Osmo Mobile is now launching globally. In Europe, it’s priced at €159. US pricing is expected to be announced soon.
