DJI Osmo Mobile 5 Vs DJI Osmo Mobile 4

• DJI OM 5 smartphone gimbal launched;

• Key features include extension rod, upgraded ActiveTrack, front flash light accessory, upgraded phone clamp, and wider smartphone compatibility;

• Lighter and smaller than its predecessors, the Osmo Mobile 5 is a foldable and easily transportable gimbal, ideal for vloggers and content creators on the go;

• New ShotGuides feature provides pre-set shooting tutorials and supports automatic editing into one polished video - great for new videographers; 

• The DJI OM 5 is available in two colours: Sunset White and Athens Grey.  

The Osmo Mobile 5 is here, DJI's latest Osmo Mobile Phone Gimbal. This lightweight, compact and foldable gimbal with quick-release magnetic clamp is an essential tool for capturing smooth cinematic content with your smartphone.

With updated features including a built-in extension rod, new ShotGuides feature and front flash light accessory, as well as a suite of intelligent shooting modes such as gesture control, dynamic zoom, and rotating gimbal, the OM 5 ticks plenty of boxes for vloggers and content creators on the go.

Indeed, it is an impressive piece of tech which will no doubt attract users who want to add a smartphone gimbal to their kit bag, or are in desperate need of an upgrade.    

But as DJI continues to reinvent this range of popular smartphone gimbals, how does this new release compare to the OM 4 - which hit the shelves just over a year ago - and is it worth swapping? 

Find out in this in-depth comparison.  

Design

Both the DJI OM 5 and Osmo Mobile 4 are similar in their appearance.

They are also foldable gimbals, enabling them to be transported easily, ideal for content creation and vlogging on the go. They also have tripod functionality.

In DJI's constant strive for innovation, the Osmo Mobile 5 is the smallest and lightest Osmo yet. In fact, it is one-third smaller than its predecessor, reiterating its position as a truly portable device. 

One of the standout features of the OM 4 was an impressive magnetic design, enabling users to quickly attach and detach their phone to and from the gimbal.

It was a nice touch, and the OM 5 continues this trend, as the below images show.

But while the idea is the same, the OM 5 features a newly-designed clamp, which goes over your smartphone's case to provide better protection. 

Users will also be pleased to hear that the clamp provides added versatility,  making the OM 5 compatible with even more smartphone models than the OM 4. Read this DJI OM 5 Smartphone compatibility guide to find out which phones the OM 5 is compatible with. 

DJI OM 5 comes with an innovative built-in extension rod; a feature not available on the OM 4. This extension rod provides dynamic angles and shooting possibilities for content creation. 

Another new feature to be introduced with the OM 5 is the Fill Light Phone Clamp accessory.

Purchased separately, this magnetic clamp - designed for low-light shooting - features a built-in auxiliary light with three brightness levels and three colour temperature options, letting you highlight subjects with excellent lighting wherever you go.

Incidentally, it is also compatible with the OM 4. 

DJI has also added one more button to the handle, helping OM 5 users access and control core features and functions quicker and easier.

A final point to mention on the design is that the OM 5 is available in two new colours: Sunset White and Athens Grey. Sure, it is perhaps a tad gimmicky, but it is nice to have the choice between two distinctive shades. The OM 4 is available in one colour only.

Stabilisation

There's no real difference between the OM 5 and OM 4 when it comes to stabilisation.

Both benefit from DJI's high-grade three-axis stabilisation (forward-backward, left-right, and side-to-side), which fully supports walking and sports scenarios and provides shake-free footage.

For additional stability, both versions of the gimbal benefit from Electronic ImageStabilisation (EIS) technology when in the Timelapse, Motionlapse, or Hyperlapse modes for an added level of smoothness.

DJI OM 5 v DJI Osmo Mobile 4: Intelligent Features

The OM 5 and OM 4 feature a suite of intelligent modes and functions to help users capture quality content, easily.

But the OM 5 does have some new features to set it apart. However, it is important to note that the OM 5 has an inferior operational battery life - with the OM 4 able to operate for up to 15 hours, whereas the OM 5 has a maximum operational time of 6.4 hours.

One of the biggest upgrades is the OM 5's inclusion of the newly-updated ActiveTrack 4.0, which now supports tracking at up to 3x zoom at 5 m/s, and precisely identifies and steadily follows the subject centered in frame, even while in action.   

It is an enhanced version of the OM 4's ActiveTrack 3.0 functionality.

A nice touch - and new feature - on the OM 5 is the ShotGuides feature which provides up to 30 sets of pre-set shooting tutorials and supports automatic editing into one polished video. It's a great addition for newbies to videography.

The OM 5 also includes the Glamour Effects function, which supports automatic retouching and customised parameter settings. This modes is automatically activated when switching to the front-facing camera.

Other than that, both gimbals feature the same cool intelligent features, such as:

• Gesture Control: Use hand gestures to start and stop video recording or take photos. This is ideal for selfies or group footage.

• DynamicZoom: A visually appealing cinematic look, DJI OM 5 automatically adjusts the zoom function to create the dramatic background shift made popular by Alfred Hitchcock.

• Panoramas: Choose from three creative panorama options to capture a wider perspective including 3x3 panorama, 240°panorama and “CloneMe” panorama which allows the user to add multiple versions of a person or subject into one shot for a unique and creative effect.

• Spin Shot Gimbal Movement: Activated in the DJI Mimo app and using the joystick, the gimbal will rotate the phone to give a spinning effect front facing camera flash.

The OM 5 and OM 4 also feature Timelapse, Motionlapse, Hyperlapse.

Story Mode Templates are also available with both. This enables users to choose from one of the pre-set templates to add a creative spin to content, and uses pre-set movements, music and colour palettes for quick videos perfect for sharing on social media.

Incidentally, both gimbals use the DJI Mimo app.

DJI OM 5 v DJI OM 4: Price

Upon release, the OM 5 is £139. This represents great value, especially as this includes a range of accessories, such as magnetic clamp, tripod, power cable, wrist strap and storage pouch.

In comparison, the OM 4 was the same price when it was launched in August last year, but at the time of writing, it is on sale at £118.

Summary

The DJI Osmo Series has set the bar high for smartphone gimbals and the OM 5 continues that trend.

In truth, the jump was more pronounced when the OM 4 was launched last year, with some impressive and revolutionary upgrades - such as magnetic clamp - from the Osmo Mobile 3.

This time round, the OM 5 feels like a more polished version of the OM 4, perhaps making it a better option for new users to the series, compared to those with an OM 4.

That said, the OM 5 has some decent upgrades to the OM 4 - minus the reduced battery life. While they aren't necessarily earthshattering, they will enhance the content-creation experience, such as the extension rod, the full light accessory and additional smartphone compatibility.

And taking the OM 5 in isolation, there's no doubt it is a great smartphone gimbal, and its range of smart content-creation features, coupled with its compact size and foldable frame, make it an ideal tool for vloggers and content creators on the go.