DJI has made the already stellar OM 5 even higher with the Osmo Cell 6. There are a number of new options, a greater design, and new software program tweaks to carry your smartphone movies to a brand new stage. After all, the machine remains to be actually costly and Android customers do not get all of the options or ease of use, however that is nonetheless the most effective client gimbal you will get.
Yearly, DJI launches a brand new iteration of its smartphone gimbal. In 2022, that machine is the DJI Osmo Cell 6. Should you’re a DJI fan, you’re not seeing issues: the corporate has gone again to the complete “Osmo Cell” branding slightly than the abbreviated “OM” branding we noticed on the previous few gimbals.
DJI is pulling out all of the stops this time round. Not solely is it providing all of the options of final yr’s DJI OM 5, but it surely’s additionally bringing in new {hardware} and software program options. However is all of it well worth the very excessive worth — and will Android customers even trouble? Discover out within the Android Authority DJI Osmo Cell 6 review.
About this DJI Osmo Cell 6 review: I examined the DJI Osmo Cell 6 over a interval of six days. I used it with a Samsung Galaxy S21 Extremely. The unit was offered by DJI for this review.
What you want to know in regards to the DJI Osmo Cell 6
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- DJI Osmo Cell 6: $159 / £145 / €169
The Osmo Cell 6 launched on September 22, 2022. It’s the follow-up to 2021’s DJI OM 5. The Osmo Cell 6 is a smartphone gimbal, which makes use of a three-axis motor to permit for extremely secure smartphone video footage. It’s appropriate with each Android telephones and iPhones, though the latter get preferential therapy as sure options are iPhone-exclusive.
Contained in the field, you’ll discover the gimbal itself together with a magnetic smartphone clamp, a mini-tripod, a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, a gentle carrying pouch, and numerous bits of paperwork. The tripod mount on the underside of the gimbal is the usual 0.25in measurement, so you may as well mount it on tripods you already personal.
The DJI Osmo Cell 6 has all of the {hardware} and software program options of the OM 5 however throws in a couple of extra for good measure.
To make use of the gimbal, you snap the included magnetic clamp onto your cellphone. The magnet on the again of the clamp then connects to the gimbal arm. The gimbal then auto-adjusts to the dimensions and weight of your cellphone. You solely must set the gimbal on this style as soon as per session, although, as a result of the magnetic clamp lets you join and take away your cellphone as a lot as you want without having to reset the gimbal.
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DJI carries a ton of equipment that work nicely with the Osmo Cell 6. Essentially the most notable is the Fill Gentle Cellphone Clamp, which is bought individually for $59. This replaces the included magnetic clamp and comes with a fill mild inbuilt. The sunshine has a number of tones and brightness settings and prices with an included USB-C cable. Moreover, DJI provides an Osmo Cell 6 Vlog Combo which incorporates the usual gimbal package deal together with a wi-fi microphone package. Utilizing all these instruments collectively might allow you to have an especially transportable skilled vlogging package.
The best technique to get all these merchandise is from DJI.com, however they’re additionally accessible at third-party retailers equivalent to Amazon and Greatest Purchase.
DJI Osmo Cell 6 vs OM 5: What’s the distinction?
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DJI at all times provides one thing new with its newest gimbal, however this yr, it pulled out all of the stops.
- Facet Wheel: On the left facet of the gimbal, you’ll discover the brand new Facet Wheel. Though the very first DJI Osmo Cell got here with a scroll wheel (which DJI faraway from all future fashions), that is totally different. It lets you management focus and zoom manually on supported telephones.
- Show: For the primary time within the line, the Osmo Cell 6 has a show. It is vitally small and works solely to provide you fast visible cues for vital data, together with battery life, your camera mode, and extra.
- Folding arm tweaks: The DJI OM 5 had a tricky-to-unfold arm. The Osmo Cell 6 has a equally designed arm, however it’s a lot simpler to unfold.
- New software program methods: DJI has up to date its Energetic Observe system to five.0, which permits for extra environment friendly object monitoring in addition to using the front-facing camera. It additionally has a brand new iPhone-only function referred to as Fast Launch.
- Connectivity: The Osmo Cell 6 connects to your cellphone with Bluetooth 5.1. It is a minor improve over the 2 earlier fashions, that are caught on Bluetooth 5.0. You gained’t discover a distinction in use, but it surely’s considerably higher for future-proofing.
- Design: The DJI Osmo Cell 6 is barely bigger and heavier than the 2021 mannequin. It additionally is available in only one coloration this yr: Slate Grey. This replaces the lighter Athens Grey from final yr, and Dawn White is not accessible.
How is the brand new DJI Osmo Cell 6 design?
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As with each DJI gimbal, the Osmo Cell 6 appears like a premium product. It’s been years since DJI supplied a gimbal that wasn’t made totally of plastic, however the construct high quality of the Osmo Cell 6 is particularly good. Though it’s small, it doesn’t really feel like a toy.
Talking of its measurement, the Osmo Cell 6 is barely bigger and heavier than the OM 5. It’s not by a lot: the 2022 mannequin is 309g in weight as in comparison with the 2021 mannequin’s 292g. It’s significantly taller when folded up, measuring 189 x 84.5 x 44mm as in comparison with the OM 5, which clocked in at 174.7 x 74.6 x 37mm. So portability is certainly knocked down a peg this yr. Nevertheless, the gimbal nonetheless feels extremely transportable to me, and I think solely of us very used to the dimensions and weight of the OM 5 can have any complaints.
The Osmo Cell 6 is barely bigger and heavier than the 2021 mannequin.
As with the OM 5, the Osmo Cell 6 has a built-in extension rod. It’s the identical size as earlier than (215mm or ~8.5in), feels secure, and is a helpful function for vloggers or individuals who take a variety of selfies.
One of many greatest variations with the design, nonetheless, is the brand new Facet Wheel. The Facet Wheel lets you management zoom and focus, with zoom the default. Turning the wheel both zooms in or out. Urgent the wheel swaps modes, and turns of the wheel management focus as a substitute. The wheel feels nice. It is vitally grippy in your fingertips and the turns are easy.
Clearly, the quantity and high quality of your zoom will rely in your smartphone. For my Galaxy S21 Extremely, I might zoom out to 0.6x or zoom in as much as 8x. There’s a noticeable jolt on the show once you shift from the ultrawide lens to the first lens or from the first lens to the telephoto, so filmmakers would have to be conscious of that. Nevertheless, when you’ve swapped lenses, zoom strikes easily by numerous magnification ranges.
Focus is simply as easy. Simply press the Facet Wheel after which flip the wheel to get a crisp take a look at your topic.
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One other massive addition this yr is the show. It has a couple of indicator lights to shortly get you information throughout your shoot. On the left of the show, you’ve a battery stage indicator and a connection indicator. Subsequent to that, you’ve 4 mode indicators: Observe mode (normal stabilization), Tilt Locked mode (retains the camera horizontal as a lot as doable), FPV mode (all three axes observe the motion of the camera), and Spin Shot mode (pushing the joystick controls the rotation of the camera). You may toggle by the modes linearly utilizing the multi-function button (indicated by an M on the entrance panel).
DJI has nailed the interface on the Osmo Cell 6.
All the opposite buttons on the DJI Osmo Cell 6 are the identical as earlier fashions: a file/shutter button, a button to swap from portrait mode to panorama mode, a joystick for controlling motion, and a set off for locking motion or activating Energetic Observe.
General, DJI has as soon as once more nailed the interface right here. All the things is simple sufficient to know {that a} novice filmmaker might choose up an Osmo Cell 6 and get proper to filming, whereas professionals will admire the varied ranges of management they’ve over the camera’s motion and stabilization.
What are the brand new DJI Mimo software program options?
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To make use of the DJI Osmo Cell 6, you’ll must have the DJI Mimo app in your cellphone. This lets you management the settings and capabilities of the gimbal itself. It additionally acts as a camera app which you’ll use to seize video and photograph content material. It’s not advisable to make use of different camera apps with the gimbal because you’ll lose a ton of performance, though you possibly can for those who like.
For iPhone customers, getting the app is straightforward: simply head to the Apple App Retailer and set up it. It’s a bit extra sophisticated for Android customers. Regardless of launching on the platform again in 2018, the DJI Mimo app not seems on the Google Play Retailer, so that you’ll must get it by one in every of two avenues. Should you personal a Samsung cellphone, you could find Mimo on the Galaxy Retailer. Should you don’t personal a Samsung cellphone, you’ll must sideload the app from DJI.
Android customers might want to both use the Galaxy Retailer or sideload an app to make use of the Osmo Cell 6.
Clearly, this can be a big inconvenience for Android customers. I requested DJI for a proper clarification as to why the app not seems on the Play Retailer, but it surely declined to specify. Traditionally, Apple’s App Retailer has extra strict tips for the safety of its apps, so it’s unlikely the app was faraway from the Play Retailer as a result of it’s insecure. With no assertion from DJI, although, we gained’t know for positive.
No matter the way you get the Mimo app, the Osmo Cell 6 helps all of the video options of earlier fashions. That features:
- Timelapse: Your cellphone sits in a stationary place and information footage for a set time period. When completed, the software program hurries up the footage to create a fast-paced edit.
- Hyperlapse: A timelapse shot that provides additional aptitude by transferring the camera from one level to a different very slowly whereas recording.
- Panorama: The camera takes images whereas it strikes from one level to a different mechanically after which items the images collectively to make one extra-wide photograph. A “Clone Me” choice inside this function additionally lets you digitally add your self to numerous spots throughout the closing photograph.
- Story Mode: The software program instructs you on how you can file three or 4 totally different photographs. You shoot these photographs, 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 approach for anybody to create gorgeous social media movies with none video modifying experience.
- Dyna-Zoom: When you bodily transfer backward, the zoom in your camera zooms in at an analogous tempo. This creates a barely disorienting shot that’s used for dramatic impact in TV, motion pictures, and commercials. It’s particularly useful for product reviews and meals movies.
- Shot Guides: Launched final yr with the OM 5, this function is kind of like 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 atmosphere) so you possibly can then attempt to mimic it.
Together with these returning options, there’s a model new iPhone-only function in addition to the yearly improve for DJI’s Energetic Observe.
Sadly, the latest software program function for the Osmo Cell 6 is iPhone solely.
The iPhone-only function is known as Fast Launch. Whenever you snap your clamped iPhone onto the gimbal’s arm, it’s going to mechanically launch the Mimo app. This eliminates an additional step from on the point of begin your shoot, which might be the distinction between capturing a second or lacking it. DJI has no plans to carry this function to Android gadgets, sadly.
DJI can also be rolling out Energetic Observe 5.0 with the Osmo Cell 6. Energetic Observe is a software program function that locks the camera onto a topic and retains it centered irrespective of the place you or the topic strikes to. With model 5.0, Energetic Observe is healthier than ever, working extra effectively on smaller and faster-moving topics. It additionally now works on the front-facing camera, so you should utilize it for selfie movies. It’s nonetheless not excellent (and certain by no means can be), but it surely continues to get higher and higher yearly. Energetic Observe 5.0 is unique to the Osmo Cell 6 and won’t come to earlier DJI gimbals.
The rest?
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- Spot test: The show will present a inexperienced mild when your cellphone is magnetically connected to the arm correctly. Nevertheless, if it detects it’s barely off, the sunshine will flip purple, giving the person an easy-to-understand system of figuring out whether or not or not the cellphone is able to shoot. It is a model new function for the Osmo Cell line.
- A robust maintain: The magnetic pressure that holds your smartphone to the arm is 47.5 Newtons. That is roughly sturdy sufficient to carry two 2-liter soda bottles. In different phrases, your cellphone isn’t going to fall off the arm, irrespective of how heavy it is perhaps.
- Energy: The battery contained in the Osmo Cell 6 is similar because the one which appeared within the OM 5. It has a capability of 1,000mAh and may internet you over six hours of gimbal utilization underneath ideally suited situations. It prices at as much as 10W, which may get you from zero to 100% in just below 90 minutes. Needless to say you can’t leech energy from the gimbal to cost your cellphone. This was a function the DJI OM 4 supported however DJI eradicated with subsequent fashions.
- Compatibility: DJI has a really useful PDF chart displaying all of the telephones appropriate with the Osmo Cell 6 and what camera options they help. Some notables are all flagship Pixel telephones from the Pixel 4 ahead, all OnePlus flagships from the OnePlus 8 ahead, and all Samsung flagships from the Galaxy S10 ahead.
DJI Osmo Cell 6 review: The decision
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For the previous few years, DJI has held a vice-like grip on the patron smartphone gimbal market. Whereas there are actually different notable corporations on the market, nobody provides the {hardware} high quality and, most significantly, the software program high quality of DJI. My time with the DJI Osmo Cell 6 signifies that its lead over the competitors isn’t weakening in any respect. If something, it’s going to be stronger than ever.
Flat out, the Osmo Cell 6 provides every thing we noticed with the terrific OM 5 after which throws in a bunch of recent options. The Facet Wheel provides a brand new layer of usefulness {and professional} air to the gimbal, whereas the show makes working the machine simpler than ever. Energetic Observe continues to get extra highly effective and DJI’s dependable secure of capturing modes outpaces the competitors by leaps and bounds.
Actually, the one main factor that’s disappointing in regards to the Osmo Cell 6 is the way it signifies that DJI doesn’t actually care a lot about Android customers. The Fast Launch function being iPhone-only is a bummer and the truth that most Android customers might want to sideload the Mimo app is very inconvenient. Hopefully, this isn’t an indication that DJI is simply going to surrender on Android help altogether sometime.
There’s additionally the query of the worth. It’s commendable that DJI didn’t increase the worth this yr — the Osmo Cell 6 is launching on the similar $159 worth we noticed with the OM 5. Nevertheless, that’s nonetheless actually costly for a smartphone gimbal. With gimbals, although, you are likely to get what you pay for, and DJI’s possession of the market permits it to command that worth.
The Osmo Cell 6 might be the most effective smartphone gimbal on the market for iPhone customers, however Android customers must know what they’re in for.
If that’s too costly for you, the DJI OM 5 ($129) has now completely dropped in worth. You’ll save $30 however miss out on all the brand new options the Osmo Cell 6 provides. This is perhaps ideally suited, although, if portability is of utmost significance for the reason that OM 5 is smaller and lighter than the Osmo Cell 6.
If even the OM 5 is just too expensive for you, the DJI OM 4 SE ($99) is a superb purchase. It doesn’t fold up as compactly because the Osmo Cell 6 or OM 5, but it surely nonetheless travels nicely.
Exterior of DJI, Zhiyun might be your next-best guess. Essentially the most comparable product to the Osmo Cell 6, although, is the Clean 5 ($169), which is definitely costlier and fewer compact. Going with the Clean 4 ($99) as a substitute would prevent a bunch of money, however you’re getting a a lot much less highly effective product.
The underside line right here is iPhone customers shouldn’t even take a look at the competitors: the DJI Osmo Cell 6 is the most effective smartphone gimbal on the market. Android customers want to know what they’re getting themselves into, however even then, you most likely gained’t discover one other comparable product that works higher than this. The query now turns into: how will DJI high itself subsequent yr?
DJI Osmo Cell 6
Compact and transportable • New show panel • New Facet Wheel
One of the best client smartphone gimbal will get even higher
The DJI Osmo Cell 6 provides extra skilled options than most earlier entries within the sequence. It is costly, however it will ship the options, transportability, and software program methods to please everybody.
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