(Pocket-lint) – DJI is again with one other iteration of its class-leading smartphone gimbal, the Osmo Cell 6. With this launch, the model has reverted again to its unique naming conventions after three generations of “OM” branding. We’re undecided why the naming has modified however regardless, this newest mannequin gives much more than only a new identify.
The DJI OM 5 was already the most effective smartphone gimbals that we had ever examined, so we had been excited to get our arms on the most recent mannequin, which guarantees to be even higher. Nonetheless, in a world the place built-in digital picture stabilisation is providing gimbal-like smoothness, particularly on the most recent iPhones, is that this accent nonetheless definitely worth the trouble? We have been testing to search out out.
The DJI Osmo Cell 6 is light-weight, compact, fast to arrange and simple to make use of. With quite a few benefits over its predecessor, we do not doubt that it is the most effective smartphone gimbals cash should purchase.
For informal customers, nonetheless, it is not the need it as soon as was. Most individuals shall be greater than glad with their smartphone’s built-in stabilisation, which may present glorious outcomes with out the necessity for added gear.
For content material creators, and people seeking to give their TikToks the sting, there are many benefits to proudly owning the Osmo Cell 6. Notably should you’re filming your self, ActiveTrack 5.0 is an extremely highly effective instrument. We love the movement management for creating timelapses, too.
The viewers is certainly extra area of interest than it was in years previous, however should you’re a type of who can use its full potential, the DJI Osmo Cell 6 might be the one to purchase.
- Nice ergonomics
- Helpful extension pole
- Lengthy battery life
- Speedy set-up
- Handy controls
- Robust motors
- Restricted panning vary
- Struggles with very light-weight telephones
- Most individuals will not want it
Design
- Dimensions unfolded: 276 × 111.5 × 99 mm
- Dimensions folded: 189 × 84.5 × 44 mm
- Weight: 309 grams
- Constructed-in extension rod, magnetic mounting system
The DJI Osmo Cell 6 is all about comfort, it is very compact and light-weight, whereas a brand new locking mechanism ensures that the arm does not flop about throughout transport. The deal with is extra ergonomic than its predecessor and it feels nice to carry. All the controls are conveniently positioned and make single-handed capturing an absolute breeze.
The darker gray color that DJI has chosen for the Cell 6 offers a bit extra of an expert look than the earlier technology and the brand new controls look extra skilled, too. On the left facet, you may discover a new wheel which can be utilized for both zoom or handbook focus management, changing the little slider on the OM 5. As well as, the joystick is far more pronounced with grippy knurled edges for extra exact management.
One other new addition is the standing display that is discovered above the controls. It is not really a display, per se, however a sequence of LED illuminated symbols and they are much extra helpful than we initially anticipated. Right here you possibly can see your battery standing, recording tally and capturing mode. It is particularly helpful if you wish to shoot with an app like Filmic Professional slightly than the DJI Mimo app.
Setup is extraordinarily fast, all you must do is unlock the arm with a fast twist and unfold the machine’s single hinge. Whenever you achieve this, the gimbal activates routinely and you may connect your telephone with the identical glorious magnetic mounting system that we noticed on the earlier mannequin. You’ll be able to go from stowed to capturing in a matter of seconds.
For iPhone customers, the expertise will be made even easier with a function that DJI calls Fast Launch. Because of this when your telephone attaches to the magnetic mount, a notification will pop up permitting you to entry the DJI Mimo app immediately. Sadly, we did not have an iPhone available to do this with, but it surely solely takes an additional second or so to open the app manually on Android.
The Osmo Cell 6 options the identical pull-out selfie stick because the final mannequin, and we’re happy to see it. Some could dismiss it as a gimmick, however we discover that it actually helps with attaining sure angles, particularly low-to-the-ground monitoring pictures.
Efficiency
- Supported telephone weight 170 – 290g
- Horizontal and vertical capturing help
In distinction to plenty of the older gimbal designs, the DJI Osmo Cell 6 appears like a vertical-video-first method. For us, that is welcomed, as nearly all of the content material that we shoot on telephones is destined for vertical platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. At first boot, the machine goes straight into the vertical mode, however it may be simply switched to horizontal with a double click on of the digital camera change button.
The motors have been upgraded on the Osmo Cell 6 in an effort to address the bigger and heavier telephones which might be turning into extra frequent, just like the iPhone 14 Professional Max, as an illustration. We initially started testing with the Google Pixel 5, considering a light-weight telephone would carry out nicely on a gimbal, however we had been mistaken. It seems that the Pixel 5 is about 20 grams under the supported weight vary and this resulted in some wobbly disagreeable footage.
As soon as we realised our mistake, we had been capable of get much better outcomes utilizing the Oppo Reno 8 Professional (183g) and the heaviest telephone we needed to hand, the Black Shark 5 Professional (253g). The vast majority of smartphones in the marketplace fall throughout the supported weight vary, but it surely’s price double-checking earlier than you half together with your money.
The stabilisation outcomes had been primarily on par with the final couple of generations of DJI smartphone gimbal. The model clearly sussed out what works successfully a few years in the past and is now simply engaged on refining the consumer expertise and including options. What has modified extra dramatically is the built-in picture stabilisation on fashionable smartphones. It is so efficient now, that the overwhelming majority of customers shall be unlikely to ever wish to use a gimbal.
Nonetheless, the outcomes from the gimbal undoubtedly nonetheless have the sting in terms of smoothness, it is simply not as clear-cut because it as soon as was – and we are able to solely think about this hole narrowing. We discovered that our outcomes had been most spectacular in low-light conditions. Right here, digital picture stabilisation struggles as a result of slower shutter speeds required and the footage from the gimbal is far more spectacular.
Customers of telephones just like the Sony Xperia 1 IV, which may shoot at a tremendous 4K 120fps however with none stabilisation, will profit most from a product like this. Nonetheless, gimbals supply much more than simply video smoothness, and we’ll get into all of its different methods within the subsequent part.
Software program and options
- DJI Mimo app with ActiveTrack 5.0
- Tutorials, Timelapse, Hyperlapse, Panorama
- Magnificence filters
The Osmo Cell 6 makes use of the identical DJI Mimo app as earlier gimbals, and it comes with the identical expansive function set that homeowners of earlier fashions shall be acquainted with. This contains timelapse and hyper-lapse recording, the flexibility to create panoramas and clone your self, in addition to an intensive library of tutorials and shot inspiration.
Certainly one of our favorite options of DJI gimbals is ActiveTrack, and it has been improved for this technology. DJI says the most recent model is extra steady for long-distance monitoring and is best at monitoring topics that flip to the facet or spin.
When the selfie digital camera is energetic, ActiveTrack 5.0 springs into motion by default, preserving your face in centre body. With the rear cameras, it may be activated both by drawing a field round your topic or tapping the set off on the deal with to begin and cease monitoring. It is actually handy.
For human topics, ActiveTrack labored just about flawlessly all through our testing. For objects, it is just a little extra hit-and-miss, however for essentially the most half, it does a wonderful job. We discovered that it really works finest on objects with a contrasting color, whereas it may simply be confused should you tried to trace a rock on a gray day.
As with the previous few fashions of DJI gimbals, there are magnificence options built-in and these are activated by default on the selfie digital camera. We had been alarmed at first, seeing ourselves with exaggerated eye dimension and smoothed pores and skin. There are expansive choices, too, if you wish to slim your face or rosy your cheeks. We will think about that this type of factor could be extra interesting to the youthful crowd, but it surely’s not helpful for us, and we saved it turned off.
Whereas informal customers could not see a smartphone gimbal to be the need it as soon as was, it actually nonetheless has its place for content material creators and social media aficionados. If you happen to can reap the benefits of its options, you will not be upset with the Osmo Cell 6.
Writing by Luke Baker. Modifying by Verity Burns.
