DJI Osmo Mobile 7P: An In-Depth Review of the Best Everyday Smartphone Gimbal

DJI Osmo Mobile 7P: An In-Depth Review of the Best Everyday Smartphone GimbalSince smartphone manufacturers have been racing to introduce various anti-shake technologies, the smartphone gimbal market seemed to have fallen into a period of dormancy. However, software algorithms alone cannot fully compensate for hardware limitations, leaving significant potential in the smartphone gimbal market

DJI Osmo Mobile 7P: An In-Depth Review of the Best Everyday Smartphone Gimbal

Since smartphone manufacturers have been racing to introduce various anti-shake technologies, the smartphone gimbal market seemed to have fallen into a period of dormancy. However, software algorithms alone cannot fully compensate for hardware limitations, leaving significant potential in the smartphone gimbal market. After a three-year hiatus, DJI has finally updated its Osmo Mobile series with its latest masterpiecethe DJI Osmo Mobile 7P. Officially positioned as a "new generation of all-scenario precision tracking mobile stabilizer," it was launched alongside the standard DJI Osmo Mobile 7. Both models prioritize "lightweight portability and simple operation," employing DJI's seventh-generation anti-shake technology and Intelligent Follow 7.0 for improved three-axis stabilization and intelligent tracking. The official prices are 549 and 899 respectively (website limits one purchase per person, and DJI products are often in high demand). This review is based on a month-long trial of the DJI Osmo Mobile 7P.

I. Lightweight, Portable, and Ready-to-Use Mini Gimbal

As the most consumer-friendly model in DJI's product line, the Osmo Mobile 7P emphasizes "simplicity." This simplicity is evident in both its operation and accessories; the function and purpose of each accessory are clear at a glance.

The Osmo Mobile 7P retains the dark gray color scheme of its predecessor, but with a more refined, skin-like texture. The grip area features a sweat-proof and anti-slip design for comfortable extended shooting. Powering on is incredibly simple: unfolding the gimbal arms automatically starts the device in under a second, meeting the needs of users for immediate shooting and lowering the barrier to entry.

Its foldable design is a major highlight, and users will naturally be concerned about its durability and sturdiness. Given DJI's years of experience in material selection and design, there's no need for concern regarding quality. The folding clasp is made of metal for enhanced robustness.

The officially included phone clamp utilizes DJI's familiar magnetic quick-release design, allowing for easy attachment to the gimbal. This clamp is compatible with most mainstream smartphones, officially recommending phones with a width of 67mm to 84mm, a thickness of 6.9mm to 10mm, and a weight of 170g to 290g. In other words, phones with screens ranging from 6 inches to 6.9 inches are perfectly compatible. Foldable phones can only be used in their unfolded state. It's worth noting that the clamp edges have two rows of magnetic contact points, crucial for a new accessory discussed later.

II. Magnetic Quick-Release Mount and Other Useful Accessories

DJI also offers a thoughtful accessorythe magnetic quick-release mount. If your phone or phone case supports magnetic attachment, you can directly attach the mount to the back of your phone and then easily mount it to the gimbal, eliminating the hassle of attaching and detaching your phone for each shot. However, this prevents the use of another useful accessory, highlighting a classic trade-off.

III. Simple and Intuitive Control Experience

As a consumer-grade product, the Osmo Mobile 7P doesn't require the leveling process of traditional gimbals before each shot, allowing for almost immediate shooting upon power-on.

The Osmo Mobile 7P's front panel houses the control area, including three buttons, a dial, a joystick, and a trigger button.

The M button switches between various gimbal modes, and a long press enters sleep mode to save power; the orange button is the record button, starting recording with a single click after connecting to the phone; the multi-function button offers versatile functionalitiesa single click switches between front and rear cameras, a double click switches between landscape and portrait shooting, and a triple click switches between photo and video modes.

The trigger button on the back also provides multiple functions: a single click starts/stops the follow function, a double click centers the gimbal, and a long press activates lock mode. While the functions may seem complex, they can be mastered in a few minutes.

The rotary dial switches between focus and zoom functions. The dial operation allows for finer and smoother zoom and focus control compared to a lever. However, the single-click operation of the dial feels somewhat awkward; it's best considered as an independent zoom wheel.

A small display panel next to the power button conveniently shows battery level, system indicator light status, and the four gimbal modes.

The Osmo Mobile 7P features a built-in selfie stick of moderate length for flexible framing and selfies; the bottom houses a built-in base stand for placing the gimbal on a flat surface for static photos or time-lapse videos. A 1/4" thread is also included on the bottom for attaching a tripod, but using an overly long tripod is discouraged to avoid affecting the center of gravity and increasing the risk of dropping the device.

IV. Rich Features and Modes

The Osmo Mobile 7P incorporates most of the features of a handheld gimbal within its compact body; the built-in selfie stick also saves users considerable trouble.

V. Real-World Usage Experience: Stability Beyond Smartphone Capabilities

The Osmo Mobile 7P offers several gimbal modes: the default is the general mode; in tilt-lock mode, the phone screen follows the gimbal's movement horizontally, suitable for panning and circling shots; in FPV mode, the phone screen follows the gimbal's movement in all directions, ideal for travel vlogs to enhance immersion; the rotating shooting mode is more challenging to master and requires a more specific shooting subject. These modes were already present on the Osmo Mobile 6 three years ago.

The Osmo Mobile 7P's most intriguing feature is its new accessorythe multi-functional tracking module. This module allows for real-time tracking of objects or people. Unlike previous Osmo Mobile models that relied on algorithms for intelligent tracking, this hardware improvement cannot be fully replicated by software algorithms. Installation is simple, directly attaching to the magnetic contact points on the phone clamp, and supports front and rear switching.

Tests show that the module firmly locks onto the subject's head during horizontal panning, keeping it centered in the frame. Even if the subject quickly leaves the frame, it rapidly reacquires the target. For users frequently shooting short videos, micro-films, or vlogs with their smartphones, this is a "game-changer."

The tracking module also integrates a fill light. While not high-powered, its four color temperature and four brightness levels are highly practical for users frequently shooting videos or livestreaming outdoors.

The Osmo Mobile 7P boasts DJI's latest generation of three-axis stabilization technology, its stability is unquestionable. Whether walking, running, or rotating, the footage remains incredibly stable, far surpassing the capabilities of smartphone cameras.

VI. Powerful App Features and Convenient Operation

Personally, I primarily use the native camera for photos and videos, as Android's support for third-party apps is less favorable than iOS, and most of the Osmo Mobile 7P's features are usable without the app. However, some interesting features require DJI's Mimo app, such as dynamic zoom, also known as the "Hitchcock zoom" effect popular on Xiaohongshu and Douyin. The Osmo Mobile 7P significantly simplifies this process; users only need to choose whether the background should move closer or further away, and the gimbal automatically shoots and generates the final footage.

The selfie mode is also practical. When activated, the gimbal automatically recognizes faces and follows them, simultaneously enabling beauty mode by default. This is ideal for recording selfie vlogs, Douyin videos, and group photos, particularly popular among female users.

Gesture control is similar to older models. The app prompts the user on which gestures to use; after recognizing the gesture, the device takes a photo or records video and automatically performs subject recognition and intelligent tracking.

The app also offers static time-lapse and motion time-lapse functions. Static time-lapse allows for fixed-angle or trajectory time-lapse shooting; motion time-lapse allows users to shoot time-lapse videos while walking, producing impressive results.

However, the app's operation logic remains landscape-only, and exiting the shooting page can only be done by swiping left, making this aspect somewhat inconvenient. DJI still needs to improve this.

Regarding battery life, DJI claims the Osmo Mobile 7P can theoretically last for about ten hours. In testing, after intermittent use for over two hours, the battery level only decreased by one small increment, demonstrating sufficient battery life for everyday use.

VII. Review Summary: Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

1. Lightweight and compact, easy to carry;

2. Simple and easy to operate, requiring minimal learning time;

3. Feature-rich, possessing many of the functions and configurations of professional camera gimbals;

4. The multi-functional tracking module is extremely useful;

Weaknesses:

1. Bugs were present in the beta version, with the motors sometimes failing to reset;

2. The zoom dial's operational experience was not as good as expected;

VIII. Price and Target Users

The Osmo Mobile 7 series offers two versions: the Osmo Mobile 7 at 549 and the Osmo Mobile 7P at 899. This pricing is very competitive. From the Action