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DJI OM 5: do you really need a smartphone gimbal with selfie stick? (DJI Hi 5 revealed)

DJI Hi 5 is OM 5, a smartphone gimbal with selfie stick
DJI Hi 5 is OM 5, a smartphone gimbal with selfie stick

The DJI Hi 5 teased last week has been revealed: it’s the OM 5, a smartphone gimbal with built-in selfie stick.  Here are the details.

As widely speculated, the OM 5 is a foldable smartphone gimbal similar to the OM 4 but with a built-in selfie stick, about 21.5 cm long.

DJI OM 5 vs OM 4

In addition to the built-in selfie stick, the OM 5 has a few other less obvious improvements:

  • it’s lighter and more compact
  • it has better stabilization that can support heavier devices.
  • ActiveTrack 4.0 for better subject tracking
  • ShotGuides is a feature that recognizes scenes and recommends appropriate templates.

DJI also released a couple of new accessories: a magnetic clamp with built-in fill light and a new magnetic clamp.  Don’t expect the fill light to be that bright.  As for the new version of the magnetic clamp, it appears to be the same as the one for the OM 4 but with a new “OM” logo instead of “DJI” logo.  Both accessories can be used with either OM 5 or OM 4.

New magnetic clamp with built-in LED light for DJI OM 5 or OM 4
New magnetic clamp with built-in LED light for DJI OM 5 or OM 4

Price and availability; DJI OM 5 alternatives

DJI OM 5 is available now for $159.

I think a built-in selfie stick is a useful addition if I’m looking for a smartphone gimbal. But I don’t think it I would upgrade to the OM 5 if I already have a smartphone gimbal, nor would it cause me to get the OM 5 if I’m not looking for a smartphone gimbal in the first place.

Speaking of which, I personally don’t use smartphone gimbals because the stabilization in phones is already quite good and having to use a gimbal with a smartphone takes too much time.  If I really wanted to get a better shot than my phone can provide, I would prefer either a 360 camera such as the Insta360 One X2 ($429) for unique angles or for convenience of a 3rd person view without having to aim.  For higher video quality, I would use my Osmo Pocket 2 ($349) or for professional video quality, a mirrorless camera with my DJI RS 2 gimbal $849 (or the slightly smaller RSC 2 at $499).  But one benefit of the OM 5 compared to the other options is significantly lower cost.  It also leverages the camera in your phone.

Would you be interested in a comparison?  Let me know in the comments!

About the author

Mic Ty

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  • I bought both the OM 4 and the Osmo Pocket 2 this week (I’ve owned both of them previously). I got the OM4 only because I have a 1.55x anamorphic lens that I love for my iPhone12ProMax, but unfortunately you can’t use the phone’s IBIS with an anamorphic lens, things get way too distorted quickly. So have to go with gimbal. I got the Pocket 2 again bc I remember being really impressed by the 64mp photo mode, and of course the video. But doing a side by side test last night with my phone, the phone’s Dolby Vision completely blew away the Pocket2’S IQ, I was quite surprised since I like the video coming out of the Pocket. Both the pocket and IP12ProMax have same size sensor, but that 10bit from the phone really crushes the competition (including every consumer 360 camera out there). I wish these alternate cameras would keep up.

  • when its getting dark and you have an iPhone it makes sense to record with it instead of a 360 or Hero9 because in low light the iphone is better…

    i give this gimbal a try