DJI OSMO Mobile 7P review

The DJI OSMO Mobile 7P is DJI’s 7th-generation smartphone gimbal that once again leaps forward when it comes to the design, functions, and features of these compact devices. As with past models, the OSMO Mobile 7 has been designed to work with your smartphone and, through the DJI Mimo App, unlocks powerful video creation features that will help transform your smartphone video into professional productions.

However, while the previous OSMO Mobile devices were excellent, over the years, I’ve looked at most and this latest release takes things to the next level. This elevation in features is all due to the new multifunctional module. This module is something new to DJI, but many of its key features have been seen on gimbals from the likes of ZHIYUN and Hohem. Most notably, the AI tech enables the gimbal to track outside of the DJI Mimo app, essentially meaning that you can integrate many of the more advanced features of the gimbal into other apps that you use and start and stop recordings and other functions with a series of hand gestures.

On the front, alongside the small AI camera, is the small, well-diffused LED fill light. This throws just enough light to act as a decent fill light for close-range work, and the fact that it incorporates temperature and brightness adjustments helps to add to its usefulness.

Alongside the features we’ve seen from other manufacturers—although not yet in a single modular unit such as the one on offer here—we also have one of the most powerful tools for any content creator: the integration of a receiver that can be used with the DJI Mic Mini. This integration enables you to record professional-level audio easily and provides high-quality footage and sound that will instantly help transform the quality of your videos, enabling you to keep the entire content creation process fully contained within your phone and a single app.

That’s essentially what makes this gimbal different from all others—the ability to easily integrate this new hardware and the extras that it offers into the apps and features that you already own and know.

The OSMO 7 has been designed to be small and compact so that it neatly fits into a bag without adding too much weight or bulk. When it comes to the dimensions, unfolded it measures 288×107×96 mm, while folded, 190×95×46 mm. Weight-wise, it comes in at 386 g with the module fitted, although you will, of course, need to add the weight of your phone—in this case, an iPhone 15 Pro.

As I’ve seen with plenty of other gimbals of this type, the clamp is magnetic, so it can be quickly removed from the gimbal. An addition to this clamp is the fact that it offers a row of contacts, enabling it to communicate with the multifunctional module when mounted on the end.

Another feature that I’ve seen on quite a few of the newer gimbals, including the previous generation of the Osmo, is the integrated tripod that pulls from the base of the device. Other transformer-style features include the telescopic selfie stick, which extends to 215 mm.

Looking around the rest of the build, all the main controls are on the rear of the grip, giving you easy access when in use. At the top is the small screen that highlights the function and settings you’re using, with the small power and mode button. Then there’s the large joystick, record, and flip button. There’s also the side wheel that offers zoom and focus through the Mimo App, and on the front, the trigger, which, when pushed in a variety of combinations, performs different actions, including spinning the phone from portrait to landscape and from forward-facing to rear-facing.

The multifunction module is the newest part of the system and clips to the smartphone clamp. Unlike other modules of this type that I’ve seen, it actually has a very neat locking system that means once it’s in place, it stays put.

Away from the hardware is the updated Mimo App, which is available for iOS and Android. Again, this is more of the same with a few feature updates.

If you’re familiar with the Osmo—or, for that matter, any smartphone mobile gimbal stabiliser—then the basic feature set here stays much the same, with the ability to stabilise footage from your smartphone using the intelligent mechanical gimbal system.

As ever, watching the gimbal in action is impressive, and the base results are along the same lines as those I’ve seen with all previous generations of gimbals. What I have also seen in the past are small enhancements to the performance and features that help keep the devices relevant as electronic image stabilisation improves, as well as the incorporation of a few extra features, such as the templates within the Mimo App, which keep them fun to use and handy.

The main issue is that if you have bought one, there’s often little or no reason to upgrade to the next generation, as the previous model was, to be honest, excellent—so why bother? The Osmo Mobile 7P really highlights the “why bother” with two new features, among the many, that instantly make me think this is the biggest evolution of the Osmo design since it first launched.

Those two features are the multifunctional module and the wireless mic compatibility. The AI-powered tracking takes the tracking to a new level, and the fact that it will now work without the need for the Mimo app is a huge advantage. While Hohem has offered this type of feature for a few generations of their gimbals, this is the first time we’ve seen it with the market leaders.

Then, more importantly—and again made possible with the module—is the wireless mic compatibility. This essentially enables you to fully integrate everything, and while a cable is needed to connect the phone to the module, it’s a solution that didn’t previously exist and will massively enhance the smartphone editing process.
Another feature of the module is the LED fill light on the front, which, again, has been offered by competitors but makes its first appearance here. It’s also very nicely diffused. There’s also the side wheel, which works through the Mimo app to adjust the zoom and focus—this makes a huge difference to the creative look and feel of the films you’re creating.

Then, on the more traditional features, you have the extension rod, Mimo App, support for 4K/60 fps stabilisation, and wide smartphone compatibility.

Setting up the Osmo Mobile 7P doesn’t take long, with the arm folding over the top, which automatically switches on the unit. If you need to switch it back on or off, then the small M button mounted to the right of the screen enables you to quickly power it on and off manually.

Once switched on, the magnetic clamp can be attached to the smartphone with the screen facing you and the cameras facing away. Then you can simply click the multifunction module onto the contacts on the end of the clamp before fitting it to the gimbal. The design of the magnetic clamp has been updated from the Osmo 6, most notably with the contacts, but also the design is far more ergonomic and sits with a guide into the arm of the gimbal.

Unlike gimbals of the past, if the phone, clamp, or both are removed from the gimbal while it’s on, the arms stay put and don’t flail around. This has been done to avoid damage to the gimbal but also makes the whole process of using the gimbal far easier.

One point to add before going on is that the small multifunctional module can be unclipped and rotated so that if you’re filming selfie videos with the screen facing you, you can utilise the gesture control and features. However, if you’ve placed the gimbal on a surface and want to use the tracking on the main rear-facing cameras, you can—again with full tracking control—although you won’t be able to see the screen.

The setup and use of the module completely change the way this gimbal can be used, enabling you to control the recording and tracking without touching the phone or gimbal. The quality of the tracking is superb, but what really stands out is the fact that you can get the system to track, start and stop recording, and perform other functions without the need for the Mimo App. This means that if you want, you can use the standard Apple Camera app or Blackmagic Camera and still have access to the gesture control and advanced tracking.
Out of the box, the increase in functionality offered by the gesture-controlled tracking is huge, and in use, it really does transform the way this gimbal can be used. This feature in itself is impressive, but when coupled with the DJI Mic Mini, it further boosts the functionality.

To get this to work, you have to plug in a USB Type-C cable from the phone to the gimbal and then pair the receiver of the Mic Mini unit to the gimbal using a series of button presses. Having the manual close at hand for this process is definitely advised for the first few runs. This is all relatively straightforward, and from that point, you can then use the small button mics as normal.

The ability to use the gimbal without needing the Mimo App makes a huge difference, but again, there is the Mimo App if you want the full experience of what this gimbal is capable of.

Opening the app gives you access to all the usual functions and features, including ActiveTrack 7. This feature enables you to pinpoint a subject by drawing a box around them, and then the gimbal will follow them. While it has been able to do this for a few generations, the tracking is now far more accurate, and as you move through a crowd of people, the tracking generally stays with the subject. Watching it in action is impressive.
The two other features that I really liked are the addition of the focus wheel on the side and, while smaller than those that appear on some competitors, it enables easy control with your thumb to adjust the zoom or focus from within the Mimo App. The other function for the wheel is to switch on the LED lamp—a long push switches the light on, and then a rotation increases or decreases the brightness. What stands out about the small light is that it is really well diffused, but it is for close-range work and only really lights the subject rather than larger areas.

As I used the Osmo Mobile 7P, it stood out from the previous generations as a significant update to the design. With the integration of the tripod and selfie stick aiding in setup and use, the multifunctional module, and the advancements in the Mimo App, all enhance the performance in the first major leap in design that I’ve seen in a while from the Osmo line.

The DJI Osmo Mobile 7P is a real evolution of the design, and while many of the features have been seen on competitor models, this is the first time all those features have been brought together.

What the Osmo Mobile 7P offers is a stabiliser that’s easy to use and enables you to make professional-level productions with your mobile phone. It cuts out the need for additional cameras and kit, and as the footage is all stored on your mobile device, it makes it quick and easy to edit and upload to social and other outlets without too much hassle.

While you have action cameras and the Osmo Pocket that obviously enable you to do similar, this all feels far more integrated and easy to use. The new multifunctional module updates the functionality of the unit, and with the ability to utilise AI tracking with any app, pair in the Mic Mini system, along with all the other features, this is by far the best gimbal of its type at present.

If you have owned a smartphone mobile gimbal stabiliser in the past but never felt the need to upgrade, the Osmo Mobile 7P is actually well worth a look. Those new features really do make a difference, and above everything else, the integration of a decent mic system really does make a huge impact. My only comment would be that if you’re using an iPhone, you will need to think about storage. As an SSD will be difficult to fit due to the need to use the USB Type-C port, this looks like an area where DJI could maybe expand with the DJI Osmo 8P.