DJI Osmo Mobile 2 Vs Osmo Mobile Vs Freefly Movi

DJI Osmo Mobile 2 Vs Osmo Mobile Vs Freefly Movi At this year’s CES in Las Vegas, one of the key announcements from DJI was the next iteration of handheld gimbal technology for smartphones, the DJI Osmo Mobile 2. The latest version boasts some impressive developments from the original Osmo Mobile, but how do they compare? Along with the two versions of the Osmo Mobile, we’re also expecting the Freefly Movi in the second quarter of this year. The Movi is Freefly’s first consumer product, taking their vast experience in cinema-level equipment, to create this highly anticipated stabiliser. Like our previous versus posts, we’ll be comparing the specifications, appearance, performance and battery life to see which of these handheld gimbals assess the qualities and see which one stands out. Keep reading to see which handheld gimbal for smartphones is best suited to you.

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Specifications

Let’s start by taking a look at the specifications of each of the mobile gimbals:

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Appearance

DJI Osmo Mobile 2 Vs Osmo Mobile Vs Freefly Movi The new DJI Osmo Mobile 2 has retained a great deal of the original Osmo Mobile’s design, however, it’s made from a new material, a light-weight and high-strength nylon. It weighs in at 485 grams, 16 grams lighter than the original Osmo Mobile and one of the lightest smartphone gimbals available. The Osmo Mobile 2 is currently available in one colour, similar to that of the DJI Phantom Obsidian range, a dark grey. The gimbal controls have also been simplified to increase functionality. This results in a cleaner and more polished aesthetic to the latest version. The original Osmo Mobile is available in black and silver designed to match the colour of the most common smartphones. The original Osmo Mobile is made from a strong magnesium alloy and features an ergonomic handle. It weighs in at a total of 501 grams. The size of each of the varieties of Osmo Mobile is almost identical. The Freefly Movi is made from a glass-filled nylon material in black and orange colouring. The material has been treated to improve the feel of the Movi in use. It weighs in at 600 grams, higher than both the Osmo Mobiles, however, the Movi can be used with single or dual hand control dependent on your desired shot. A huge benefit to the design of the Movi is the rubberised flat base which acts as a stand. This can be used to put the Movi down for both shots when filming such as a timelapse, or between filming. The base also has a grip which makes two-handed filming more comfortable. The addition of the base may seem like a minor detail but when using in a real-world situation, a built-in base is likely to be preferable to an additional stand that you have to purchase separately.

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Performance

DJI Osmo Mobile 2 Vs Osmo Mobile Vs Freefly Movi The Osmo Mobile 2’s performance has seen some useful advancements from the original model. Firstly, with the Osmo Mobile 2, you can mount your smartphone either landscape or portrait. This is ideal for vlogging and live streams as it’s the standard format for the popular social media platforms. The Osmo Mobile 2 also features a 1/4^th 20 screw on the base of the handle. This allows the gimbal to be mounted on any third-party tripod, selfie stick etc. With this, we’re likely to see some useful accessories from DJI in the future. The Osmo Mobile 2 can be used with smartphones between 58.6-84.8mm wide and up to 8.4mm thick. This includes the most common phones from running iOS and Android software with Bluetooth 4.0. Like the Osmo Mobile, the DJI GO app is used for control. Both the original Osmo Mobile and Osmo Mobile 2 feature the following Intelligent Modes: ActiveTrack – When using ActiveTrack, your camera will follow a subject selected by you on the DJI GO app. The mode can be used handheld or mounted to a tripod etc. Timelapse – The Timelapse mode allows you to create a traditional timelapse. Set your location and time and let your phone and the Osmo capture the timelapse. Hyperlapse – A Hyperlapse allows you to move the Osmo Mobile whilst filming a timelapse. For example, when walking through a crowd. Motionlapse – Create a timelapse with the Osmo Mobile moving between specified points. Panorama – Use the Osmo Mobile to automatically capture nine images and auto-stitch a panorama image. Long Exposure – Create long exposure shots with the Osmo Mobile to remove any movement from your images. Slow-Motion – Capture smooth Slow-Motion images without bumps or lag. This wide choice of DJI’s Intelligent Modes is what we’ve come to expect from DJI’s technology, helping you capture advanced shots with ease. Like the Osmo Mobile 2, the Osmo Mobile can be used with smartphones between 58.6-84.8mm wide and up to 8.4mm. Both models are also compatible with third-party lenses. There have been very few updates to the performance of the Osmo Mobile 2 from the original, with changes being based on the battery, appearance and price of the gimbal. The Freefly Movi takes Freefly’s wealth of experience from cinema-level technology and puts it into the Movi. This largely takes the form of built-in shooting modes. Shooting modes include the following: Majestic – The standard control mode of the Movi, choose fast to chase the action or slow for cinematic shots. Echo – The Echo functions allows users to choose the start and end-points of a shot with customisable moves in the middle. This allows users capture complex shots that would have previously taken a team. The mode can also be used to capture different takes of the same shot, clearly developed from Freefly’s filmmaking experience. Timelapse – Create either a stationary or motion timelapse with varying speed and time levels. Movilapse – Create a moving timelapse for walking around a busy area. Orbit – Choose your target, direction and speed and the Movi will automatically create a shot while you circle your target. Smartpod – Point your phone at your target and the Movi will hold the position. As you can see, there are some similar modes to the DJI Osmo Mobiles but modes like Echo will be ideal for creatives looking for a little more out of their gimbal. Further modes are also likely to be released in the future. On its release, the Movi is only compatible with iPhones through a free iOS app. The Movi is compatible with Phones up to 90mm which includes the iPhone Plus models and should all fit iPhones unless using a bulky case. An Android release is expected in the future, however, there hasn’t been a release date announced yet. The Movi is also showerproof although doesn’t have an IP rating and cannot be submerged. This allows use in a wider range of environments without the worry of damaging your equipment. This also matches the majority of recent Apple and Android smartphone design. Like the DJI Osmo Mobile 2, the Movi features a ¼ 20 screw on its base. This means users can mount the Movi on tripods, car mounts etc. adding creative flexibility to the user. The Movi was also designed to be functional with lenses with counterweights expected after release.

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Battery Life

DJI Osmo Mobile 2 Vs Osmo Mobile Vs Freefly Movi The DJI Osmo Mobile 2 features a new battery, a 18650 LiPo battery. The new battery is possible due to the light-weight nylon used in the handle of the gimbal, allowing the bigger battery to be included but maintaining the low weight. The battery has an advertised maximum life of 15 hours which is a huge improvement of that on the original Osmo Mobile. The battery can also be used to charge your phone whilst filming to increase the overall shoot time. This is a great feature as it ensures the gimbal and smartphone setup is suitable for extended use. One potential downside is the battery is now fixed inside the Osmo Mobile 2, however, as the battery life has been significantly extended, this is unlikely to be an issue. Charging time is expected at around 2 hours via the new micro USB, an improvement on the Osmo Mobile. The Osmo Mobile has a maximum battery life of 4.5 hours. Batteries for the Original Osmo Mobile are removable and swappable. This helps increase the filming time of the Osmo Mobile as multiple batteries can be taken to a shooting location. Charging time is around 3 hours under ideal conditions. The Freefly Movi uses two 18650 Lithium Ion batteries. Battery life varies on different usage levels but Freefly state that around 8 hours is possible with light and well-balanced use. The Movi features a stow-lock function which puts the motors to sleep. This is a handy feature to conserve the battery between shots. The Movi can also be charged whilst in use and features fast charging. The batteries are built-in with the Movi and must be charged when installed.

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Summary

It’s clear DJI have made some positive developments with their latest gimbal released for smartphones. With a hugely increased battery life and significantly reduced price, the Osmo Mobile 2 is a great step in developing some aspects of gimbal technology. There doesn’t seem to have been any drastic advancements on the gimbal itself rather the success of the original Osmo Mobile has been kept. We are looking forward to testing out each gimbal with a hands-on comparison in the future. The Movi is a solid debut product for the consumer market from Freefly. They clearly invested their experience and knowledge if high-end filmmaking into this gimbal. They have a clear focus on developing the capabilities of a gimbal for smartphones, especially with the shooting modes available. The built-in base is a useful new feature that clearly took note of what was missing from other smartphone gimbals on the market. There’s quite a substantial price difference between the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 and the Freefly Movi, so this may be a key factor that will help you choose between the two new products. Overall, you’re unlikely to be disappointed with any of the products, so pick based on your priorities for a handheld gimbal.

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Availability

The DJI Osmo Mobile 2 is available for pre-order for £129.00 with a full price deposit. Delivery is expected in the second quarter of 2018. The DJI Osmo Mobile is available on the heliguy™ website for next day delivery for £219.00. The Freefly Movi is also available for pre-order for £279.00 with a full price deposit. Delivery is also expected in the second quarter of 2018.

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To discuss any information from the above post or any DJI or Freefly product, please give one of our team a call on 0191 296 1024 or email us at info@heliguy.com.

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