DJI Osmo Mobile 5 Reviewed in 2025

DJI Osmo Mobile 5: Revolutionize Your Smartphone Videography

During our initial setup, we were impressed by the OM5’s gimbal’s stability, even when tracking was not turned on.

The device’s user-friendliness with the app makes it a compelling, smart selfie stick and compact tripod.

We’re not completely convinced of the Osmo Mobile 6 as a superior successor to the OM5 yet. The difference being one of color and the side wheel for focusing and zoom.

Weighing just 309g, carrying the Osmo Mobile 5 is easy. The added extension rod is handy for group selfies, providing extra reach.

In our hands, the Osmo Mobile 5 immediately stood out for its ease of use. Upon unfolding and attaching a smartphone, the stabilization performance was impressive, providing buttery-smooth footage on the move.

Regarding tracking, the ActiveTrack 6.0 keeps subjects focused, a massive plus for dynamic scenes or solo shooting. Expect a solid 180-degree tracking capability.

When moving too fast, the OM5 can lose the subject and stop tracking. When that happens it will stop moving, but will reacquire when the face pops into view again.

The built-in extension rod is a clever addition that offers diverse shooting angles – perfect for getting everyone in that group selfie or experimenting with creative shots. The transition from landscape to portrait is a smooth double-click away, a feature social media enthusiasts will love for its quick adaptability.

However, it’s not just about hardware. The DJI Mimo app enhances the functionality, although its absence on Google Play might keep some away. Perhaps the DJI blacklisting will keep some away too.

The ShotGuides feature deserves praise for intuitive shooting suggestions, helping novices capture better angles.

While the weight is impressively light, we recognize that the nearly 309g could become uncomfortable for longer shoots. The plastic build on the control wheel may concern those seeking a more premium touch, but its overall solid performance is intact.

Some drop in image quality results from the Mimo app. Video shot through the app isn’t has good as video shot using the standard iPhone, for example. That quality is not noticeable on smaller screens, but it’s worth noting.

Despite minor shortcomings, the Osmo Mobile 5 elevates smartphone videography, proving itself as a valuable companion for capturing life’s moments with proficiency.

ActiveTrack 6.0: Smarter Subject Tracking

ActiveTrack 6.0 seriously impressed us from the start. This feature is a boon when it comes to keeping your subjects in the frame, including yourself.

The gimbal locks onto the subject with the press of the trigger, allowing for solo creators to take center stage without needing an extra pair of hands. Press the trigger again and the ActiveTrack is suspended.

As for stability, the 3-axis mechanism plays a critical role. Our videos were anything but shaky. Even as we moved, the shots remained smooth, showcasing the gimbal’s ability to easily handle motion.

We tested it while walking and on light jogs as well as in the studio and it consistently delivered that desirable cinematic flow in our content.

3-Axis Stabilization: Silky Smooth Shots

Having had the pleasure of using the DJI Osmo Mobile 5 for multiple projects, we’ve been able to put its 3-axis stabilization to the test.

The gimbal performs brilliantly in maintaining smooth footage, even when we’ve had to contend with jolts and jerks from walking or riding in a vehicle. This feature is crucial for creating professional-looking videos on platforms like YouTube or TikTok, where shaky clips can detract from the viewer’s experience.

Despite the DJI’s lightweight build, it confidently secures smartphones, ensuring that video remains stable even in dynamic shooting scenarios.

Our experiences, combined with strong community feedback, signal that it’s a strong choice for content creators seeking reliability without sacrificing portability.

On the downside, while the technology is impressive, it does take some practice to master its potential fully. However, once you use it a bit, it becomes pretty easy.

Ease of Use: Unfolding Creativity

We found the DJI Osmo Mobile 5 to be a user-friendly device right out of the box. The biggest challenge was figuring out which DJI app to download.

Unfolding and connecting to a smartphone is a swift process that immediately equips you for filming.

The lightness and portability of the gimbal make it a no-brainer for on-the-go shots. We were impressed with how it comfortably fit in our day bags, and the built-in extension rod came in handy when we needed to include everyone in a group selfie or reach for different perspectives.

Switching between landscape and portrait modes is intuitive, a simple double-click action that we appreciated while capturing content for various social media platforms.

Design and Portability: Shoot on the Go

Balancing the thin line between portability and functionality, the OM5 delivers good on-the-move shooting without the usual fuss.

Switching from landscape to portrait mode requires a double-click using the thumb. This proved especially useful for us when we transitioned between shooting a panoramic view to an Instagram Story.

Zooming and manual tracking are done using the thumb in a way that’s easy and doesn’t compromise your grip.

One downside we noted is that the side wheel on the platinum model felt a bit less premium than its metallic counterpart, owing to its plastic build. Nonetheless, the gimbal held up well in various scenarios, whether we were tracking our pets or shooting a time-lapse.

ShotGuides: Cinematic Guidance for Every Creator

In our foray into smartphone video stabilization, we’ve been thoroughly impressed by how intuitive the ShotGuides feature is on the DJI Osmo Mobile 5.

ShotGuides are a dynamic template that guides the cameraman through a scenario, including filters for effect. A Reel can be automatically generated for TikTok or Instagram or YouTube shorts, too.

For newcomers to videography, beginning to understand the ins and outs of content creation is made more simple with the on-screen guidance.

Conclusion

After spending some quality time with the Osmo Mobile 5, we’ve come to appreciate its capabilities. This gimbal stands out for its smooth performance and convenience to mobile videography.

It’s quite a useful too for capturing smooth videos on the go. ShotGuides quicken the production of SoMe shorts and its foldability makes it easy for travel. For reference, it could fit in a 32oz Nalgene bottle.

The built-in extension rod is a clever addition, offering that extra reach when needed. However, we should mention that users with exceptionally bulky phone cases might face some initial fitting challenges, which are generally surmountable.

The Osmo Mobile 5 may only be necessary for some smartphone users. Still, for those keen on elevating their video content, it’s an investment that pays off in the quality of footage.

For $150 or so, it’s more expensive than non-gimbal, normal selfie sticks. This is clearly for the more ambitious Vlogger or it’s a cheaper gimbal for shooting smartphone films.