Review: If You’re Into Vlogging, The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 Will Be Your Best Friend
Updated: April 28, 2020 | Posted by: Grace Kim
My First Son: DJI Osmo Mobile 3 | Transformed My World
The moment I laid eyes on the new DJI Osmo Mobile 3, I instantly knew it was the one. If you want to get into vlogging or you have been vlogging, the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 might be the right fit for you.
After doing research and reading reviews, I finally got the urge to purchase the Mobile 3. Now, I don’t go anywhere without my first and only son, the DJI Osmo Mobile 3. With its unique features and high tech functionalities, it gives me the exact photos and videos I look for. Plus, it’s miniature in size that you can fit it in your daily bag.
I’ve purchased countless number of selfie sticks on Amazon and none seemed to stick with me. But once I started using the Mobile 3, I never went back to using a selfie stick again.
DJI Osmo Mobile 3 & Phone Battery Life
If you forget to charge your devices before heading to bed, you’re in luck. The battery life of the Osmo Mobile 3 prolongs up to 15 hours. And if you don’t vlog long videos, you probably don’t need to charge your device for a couple of weeks. Sometimes, I go without charging my Osmo Mobile 3 for weeks even after using it a couple times a week. To see if you have enough battery, there are 3 buttons that light up the moment you turn the device on. This allows me to gauge if I need to charge my device or not.
Note: The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 uses a USB-C to charge (included in the package). Not with a Micro-USB cord.
But that’s not all! If your phone is almost about to die and your gimbal has spare battery, there is a USB port embedded into the gimbal to charge your phone while actively using it.
Is There Warranty for the DJI Osmo Mobile 3? If so, for how long?
Yes, warranty lasts 1 year. But if you’re hesitant and worried that 1 year is not enough time, you can always extend your warranty by purchasing the Osmo Shield Service Plan. The plan costs $10 dollars and is valid for 2 years. The Osmo Shield service plan includes coverage for both water and impact damage. In case you’re a klutz like me and drop your gimbal in the ocean while catching the waves, you’ll be covered. I opted in for the Osmo Shield service plan in order to have a piece of mind whenever I go out and use my gimbal. Plus, it’s only $10 for 2 years!
DJI Osmo Mobile 3 Mimo App
One of the greatest perks about the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is the diversification of shots you can take. The DJI Mimo App allows users to shoot in Timelapse, Hyperlapse, 3 x 3 and 180° Panorama, and Motionlapse. I love how there are a variety of ways to create content with the Mimo App, just in case you don’t have extra lenses or a camera with you.
What do I mean by this? Let me give you an example. During my trip to Austin, Texas, I drove out to the Hamilton Pool Preserve. At Hamilton Pool, I wanted to get shots of the overarching arc of the caves but because I didn’t have a wide angle lens. And because I was by myself, I relied heavily on Mimo’s panorama function. I set the gimbal on the tripod a few feet away from me, and got the wide angled shot I wanted at Hamilton Pool Preserve.
However, the one down side to the panorama feature is the clutter of images that will be saved in your photo album. After you take one panorama shot, ten photos automatically save on your phone. Nine individual shots (3 x 3) and one from the fully created panorama shot. Unless you’re trying to upload all ten pictures at a time on your feed, there’s no need to keep them all. But in order to open up space in your phone, delete the nine individual shots and keep the single panorama shot.
7 Features of the DJI Osmo Mobile 3
I can’t wait to go talk about every single feature because they’re all super unique in their own way. So as an overview, here are the 7 features that make the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 stand out from other gimbals.
- Foldable & Portable
- Story Mode
- Gesture Control
- ActiveTrack 3.0
- Sport Mode
- Quick Roll
- Dolly Zoom
Feature #1: Foldable & Portable
Because the Osmo Mobile 3 is small in size, it’s small enough to fit in your bag. It weights 405 g, which is less than 1 lb, and measures 157 x 130 x 46 mm.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is my very first Gimbal, but if you’re comparing it to the DJI Osmo Mobile 2, the Mobile 3 is simply an upgrade. The DJI Osmo Mobile 2 does not have the foldable feature, and it does not shoot vertically. Since Instagram stories and Tik Tok videos have become extremely popular, you want to ensure that your videos are shot vertically.
Another feature that the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 comes with is the tripod extension. The extension comes separately, so you can screw the tripod on if needed. This feature is extremely convenient because when you’re vlogging yourself, your face is not so close up to the screen. Plus, when you need to take something out of your bag, you don’t need to place your phone flat on a surface.
Instead, the gimbal props and holds the phone up for you. From my experience, this is super useful because if you need to take something out of your bag mid-vlog, you can temporarily prop your phone on a flat surface. Or when you’re pulling out money out of your pocket. Or when I’m you’re trying to quench your thirst. You get the point.
Feature #2: Story Mode
Story Mode is a collection of a few short second videos meshed into one. What’s cool about Story Mode is that if you’re trying to upload a quick piece of video content on Instagram Stories, you have the ability to do so in a few seconds with the DJI Osmo Mimo App.
If you’re not a perfectionist like me, all you need to do is choose a template to create your video. Once you choose a template, shoot a few clips and the story feature will mesh a holistic video for you. This includes automatic movement effects with music as the finishing touch. It’s a pretty sick feature, especially if you’re on the go. Plus, right as you complete your video, you can automatically share it onto Instagram Stories.
Feature #3: Gesture Control
Gesture Control is probably my favorite feature embedded into the DJI Osmo Mobile 3. If you’re a solo traveler like me, this feature will save you the hassle of asking random strangers to take photos for you. You’re not going to believe me when I say this but when Gesture Control is turned on, you can shoot video or take photos just by holding up your palm or a peace sign at the screen. Insane, right? You don’t need to buy a separate remote control to get your shots anymore.
When I bought the Mobile 3, I had no idea that it offered Gesture Control. But as I was playing around with the gimbal, I noticed this feature and couldn’t believe it.
In my NYC Vlog: Day 2 of FunEmployment, you can see how much I was struggling to get Gesture Control to work. Skip over to 6:45 if you don’t want to hear me laughing in 70% of the video. I look silly trying to get Gesture Control to work because I didn’t have my settings on. But now that I’m aware, vlogging while solo traveling has become more manageable.
Feature #4: Active Track 3.0
The newest Active Track 3.0 technology is embedded into the DJI Osmo Mobile 3, offering cinematic-like composed shots. When recording video and you want to focus on a specific object, all you need is to draw a box around it and the camera will follow the object in the box as long as it’s in range.
Another way you can use the Active Track 3.0 feature is by pressing on the trigger button on the back. While you are moving around and want to stop the gimbal from moving, click on the trigger button. Once clicked, your phone will have a singular focus of the subject within the frame.
Feature #5: Sport Mode
Recording quick movements such as a basketball game or chasing pigeons, you’re in luck. DJI Osmo Mobile 3’s Sport Mode feature allows you to capture fast-paced action shots by double clicking and holding onto the trigger button. The Sports Mode feature is perfect if you’re looking into creating cinematic videos with dramatic music playing in the background.
Feature #6: Quick Roll
Double clicking on the M button allows you to change the position of your shot from horizontal or vertical. Or, triple click on the back trigger button and you can flip your camera screen from the front to the back. This is convenient if your other hand is occupied, and if you’re trying to get a quick, simple shot.
Feature #7: Dolly Zoom
What’s super cool about adding cinematic feels to your video is the Dolly Zoom feature. With Dolly Zoom, you’re now capable of customizing the zoom of your video. Adjust the zoom up or down with the lever on the left side of your gimbal. The zoom feature flows super smoothly as you’re trying to pinpoint particular subjects on video.
Down Sides of the DJI Osmo Mobile 3
The functionalities of the DJI Mobile 3 are amazing to vlog, but there is one particular down side. As phones get bigger, they start weighing heavier. I shoot with an iPhone XR and because of its size and weight, I find myself readjusting the focal point of the subject often because of the weight of the phone.
Also, every time I connect my phone to my gimbal, I have to take my phone case off every time. This can be a hassle because I then have to find a secure place to leave my phone case with all my cards in it. Unless your phone is the size of a tablet, don’t worry that your phone won’t fit. Most smart phones work. Just make sure that your phone is no more than 62-88mm wide and 9.5mm thick.
Overall Review & Experience of the DJI Osmo Mobile 3
As a creative, I’ve been juggling between different type of creative routes that could work for me. And as I figured out that I love both blogging and vlogging, the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 was the perfect fit. For someone who talks a lot and loves to capture moments in picture or video form, the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 offers more than I could’ve asked for. The best part of it is that because it’s compact in size, traveling with this thing barely takes up space.
For what the Mobile 3 offers, you really can’t beat the price. Not only did I purchase the The Osmo Mobile 3 Combo, but my order also included the case, the shield protector, and of course taxes. With all this, my entire order cost $150.87. If you’re on a budget, I’d like to say that you got a steal for the price as opposed to purchasing a brand new vlogging camera.
I’ve created many of my YouTube videos with my DJI Osmo Mobile 3 and couldn’t have been happier. It’s also super easy to back up your photos and video that can be synced onto Google Photos. Then, you can download them straight onto your computer within minutes.
All in all, the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 was definitely worth the investment. I’ve been able to record and push out more videos with my easy-to-carry gimbal. I’ve also met so many people just by using my gimbal in public. And as the popularity of the gimbal is growing by the day, I can’t wait to see even more footage taken straight off the Osmo Mobile 3.
PIN THIS!
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