DJI Osmo Plus Review: Best Choice 2023 For You

Gimbal and all-in-one cameras are becoming increasingly popular in the community. As more people add these products to their camera accessories, we’ve seen an increasing number of people reach out to us about the various products on the market.

Although we have posted reviews of some units on the market, we noticed that many people are looking for a DJI Osmo+ review so we decided to publish this article. In this blog, LucidCam will give some information about this product to help you understand DJI Osmo +

What is the DJI Osmo Plus?

The Osmo Plus is an Osmo-based video camera with stabilized video production and resolutions up to 4K. The Osmo + is a higher-quality version of the Osmo basic model. It offers a 7X zoom capability in 1080p video mode and 3.5X optical zoom in 4K mode. The Osmo+, the next-level series of the DJI Osmo Mobile, is now available. It uses your phone’s camera and viewfinder to record and stabilize the video.

The Osmo + has a built-in camera and you can use your phone to view the viewfinder through the DJI Go application (iOS/Android). It is wirelessly connected so no cables or connectors are required. A 3.5mm jack is located on the handle body. This allows you to attach external microphones, depending on what type of video you are making.

DJI Osmo Plus Reviews

Pros

• Excellent 4K images in good lighting
• It is lightweight and simple to use for ‘run and gun’ shooting
• External mic input with audio
• Battery life is good and can be extended for long shoots.

Cons

• Low light can be a problem
• There is no audio monitoring or connection to a headphone.
• A full rig setup can prove cumbersome.
• Wi-Fi connectivity can be lost on busy floors

 Design

The Osmo+ is basically a heavier and larger all-in-one camera gimbal combo. It is designed around the same basic design principles as other all-in-one gimbals currently on the market. There is not much innovation in the design of all-in-one combination units, as they all do the same thing.

Osmo+ was the first all-in-one unit on the market. However, this product has its limitations. The Osmo+ is an older product. In addition, the Osmo+’s removable battery, zoom lens, and 3.5mm audio jack add weight and size to the unit. We feel the DJI Osmo Pocket is better known and has a larger customer base than the Osmo+, as we mentioned in the article.

The camera consists of a hand-shaped handle. The trigger can be used with one finger. To the rear, there are basic controls that can be used with your thumb while you hold the handle. The number of times you press the trigger will determine how responsive it is to your commands. To center the camera, press it twice quickly. To speak directly into the camera to record a Vlog, press the trigger three more times. The Osmo will then spin around to selfie mode. Keep the Osmo away from your face and tap to focus on it.

Build Quality

The Osmo+ is as strong in terms of build quality as any other DJI product currently on the market. The unit is quite heavy, but it is extremely robust and can withstand a lot of knocks and bumps without breaking. The problem with many of these combo units is the weakening of the mount that attaches the camera head to the gimbal can cause it to break. DJI recognized this problem early on and reinforced the joint to reduce the chance of the gimbal taking punishment during transit or use.

Controlling the Camera

As with other screen-free cameras, you can adjust the controls of the DJI Osmo+ using a smartphone app called DJI Go app. DJI has included a smartphone mount on the side of its gimbal to make it easier to control both the application as well as the physical controls.

Although the app is essential, the gimbal can still be operated without it. The built-in controls are the best way to use the app. The trigger is located at the back of your grip, where your index finger rests. It activates the gimbal. This counteracts motion and keeps the footage stable. A large joystick located at the front of your grip allows you to adjust the camera position. It is located opposite the trigger. Two locks are used to secure the gimbal during storage.

It was difficult to connect the Osmo+ and iPhone 7 (it is worth noting that this problem has been experienced with other brands of phones). The gimbal wouldn’t link, but it would show a preview. It also kept dropping the connection. A DJI representative suggested that we turn Bluetooth off on our iPhone to resolve any connectivity issues. It’s not clear why the camera wouldn’t connect to Wi-Fi when Bluetooth is active, but it was simple to fix. Lensrentals provided a free rental of our DJI Osmo+ and informed us at checkout that many other users had complained about connectivity problems.

There are only a few physical controls available, but you can regulate the gimbals settings entirely within the app. The app’s gimbal menu allows you to choose the gimbal mode or re-center the camera. The camera menu provides different controls, such as manual exposure (shutter priority mode or full manual mode) and video quality. The camera does not have a screen, so previewing the shot can be done in-app.

It is quite simple to use the camera’s physical controls and smartphone controls. One more physical control would have been nice to add, as zoom adjustment requires one hand to the camera and one hand to pinch the touchscreen.

The Osmo+, despite some of its more advanced features, is still very lightweight. We used it for just under an hour without feeling tired. It is lightweight and comfortable to hold.

Steady shooter

The Osmo+ gimbal produces smooth footage without the need for a tripod. Smooth footage can be created using a normal gait but with slight up-and-down movements to match your steps. This effect can be used to give a shot motion, but it is not necessary. You will need to learn the ninja move.

Waves were no problem when the Osmo was used handheld in a boat. It’s difficult to see that we were moving if the footage doesn’t show the up-and-down tip of the boat.

The Osmo+ is great at keeping photos smooth, but the orientation lock did not work for our model. The gimbal would not allow us to turn while we were walking down a path. Instead, it would direct the camera in the same direction as the original. It required the joystick to bring the camera back to the front. The orientation lock was not activated in the app. It didn’t respond to a turn as we expected. We couldn’t find any way to tell the gimbal to stop turning, but it could turn with us.

It is also quite fast to use the joystick to regulate the orientation of your camera. This can cause problems when you are recording. We would prefer a slower joystick control (or a more sensitive joystick).

Video Quality

The DJI Osmo+ and the Zenmuse X3 are paired together. This is DJI’s first camera with optical zoom. The camera’s video quality is exceptional for its price: While the gimbal helps keep shots smooth, the camera captures sharp colors and creates precise colors.

You can choose between 4K video at 30 frames per second or 1080p at 60 frames per second. There are two formats available: MOV formats and MP4. The video quality is smooth video, but the camera is not designed to be used for long shoots. 4K will split clips into segments of 8 to 9 minutes each. HD allows the gimbal to record longer clips, as smaller files can reach the 4GB limit. However, shots are still limited to under 20 minutes. This is because the camera was designed to last 20 minutes on a drone and not record whole soccer matches or concerts.

The audio recording quality is not as good as average. Sounds are muted, and distant sounds are often not picked up. The camera will pick up a lot of wind noise when moving quickly, such as on a boat or car. However, this is normal. In quiet settings, I could hear clicking sounds as the gimbal corrected my motion. I also heard the camera makes a beep when it was time to end a recording.

The great camera is priced in the consumer price range but offers advanced controls. You can regulate the exposure manually or use exposure compensation.

Conclusion, With everything in this video review and in this write-up, the DJI Osmo+ is our recommendation for ‘run-and gun’ video making and for capturing family events with amazing smooth moving video in a professional setting. This adds something to your video-making toolbox that is usually much more expensive than the sum of its parts.

Image Quality

The Gimbal-camera combo also has a few additional features. The camera can use the gimbal for panoramic shots up to 360 degrees. Although the app displays the stitched panorama preview, unfortunately, the photos are saved on a Micro SD card. You will need to stitch them manually. You can also use the app to control your selfies and time-lapse.

Both the Zenmuse camera and stabilization shot were excellent. The camera is not designed for long-term shooting, so consumers need to be aware of this. The Osmo+ can also be enhanced by adding an external recorder (65 USD).

Accessory of DJI Osmo Plus

DJI offers a variety of accessories to the OSMO+ and OSMO+ products. These accessories are often not well-described, and vendors sometimes create “soft” bundles, which can be confusing. Uninitiated: A “soft” bundle is a single SKU that contains multiple products in separate packages that are sold at the time of sale. It does not come together in one package.

You can regulate the spatial relationship between your gimbal unit (and the power handle) to reduce vertical motion while operating the OSMO+. This is a great tool for anyone who doesn’t know how to walk with a stabilizer.

The Stick lets you separate the gimbal and power handle just like a selfie stick.

You can use the Tripod in combination with the Stick to attach the OSMO+ to a small set of legs for stability.

The Chest Mount allows you to attach the OSMO+ to your chest, much like the GoPro Chest Strap. This does not move the power handle, so the OSMO+’s physical dimensions will not change.

The universal mount uses a rosette to provide what can be described as a small cheese plate that allows you to attach other accessories, such as lights or microphones. This tool replaces the smartphone mounting and will require you to find another method to use your phone.

The Files

These files are 4x larger than what you would get with 1080p videos. A walkaround clip of the Suzuki Hayabusa took 18 seconds and had a native file size of 132MB. This is a lot less than what you’d see with a 4K camera with higher bit depth, such as a Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro. This stream is quite low in bandwidth, and the sensor is small enough to do what small sensors are good at, which is decent imaging and depth of field. Although you won’t be able to create a cinematic masterpiece with this thing, I believe it is suitable for B roll and, as mentioned above, vlogging.

To make the video stream faster for people on slower links, I might shoot it in 1080p. However, for my purposes, I would shoot in a 4K video and then downgrade to 1080p after editing, as I don’t need a lot of slow motion.

Performance and Functionality

We will now move on to Osmo+’s performance and functionality. As we have already mentioned, the Osmo+ has a built-in zoom lens. The standard 22mm-77mm zoom lens features a 3.5x optical zoom and a 2-times digital zoom with lossless technology. You can zoom in quickly and easily on your subject with the Osmo+. This is possible because it does not require any additional expensive accessories.

Despite this, it is unlikely that many people will use the zoom function of the DJI Osmo+. It is an excellent features, but most people use them in one rig to vlog or to capture smooth b-roll video with amazing image stabilization. The Osmo+ is not recommended for backup cameras. Your primary camera setup may offer a better zoom than the Osmo+ and will fill this need.

The Osmo+’s fully removable battery is another advantage over the cheaper DJI Osmo Pocket. The Osmo+’s maximum battery life is between one hour and an hour-and-a-half depending on the purpose of your Osmo+. You can easily change the battery as needed. This saves you time and allows you to quickly replace any batteries that may be damaged by the Osmo+ via a USB power bank.

User Interface and Control System

Osmo+ has a similar control interface like most other camera/gimbal all-in-one units on the market. This is due to its excellent control over the device and minimal learning time. We are confident that even if you’re not familiar with the Osmo+ control system, you will quickly learn it and be able to get the most from the Osmo+. You can also mount your phone to Osmo+ using the mount. This allows you to see real-time information about what you’re capturing.

Even in cold conditions, the joystick and buttons of the Osmo+ remain responsive even if your thumbs or fingers are wet. The DJI range has a distinct advantage over other brands that may struggle to remain responsive depending on how you use it and what conditions you are in. Overall, DJI has done a great job with its all-in-one range. The control system is also solid considering that the units are smaller than their full-sized handheld gimbal stabilizers, such as the DJI Ronin S.

Smartphone App

The DJI smartphone application is undoubtedly the best gimbal application on the market. It offers superior connectivity, navigation, functionality and is far ahead of other brands. The Osmo+ is not supported by the app as it was designed for DJI’s full-size handheld gimbals and drones. However, the app can be used to modify key settings and monitor what you are recording from your mobile device screen.

Within the app, you have complete control over the main settings as well as swapping between stills and video, setting your resolution and frame rate, setting up time-lapse modes for still or motion as well as focus assist, and more.

Even though the Osmo+ has limited functionality, we believe that the DJI smartphone application is worth downloading. It is a great gimbal accessory, and you can regulate your settings through the app. The actual control system on your gimbal is capable of doing this, but the navigation menu takes minutes while the app takes only seconds.

Additional Specifications

The ISO range for the OSMO+ is 100-3200 for video and 100-1600 stills. The maximum aperture is f/2.8 at 22mm FF equivalent, and f/5.2 @ 77mm FF equal. Shutter speed can range from 1/8000-8s to 30s in manual mode. Burst mode can be used to shoot stills at up to 7 frames per minute.

Files are being pushed by the bus at 60MB/s. Be sure to monitor your card’s performance to make sure it can keep up. Stills can either be shot in JPEG or DNG RAW. Video is made using the MOV format with an AVC H.264 encoder.

Wi-Fi can be used at both 2.4GHz or 5GHz. The camera has a 25m range of sight, making it suitable for remote placement. All movements can be controlled via the phone.

Plus we haven’t even mentioned the excellent photographic features like long exposure shots while handheld and motion timelapse – along with really great accessories like the extension arm and tripod which can add even more flexibility to your production values.

Conclusion

The DJI Osmo+ creates excellent, steady footage considering the $650 price point includes both the camera and the gimbal, it is not the best choice for everyone. The DJI Osmo Pocket is smaller and lighter than the Osmo+. Although we have highlighted its advantages over Osmo+ throughout this article, only you will be able to determine your individual situation. Osmo+ should still be considered seriously.

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