DJI Osmo 5 review: A smartphone gimbal that helps you master every shot

The DJI Osmo 5 is a smartphone gimbal, that provides users with the means to create high-quality video content with a professional touch. The product was launched in 2021 and so is still a fairly new piece of kit loaded with a bunch of cutting-edge features and design. 

We’ll walk you through the pros and cons of the device and weigh up if it’s the smartphone gimbal for you. 

Please note that we have no affiliations with DJI, this is an entirely independent product review, that is not influenced by sponsorships or third-party persuasion.  

How much does the DJI Osmo 5 cost?

At the time of this product review, the gimbal cost £139. This is a slight bit more than previous models such as the 4 SE or even the more recent Mobile SE but it is slightly cheaper than the 6. 

So what separates the DJI Osmo 5 from other gimbals in the handheld Osmo range? Well before we get into that let’s start with what comes in the actual box. 

Unboxing the DJI Osmo 5

As with most other DJI gear, you will get a fair helping of accessories that complement the functionality of the DJI Osmo 5. 

In the unboxing of the product, you can expect to find a range of exciting pieces of equipment, including: 

• A pouch for the gimbal and all the accessories 
• A USB C cable 
• A wrist strap 
• A magnetic clamp for attaching your phone to the gimbal 
• A spacer pad for the magnetic clamp for attaching thinner phones 
• A small tripod for mounting to the bottom of the gimbal via it’s ¼ screw mount 
• And the gimbal itself. 

This is a pretty comprehensive collection of gimbal accessories, with each piece making the use of the equipment much more convenient. 

What colour is the DJI Osmo 5?

The gimbal comes in two colour options, Sunset White and Athens Grey. The gimbal that we reviewed is the sunset white option, which also has a nice off-white and slightly pink tone to it. 

Please note, that the DJI Osmo 5 that we reviewed in this video, has already been unboxed as we have been using this in our video kit for a good while before the product review. The colour in this video may not truly reflect the orginal colour of the product. 

Size and dimensions of the DJI Osmo 5

The DJI Osmo 5 is the lightest and smallest handheld gimbal in DJI’s range of smartphone gimbals to date. It weighs in at just 340 grams with the magnetic clamp attached and measures in at 18.9 by 4.4cm folded and 27.6 by 9.9cm unfolded. 

This is great for anyone looking to find a slightly more pocketable and portable gimbal that is better suited for travels and for throwing into a small carry bag for a day trip or one-off event. 

However, the reduction in size results in drawbacks for the overall product. 

Ergonomics of the DJI Osmo 5

The ergonomics of the DJI Osmo 5 aren’t the greatest when compared to other gimbals in the Osmo range. 

The handle on the gimbal is less moulded and it fits a little more awkwardly in your hands, however, I wouldn’t let this downside put you off of considering the gimbal for purchase. 

Whilst it is still a relatively comfortable experience when in use, it’s not the sole downside that stems from this reduction in the unit’s size. 

Battery life of the DJI Osmo 5

The gimbal’s battery life is only 6 hours and 24 minutes long.

This might initially seem ok, but when you compare it to the other gimbals in the Osmo range, which can average anywhere from 8 to 15 hours of battery life, the DJI Osmo 5 falls short. 

However, if you’re only going to be using the gimbal on a casual basis then this might not be a sticking point for you as 6 hours of charge is usually fine for small to medium-length bouts of filming over the course of a day. 

Charging the DJI Osmo 5

Charging the gimbal is a brisk task with it reaching s full battery charge in just 1 hour and 24 minutes. This helps to justify the shorter battery life as charging it back up to full capacity isn’t that big a burden.

However, do note that the gimbal doesn’t support charging whilst your phone is in use. 

Using the DJI Osmo 5

The Gimbal, as with most DJI products, is easy to operate and handle. 

Unlike other Gimbals, the DJI the Osmo 5 has a built-in selfie stick that allows the user greater control over the kind of shots that they can employ. This plays into the Osmo 5 appeal as being a piece of kit designed for vlogging and content creation. 

The button layout on the Osmo 5 is much the same as other Osmo series gimbals. The joystick beside the record button allows for the panning and tilting of the gimbal to be controlled manually and the zoom rocker on the side of the unit allows you to zoom in or out with your phone without having to touch the touchscreen. 

The trigger on the front of the gimbal, when pressed in, locks off the orientation of your phone at the time of its pressing and maintains that orientation as you move the gimbal around. 

If you double-tap the M button you can switch the gimbal from shooting landscape to portrait mode. The difference between relying on your phone’s built-in stabilisation and using the gimbal is night and day, and it is well worth the purchase if you are investing in professional-looking video content. 

DJI Osmo 5 features & app 

The DJI Osmo 5 uses the DJI Mimo app which is easy to use intuitively. The neatly laid out software hosts a range of different features such as:

• Hyperlapses Motionlapses 
• Timelapse 240 degree panoramic 
• 3 x 3 panoramic shots 
• Gesture control 
• Active track 5.0 4

The product app and built-in features contribute to its enhanced functionality and ease of use. It can help even novices of video content master professional shots and produce quality videos. 

Summary of the DJI Osmo 5 product review

In summary, the DJI Osmo 5 is a great option for those seeking a lightweight and compact version of the previous products from the Osmo line. It is geared towards those who will create videos for the purposes of video marketing, vlogging and casual content creation. 

If that sounds like you then the Osmo 5 is probably a solid choice but if you are looking for better battery life, better ergonomics and don’t mind a larger unit size then maybe the 4 SE or the more recent Mobile SE would be better options. 

If you would like to hear more about video production products in the market, check out our previous reviews of the Powervision S1 | DJI Osmo 4 SE | DJI Mini 3 Pro | DJI Osmo 4