DJI OM 6 vs DJI OM 7 SERIES:
A Side-by-Side Look

It makes perfect sense that a company known best for their drones would manufacture some of the worlds best mobile phone and camera gimbals. DJI has consistently led the way in stabilizing technology with each new product they release. The new DJI Osmo Mobile 7 series that was released this past February is continuing this legacy.

The Osmo Mobile 6 and Osmo Mobile 7 gimbal designs are so similar that I could have a difficult time telling the difference between them at a quick glance. However, both versions of the OM 7 have many improvements that make them a great option to consider if you’re looking to upgrade from the DJI Osmo Mobile 6, which debuted in 2022.

SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON

DESIGN

As previously mentioned, both gimbals share many similarities. The button layout wasn't changed, the selfie stick on the OM 7P is the same length, and the dimensions when folded only changed slightly. However, when you start to look at the fine details, it's difficult to pick up anything but an OM 7 again.

Both the OM 7 and OM 7P have a built-in tripod that is far more convenient because it's easy to pull out or slide in to store it away. There's no need to carry around a tripod, so that's one less thing to pack, and there's no time wasted screwing and unscrewing the accessory. Additionally, the OM 7 series is faster to use than the OM 6 because it can be unfolded in one single motion. The OM 6, on the other hand, must be turned and unlocked first before being unfolded. Further still, the OM 7 series can hold 10 more grams of weight, which something that is becoming increasingly more important as consumers add bulky, protective cases to their already rather large phones.

TRACKING AND PANNING

While all of the new enhancements are excellent improvements, the ultimate decide factor that had me sold on the Osmo Mobile 7 series is how well they track and pan. I primarily use gimbals to help make short videos showcasing family activities throughout each month. I am constantly chasing my toddler and two dogs with my phone around the house, the yard, and the park. This means I need a gimbal that can track fast-moving subjects that move sporadically and move out of the shot more often than not. My OM 7P can pan -109° to 222° and tilt -224° to 100°, making it so much easier to keep everyone within frame.

BATTERY LIFE AND CHARGING TIMES

The OM 7 will take a little bit longer to charge than the OM 6, 2.5 hours vs 1 hour and 24 minutes with a 10W USB-C charger. In exchange, the OM 7 lasts about 10 hours (without the multifuction module, that is) instead of the OM 6's approximate 6 hours and 24 minutes. The OM 7 can also give your phone a boost if it's running low so long as you bring along the optional USB-C charging cable, something included with the OM 7P. While I have an assortment of battery packs at my disposal, the new charging feature means that I don't have to stop using a gimbal every time I need to charge my phone.

Unfortunately, if you're using the multifunction module constantly for tracking and using it as a light source, the battery life does suffer greatly. By my estimate, you'll only get about five hours with tracking on, or four hours with tracking and the fill light on. While this doesn't have much of an impact on creating my family-driven content, professionals will likely find the impact on battery life tremendously restricting.

EVALUATING THE UPGRADES

While the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 series introduces some refinements and new features, these new gimbals might not be game-changing for everyone. The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is still a good, reliable gimbal with smooth stabilization and intuitive controls, as seen in the example above. In fact, the new OM 7 doesn't come with a selfie stick, you need to spend a bit more and get the OM 7P for this feature. And if the colour of your gimbal is important to you, you no longer have as much freedom of choice as you previously did. Currently, the OM 7 only comes in grey and you'll need to purchase the OM 7P if you prefer black. So unless you're in need of the latest updates and improvements, the OM 6 still holds its ground as a great option. At the end of the day, whether or not it's worth the upgrade will depend on your personal needs and how much value you place on the latest enhancements.

CAPTURING LIFE'S PRECIOUS MOMENTS WITH EASE

The DJI Osmo Mobile 7 has transformed the way I capture memories and create content. It's tracking precision, seamless panning, and user-friendly features have made every shoot a joy. Whether I'm chasing after my energetic toddler as they explore the world or capturing the fun chaos of a tug-of-war match with my playful dogs, the OM 7 feels like having a professional assistant right by my side. I genuinely love my OM 7 and I appreciate how it helps to ensure every precious moment is beautifully preserved.