Tolerance for filming and sharing our outdoor exploits has evolved quickly in a short amount of time. Where it once elicited reactions from core dirtbags like, “Those selfie-sticks are narcissistic toys built for middle-schoolers,” today’s reactions are a bit more accepting.
Just one glance at your Instagram feed and you’ll discover everything from time-lapse clips of sunsets over Yosemite to drone footage of bearded bros slacklining over bottomless desert canyons. Where once a photo was worth a thousand words, video now reigns supreme. Yes indeed, video killed the radio star, and it is clear the medium is here to stay.
DJI, builder of the popular Phantom series of drones, has released a new version of its Osmo camera that seems tailor-made for the social media generation. The device – dubbed the Osmo+ – is a gimbal-supported hand-held that pairs physically and operationally with an iPhone to create a sophisticated selfie-stick unlike anything we’ve seen before.
A mid-shaft bracket on the Osmo grips the iPhone, which substitutes as a viewfinder and app-connected command center for the camera. The two devices pair with one another via Bluetooth and work in conjunction to offer filmmakers a range of capture options, including capturing video at 4K resolutions; automated motion timelapse; 360-degree panoramas; super slow-motion; and extended exposure images as well.
Additionally, the Osmo+ comes with a built-in 7x zoom – which gives it a focal range of 22mm to 77mm. It is also capable of taking 12 megapixel stills images in single shot or burst modes, and has an upgraded battery to shoot longer.
Like the base model, the Osmo+ tilts, pans, and moves without bounce, producing exceptionally clear and smooth video as a result. Essentially, DJI has taken all of the experience it has garnered mounting cameras on its drones and put it in the palm of your hand, improving your ability to make outstanding films in the process.
A number of mounting components are available for the Osmo line, including a customizable handle, as well as the more advanced X5 and X5R cameras by DJI, which produce 16 megapixel stills and RAW video files, respectively. This level of customizability brings versatility to the camera, which is already quite powerful right out of the box.
The Osmo+ carries a price tag of $649, which is exactly what the original Osmo debuted at last year. The previous model is still available as well, selling for $569 with an additional battery pack included. Find out more at DJI.com.