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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1318513
For some years now, DJI has been doing its level best to help people get the smoothest shots and most graceful moves they can from their line of drones, whether for aerial videos of a backyard party or a Hollywood blockbuster. Not long after that, they harnessed that same stabilization and gimbal technology to help out videographers who keep their feet firmly planted on the ground. This fall, the latest editions of two of their most popular stabilizers made their debut with some truly blockbuster features. DJI followers will also note the name changes. Both devices have been relieved of their Ikea-like Osmo designations. The phone stabilizer has become the more transcendental OM 4 and the handheld all-in-one is now simply the DJI Pocket 2. However, the wonderful little app that helps make these gadgets so useful, retains the name DJI Mimo. The Steadi-phone In your hand the OM 4 feels identical its predecessor, essentially because that part of it is. Nothing has moved and it has the same solid build quality and feel of the Osmo 3. If you’re upgrading, this is a very good thing because the few controls it bears do different jobs depending on how and when they’re pressed and there can be a bit of a learning curve involved in getting to the point where it all becomes intuitive. Though much of this can be attributed to this reviewer’s stubby thumb-length, holding the stabilizer in the left hand seems to provide better access to all the controls on the back and side than operating right-handed. The controls include a power/multi-function button, the shutter/record button, the gimbal-control joystick. There’s a zoom control slider on the left side. The trigger on the handle’s front will lock or recenter the gimble and perform a couple of other gimbal-related functions. Above the controls is a row of LEDs to keep you apprised of the battery level. With an absolute runtime of 15 hours and a more practical limit a few below that, the battery will probably have more endurance than the photographer. In fact, the OM 4 generously offers its USB-A port as a power source to top off your mobile phone.