Introduction
The DJI OM 4 is the newest edition of the company's hand-held gimbal optimized for cellphones. It'll set you back a moderate £139 and comes with a variety of extras, including a tiny grip-tripod and two magnetic attachments.
Yes, this updated edition includes a new magnetic design. Whereas the OM 3 has a phone clamp on its arm, the OM 4 gimbal arm incorporates a strong magnet that creates a tight bind to the Magnetic Phone Clamp or Magnetic Ring Holder phone attachments. It's a better design for sure.
There's also a new hue, being a light grey compared to the dark grey of the OM 3.
Of course, the OM 4's greatest feature is its 3-axis gimbal, able to smooth down the roughest handheld video action. But there's more.
The DJI Mimo app offers a lot of entertaining shooting modes, like hyperlapse, timelapse and pano, while an improved 'Active Tracking 3.0' should give better subject tracking.
Truly, the OM 4 is a great tool to increase the shooting features of your smartphone and convert video footage.
Ease of Use
You won't require a great lot of time to acclimatise to the DJI OM 4.
It now incorporates a magnetic design to attach the smartphone, with two alternatives; the Magnetic Ring Holder adhered to the back of the phone, or the Magnetic Phone Clamp, both of which are offered.
Should you pick the Magnetic Ring Holder, there's a see-through guide provided to line it up centrally on the phone's rear to guarantee an even balance for the greatest potential performance.
We soon went for the Magnetic Phone Clamp instead, which feels that additional bit tight and doesn't leave any of the residual traces on the phone like the Ring Holder.
This new magnetic system has enabled DJI to lower the size and weight of the gimbal arm and is the only major design difference when compared with the DJI OM 3.
Overall, we like the new magnetic design - it's sleeker and speedier. Crucially, the magnet is like glue. Truly, we gave it a serious test for weakness but it has stood solid.
With the magnetic attachment properly aligned, you won't have the same faff counterbalancing as with a 'real' gimbal and camera coupling. Snap in place, switch on and go. Simple. It's so refreshingly easy and helps to the enjoyment aspect.
Otherwise, the design here is essentially familiar. It's a small, single-handed gimbal weighing less than 400g, with an arm that folds away when not in use. It's still too big to go into a trouser pocket, although the supplied soft storage pouch gives the further protection needed.
We tried the OM 4 with the Google Pixel 4a 5G - that's a 6.2inch screen smartphone - and the pairing felt good. On the DJI website, the maximum load is 230g ± 60g, which covers most smartphones and is almost heading onto small camera area.
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Image Quality
The DJI OM4 is a gimbal that leverages the camera of your linked smartphone. As such, the OM4 doesn't alter image quality outside the capabilities it offers, namely the gimbal stabilization and unique shooting modes.
In our evaluation environment, the Google Pixel 4a 5G already delivers good optical and electrical picture stabilization. So did we see a change with it mounted to the DJI OM 4? In short, sure we did - you can't beat motorized stabilization.
We filmed simultaneous run-and-gun films with the Google Pixel 5 portable and Google Pixel 4a 5G attached on the OM 4. (Those two phones have identical cameras.)
Comparing video and the difference is evident (see our example). The OM 4 gimbal fights such high vibrations and camera angle alterations to deliver incredibly smooth footage.
Active tracking is incredibly helpful, too, especially for solo v-logging. It'll (usually) keep you firmly focused and in the middle of the frame as you move about. They are the periodic dips, generally owing to excessive subject movement.
Hands down, these two great features are worth the money alone if you are interested handheld action videos. Memorable events, adventures, v-logging, all turned for the better with this gimbal.
Then there are the shooting modes on the DJI Mimo app. Hyperlapse is addicting, notably in the early days. Want a brief whistle-stop tour of your local area or travels? Try this entertaining effect, however it's one you may bore of fast.