Readers like you help support Pocket-lint. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.
Insta360
Insta360 Flow
Our top choice
Insta360's debut mobile gimbal instantly impressed us. It offers an exceptionally well-thought-out design with a built-in tripod and extension rod, and that's backed up by some class-leading software features.
Pros
- Ingenious design
- Extremely portable
- Excellent tracking capabilities
Cons
- Built-in tripod is a little flimsy
$159 at Amazon
-
DJI
DJI Osmo Mobile 6
Still an excellent option
DJI has been the go-to smartphone gimbal brand for many years now, and its experience shows in the Osmo Mobile 6. While the Insta360 bests it in portability and tracking capabilities, the Osmo Mobile 6 is still a serious contender.
Pros
(Video) INSTA360 FLOW vs DJI OSMO MOBILE 6 // SAME PRICE SO WHICH GIMBAL IS BEST?!- Very portable design
- Great build quality
- Tonnes of features
Cons
- App requires sideloading on Android
$159 at Amazon
POCKET-LINT VIDEO OF THE DAY
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
Insta360 is the latest brand to try its hand at smartphone stabilisation, and to say it's an impressive debut is quite an understatement. The Insta360 Flow has quickly cemented itself as one of the top options for anyone creating content with a mobile phone.
Until recently, DJI had been the undisputed champ of smartphone gimbals, it has spent years refining its designs and they've become some of the most popular options on the market.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 and the Insta360 Flow both come in at the exact same price, and they offer a lot of similar features, too. So, you might be wondering which one is right for you. Let's dive into the specs and find out.
Design
- Insta360 Flow: Dimensions unfolded: 73.6 x 269.4 x 69.9mm folded: 79.6 x 162.1 x 36mm
- Insta360 Flow: Weight: 369 grams
- DJI Osmo Mobile 6: Dimensions unfolded: 276 × 111.5 × 99 mm folded: 189 × 84.5 × 44 mm
- DJI Osmo Mobile 6: Weight: 309 grams
Both gimbals are designed to be as portable as possible, and both are quick to set up, using only a single hinge mechanism to activate, with no complicated balancing procedure required.
Both use a very similar magnetic metal clamping system, too. Insta360 clearly took some inspiration from DJI when designing its clamp, and both work in largely the same way. There is one aspect that Insta360 has improved on, though, and that's the fact that the clamp can remain attached to the gimbal when folded. Conversely, DJI provides nowhere to store its clamp, so it could get lost more easily.
Both gimbals come with a small tripod, however, DJI's is a separate unit that attaches to the base with a tripod screw. Insta360 has built the tripod right into the handle of the Flow, it can be pulled out when needed, and stowed inside the main body when it's not required.
The Osmo Mobile 6 and Insta360 Flow have telescoping extension rods that can be pulled out from the top of the handle. they're both similar in length, and both options offer a single pivot point to allow for greater motion on the tilt axis.
On paper, it would seem that the Flow is heavier than the Osmo Mobile 6, but in reality, it's often lighter. This is because DJI lists the weight of its tripod (72g) separately, whereas the Insta360's tripod is built into the main body of the gimbal and cannot be removed. Most people will choose to shoot with the tripod attached, and in that case, the Flow is the lighter option, though the difference is small.
What makes a bigger difference is the physical size. The Osmo Mobile 6 is a very petite gimbal, but with the tripod legs attached, it becomes quite long, and far less portable. The clever design of the Flow means that it can be smaller than the main body of the Osmo, while still retaining tripod functionality.
The controls are laid out quite differently on each gimbal, but the functionality remains similar. The Insta360 allows you to use physical controls for more things in the app, like media playback, but the joystick is not pressure sensitive, so you can't pan and tilt at variable speeds. The DJI, on the other hand, allows for full analogue joystick control but has a less thorough app integration for the rest of the controls.
Features
- Insta360 Flow: Built-in tripod and extension rod, magnetic mounting system
- Insta360 Flow: 2 hours USB-C charging, up to 12 hours runtime
- DJI Osmo Mobile 6: Built-in extension rod, magnetic mounting system
- DJI Osmo Mobile 6: 1.5-hour USB-C charging, up to 6.5 hours runtime
A clever aspect of Flow's design is that Insta360 has moved the battery from the handle to the arm of the gimbal. This means that it's not fighting for space with the extension rod and tripod, allowing for a much larger cell to be used. The result is that the Insta360 boasts almost double the battery life of the Osmo Mobile 6, as well as offering greater functionality.
Both gimbals charge via USB-C and both can be charged fairly quickly, the DJI takes less time to charge fully, but considering it offers around half the runtime, that's not overly impressive. In either case, we found the battery life to be more than sufficient for our needs, but if you know you'll be shooting for extended periods, Insta360 is the way to go.
The Insta360 Flow has another trick up its sleeve, too. It has a USB-C output in addition to its input, which means you can use the gimbal as a power bank. This could come in extremely handy if your battery runs low during a shoot, and it's not something that can be done with the Osmo Mobile 6.
Both models offer optional fill light accessories, which can be purchased separately, or as part of a special kit. Both offer adjustable brightness levels and colour temperature, but they're small light sources, and we didn't find them much more useful than our phone's built-in LED torch.
It's worth noting, though, that the design of these fill lights is quite different. DJI's version replaces the standard clamp and offers lights on both the top and bottom sides of the clamp. It has a built-in battery and therefore it needs to be charged before you can use it. The Insta360 light is a single source that clamps onto the original phone mount and is powered by the gimbal's USB-C output.
Software
- Insta360 Flow: Insta360 app for iOS and Android
- DJI Osmo Mobile 6: DJI Mimo App for iOS and Android
Both gimbals offer apps for iOS and Android phones, and both offer similar features within the app. This includes things like timelapse shooting, the ability to create panoramas, guides that teach you how to create interesting shots, editing tools, colour grading options and beautification filters.
The DJI Mimo App is a little more hassle on Android as it's not available via the Google Play store. It's straightforward to sideload the app from DJI's website, but it's a small hurdle that some users won't be comfortable with. This isn't the case with Insta360's app, which is available on the Play Store, or on iOS, where both apps are available in the App Store.
It's worth noting that with every gimbal that we've tested, the app experience is best on iPhone. Depending on your model of Android phone, you may find certain features missing. With these two devices, it's the auxiliary lenses that tend not to appear in the apps, as well as manual focusing with the control wheel, however, it varies between manufacturers.
For the most part, the features and performance of the applications are similar, but there's an important area in which Insta360 has the edge.
We think the AI tracking functionality of smartphone gimbals is one of the most useful features, and while DJI is quite good at this, the Insta360 Flow consistently outperformed it in our testing. It's particularly evident with human subjects, where the Flow does an outstanding job, even when a subject disappears behind something, or has their back turned to the camera.
Pricing and conclusion
- Insta360 Flow: $159 / £145 / €169
- DJI Osmo Mobile 6: $159 / £145 / €169
The Insta360 Flow and DJI Osmo Mobile 6 are two of the best smartphone gimbals on the market today, especially if size and weight are a concern. Of course, if you want something a little more professional, you could take a look at the Zhiyun Smooth 5S, but we think it's overkill for casual shooters.
Of the two, we think the Insta360 Flow is the more compelling option. This is mainly down to its excellent tracking abilities, its smaller size and its superior battery life. We also prefer the Insta360 app, although DJI's software is pretty solid, too.
Insta360
Insta360 Flow
Our top pick
With an excellent software experience, a brilliant compact design and the most accurate subject tracking we've tested to date, the Insta360 Flow is our top choice.
$159 at Amazon
That said, the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is still a good option, and it has advantages of its own. The build quality feels a little hardier, the joystick offers more granular control and the tripod is way sturdier - even if it takes up space in your bag.
The truth is that you'd likely be happy with either device, and both can produce very similar results - but as it stands, you get a little more for your money with Insta360.
DJI
DJI Osmo Mobile 6
Good alternative
Robust build quality and tactile controls mean that the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is still a very compelling option.
$159 at Amazon
FAQs
Which mobile gimbal is best? ›
- Digitek 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer. ...
- DJI OM 4 SE - Handheld 3-Axis Smartphone Gimbal. ...
- Hohem iSteady X Smartphone Gimbal. ...
- DJI OM 5 Smartphone Gimbal. ...
- WeCool G1 1-Axis Gimbal. ...
- Cason CX5 Handheld 3-Axis Gimbal for Smartphone.
- DJI OM 6. A selfie stick and gimbal aimed at pros with 3-axis of stabilization and subject tracking. ...
- DJI OM 5. ...
- Zhiyun Smooth X. ...
- FeiyuTech SCORP-Mini. ...
- Zhiyun Smooth 5S. ...
- Zhiyun Smooth Q4. ...
- FeiyuTech Vimble 3. ...
- Zhiyun Crane M2S Combo Kit.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 has four distinct gimbal modes: follow, tilt locked, FPV and spinshot.
Is Osmo gimbal worth it? ›The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is lightweight, compact, quick to set up and easy to use. With numerous advantages over its predecessor, we don't doubt that it's one of the best smartphone gimbals money can buy.
What is the best Osmo mobile gimbal? ›DJI Osmo Mobile 6: The Osmo Mobile 5 is our top pick for a folding gimbal. It's lightweight and powerful, and it's an overall perfect companion for videographers on the go. DJI Osmo Mobile SE: Almost as good as the Osmo Mobile 6, but much cheaper. ZHIYUN Smooth Q4: This is a great gimbal for mobile videographers.
Which mobile gimbal has highest payload? ›- Zhiyun Smooth 4 – 210 grams.
- Feiyutech Vimble 2 – 210 grams.
- Feiyutech Vimble 2s – 210 grams.
- Freevision Vilta M – 208 grams.
- Cinepeer C11 – 200 grams.
- Zhiyun Smooth X – 200 ± 35 g.
- DJI Osmo Mobile 3 – 200 ± 30g.
- Zhiyun Smooth Q – 200 grams.
- Payload Capacity. The payload capacity of a gimbal refers to the weight of the camera and lens it can support. ...
- Battery Life. ...
- Stability. ...
- Size and Weight. ...
- Compatibility. ...
- Price.
| Model | Weight | Battery Life |
|---|---|---|
| Zhiyun Smooth 4 | 35.2 oz | 12 Hours |
| DJI OM 4 | 15.16 oz | 15 Hours |
| Hohem iSteady V2 | 9.28 oz | 9 Hours |
| Zhiyun Smooth Q2 | 13.4 oz | 17 Hours |
- DJI OM 6. The best iPhone gimbal overall. ...
- Zhiyun Smooth 4. An affordable gimbal for iPhone with pro-level features. ...
- MOZA Mini-S. One of the best iPhone gimbals for value. ...
- DJI OM 5. A slightly cheaper version of the best iPhone gimbal. ...
- Zhiyun Smooth Q3. ...
- DJI OM 4.
Without installing DJI Mimo you can use the gimbal in its standard modes and your camera app, but this misses out on a lot of the features (not to mention firmware updates).
Can you use DJI OM6 without the app? ›
Yes, you may use the product without the app however, we highly recommend keeping the app on your mobile device for future uses like firmware updates and other features that you want to use with the DJI Mimo app.
What's new about Osmo Mobile 6? ›The Osmo Mobile 6's built-in extension rod is 215mm (8.5") when completely extended and gives you the ability to capture a wider variety of angles. The front side of the device has been updated significantly and is more intuitive to use.
What is the best alternative to Osmo? ›The best alternatives to Osmo are imagi, Kano, and Bitsbox. If these 3 options don't work for you, we've listed over 20 alternatives below.
What age is Osmo best for? ›The Osmo games/apps are designed for ages 3-12. There are multiple levels of difficulty in all of our games that make them fun for any age, including adults. Please use the age range filters in our online store to find the Starter Kits and add-on games and bundles suitable for your kids' ages.
Which Osmo Mobile to buy? ›Recommended Users. If you are looking for a smartphone gimbal that is portable, easier to carry around, and offers multiple intelligent modes, Osmo Mobile 3 is a fantastic choice for you. Osmo Mobile 3 features an upgraded design and performance compared to Osmo Mobile 2, ensuring you can always shoot brilliant footage ...
Is DJI better than Zhiyun? ›While almost every gimbal offers this functionality, including the Smooth 5S, DJI's system is without a doubt the most reliable and accurate. A downside to DJI's software is that it isn't available in the Play Store, for Android users.
What is the best smartphone gimbal 2023? ›Get super-smooth and shake-free footage with the DJI OM 5, the top choice among the 8 best phone gimbals in 2023. Recommendations say it's a must-have for anyone making media with their smartphone.
What is the most powerful gimbal? ›...
1. DJI RS 2.
| Brand | DJI |
|---|---|
| Best For | Hardworking, demanding professionals |
Osmo Mobile 6 is compatible with most smartphones on the market. It is recommended to use smartphones with a width of 67-84 mm, thickness of 6.9-10 mm, and weight of 170-290 g.
Who is the competitor of gimbal? ›Other important factors to consider when researching alternatives to Gimbal include reliability and ease of use. We have compiled a list of solutions that reviewers voted as the best overall alternatives and competitors to Gimbal, including AdRoll, Marin Software, Mediaocean, and Celtra.
Is it worth it to buy gimbal? ›
Frequency — If you're not a professional photographer or videographer, a gimbal or a tripod may be an unnecessary expense. But even if you're just a hobbyist looking to create higher-quality videos and photos, we highly recommend investing in a gimbal, tripod, or both.
Which gimbal is best for cinematography? ›Not only is the RS 3 Pro the best Ronin gimbal DJI has ever made, it's the best professional gimbal in the world. Able to support payloads up to 10 lb, the RS 3 Pro can handle full-frame cinema cameras and ILS like the Canon C70 or Sony FX6. Our vote for the best pro-level camera stabilizer: the RS3 Pro from DJI.
What phone has built in gimbal? ›Vivo X50, X50 Pro with Gimbal cameras launched in India: Price, specs and features | Mobile News.
Which gimbal has auto balancing? ›DJI's RS3 mirrorless camera stabilizer unlocks automatically and is easier to balance.
Is gimbal better than in camera stabilization? ›Gimbals may be more expensive and sensitive than other video stabilizers. Some videographers argue that it takes longer to set up a gimbal because of the balancing process you have to do manually. In addition, the balance is sensitive and may go off when you add new lenses or microphones.
Do I need a gimbal with iPhone 13? ›For me it really depends on what I'm shooting. If I'm doing a run & gun style job then I typically prefer handheld and today you can get really nice results using FiLMiC Pro or the native camera app. But if I'm doing something more polished like a short film or a music video, etc. then I'm often using a gimbal.
Which gimbals are best for the iPhone 12 Pro Max? ›With its all-new upgraded motors, the Zhiyun Smooth 5 is compatible with virtually any phone. This includes bigger and heavier iPhones like the iPhone 12 and 13 Pro Max. The Zhiyun Smooth 4 was one of my favorite iPhone gimbals because of the number of physical controls and pro features it came with.
Does DJI OM6 work with S22 Ultra? ›Supported Galaxy models include the Galaxy S22, S21 and S21 Ultra, S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra. And don't forget the Galaxy S10 or GalaxyNote20 Ultra, those models are supported too! Google's popular Pixel smartphone series is also compatible with the DJI OM6.
How far does the Osmo Mobile 6 extend? ›The Osmo Mobile 6 features a built-in extension rod that stretches 8.46 inches. It is mostly meant to help put some distance between yourself and the camera while recording self-facing video, but it can help add some height to your shooting angle as well.
What is the difference between Osmo 6 and Osmo SE? ›The SE model improves on the design of the Osmo Mobile 6 with an even smaller size when in use and when folded, and it also offers a larger 2600mAh battery with a longer run time of up to 8 hours.
What is the difference between Osmo 6 and SE? ›
What are the differences between Osmo Mobile 6 and Osmo Mobile SE? Osmo Mobile SE differs from Osmo Mobile 6 in terms of gimbal structure, colour, side wheel, battery life, extension rod, etc. Also, it does not have the Quick Launch function.
What apps to use with DJI Osmo? ›- LightCut - Video Editor. Photo & Video.
- Insta360. Photo & Video.
- Filmic Pro－Video Camera. Photo & Video.
- Imaging Edge Mobile. Photo & Video.
- LumaFusion. Photo & Video.
- Sync for DJI Osmo. Download 4K. Photo & Video.
September 22, 2022 - DJI, the world's leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today launches Osmo Mobile 6, a palm-sized, portable device that unlocks the full potential of anyone's smartphone photos or videos.
What is new with DJI OM6? ›DJI OM6 vs DJI OM5: What's Different? One change that DJI has made to the OM6 is the introduction of new physical controls to make operating the Osmo mobile easier on the fly. The zoom slider has now been replaced by a side control wheel with 360 degree rotation.
Why is my DJI Osmo Mobile 6 gimbal not working? ›If the gimbal function does not work at all, check the bluetooth connection. If connected, the electronic aspect of the gimbal may need to be replaced. If the gimbal works but does not move as quickly as it should, thoroughly clean the device and make sure no obstructions are impeding motion.
What is the most durable Osmo finish? ›Osmo TopOil High Solid is a Food-safe Hardwax-oil wood finish which is extremely tough and hardwearing. It is water repellent and dirt resistant as well as resistant to wine, beer, cola, coffee, tea, fruit juices, milk and water.
Is Osmo actually good? ›It should actually provide a good amount of educational value. To be sure, Osmo is not a complete curriculum or replacement for learning. Though it's interactive apps Osmo does, however, offer a powerful focused skill-based learning in a variety of core areas for kids in its target age range (3-12).
Who are Osmo play competitors? ›Osmo's top competitors include Roybi, and KidX. Roybi provides multilingual educational solutions for kids. It develops small robots to provide private tutoring experiences.
What is the gimbal problem? ›Gimbal lock is the loss of one degree of freedom in a three-dimensional, three-gimbal mechanism that occurs when the axes of two of the three gimbals are driven into a parallel configuration, "locking" the system into rotation in a degenerate two-dimensional space.
Does Osmo work without Internet? ›An internet connection is required. Osmo Mobile 6 will be activated after authorization and the app will enter the camera view.
How long does Osmo last? ›
Depending on the degree of weathering, apply one coat of Osmo UV-Protection-Oil Extra to the cleaned and intact finish after approx. 3-4 years.
What is special about Osmo? ›Osmo fosters learning in key areas such as fine motor skills, creative problem solving, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics). We believe in healthy tablet play for kids with a good balance of fun and learning with plenty of physical play away from a screen.
Is mobile gimbal worth it? ›We recommend that any professional videographers or moviemakers should buy a gimbal. Although there are DIY methods for keeping your camera steady, a gimbal ensures unwavering stability to help you achieve optimum video quality whether on set or shooting outdoors.
Does anyone make drones as good as DJI? ›Parrot ANAFI - Best all-round DJI alternative
The Parrot ANAFI is the perfect compact folding DJI alternative for those who love to travel and prefer lightweight drones that can easily slide into your carry-on.
Unlike cheap products that you can find everywhere on the market, DJIs are a tad bit on the expensive side. But once you buy a DJI drone and try it out, you will immediately notice that the price was extremely worth it considering the smooth flying experience and easiness to control.
Should I turn off lens stabilization when using a gimbal? ›Does the camera or lens image stabilization function work when mounted on the gimbal? The image stabilization function may operate incorrectly or be unable to compensate for camera shake adequately. Turn off the image stabilization function before use.
Which camera has best video stabilization? ›...
1. Panasonic Lumix GH6.
| Camera Type | Mirrorless |
|---|---|
| In-body Stabilization | |
| Autofocus Points | 315 |
| Maximum ISO (Native) | 25,600 |
| Video |
A photographer looking for stability usually goes for a tripod or monopod. A photographer looking for control with stability should add in a gimbal head.