DJI, known for its drones that are used for aerial photography, introduces a new iteration of its Osmo handheld camera stabilizer.
In a press release earlier this week, the Shenzen-based tech company announced the launch of Osmo+, which brings an integrated Zenmuse X3 camera that is capable of up to 7x digital zoom to the Osmo handheld camera stabilization system.
"The Osmo+ opens up entirely new capabilities for creators who love the Osmo's ability to deliver crisp, sharp and detailed handheld imagery," said DJI Senior Product Manager Paul Pan. "[T]he zoom features of the new Osmo+ once again expand the capabilities of handheld photography to push the limits of the imagination."
The DJI spec table for the Osmo+ gimbal system reveals that it retained most of Osmo's features, such as shooting videos at 4K (30 fps) and the Sony Exmor R CMOS sensor (12.4-megapixel). The same with the Osmo, the Osmo+ still takes stills at a maximum size of 4,000 x 3,000 pixels using modes such the Photo Burst, which is capable of up to seven shots, and AEB (auto bracketing exposure) that automatically takes shots at different exposures.
However, compared to Osmo's Zenmuse Z3 camera, the Zenmuse X3 on the Osmo+ is fitted with a 3.5x optical zoom lens that is paired with a 2x digital lossless zoom, which gives it a 22 mm to 77 mm focal length.
Another new feature on the Osmo+ is the updated advanced stabilization, which is based on what the Osmo used. It also offers Motion Timelapse, which allows users to create moving timelapses.
"Just mark where you want the camera movement to start and end, and tap 'Start,'" says DJI.
Although the X3 is similar to the Z3 on the Inspire 1 drone system, DJI points out that they are not interchangeable. The company also specified that the 2x digital lossless zoom can only be used when recording at 1080p (1,920 x 1,080). It should be noted that Zenmuse X3 only lists 100 fps for 1080p video recording while the Z3 is capable of up to 120 fps using the same resolution.
With the Osmo+, DJI addressed one of the Osmo's major cons. The Osmo+ has an improved battery life. It uses an 11.5-volt 1,225 mAh LiPo battery pack compared to the Osmo's 11.1-volt 980 mAh.
The Osmo+ gimbal system is currently on shelves for $649, which is the same as that of the Osmo's during its release back in October 2015. The package includes the handle and the Zenmuse X3 zoom camera that retails for $499.
