Zhiyun Smooth 4 Vs DJI Osmo Mobile 3

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Zhiyun Smooth 4 Vs. DJI Osmo Mobile 3 Summary:

Nowadays, everybody owns a smartphone, which will all come equipped with a camera. This is guaranteed to be pulled out at every and any photo op. Smartphone shooting is a lightweight and convenient way to capture all of life’s most memorable moments. Who wants to continually be hauling a heavy-set camera around? All the different lenses, tripods, batteries, etc., is sure to weigh you down. That’s why you need  Zhiyun Smooth 4 Vs. DJI Osmo Mobile 3 review today to make your life easier.

Zhiyun Smooth 4 and the DJI Osmo Mobile 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s a lot more recent than these cameras is the technology attached to it. Let me ask you, have you ever tried propping your phone up on a bookshelf to get that perfect angle? Or maybe you’ve left it on the ground with a rock behind to keep it upright? Maybe you’re trying to follow along as your child rides a bike for the very first time. Or maybe you want to be taking the perfect selfie with some friends. Not the best angle, not the best place for a smartphone, and not the best picture or video.

So, What’s the Solution?

Now, there are ways for the average Joe to take professional style pictures and videos using a smartphone. Two updated gimbal stabilizers have now been introduced into the market, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 and the DJI Osmo Mobile 3. This article will compare these gimbals for you. By the end, you will be well aware of the specs and features of each product and be able to make an educated decision on which one best suite your needs. Knowing what to expect when you make a purchase will help to eliminate any questions, problems, and hopefully avoid the possibility of any disappointment in the product.

Zhiyun Smooth 4 Vs DJI Osmo Mobile 3 Review

Remember, no one product fits all. Just because one of these may be right for you, it doesn’t mean that the next person won’t find the other one more suitable. With that let’s start our Zhiyun Smooth 4 Vs DJI Osmo Mobile 3

Zhiyun Smooth 4

Zhiyun Smooth 4 (Amazon) is one of the most popular brands of a gimbal. It is slightly heavier than its DJI competitor. Weighing 547g, or 1.2 pounds, it is still lightweight. Depending on how much you are planning on carrying it, this could be an important factor. Carrying as little extra weight as possible is a must, especially when participating in such activities as backpacking across the country.

Zhiyun has been specifically designed with cine-style shooting for videos in mind. With a smartphone-enabled control panel, you can adjust the settings for both the gimbal as well as the phone’s camera functions. This easy to use panel reduces the risk of any camera shake as you do not need to physically touch the screen on the phone to control.

The large wheel allows the device to rotate ergonomically with ease for an increased range or different angle. This can be moved by using the control panel or manually as well. The motion is smooth and easy to perfect. A large focus and zoom option are also included for increased clarity in your photos. Your phone is also situated in this device in a way that allows it to still be able to charge while operating the gimbal.

Specs Include

  • Weight 547g (1.2 pounds)
  • 2 Lithium-Ion rechargeable 200mAh battery
  • Rotation range of 3003° panorama, 240° roll, and 240° tilt
  • ZY play free downloadable app
  • Allowable weight of phone 7.4oz, and 3.35 height max.
  • USB type-c port

Features Include

  • PhoneGo mode
  • Panning Mode
  • Standby Mode
  • Control panel
  • Universal mounting base
  • Removable base
  • Zoom and focus adjustment wheel
  • Cine-style focus
  • Supports up to 12 hours of runtime
  • Shockproof, dustproof and waterproof

 

What’s Included with the Device

  • Zhiyun Smooth 4 stabilizer
  • Carrying case
  • Mini tripod
  • USB recharge cable
  • User guide

Zhiyun Smooth 4

Modes and Controls

The varying modes offered in this one device allow a high range of functions. The device connects using BlueTooth, making it possible for all of these modes to function correctly. If you aren’t paired using the ZY play app provided, not all of the buttons will work. This app is free with the purchase of the Zhiyun and is highly recommended by the manufacturer and users alike.

PhoneGo Mode

PhoneGo mode is a highly utilized option. With a fast and easy to use a trigger to activate this mode, you need not worry about struggling to use it. This mode allows the motors to run at full capacity, making capturing even the smallest of movements simple for any amateur filmmaker. Life happens fast. This trigger is instantaneous, leaving no room for worry about missing any of those big moments.

Panning Mode

Panning mode offers the ability to follow a moving object. All you have to do is set it up so that the device is aware of what it is that you want to track, and the rest is done for you. The camera will automatically follow the object or person regardless of whether or not the subject is moving. This gives a huge reduction in the camera shake that is normally linked to all homemade videography.

The panning mode offers four different styles of use. This includes pan-following where the camera will follow the set subject back and forth. Locking keeps the camera still but locks in on your face for maximum clarity no matter where you are on the screen. Full follow is used for following along behind a subject while still maintaining a clear focus. And of course, there is the option of the PhoneGo mode, which uses max speed to ensure that every movement, no matter how small, will be captured on camera.

 

Standby Mode

Standby Mode will ensure that the phone will not move from its previously set mode. Need to run away to go do something? This will be waiting for your return exactly as you left it, so there is no need to waste time setting everything back up. Make sure to keep an eye on the battery power. Leave for too long, and you may return to a device that has no charge left in it.

The Control Panel

Using the control panel could not be easier. With the simple technology, all features are available at the click of a button. No need to touch the screen means no fear of knocking your perfectly set up device out of place. The buttons on this panel offer easy access to all the basic features. There’s a record button to start a video, a camera button for still pictures, and autofocus. You can also access the main menu here with all the different modes and scenes as well as options such as brightness, and settings.

Focus and Zoom

The focus and zoom wheel are conveniently located on the left-hand side of the handle. This is easy to reach for those fast-little adjustments. A click of a button on the main control panel allows you to switch back and forth between this zoom and focus feature, so there is no need for any guesswork to be involved.

Power Sharing

One of the more unsung features on this is the ability to share power from the gimbal to your phone. There is a panel at the top of the screen that shows both the charge of your phone as well as how much power the gimbal currently has. If your phone is running low, simply have some of this excess power transferred over.

Universal and Removable Mounting Base

Not only is the mounting base on this universal, but you can also remove it. With the ability to mount this anywhere, the sky is the limit to what you can do with it. A removable tripod is also attached to it offers the ability to set this up on any surface.

Cine-style Focus

Cine-style focus is built specifically for video capture use on a smartphone. This gives you the ability to make those homemade videos a professional quality that is not available without this device. Combine this with the 12 hours of run time, and you will have a full library of unique vides in no time at all.

Shockproof, Dustproof and Waterproof

A camera can take quite the beating. Zhiyun has been designed to withstand life and all its greatest or most challenging adventures. Shockproof protection offers extra protection from any unfortunate slips or falls. Got a windy day where the dust is stirring up? Or perhaps it turns out to be a rainy day, and the device gets wet. No need to worry. This product has been enforced to withstand these everyday obstacles.

DJI Osmo Mobile 3

Being the first smartphone gimbal that has a unique, folding design, the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 (Amazon) is a great choice. Its compact ability is unlike any other released so far. This can collapse down to fit easily in any backpack, purse, or just to carry along in its own, included travel case.

With a minimal weight of 405g, or 0.99 pounds, this makes for easy and light transportation should you have the desire to carry it with you. Whether this is out on a hike, to a wedding, or anything in between, you can rest assured that this lightweight device won’t slow you down.

This device is very easy to balance due to the wide range of motion it offers. The included tripod combined with the axis ensures optimum stability.

This also has the feature of gesture control. This is one of its most popular features—no need to touch the device at all. Simply gesture at the screen, and you are free to take the perfect selfie or start filming.

Specs Include

  • Weight of device 405g or .99 pounds
  • Dimensions of 157X130X46 mm
  • Lithium-Ion rechargeable 980 mAh
  • Rotation range of 162.5°-170.3° panorama, 85.1°-252.2° roll, 104.5°-235.7° tilt
  • DJI Mimo free downloadable app
  • Wireless Bluetooth 5.0
  • Compatible with phones from 62-88mm wide and 9.5mm thick

Features Include

  • Ability to shoot 4K video
  • Delay
  • Fast Forward
  • Slow forward
  • Panorama
  • Gesture control
  • Story mode
  • 3 hour charge time
  • 3 to 4.5 hours run time
  • Max controllable speed 120°/second
  • Active Track

Included in the Box

  • DJI Osmo Mobile 3 gimbal
  • Battery (built-in)
  • Tri-pod
  • Storage ouch
  • Power cable
  • Wrist strap
  • Activetrack 3.0
  • Anti-slip pads

Zhiyun Smooth 4 and the DJI Osmo Mobile 3

Modes and Controls

The resolution of screens, such as on a television or computer, is constantly increasing. Can you get any better quality than 4K? DJI can shoot this remarkably high-quality content. This will ensure that all those home videos are crystal clear and professional looking.

Delay Start

With a delay start feature, you can set up the device where ever you please and still have time to strike the perfect pose. This also works with gesture control. Once you are ready to start filming, simply gesture at the camera with your hand to begin. It’s just that easy. There’s no more bad timing. No fear of the film starting before you are ready.

Get creative with both the fast forward and slow forward options.

Panorama Setting

The panorama setting is one of these devices’ topmost utilized features. It is also simple to use. Go into your phone’s app and select the panorama setting. There will be two separate options of how you want your panorama, either 180° or 3X3. The 180° degree option will take four photos, all side by side, to create one long skinny photo.

 

The second option, the 3X3, will take a series of pictures that will have three pictures across the top and three pictures across the bottom. This will also combine to make a single picture. This one will be less long than the first option but will be twice as tall.

 

Both of these options require you to hold the camera as still as you can while the DJI works its magic. You can also use the tripod on a still surface to ensure an optimal outcome.

 

Time-Lapse Mode

Another one of the most highly used modes is the time-lapse mode. This is a great feature of capturing any kind of scenery such as a sunset or maybe clouds as they move over a lake. Simply click the time-lapse mode on your device. This will bring up the time-lapse screen with a series of numbers at the top of it. The first number tells you how often a picture will be taken in seconds. You can adjust this to be whatever your preference is. The smaller the number, the more pictures there will be in the end. The bigger the number, the more of a change there will be in between photos. This is really up to you and your preference.

The next number in the series is how long the run time will be. This can be set to anything, even an infinite amount, so that it will just continue to run until someone stops it manually. The last number shown is the number of photos you will have in the end. This number will be auto-generated based on the first two numbers input into the device.

After this is done, you can either set the path you would like your phone to record or simply leave it as is to do a still recording. It is very important in this step to make sure that you are using a solid, non-moving surface. Any movement will make the time-lapse not look quite right or could cause the phone to fall over, ruining the shot altogether.

Setting Your Path

Setting your path is easy. Pick a starting point then select the X on the screen. Move your device in the direction you want to go and select this X again. Do this until you have completed the path you want to follow. You are now ready to record. There is a timer located at the top that will allow you to see how much time is remaining, or you can choose to stop the time-lapse at any moment. You are also able to preview this time-lapse whenever you feel like it.

Gesture Control

Gesture control, another amazing feature. This is great for taking selfies or self videos. If you go into the settings and select facial tracking features before you turn the gesture control on, once filming starts, the camera will make sure to keep you centered perfectly in the frame. Give the “v” sign or “peace” sign to activate the camera after the mode has been turned on in your settings. This will focus in on your face if you are in picture mode. If you set the device to pan mode, you can start a selfie video where it will follow along with you as you move.

Story Mode

Story mode opened up a whole new world of options and possibilities for amateur videographers. Now anyone can construct a short film. These films will last for no more than a minute but are sure to have a long impact on those watching.

 

To operate this, select story mode on your device. Next, you can select from a wide range of templates such as rotating, leisure, fashion, or even a cut template. Select the subject that you would like to be in a clear view and start to record. It is just that easy. This feature offers many different templates as well as soundtracks to add the final touches.

 

Active Track

Active track, the ability to select any moving object and track it. This feature is found on the menu as well. Simply click the feature and then select what object you would like to be tracked. Once you are ready to videotape, select the start recording, and you are good to go. DJI will follow the person or object around. Should they end up off the screen due to traveling too far away, the device will notify you that the subject was “lost.” If this occurs, all you have to do is get the subject back on the screen and re-select.

 

The Verdict

I hope this Zhiyun Smooth 4 Vs DJI Osmo Mobile 3 review helped you in some way. When deciding which of these gimbal devices, the best one for you is, make sure you consider all of the options. This can certainly be an overwhelming task at first, but hopefully, the key points of this article can make the decision easier for you.

With technology constantly growing and offering more and more advanced options, new features will continue to be added to the newer developed models. Both are great products with great technology being utilized. Reviewers have had overall positive feedback on each of these. Both are highly sought after items. No matter which one you decide is the best fit for you; one thing is for sure, you will be able to shoot videos and images unlike any you have ever had before purchasing your first gimbal product.

 

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