Connor McCaskill's DJI Osmo Mobile 8P Review

all phone gimbals are really good when it comes to stabilizing phone footage.

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I find the DJI to be really clean and a bit more on the understated side with that uniform gray color palette.

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They have the tripod legs built into the actual handle grip that fold out really nicely so that you can use it as a tripod gimbal.

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Instead of going for absolute professionalism, I found it to be just a bit more fun looking...it has a clear plastic piece. So, you can actually see the internal components inside the gimbal arm.

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the standout feature is going to be the removable touchcreen...this thing let you actually control the gimbal from afar, but you can actually preview it on the screen.

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the most important feature between these two gimbals, and that's going to be its overall tracking ability and how accurate it is...both of these gimbals are tracking in their native apps...both it seems to have done a pretty good job. ... To me, the tracking features between both seem fairly comparable.

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both of these things come with a little module tracker thing that attaches to the gimbal itself...allows me to get autofocus tracking in any camera app...they have built-in fill lights.

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The unique thing about the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro is actually pretty dang cool. ... they call it free tilt mode, and you can spin this thing for eternity. It'll just keep continuously spinning around a full 360°. ... allows you to get some pretty awesome creative dynamic shots, especially when you're getting super low down to the ground.

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All Phone Gimbals Stabilize Well

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The reviewer states that all modern phone gimbals are really good at stabilizing phone footage, shifting the focus to creative freedom and usability.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI_xZAZTvUg

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P Design and Built-in Tripod

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The reviewer describes the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P's design as 'clean and understated,' noting its uniform gray color and built-in tripod legs that fold out from the handle.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI_xZAZTvUg

Insta360 Flow 2 Pro Design

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The reviewer describes the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro's design as 'fun looking' with an all-white design, black accents, and clear plastic pieces showing internal components.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI_xZAZTvUg

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P Removable Touchscreen Remote

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The reviewer highlights the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P's standout feature: a removable touchscreen remote that allows controlling the gimbal and previewing shots from afar, which is useful for solo filming.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI_xZAZTvUg

Side-by-Side Auto-Tracking Test

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The reviewer demonstrates a quick side-by-side test showing both gimbals tracking subjects in their native apps, noting both offer professional composition modes.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI_xZAZTvUg

Subject Reacquisition Test

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The reviewer tests how well both gimbals reacquire a subject after it goes behind a tree, concluding that both did a 'pretty good job.'

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI_xZAZTvUg

Module Trackers with Fill Lights for Any App

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The reviewer demonstrates that both gimbals come with module trackers that attach to the gimbal, allowing autofocus tracking in any camera app (like Blackmagic camera app) and featuring built-in fill lights.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI_xZAZTvUg

DJI Fill Light Control via Touchscreen

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The reviewer notes the DJI module's fill light can be controlled from the gimbal's touchscreen, adjusting Kelvin temperature and brightness, which is more convenient than pressing buttons on the module itself.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI_xZAZTvUg

DJI Remote Tracking in Third-Party App

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The reviewer demonstrates using the DJI's frame tap remote to remotely initiate subject tracking and adjust composition within a third-party app like Blackmagic Camera.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI_xZAZTvUg

Insta360 Remote Control via Secondary Devices

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The reviewer mentions that Insta360 allows connecting a secondary iPhone or Apple Watch as a remote controller, though it requires a separate device.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI_xZAZTvUg

Insta360 Flow 2 Pro Free Tilt Mode

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The reviewer demonstrates the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro's unique 'free tilt mode,' where the gimbal arm can continuously spin 360 degrees, enabling creative low-angle and dynamic shots.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI_xZAZTvUg

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P Availability

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The reviewer states that the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P is not available in the United States, but the Osmo Mobile 8 is a comparable alternative, aside from minor differences like the 8P's touchscreen.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI_xZAZTvUg

Wishlist for Future Gimbal Features

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The reviewer expresses a wish that both companies would adopt the unique features (DJI's remote, Insta360's free tilt) in future versions of their gimbals.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI_xZAZTvUg

Which phone gimbal has better stabilization?

The reviewer states that stabilization quality is no longer the primary differentiator, as all current phone gimbals provide very good stabilization. The focus should instead be on creative freedom and features that don't hinder the user's filming process.

How do the designs of the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P and Insta360 Flow 2 Pro compare?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P is described as having a clean, understated uniform gray aesthetic, including convenient built-in tripod legs. In contrast, the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro opts for a 'more fun looking' white design with black accents and unique clear plastic sections that reveal its internal components.

Which gimbal has better auto-tracking and subject reacquisition?

Side-by-side tests demonstrated that both gimbals perform well in auto-tracking subjects within their native apps and offer professional composition modes. Additionally, both showed good performance in reacquiring a subject after temporarily losing sight of it, such as when the subject went behind a tree. The reviewer found their tracking features 'fairly comparable.'

Can these gimbals track subjects using third-party camera apps?

Both the DJI and Insta360 gimbals include a small module tracker that attaches to the gimbal. This module allows the gimbal to perform autofocus tracking with various camera applications, such as Instagram, the phone's native camera app, or professional third-party apps like the Blackmagic Camera app.

Do these gimbals have built-in lights, and how are they controlled?

The module trackers on both gimbals feature built-in fill lights to assist with filming in low-light situations. The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P offers more convenient control, allowing users to adjust Kelvin temperature and brightness directly from its removable touchscreen. The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro's fill light is controlled via buttons on the module itself.

What unique remote control or creative features do these gimbals offer?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P's key distinguishing feature is its removable touchscreen remote, which not only controls the gimbal remotely but also provides a live preview for shot composition, especially useful for solo creators. The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro stands out with its 'free tilt mode,' allowing its arm to continuously rotate 360 degrees, which is beneficial for achieving dynamic and creative low-angle shots that other gimbals might struggle with.