DJI OM 5 vs Zhiyun Smooth 5 (2022): Comparing Smartphone Gimbals

When it comes to the Zhiyun Smooth 5 vs DJI OM 5, it pretty much boils down to what features you’re looking for. After all, the two share a lot of similarities, including their stabilization performance, 3-axis build and price point, to name a few. However, there are a few factors that set one apart from the other.

On that note, we compare the two smartphone gimbals to clear up the differences between them and hopefully help you decide on which one to get.

DJI OM 5 vs Zhiyun Smooth 5 Comparison Chart

Model	DJI OM 5	Zhiyun Smooth 5
Price	Check Price at DJI.com	Check Price at Zhiyun-Tech.com
Max Payload	290g	300g
Device Holder	Magnetic phone clamp	Manual
Extension Rod	Yes	No
Object Tracking	ActiveTrack 4.0	SmartFollow
Bluetooth Version	Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy	Bluetooth 4.2
Battery Life	Up to 6.4 hours	4.5 hours to 12 hours
Charging Time	1.5 hours	2 hours
Charging Port	USB-C	USB-C
Dimensions	Gimbal (unfolded): 264.5mm x 111.1mm x 92.3mm Gimbal (folded): 174.7mm x 74.6mm x 37mm	311mm x 168mm x 52mm
Weight	Gimbal: 292g Magnetic phone clamp: 34g	615g

Design and Controls

The DJI OM 5 is more portable and compact, but the Zhiyun Smooth 5 gives you more control over the shooting process.

First off, the DJI OM 5 has a more streamlined and modern look, and from an aesthetic standpoint, it’s obviously more targeted at consumers. Meanwhile, the Zhiyun Smooth 5 looks more traditional, similar to what professionals use, which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on your preferences.

As for portability, the OM 5 takes the cake. For starters, it’s lighter at 292g—326g including its clamp—as compared to 615g, and it’s smaller at 264.5mm x 111.1mm x 92.3mm as opposed to 311mm x 168mm x 52mm. Speaking of, it’s the only one of the two that folds down. Sure, the Smooth 5’s arm folds too, but the gimbal itself retains its somewhat bulky size.

The OM 5 uses a magnetic clamp to hold your smartphone, and it’s more convenient to use because you can always just pull your device off and snap it back on as needed. On the other hand, the Smooth 5 uses a manual clamp, and it can get bothersome to remove your mobile and place it back again and again. At any rate, both can keep your phone nice and secure.

Controls are user-friendly on both, but it’s a simpler affair on the OM 5, sometimes to a fault too. For instance, the Smooth 5 has a zoom wheel with a button in the middle for manual focusing rather than just a slider, and it offers buttons to adjust resolution, frame rate and ISO value. The best part is there’s a button that lets you change modes without having to go into the menu on your smartphone, unlike on the OM 5. In short, you get granular control over the shooting process right on the Smooth 5 itself, even though there’s a slight learning curve because of it.

Performance and Battery Life

The DJI OM 5 can track objects better and uses a newer Bluetooth version, but the Zhiyun Smooth 5 has a longer battery life.

In terms of stabilization, the DJI OM 5 and the Zhuyin Smooth 5 are practically the same, as noted earlier. However, the latter has a wider mechanical range overall, allowing you to frame shots from more varying angles. 

On top of that, the Smooth 5 has a higher maximum payload of 300g than the OM 5’s 290g limit, and that’s a bit of an underestimation too since it can handle smartphones with accessories that weigh north by a couple of grams beyond that cap. In a similar situation, the OM 5 struggles to tilt, pan and roll smoothly.

In the OM 5’s defense, it uses the newer Bluetooth 5.0 instead of Bluetooth 4.2, but more importantly, its object-tracking software ActiveTrack 4.0 comes out on top. Put simply, it’s more responsive and reliable in general, as the Smooth 5’s SmartFollow tends to lose track of the subject from time to time. However, it should be cleared up that it doesn’t happen that often, so it doesn’t exactly detract from the user experience. 

Another front the Smooth 5 has the upper hand in is battery life. It’s rated to last up to 12 hours on a single charge, whereas the OM 5 can only go for up to 6.4 hours. It doesn’t end there either, as it’s the only one of the two that can charge other devices. Both use USB-C, for the record.

Click here for our DJI OM 5 review comparing it to the DJI OM 4.

Features and Shooting Modes

The DJI OM 5 introduces a new ShotGuides feature and an extension rod, the latter of which the Zhiyun Smooth 5 doesn’t have.

Among the unique selling points of the DJI OM 5 is its extension rod, or in other words, it can double as an advanced take on the selfie stick. But there’s more to it than that, as it can provide a wider field of view for vlogging and, say, “groufies.” In addition, it gives it the flexibility for composing or getting creative with angles. For one thing, it makes recording in underslung mode a whole deal easier, measuring 215mm when fully extended.

For those familiar with DJI’s offerings, the OM 5 includes the usual intelligent shooting modes: Story Mode, DynamicZoom, CloneMe Pano, SpinShot Mode, Slow Motion, 240-Degree Pano, 3×3 Pano, Hyperlapse, Motionlapse and Timelapse. Now the Smooth 5 has everything you’d expect from any gimbal worth its salt, namely Lock, Follow, Pan Follow, Point of View (or POV), Vertigo and Go modes, as well as Slow Motion and Timelapse.

If you’re a beginner, the OM 5 has a nifty new feature called ShotGuides. Essentially, it teaches you how to take creative shots, recommending tips and even templates. But what makes it stand out is its ability to recognize environments and offer instructions based on the circumstances. The Smooth 5’s answer to that is the SMART, and while it does guide you in what to do for some unique creations, it’s ironically not as smart.

Pricing and Value

The DJI OM 5 and Zhiyun Smooth 5 have more or less the same price tag, but things get complicated with accessories involved.

These gimbals are similarly priced, but only the DJI OM 5 comes with a pouch and a wrist strap right from the get-go. You’ll have to opt for the Zhiyun Smooth 5 Combo to get something similar, as the standard option doesn’t include a protective bag. 

In that sense, the OM 5 provides more bang for the buck, but it becomes a different story with accessories in the picture. Besides the gimbal itself, charging cable and tripod, Zhiyun throws in a wrist strap, a membership card that’s good for a year and a fill light and four colored filters for it with the aforementioned combo package.

Compared to that, getting DJI’s fill light clamp along with the OM 5 will cost more, and even then, things like colored filters aren’t in the mix. Moreover, this fill light is somewhat limited, as it only works in selfie mode.

Verdict

Each gimbal brings unique benefits to the table: The DJI OM 5 provides a convenient and feature-packed experience, while the Zhiyun Smooth 5 has a stronger focus on raw performance, particularly a wider range and a higher payload.

DJI OM 5

Zhiyun Smooth 5

Again, choosing between the two depends on what features you’re after. But generally speaking, the DJI OM 5 is more user-friendly, and it provides plenty of intelligent shooting modes and features to work with. Its magnetic clamp also makes it convenient to remove and replace your smartphone. Thing is, it’s more geared toward casual use in comparison, but that’s what makes it appealing to a wider audience.

Among the advantages of the Zhiyun Smooth 5 are its higher maximum payload, longer battery life, wider mechanical range and more buttons and the like for more control. Performance-wise, it sort of punches above its weight, somewhat keeping up with professional gimbals, assuming it’s paired with the right device. All in all, it has more potential, but that said, the OM 5 doesn’t lag that far behind in this regard.

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