DJI added a zoom lens to its Osmo stabilized camera

DJI 's camera drones let you capture subjects from incredible heights. Now its Osmo handheld camera can get you closer to things on the ground.

The new 7x zoom OSMO Plus camera uses the same 3-axis motorized gimbal that makes video look so smooth from its Inspire 1 quadcopter, but attaches to a handgrip. The integrated X3 zoom camera is similar to, but not interchangeable with, the DJI Zenmuse Z3 zoom camera available for that drone.

The 7x zoom is reached through a combination of a 3.5x optical and 2x digital zoom. That gives you a lens with a 22-77mm focal length (35mm equivalent), though you need to drop the recording resolution to 1080p to use the digital zoom. The camera otherwise can record at resolutions up to 4K at 30 frames per second and captures 12-megapixel stills in JPEG or Adobe Raw.

Along with the zoom capabilities, DJI added a Motion Timelapse option. Instead of the static timelapse clips you can capture with other cameras, the Osmo Plus lets you capture the passing of time while the camera tilts and pans through a scene.