Hohem iSteady M7 Gimbal Review

The Hohem iSteady M7 Gimbal is the latest iteration of the long-running iSteady gimbal lineup. Boasting a more robust frame and motor components capable of handling a heavy payload, the iSteady M7 Gimbal hopes to raise the bar on what can be expected from a phone gimbal. With advanced, modular AI tracking, a removable controller with a built-in preview display and a customizable side wheel, Hohem isn’t holding anything back with this premium-designed Gimbal. 

Specifications

• Current Price: $269.99 (Amazon) 
• Screen: Detachable Touchscreen
• Screen Size: 1.4 Inch Full-Color Touch Screen
• AI Capabilities: AI Tracking, AI Imaging Realtime Preview
• Extendable: Built-In Extension Poll
• Weight Capacity: 500g payload
• Lighting: Fill Light Included
• Axis Lock: Axis Lock on Each Arm
• Battery: 12 Hr Battery Life
• Rotation: 360° auto rotation 

iSteady M7 - Design and Highlights

In many ways, the iSteady M7 looks like its predecessor. It features the same textured grip, customizable side wheel, and magnetic fill light with an integrated subject-tracking AI sensor. At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking they are the same unit. However, upon closer inspection, the iStead M7 offers some nice design improvements. 

For starters, Hohem has added a new detachable remote with a 1.4” touchscreen that gives the user complete control over the Gimbal. It also acts as a remote preview screen allowing you to step away from the camera and still line up unique and interesting cinematic shots. Thanks to the aforementioned swappable AI sensor attached to the fill light, this feature can be leveraged with either camera if needed. 

The motors and internal structure of the iSteady M7 have been bolstered, equipping them to handle up to a 500g payload, a nice upgrade over the previous 400g that the iSteady M6 could handle. Additionally, the M7 offers a new built-in extension pole offering an impressive 193mm of additional range to work with. These little improvements help the iSteady M7 feel like a considerable upgrade over the previous generation. 

To further push the M7 to new heights, this latest in the steady series comes equipped with the new iSteady 9.0 stabilization processor that offers some impressive response to jarring movement while filming. The fill light, while returning, has also seen an update now supporting 360 RGB colors along with white light temperature control. The AI sensor, likewise, has been updated for faster tracking response and better overall tracking. 

The detachable tripod base is back as well, making it easy to set up the gimbal on a shelf or table and film from a greater distance. Back are many of the impressive features from its predecessor including the passthrough phone charging located on the stabilizer arm that houses the phone when in use. Gesture control for the AI sensor has also made a return making it easy to line up or reframe shots with ease.

The iSteady M7, overall, feels sturdy and solid. It is a well-built gimbal that offers an impressive amount of control over even the heaviest of modern smartphones. Hohem even boasts compatibility with several foldable phones such as the Xiaomi MIX FOLD 4 and OPPO FIND N3. This is thanks in large part to the clamping system that can accommodate phones up to 90mm wide, coupled with the aforementioned enhanced motors. The result, as mentioned is a gimbal ready to handle pretty much anything thrown its way.  

iSteady M7 - Features and Performance

While the design of the iSteady M7 is impressive, more impressive still is the robust list of features that the M7 offers. Perhaps the most useful feature is the detachable remote that doubles as a preview screen as well as a space to select and navigate the various options of the gimbal. While shooting with the iSteady M7 I found the remote preview display to be exceptionally useful. 

For instance, with the built-in extension poll fully engaged I was able to easily capture unique low shots with ease. Setting up and following the shot while filming could all be done from the remote so I never worried about having to reframe the shot. It's slick and works quite well. The only note on this is that the remote does eat through battery life when using the preview mode. Thankfully when it's docked on the gimbal it recharges fairly quickly. Something to be aware of when filming for long periods. 

One of the stand-out features is the preset scenarios. These presets allow for quick filming of such things as full 360° capture, panorama shooting, and timelapse. Setting them up takes a matter of seconds and allows for some fun shots. All work exceptionally well and are easy to navigate and use. The iSteady M7 also comes with some nice preset shot programming that allows you to set an A and B point. Once set you can hot swap between the two thanks to physical buttons located on the side of the Gimbal. 

Another impressive feature is the AI tracking system. The detachable magnet sensor makes it incredibly easy to set up subject tracking with both the front and rear cameras. Once a camera is selected simply double tap the subject on the gimbals touch screen and watch the AI tracking take over. While the default setting keeps the subject in the center of the frame, you can preset the tracking to position the subject anywhere in the frame. As for its performance, it once again does an excellent job following the subject around the space keeping a consistent and smooth flow to the movement. 

On that note, I was also impressed with the overall stabilization the gimbal provided. Even while filming on the pothole-filled road that is my street, the iSteady M7 was able to easily accommodate the less-than-ideal driving conditions. Quick movements or fast-moving subjects were both handled exceptionally well by the M7 making light work of anything thrown its way. It's an impressive system and a testament to Hohem’s refinement of their technology with the iSteady line. 

Another element of the M7 that carries over from its predecessor is the customizable wheel located on the side of the Gimbal. By default, it handles focus control but can be reconfigured to manage everything from tilt to pan. This allows for additional control over the look of each shot which is nice for those who want to create more dynamic shots. It's an extra little feature that helps raise the overall quality of the iSteady M7.

Setting up the iSteady M7 is fairly straightforward if you have experience with phone gimbals. After unlocking each motor and sliding the phone into place, simply power on the Gimbal and turn on the Hohem Joy app (available on Android and iOS), there is a connect button located at the bottom of the screen that will detect and link to the gimbal via bluetooth. Once connected you are ready to start shooting. On my first attempt, I did run into an issue with connecting. After a quick Google search, I discovered that you can simply press the wheel button seven times in a row to reset the Gimbal’s bluetooth. Once this action was performed the iSteady M7 has had no issues connecting. 

As for the software, it is a pretty straightforward software suite that offers some basic editing functionality via built-in templates. While I wouldn’t rely on it for heavy editing it could be great for quick clips. One element of the app that I do appreciate is the robust list of tutorial videos. When using the app to film, the on-screen controls give a lot of the standard camera features you would expect on any camera app. It works as expected. 

While the Hohem Joy app allows you to leverage every aspect of the iSteady M7, some of the basic functionality of the gimbal can be used with other applications. Auto tracking and basic gimbal functionality are all present and usable, though I did run into issues leveraging gesture controls in anything other than the Hohem Joy app. This was a minor issue as I found that with a remote to access every feature and function of the Gimbal, there was rarely a moment where I thought to use gesture controls. 

Battery life is as advertised managing an average of 12 hours of use. This is assuming you do not charge your phone while using the Gimbal, a feature that is quite appreciated. Expect the battery life to dissipate much quicker if you do leverage this function but regardless, the iSteady M7 should have no problem getting you through a day of shooting with ease. 

Final Thoughts

The Hohem iSteady M7 Gimbal is an impressive piece of tech. It offers a premium user experience that easily adapts to various filming situations. The inclusion of the extension poll, the removable remote that doubles as a preview screen and the rugged build quality all come together to create a solid and well-performing gimbal. While $269.99 might seem a bit high for a phone gimbal, the quality of the components, coupled with the feature set and ease of use make it worth every penny. 

The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes. Some articles may contain affiliate links and purchases made through this will result in a small commission for the site. Commissions are not directed to the author or related to compensation in any way.