As a solo content creator, I often find myself limited by one major challenge: I’m in front of the camera, but I’m also the one directing and filming.

That makes it challenging at times to create and achieve those dynamic, engaging shots that bring my content to life. Here’s the thing, almost everyone who wants to start their content creation journey already has the main tool they need in their pocket: their mobile phone.

But the challenge is making your content stand out and that’s where game changing tools like the Hohem iSteady M7 gimbal comes in.

This innovative device takes your phone’s camera capabilities to the next level, unlocking so many more possibilities for creating dynamic, professional-quality content.

With its cutting-edge AI features, solo content creation may just become easier and a whole lot more fun.

Unboxing the Hohem iSteady M7

Let’s touch on the overall build quality and battery life of the iSteady M7. The gimbal is crafted from lightweight yet durable materials, weighing just 1.3kg (2.9 lbs) with a payload capacity of up to 1.2kg (2.6 lbs). That means it can handle smartphones, action cameras, and even mirrorless cameras with ease.

The battery is another highlight , it offers up to 10 hours of runtime on a single charge. Plus, it supports fast charging via USB-C, allowing you to go from 0 to 100% in just about 2 hours. For longer shoots, you can even use the gimbal to charge your phone or camera on the go, thanks to its built-in power bank functionality.

The gimbal is packaged with a hard-shell carrying case, making it easy to transport and protect your gear.

Whether you’re shooting handheld, rigging up for advanced shots, or setting it down for a static scene, the iSteady M7 has the tools to make your work easier and your footage look more professional.

Exploring the Main Features

At first glance, you might look at the M7 and think, ‘It’s just another gimbal’ and honestly, that’s understandable.

In an age where smartphones like the iPhone come equipped with incredibly advanced in-built stabilisation hardware and some camera apps also have stabilisation features which mean you can already produce smooth, stable footage right out of your pocket, you might question whether a gimbal is even necessary anymore.

But here’s the thing, the M7 isn’t just a gimbal, for me it’s so much more than that.

It stands out because of its unique features that go far beyond just stabilisation, opening up a world of creative possibilities and hands free options that even the features on the smartphones can’t match, but this aims to assist in making what these can already do and make it better.

Detachable Touchscreen Remote

Let’s start with one of the standout features of the M7, the detachable touchscreen remote. This isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a practical, highly functional tool that’s designed to make life easier for solo content creators like me.

It has a vibrant 1.4-inch LCD touchscreen with a full colour display, giving you a clean and responsive interface. When this is both mounted to the gimbal and free from the gimbal, by simply detaching it like this and reattaching like this, you will get a strong connection with a range of up to 10 metres and a video transmission range from that AI module sitting on top, which we’re talk about in a moment, of up to 7m. Meaning that you can control your gimbal from across the room or even while filming in outdoor settings.

As this is essentially the brains of the gimbal, with the remote, you can access every key function and shooting mode of the gimbal without actually physically touching the gimbal.

Giving you a next level of control perfect for creating those complex shots, and because you’re not holding the gimbal, it’s going to minimises those often micro vibrations and keeping your footage perfectly smooth.

The touchscreen is not only easy to navigate but also built for durability. It feels like it has some sort of anti-scratch coating, so hopefully that means that it’s going to be tough enough to handle the rigours of content creation.

Having the option to have this remote in my hand while I’m in front of the camera at a distance that is further then that vlogging distance is a game-changer and for me, that’s what removes the need for that other person helping you out behind the camera.

Imagine setting up a wide shot for a motion time-lapse of a sunset you can frame your shot, fine-tune the gimbal’s movement, and start the recording all from a comfortable distance, or picture filming a dynamic product showcase, where you need to control slow pans or tilts without disrupting the setup. This remote makes all of that possible.

Advanced Magnetic AI Tracker with 360° RGB Lighting

Now let’s talk about one of the most innovative standout features of the M7, the advanced AI tracker.

This little device is another one of the game-changer features on this gimbal taking it from just being a really good gimbal to being that almost essential upgrade for solo creators.

It magnetically attaches to the top of the gimbal and clips securely into place, depending on whether your using the rear or front facing camera on your phone and it uses advanced AI algorithms to track your movements in real time, keeping you perfectly framed no matter where you go, and not only does it recognise people, but you can also track pets, objects and essentially whatever you want, and this camera on the AI module, although it doesn’t do any recording itself, it provides the picture that you see on the LCD screen.

The AI tracker boasts impressive specs, including 360-degree omnidirectional tracking with a really low latency. It recognises faces and objects with remarkable precision, ensuring smooth, uninterrupted tracking even in fast-paced scenarios.

Whether you’re walking around, filming action sequences, or presenting to the camera, the gimbal effortlessly stays locked onto your subject, and for those low light situations, there’s also a 360 colour RGB and CCT mode lighting built into the tracker.

You can customise the lighting colour to match your shooting environment or add a pop of visual interest to your footage. It’s both functional and stylish, making your setup look as professional as your content. In CCT mode you will get colour temperatures from 2700K to 6500K and in RGB mode up to 360 lighting colours, with the brightness adjustable in each mode.

Freedom from a Dedicated Gimbal App

One of the things that really sets the M7 apart is its flexibility when it comes to apps. Unlike some gimbals that lock you into using their own branded software, this allows you to use any camera app of your choice.

This means you can seamlessly integrate it with your phone’s native camera app, third-party apps like Final Cut Camera or the Blackmagic Camera apps, that allow you that flexibility to film using the Apple Log profile if you like to colour grade your footage in post.

But, to make the most of the AI tracking and other gimbal features, Hohem has developed a dedicated app called Hohem Joy. This app serves as a control hub, allowing you to fine-tune tracking sensitivity, adjust the RGB lighting, and even set up custom tracking zones for more precise control providing access to creative shooting modes like time-lapse, hyper-lapse, and panorama, as well as detailed calibration options.

It’s designed to integrate seamlessly with the gimbal, enhancing your overall workflow while staying intuitive and user-friendly and all you need to do is connect the gimbal to your phone via bluetooth. But generally, most of the functions that you will find in the app, can actually be done on the gimbal itself.

For content creators who shoot in different styles or use various apps for different projects, this flexibility of whether you want to use the dedicated Hohem Joy app or your own preferred camera app is a huge win, and it removes any barriers to creativity and lets you focus on getting the best shots, whether you’re vlogging, filming cinematic sequences, or live streaming.

Core Gimbal Features — More Than a Gimbal

At its core, the M7 is a gimbal and it excels at doing what you’d expect any great gimbal to do.

But it doesn’t stop there. From its built-in extendable pole to its unique 360° infinite pan rotation and the accessory options, this gimbal is packed with features that take it beyond the basics.

Built-In Extendable Pole

If you want that extra reach or if you’re vlogging and want to be able to get more of yourself in the shot, then this has a built-in extendable pole. This pole extends up to 193mm, allowing you to capture dramatic overhead shots, wide crowd views, or sweeping crane-like movements effortlessly.

For vloggers, it’s a fantastic tool to keep the camera at a comfortable distance while maintaining perfect framing. And when you’re done, it retracts smoothly back into the gimbal for compact storage.

But the flexibility doesn’t end there. At the base of the gimbal, there’s a threaded mount.

This opens up even more possibilities, you can attach an even longer pole for high-angle or bird’s-eye shots, mount the gimbal on a larger tripod for added stability, or, like I do, use the included small tripod for quick tabletop setups.

Whether you’re on the go or working on a more elaborate project, the M7 adapts to your needs and if you need to charge your phone on the go, there is a convenient plot right here to connect your phone to and charge while you’re creating.

360° Infinite Pan Rotation

Another feature that makes this gimbal stand out is its 360° infinite pan rotation. Unlike traditional gimbals that have limited pan or tilt ranges, the M7 allows for continuous, seamless rotation in all directions.

The powerful brushless motors and next-generation stabilisation algorithm work together to ensure smooth, cinematic motion without jitter or drift, even during complex movements.

This is a dream for creators looking to add dynamic, professional-looking shots to their content. You can create stunning reveal shots, dramatic product showcases, and even those iconic inception-style spinning shots. Combine this with the extendable pole, and the possibilities for unique, creative angles are nearly endless.

Accessories and Expandability

The M7 shines when it comes to expandability. With multiple 1/4-inch threaded mounting points, you can easily attach external microphones, lights, or monitors to build out your perfect rig. The detachable tripod base doubles as an extended grip, giving you even more ways to customise your setup.

From the extendable pole and infinite pan rotation to its versatile mounting options, the Hohem iSteady M7 is more than just a gimbal, it’s a creative powerhouse. These features, combined with its robust stabilisation and intuitive controls, make it an invaluable tool for content creators at any level.

Final Thoughts

After putting the Hohem iSteady M7 through its paces, I can confidently say it’s a game-changer for solo content creators.

The detachable remote, AI tracker, and infinite pan rotation unlock so much creative potential, while the ability to use any camera app gives you the freedom to shoot the way you want. Whether you’re filming cinematic B-roll or just elevating your everyday videos, the M7 will have you covered.

If you’re looking for a versatile, innovative gimbal that can take your content to the next level, the Hohem iSteady M7 is definitely worth considering.

If you want to see the video version of this article, which also features my car b roll project using a few techniques with this gimbal to create my first cinematic sequence, check out the Youtube link below: