You can easily make high-quality videos using your smartphone these days. And if you want to create videos for professional use, then you can also switch to DSLR. While both of these options offer great video quality with various advanced features, video shake is still a huge issue.
Even though you get features like OIS or EIS in smartphones and DSLRs, it is not perfect. And this is where Gimbals come into play, which results in the extremely smooth video while allowing you to record different kinds of video shots without any issues. But there are various factors that you need to check in a Gimbal before buying one.
- Load Capacity: As per its name, it essentially tells you the maximum weight supported by a Gimbal. While mounting a smartphone on a gimbal is generally not an issue, DSLRs can be quite heavy. Therefore, make sure that your gimbal can support the weight of the camera rig that you wish to use for recording videos.
- Gimbal Weight: DSLR camera rigs themselves are quite heavy due to lenses, microphones, and other accessories. And this makes handheld use quite difficult, especially when you are also using a gimbal. Thus, a lightweight gimbal makes a lot of sense while recording videos.
- Mechanism: While some gimbals are motorised, some use counterweights for providing stabilization to your camera rig. As you would expect, a motorised gimbal is smoother and offers better control on the camera. But a counterweight gimbal has much higher loading capacity, which makes it a great option for large camera rigs.
And thus, we are here with various popular gimbals which you can find on Amazon. You can also find their major features and differences along with a detailed Buying Guide and their frequently asked questions.
All of these things can be quite helpful for choosing one of these gimbals for your needs and requirements. So, if you want smooth video output from your DSLR or smartphone, make sure to go through this article until the end.
Gimbals for DSLR and Smartphones
| Gimbal | Weight | Capacity | Battery | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flycam HD-3000 Gimbals for DSLR | 5.9 KG | 3.5 KG | Nil | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Flycam Redking Gimbal for DSLR | 6 KG | 7 KG | Nil | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Flycam 3000 Handheld Camera for DSLR | 4.5 KG | 3.5 KG | Nil | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| DJI Ronin SC Gimbal for DSLR | 1 KG | 2 KG | 11 hrs | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| DJI Ronin S Gimbal for DSLR | 1.86 KG | 3.6 KG | 12 hrs | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Shootvilla Gimbal for DSLR | 1.17 KG | 6 KG | Nil | Nil | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Hohem Gopro Gimbal for DSLR | 640 g | 150 g | 12 hrs | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| DJI Osmo Gimbal for Smartphone | 485 g | 250 g | 15 hrs | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| DJI Osmo Mobile 2 Gimabl for Smartphone | 300 g | 250 g | 4.5hrs | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Hohem iSteady Gimbal for Smartphones | 454 g | 280 g | 12 hrs | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Digitek DSG 3 Gimbal for Smartphone | 423 g | 200 g | 12 hrs | 6months | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| FeiyuTech G6 Gimbal for Smartphones | 1.2 KG | 800 g | 9 hrs | 1 Year | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Gimbals for DSLR and Smartphones
1. Flycam HD-3000 DSLR Video Cameras
Flycam is quite a popular brand that is known for making various gimbals, stabilizers, and much more for cameras. And we are here with one of the most popular options offered by Flycam.
This gimbal is in the 1st position in this article as it offers decent load capacity without being quite expensive. You can use a camera setup of up to 3.5 KG with this gimbal. A great thing about this gimbal is that it comes with an arm support brace. It allows you to easily handle the gimbal even with a DSLR installed in it.
It is a 3 axis gimbal without any motors that offer decent stability. You get a total of 16 counterweights with the Flycam HD 3000. These counterweights can be useful for adjusting the gimbal as per your requirement.
Weight: This stabilizer weighs 5.9 kg with its 16 counterweights.
Load Capacity: It offers a loading capacity of 3.5 kg in total.
Best Features:
- Easy to Use
Since there are no motors in this gimbal, it is quite easy to use. And you also get an arm brace with it. So handheld usage is quite easy. You also get multiple adjustment options in this gimbal. - Micro Balancing Horizontal Balance
This gimbal has a quick horizontal balance plate with multiple dials. And all of these dials can be easily used to adjust this gimbal according to the weight of the camera that you are using. It also offers 16 counterweights for further adjustment.
- Small and Compact
The telescopic post of this gimbal is adjustable for easily changing its vertical height. And the best part about this is that it is entirely tool-less, and you can quickly extend this gimbal up to 60 cm.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Flycam offers a 1 year warranty with this stabilizer against any manufacturing defects. And you can contact Flycam in case of any issues using the following link:
Pros
- Easy to use
- Offers decent stabilization
- 3 axis motorless gimbal
- Micro balancing horizontal balance
- Adjustable height
Cons
- Slightly heavy.
- Not the best option for smartphones.
Final Verdict:
If you want a 3 axis motorless gimbal at a very reasonable price, then this one can be a great option. This 60 cm handheld steadycam also comes with an arm brace. And the 16 counterweights offer customizability according to the user.
Additional: Flycam Redking Video Camera Handheld Stabilizer with Carry Bag for DSLR (Black)
This is a larger version of the previously mentioned flycam with a larger post length. While weighing only 6 KG, it has a loading capacity of 7 KG, which is quite great. But everything else is the same including the quick micro balancing mounting plate for ease of access
We have another similar model: Flycam 3000 Handheld Camera for DSLR While the previous two versions of the Flycam 3000 are a bit heavy and large, this one is much simpler. And the compact and small size of this gimbal makes it a great pick for portable usage if needed. As you would expect, this 3 axis gimbal is completely motorless, which can be a great pick for various users. This gimbal weighs 4.5 KG while weighing 3.5 KG.
2. DJI Ronin SC Black Handheld Camera Gimbal for DSLR
DJI is one of the most popular brands if you are looking for a high-end gimbal. And the DJI Ronin SC can be used with a smartphone as well as with a camera.
The DJI Ronin SC is in the 2nd position in this article as it is the most feature-rich options out there. It is one of the most popular motorised gimbals, which can also be used with a full-size DSLR. And even though it uses motors, it has a loading capacity of 2 KG, which is quite good. This gimbal weighs only 1 KG while offering this many features.
Even though this is a motorised gimbal, it offers very easy to use controls. These can be used to control the various 360-degree axis present in this gimbal for shooting all kinds of videos with your DSLR.
Weight: The DJI Ronin SC weighs only 1 KG despite all of its features.
Load Capacity: You can use a DSLR camera of up to 2 KG with this gimbal.
Battery: It offers up to 11 hours of battery life while using it with your DSLR.
Best Features:
- Inbuilt Tripod
The bottom of this gimbal houses a small tripod in it, which can be quite useful. You can easily put the gimbal on this tripod when you are not using it. It can also be used for recording a timelapse video. - Sturdy Carrying Case
You get a sturdy carrying case with this gimbal that can be quite useful for taking this gimbal outdoors for recording videos. And this carrying case can store the gimbal as well as all of the accessories along with it.
- 360 Degree Axis
All of the axis present in this gimbal can rotate 360 degrees without any interruptions. As a result, you can easily record all kinds of videos using this gimbal without any issues.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Since DJI is a reputable brand, it offers a 1-year warranty with its gimbals. This warranty can be availed quite easily if you are facing any issues with the gimbal using the following link:
Pros:
- Advanced gimbal with multiple axis.
- Motorised gimbal for smooth videos.
- Easy to use controls.
- Works with most DSLRs.
- Inbuilt tripod stand.
- Long battery life.
- Lightweight and compact
- It comes with a free carrying case.
Cons:
- Slightly expensive.
- It is not made for large DSLRs.
Final Verdict:
The DJI Ronin SC is one of the most advanced handheld gimbal stabilizers available for DSLRs out there. And it offers easy to use controls which can be used to make all kinds of advanced videos. You also get a pretty long battery life with this camera gimbal.
Another potent alternative from DJI is the DJI Ronin S Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer for DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras (Black). The DJI Ronin S is one of the most popular gimbals made for cameras. And it comes with all the accessories that you can expect in any gimbal. It weighs 1.86 KG while offering a loading capacity of 3.6 KG. And you also get a battery life of 12 hours which is quite important.
3. Shootvilla Handheld Gimbal Stabiliser for Cameras (Black)
Shootvilla is a small gimbal brand available on Amazon. But it is a highly rated as it offers multiple great options like the one present in this article.
You have the Shootvilla Handheld Gimbal in the 3rd position in this article as it is quite different from all other options present out there. Not only this gimbal is quite cheap, but it is also very compact. And it is simple to use while using your camera in handheld mode while recording smooth videos.
You can simply mount any DSLR or smartphone in this gimbal using its mounting mechanism. And once you have done that, you can hold this stabilizer with both your hands and record smooth videos.
Weight: Since it is quite small, it only weighs 1.17 KG.
Load Capacity: It can be used with cameras weighing up to 6 KG due to its simple design.
Best Features:
- Adjustable Handles
The handles of this gimbal which are made for holding it are quite easy to adjust. You can easily adjust them according to your requirements for an ergonomic shape. - Small and Compact
This gimbal has a very small and compact design. You can easily take it with you anywhere since it only weighs 1.17 KG, which makes it a great choice for outdoor video recordings.
- Highly Compatible
You get a very simple mounting system in this gimbal as it works with most cameras without any issues. It can be used with most DSLRs as well as smartphones without any issues.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Unfortunately, you do not get any manufacturer’s warranty with this gimbal. You only get a 10 day replacement warranty from Amazon, which can be used to get this gimbal replaced if you face any issues with the gimbal.
Pros
- Small and compact size.
- Adjustable handles with optimum grip.
- Easy mounting mechanism.
- Offers high load capacity.
Cons
- No stabilization axis.
- Does not have counterweights.
Final Verdict:
If you are looking for a different kind of gimbal for your DSLR or smartphone, then this can be a great pick. You get adjustable handles and a, secure mounting mechanism in a very compact and lightweight body.
4. Hohem Gopro Gimbal iSteady Pro2 3-Axis Stabilizer Handheld Action Camera
Hohem is one of the recently launched gimbal brands present on Amazon that offers various useful features and options in their gimbals. And this option is perfect for using with your action cameras.
As the Hohem iSteady Pro 2 is made for action cameras, it is quite small and compact. And you also get multiple useful accessories with this gimbal like a tripod, a case, and various cables. All of these things make using this gimbal quite easy and practical. You get all of this for a very justified price tag.
There are various controls and a joystick present on the handle of this gimbal. These controls allow you to easily record all kinds of videos using your action camera with great stabilization, including timelapse videos, according to your requirements.
Weight: Hohem’s iSteady Pro 2 gimbal weighs only 640 grams.
Load Capacity: This gimbal can be used to mount an action camera of 150 grams in weight.
Battery: You get a battery life of up to 12 hours with this gimbal.
Best Features:
- Multiple Panning Modes
You get multiple panning modes in this gimbal for your action cameras. All of these modes allow you to record all kinds of videos easily. And these modes can be easily accessed from the controls of this gimbal. - App Control
This action camera gimbal comes with a smartphone app which is quite handy. It can be used to customize a lot of things in this gimbal if needed. And this smartphone app is quite simple and easy to use.
- Inbuilt Power Bank
It comes with an inbuilt power bank, which can be quite useful. As recording videos takes a lot of battery power, you can easily charge your action camera using this internal power bank.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Hohem offers a 1 year warranty with all of its gimbals, including this one. It allows you to contact Hohem in case of any issues with this gimbal using the following link:
Pros
- Multiple control buttons and options
- Works with most action cameras
- Offers app control via your smartphone
- Inbuilt power bank for charging your action camera
- Sport mode for quickly recentering
Cons
- Does not support smartphones
- Weight could have been lower.
Final Verdict
For those of you who want a gimbal for an action camera, then this one can be a great option. It comes with various advanced features and options which are useful for recording videos using your action camera. And the video stabilization is pretty good as you would expect from any gimbal.
Gimbals For Smart Phones:
5. DJI Osmo Mobile 2 Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer for Smartphone (Black)
We have already mentioned a high-end gimbal option from DJI. But unlike the previous one, this one is made to use with your smartphone while being quite affordable.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 2 offers the best in class stabilization when it comes to recording videos using your smartphone. You get various auto tracking modes in this gimbal, which makes using it quite effortless. And you also get multiple controls on the front for easily recording videos using this gimbal.
A great thing about this gimbal is that it offers 15 hours of battery life while being quite lightweight. You can easily mount most smartphones in this gimbal without any issues. Once you have done that, you can choose one of the multiple auto-tracking modes offered by this gimbal.
Weight: This smartphone gimbal from DJI weighs only 485 grams.
Load Capacity: You can use most smartphones with this gimbal that weigh 250 grams.
Battery: It offers a long battery life of up to 15 hours for recording stabilized videos.
Best Features:
- Lightweight and Portable
Even though you get so many useful features and options in this gimbal, including a battery life of 15 hours, it is still quite lightweight and portable. It only weighs 485 while being compact. - Smartphone App
It comes with a highly advanced smartphone app that offers multiple useful features and options. You can use this app to record videos as well as use the various modes and options offered by this smartphone gimbal.
- Advanced Controls
You can find various advanced controls and a joystick on the front of this gimbal. These controls can be used to change its various settings on the go while
Warranty and Customer Support:
As mentioned earlier, DJI offers a 1 year warranty with all of its gimbals, including this one. If you are facing any issues with the gimbal, you can contact DJI using the following link:
Pros
- Multiple control buttons and options
- Works with most action cameras
- Offers app control via your smartphone
- Inbuilt power bank for charging your action camera
- Sport mode for quickly recentering
Cons
- Does not support smartphones
- Weight could have been lower.
Final Verdict:
The DJI Osmo 2 is one of the best smartphone gimbals available out there. You also get highly advanced controls and buttons on the front to make stabilized videos right from your smartphone easily. It also features 15 hours of battery life.
While the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 is a great gimbal, the older version: DJI CP.ZM.000449 Osmo Mobile Handheld Stabilized Gimbal is still quite useful. Even though it does not have all of the features found in Osmo Mobile 2, this is still a great option for the given price. It has a weight of 300 grams, which makes it the most lightweight option in this article. You can attach a smartphone weighing 200 grams or less.
6. Hohem iSteady Mobile+, 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer for Smartphones
As you would recall, we have already mentioned a great gimbal option from Hohem. And we are here with another option which is quite different from the last one as this is made for smartphones.
You can easily record all videos from your smartphone with great stabilization. And as the size of this gimbal is quite small and compact, it is a great option for outdoor usage. It also includes various smart features, which can be quite useful. This gimbal offers the ability of face tracking and panning accordingly.
It comes with a total of 4 working modes that are useful for recording different kinds of videos. You can easily go through these modes by using the various control buttons and options present on this gimbal. These controls make this gimbal quite easy to use even for new users.
Weight: It weighs just 454 grams even though you get so many accessories.
Load Capacity: The durable motors of this gimbal are quite powerful while offering support for 280 grams.
Battery: This gimbal offers a battery life of 12 hours
Best Features:
- Multiple Shooting Modes
You get a total of 4 recording modes in this gimbal, which can be used to record all kinds of videos without any issues. And you can easily switch between these modes via the advanced control options of this gimbal. - Sport Mode
This gimbal comes with a smart sport mode that offers object tracking. And you can use this feature to track fast-moving objects without any input from the user.
- Free Accessories
You get multiple free accessories with this gimbal, which makes the overall experience even better. This gimbal comes with a free carrying case, a tripod stand, and a charging cable.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Just like the other Hohem gimbal present in this article, this one also offers a 1 year warranty to the user. You can contact Hohem in case of any issues by using the following link:
Pros
- Multiple control buttons and options
- Works with most action cameras
- Offers app control via your smartphone
- Inbuilt power bank for charging your action camera
- Sport mode for quickly recentering
Cons
- Does not support smartphones
- Weight could have been lower.
Final Verdict
The Hohem iSteady can be a great pick if you are looking for a gimbal for your smartphone. You get various useful options like multiple shooting modes, various timelapse options, advanced controls, and multiple free accessories with this gimbal.
7. Digitek DSG 3 Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer for Smartphone (Black)
Digitek is known for its various camera-related accessories. And Digitek now even makes gimbals for smartphones, which are quite affordable.
Digitek DSG 3 is one of the most affordable options present in this article and offers an excellent value for money. Even though this is an affordable option, it is a full 3 axis gimbal for smooth videos recorded directly from your smartphone. And as you would expect, you also get multiple panning modes in this gimbal which are quite handy.
It comes with brushless motors that result in highly smooth videos while using your smartphone with this gimbal. And it is quite lightweight and compact as well, which makes it a great pick for portable usage.
Weight: This gimbal weighs 423 grams.
Load Capacity: You can use smartphones weighing 200 grams without any issues.
Battery: Despite its affordable price tag, this gimbal offers a 12-hour battery life to the user.
Best Features:
- Various Panning Modes
You get a joystick in this gimbal for controlling it as well as multiple pan mode options. It includes multiple pan options like pan mode, follow mode, and lock mode. And all of these can be quite useful for recording all kinds of videos. - Smartphone Charging
Apart from having a micro USB charging port, you also get a full-size USB port in this gimbal. And this USB port can be quite useful for charging your smartphone if it runs out of battery while recording videos.
- Inbuilt Tripod
This gimbal has an inbuilt tripod on the bottom. It can also be removed if needed. And this tripod can be quite handy for putting the gimbal on a surface and recording timelapse videos without any issues.
Warranty and Customer Support:
Digitek comes with a 6 month warranty with smartphone gimbal against any manufacturing defects. If you face any issues with this gimbal, then you can get it replaced by using the following link:
Pros
- Various panning modes
- Easy to use controls
- USB charging port
- Inbuilt tripod function
- It offers great stabilization.
- Long battery life
- Great value for money
Cons
- Build quality is average
- Controls could have been better
Final Verdict:
For those of you who want an affordable option when it comes to smartphone gimbal, then this one can be a great option. You get almost all of the high features and options in this gimbal without paying a lot for it.
8. FeiyuTech G6 Plus 3-Axis Stabilized Handheld Gimbal
At last, we have a gimbal from FeiyuTech, which is one of the most popular gimbals brands. And unlike most other gimbals present in this article, this one is made for DSLRs.
Even though this gimbal is made for full-size cameras, you can also use an action camera or your smartphone using the included accessories. It also comes with a 5000 mAh battery for a long battery life that can be used to power the gimbal as well as charge your devices if needed.
The three-axis of this gimbal offers 360 degrees, 320 degrees, and 260 degrees of movement. And this allows you to record smooth videos from your DSLR without any issues easily. This gimbal even has an OLED screen on the front.
Weight: It weighs 1.8 KG due to the various features and options that it offers;
Load Capacity: This gimbal can be used to carry a DSLR weighing 800 grams.
Battery: Even though this gimbal has a 5000 mAh battery, it only lasts for 9 hours.
Best Features:
- Wireless Connectivity
It is one of the only gimbals out there which offers wireless connectivity. This includes both WiFi as well as Bluetooth, which is useful for connecting this gimbal with other devices like your smartphones. - Easy to Use Controls
Even though there is a large number of buttons and dials on this gimbal, all of them are quite easy to use. These controls are quite easy to understand, even if you are new to using cameras with your gimbals.
- Lightweight and Portable
Despite the large number of features and options that this gimbal offers, it is quite lightweight and portable. And the handle of the gimbal is also quite ergonomic, which is a great pick for handheld usage.
Warranty and Customer Support:
FeiyuTech also offers a 1 year warranty on all of its gimbals, including this one. And if you face any issues with this gimbal, you can easily contact FeiyuTech by using the following link:
Pros
- Various controls buttons and dials on the front
- Offers various connectivity
- The OLED screen on the front for information
- Easy and simple to use
- Ergonomic shape and design
Cons
- Battery life is average
- Load capacity is low.
Final Verdict
The FeiyuTech G6 Plus is a feature-rich gimbal that can be a great pick for a lot of mirrorless users. And the controls on this gimbal are quite simple and easy to use. You also get various smart features in this gimbal.
Buying Guide for Gimbals
DSLR and smartphone gimbals are quite a popular accessory if you are into film making. As you would know, a gimbal essentially makes your videos smooth by stabilizing your camera and getting rid of any shakiness. But these days, gimbals are quite advanced and offer various useful options. You also have to make sure that the gimbal you are buying supports your camera rig. Therefore, we are here with a detailed buying guide for gimbals for DSLRs and smartphones. You can simply go through the following factors and learn more about gimbals so that you can easily choose the best one for you:
1.Compatibility
The first thing to check before buying a gimbal is to make sure that your camera supports it. And you can find various kinds of gimbals on the market. While some of them are only made for DSLRs, some can even work with smaller devices like smartphones or action cameras. You have to simply check if the mounting mechanism can fit in a DSLR if you want a gimbal for that use. On the other hand, most smartphone gimbals come with a clamp mounting method.
2. Stabilization
As a gimbal is primarily made for stabilizing your videos, making sure that it does this properly is quite important. Due to this, you can find multiple options while choosing a gimbal and the stabilization power it offers.
- Most high-end gimbals offer 3 axis stabilization, which removes any shake from all three axes. These three axes include pan, tilt, and roll movements, and high-end gimbals can remove all shakiness from these three movements.
- A simpler gimbal might stabilize only a single axis. But as you would expect, such gimbals are quite affordable when compared to 3 axis gimbals. You can simply select either of these according to the smoothness you want while making videos using your smartphone or DSLR.
On the other hand, you can also find counterweight gimbals out there, which are much simpler. These essentially have the camera mounted on one end and adjustable weights on the other. While the stabilization and video shooting features offered by such gimbals are not the best, there are various benefits to such gimbals.
- The best thing about these counterweight gimbals is that you do not have to charge them again and again.
- You can also use much heavier camera rigs without any issues.
- And since there are no expensive brushless motors in these gimbals, they are also much cheaper in comparison with motorised gimbals.
If you are on a budget, then these gimbals are also a great pick for a lot of users.
3. Size and Portability
There are a lot of cases when you have to shoot with your DSLR outdoors or while travelling. And if you use a high-end camera rig, then chances are that you already have a lot of accessories with you. This is where space can be a major issue for you.
This is why a small and compact gimbal makes a lot of sense. Some gimbals can even be disassembled for easy portability. And you can also find carry cases with most motorised gimbals to keep them safe while travelling.
4. Balancing and Calibration
Whether you are using a motorised gimbal or a counterweight one, both of them require balancing and calibration. Over time, the balance of your gimbal can get uncalibrated, which can result in videos with improper levelling. As a result, you have to balance and calibrate your gimbal multiple times over a long period.
And this thing can be a major issue if you travel a lot. Therefore, make sure that the balancing and calibration process of your gimbal is easy to carry out. It makes the gimbal easy to set up and use for shooting videos with your DSLR or smartphone.
5. Battery Life
If you are using a motorised gimbal with your smartphone or DSLR, then the motors of the gimbal require power to operate properly. And as you would expect, this is done by having batteries within the gimbal for ease of use. While this makes using a gimbal quite easy as you do not have to deal with any power cables, it can also create an issue for some users.
Just like any other video equipment you have, your gimbal also has to be charged again and again. And if the battery of your gimbal runs out during a shoot, then it can cause a lot of issues.
As a result, make sure that the gimbal you want to buy offers a great battery life. Most high-end gimbals offer a battery life much longer than that of your camera.
Note: Although, if you have a counterweight gimbal, then you do not have to worry about such battery life issues at all.
6. Loading Capacity
One of the most important things to check before buying a gimbal is to check its maximum loading capacity. It essentially tells you the maximum weight which can be mounted on your gimbal.
Fortunately, if you are using an action camera or a smartphone with a gimbal, you will not run into such limitations. The weight of most action cameras and smartphones is quite low. And whether you are using a motorised gimbal or a counterweight one, you can easily use them without any overload issues.
Although, if you wish to use a DSLR with your gimbal, things get a little different. Various things can be part of your camera rig when it comes to DSLRs. It can include things like:
- Lenses,
- Microphones,
- Battery Packs,
- Lights,
- External Viewfinder Displays, And much more.
As you would expect, all of these things can weigh a lot when combined. This is why you have to make sure that the weight of your preferred camera rig is lower than the loading capacity of your gimbal.
- The maximum loading capacity is usually an issue with motorised gimbals. Since brushless electric motors are balancing the whole weight of your camera rig, there is a certain limit on the load capacity.
- On the other hand, a counterweight gimbal offers a much higher loading capacity. As there are no motors and just an adjustable counterweight on one end of the gimbal, you can easily mount most camera rigs without any issues. Even if your camera rig weighs several kilograms, a counterweight gimbal can easily handle it.
7. Smartphone App
If you are using a motorised gimbal, then the chances are that it comes with a smartphone app. And this means that you can simply install an app on your smartphone and connect it with your gimbal to get more functionality.
You can find various useful features in any gimbal app which can be quite handy while recording videos. The most useful and common feature is the ability to control the gimbal directly from your smartphone. You can also use your smartphone to control and monitor your camera in some cases, which can be quite useful for framing your videos perfectly.
If you wish to balance and calibrate your gimbal, then that can also be done from the smartphone app without any issues. Thus, if you are buying a motorised gimbal, make sure that it comes with a smartphone app.
8. Weight of the Gimbal
As mentioned earlier, the weight of a camera rig can be quite high, as there are various elements in any camera rig. If you are using such a camera rig on a tripod, then there are no issues. But if you are using the same camera rig for handheld videos, then the weight can be quite an issue. It can cause pain in your arms if you plan on filming videos for a long time at once.
But if you also want to use a gimbal with such heavy camera rigs while shooting handheld, the weight of the gimbal itself can add even more weight. Therefore, make sure that the gimbal that you are using is lightweight and easy to handle while shooting smooth and handheld videos with your camera rig.
9. Controls
Unfortunately, if you are using a counterweight gimbal, you do not get any controls for the gimbal. At most, you can find balancing dials on such non-motorised gimbals for adjusting the gimbal according to the camera rig that you are using. But if you are using a motorised gimbal, you can find a lot of useful controls right on the gimbal. This is possible as such motorised gimbals have brushless motors which are easily controllable.
As a result, you can find things like a joystick on the gimbal for panning your camera. You can easily pan your camera in all directions using this joystick for taking smooth panning shots. There are also various panning modes on a gimbal, which can include modes like lock, panning, or follow modes. And all of these things can be selected directly from the various buttons and dials present right on a motorised gimbal.
Frequently Asked Questions
While a smartphone gimbal is primarily made for using a smartphone with it, you can also use an action camera in it. This is possible as the weight and size of an action camera are quite similar to that of a smartphone, and thus, a smartphone gimbal also works with an action camera. Unfortunately, you require an adapter to do this so that you can make the action camera has the shape of a smartphone.
Recording a video can consume a lot of battery of your smartphone; having a power bank with you makes a lot of sense. But since you are already carrying a gimbal with you, this is not possible for everyone. This is why some smartphone gimbals come with an inbuilt power bank. You can find a USB port on the handle of a gimbal that can be used to charge your smartphone via a USB charging cable directly.
If your gimbal is tilted on the side even in lock mode, then it means that its balancing has not been done properly. For those of you who are using a counterweight gimbal, you can simply adjust the weights to fix this issue. And if you are using a motorised gimbal, you can either follow the user manual or its smartphone app for fixing any balancing issues.
Conclusion
There are various methods of recording videos which includes things like DSLRs, action cameras, smartphone as much more. While all of these devices offer a great video quality, all of them suffer in terms of video stabilization.
Even if your device has optical image stabilization, it is not specific. And this is why we have mentioned some of the best camera gimbals in this article, along with their major features and options. Even if you are still not able to pick the best one for you, here are some of our recommendations:
- If you want possibly the best camera gimbal out there, the DJI Ronin S can be a great pick. While this camera is a bit on the costly side, it does offer everything that you would want in a gimbal for recording videos.
- The DJI OSMO 2 is also a great pick if you want to use your gimbal with your smartphone. This gimbal is quite small and compact, which makes it quite handy for portable usage. You also get various tracking modes in this gimbal.
- On the other hand, if you want a gimbal for your smartphone, then the Hohem Pro2 can be a great pick for a lot of users. It has a very small size which is made for action cameras. You also get various useful accessories with this gimbal.
Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments section. You can also post any questions down there if you have any!
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