The function of a camera gimbal is to smooth out a camera’s movements. It makes video footage looks more professional. I have a couple of smartphone gimbals. And my DJI OM-5 lets me capture supersmooth behind-the-scenes video clips on location.
But the models in this review are even better. They can handle APS-C, full frame, and cinema cameras. And some versatile gimbals work with all devices, including smartphones, GoPros, and video cameras.
DJI is the leading manufacturer of gimbals. Others are Zhiyun, Moza (professional and consumer), and FeiyuTech. Our top pick is the DJI RS 2. It’s one of the market leaders. It offers easy control, good battery life, and a large maximum payload.
Before we look at the gimbals we’ve chosen in detail, here is a summary of our recommendations.
Now let’s take a closer look at the gimbals, starting with our top pick.
| Brand |
Brand
DJI
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
16.1 x 10.2 x 7.7 inches / 41 x 26 x 19.5 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
2.9 lb / 1.3 kg
|
| Maximum Payload |
Maximum Payload
10 lb / 4.5 kg
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
12 hours
|
| Screen |
Screen
1.4-inch color touchscreen
|
| Best For |
Best For
Hardworking, demanding professionals
|
The DJI RS 2 (Ronin S 2) replaces the original Ronin S, which came out in 2018 and became very popular. And there are more features than on the RSC 2.
It’s a heavy-duty, professional gimbal. So it can handle cameras up to 10 lb (4.5 kg). That means it can handle almost all but the largest cinema cameras.
It measures 16.1 x 10.2 x 7.7 inches (41 x 26 x 19.5 cm). But with new carbon fiber arms, it weighs only 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) with a handlebar. And the build quality is excellent. DJI designed the gimbal so the arms don’t obstruct the lens.
You can also adjust the sliding plate and the roll motor. So there’s plenty of clearance at the back. And it also offers excellent image stabilization due to the updated Titan Stabilization algorithm.
Plus, the tripod doubles as a grip for low-angle shots. But you must unscrew the grip to put the gimbal down. Then you have to reattach it underneath so it works as a tripod again.
The 12-hour battery life is excellent. But 6 to 8 hours is probably a more realistic expectation. And the RS 2’s battery isn’t built-in. So you can keep a few spares in your camera bag. And you don’t have to buy a whole new gimbal when it putters out.
There are three USB-C ports and NATO rails on the sides. The latter is for attachments such as smartphone grips or handles. Just be warned that the optional extras can be quite expensive!
You operate the device using the horizontal scroll, focus wheel, trigger, record, and function buttons. And everything is made easier with the full-color 1.4-inch LCD monitor.
You don’t have to swap modes or change settings using the smartphone app. You can switch between Panorama, Time Lapse, Time Tunnel, and Track modes. Or you change the tilt or follow speed or set the gimbal to do 360-degree rolls.
Using an HDMI cable, you can also attach the Ronin RavenEye Image Transmission System to your camera. And you can connect to your smartphone using Wi-Fi.
These enable the ActiveTrack 3.0 feature and live monitor on the RavenEye touchscreen and your smartphone.
| Brand |
Brand
DJI
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
16.1 x 10.2 x 7.7 inches / 33 x 27.4 x 10.2 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
2.9 lb / 1.3 kg
|
| Maximum Payload |
Maximum Payload
6.6 lb / 3 kg
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
14 hours
|
| Screen |
Screen
1-inch OLED screen
|
| Best For |
Best For
Being used all day on long shoots
|
The DJI RSC 2 (Ronin SC 2) is an updated version of the Ronin SC. It has a unique “break-apart” design with an optional tripod mount. So it folds down to 10.2 x 8.3 x 3″ (26 x 21 x 7.5 cm).
It weighs 2.9 lb (1.3 kg) with the camera plate. And it can handle cameras up to 6.6 lb (3 kg).
A small OLED lets you see the shooting mode, battery life, and other settings. But it doesn’t have touchscreen functionality.
And the battery life of 14 hours is excellent. That’s three more hours than the previous model.
Charging is via a USB-C cable, so there’s no replaceable battery. That’s either a plus or a minus, depending on your workflow. You’ll either like using one cable to charge all your devices. Or you’ll miss being able to carry spare batteries with you!
The RSC 2 has several operating modes. It has Lock, Pan, Pan Follow, SmoothTrack, Sport, and Tilt Follow.
And one cool feature is the ability to program three different memory modes. So you can easily switch between them on the fly.
| Brand |
Brand
Zhiyun
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
12.6 x 8.9 x 2.4 inches / 32 x 22.6 x 6.1 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
3.3 lb / 1.5 kg
|
| Maximum Payload |
Maximum Payload
7.3 lb / 3.3 kg
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
9 hours
|
| Screen |
Screen
2.8-inch color touchscreen
|
| Best For |
Best For
Easy menu access via the large screen
|
The Zhiyun Weebill 2 is an update to the Weebill-S. The 2.8-inch flip-out, color LCD touch screen is its major selling point. It helps make setup and menu navigation much easier!
It’s a fairly compact setup. But it works with APS-C, Micro Four Thirds, and full frame mirrorless cameras up to 7.3 lb (3.3 kg).
This camera stabilizer can manage up to nine hours of shooting. But there’s no rechargeable battery. So you have to recharge via USB-C or run your gimbal on USB power.
You can’t use Arca-Swiss compatible plates. So you need to attach your camera to the Zhiyun mounting plate. There’s an Allen key and hex wrench to tighten the screws. This isn’t as convenient as using thumb screws. But you do get a more secure fit.
The plate then slides into the gimbal. And you move it back and forth until it’s perfectly balanced using the distance scale.
You can then lock the lever in position. And you repeat the process for the vertical mounting arm and roll axis. This isn’t the easiest thing in the world. So you might need to use the visual indicators on the LCD to help you!
The other problem with the Weebill 2’s design is that you can’t fold it to make storage easier. So it won’t fit in all camera backpacks. If so, you can always buy the Combo bundle. It includes a case and a quick-release sling grip for low-angle shots.
You get everything in the combo if you upgrade to the Pro edition. It also includes the following:
Finally, you can buy a MasterEye VC100 video monitor to monitor and control your camera wirelessly. This display boasts a 5.5-inch display with high brightness and integrated controls to adjust gimbal tilt and other settings.
There are USB-C and micro USB cables to attach your camera to the gimbal. Camera control works with all the main brands—Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic, Olympus, Sigma, and Blackmagic.
Apart from the trigger on the front, all the other controls are on the left side of the handle. This includes a power or sleep button, joystick, and record button.
It also has a control wheel (for aperture, shutter speed, and focus). And a toggle switch lets you flip between the three main stabilization modes—Pan Follow, Low, and Follow.
| Brand |
Brand
Zhiyun
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
7.5 x 5.5 x 11.7 inches / 19.1 x 14 x 29.7 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
2 lb / 0.9 kg
|
| Maximum Payload |
Maximum Payload
6.6 lb / 3 kg
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
14 hours
|
| Screen |
Screen
2.8-inch color touchscreen
|
| Best For |
Best For
Easy portability
|
The Zhiyun Weebill S is small and light. But it has a maximum payload of 6.6 lb (3 kg) and a battery life of 14 hours.
It’s suitable for most mirrorless and DSLR cameras. It can easily handle the weight of a typical 24-70 mm zoom lens. The 2-in-1 release plate is compatible with the Manfrotto RC2 tripod and Arca-Swiss heads.
There’s a ZY Play smartphone app. It lets you adjust settings, control the gimbal, and upgrade the firmware. But it’s not very user-friendly.
You’re better off using the handle and OLED to control motor strength and follow speed. And you should also use it to enter key customization and monitor smoothness and unresponsiveness.
The Weebill S’s stabilization is not as rock-solid as other Zhiyun gimbals. And it takes a bit of time to know what works best. But there are six shooting modes, three of which are Follow, Pan Follow, and Lock.
There are also these three modes:
| Brand |
Brand
Zhiyun
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
18.1 x 15.8 x 6.3 inches / 46 x 40.1 x 16 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
5.5 lb / 2.5 kg
|
| Maximum Payload |
Maximum Payload
14 lb / 6.5 kg
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
12 hours
|
| Screen |
Screen
OLED
|
| Best For |
Best For
Heavy dedicated video cameras
|
The Zhiyun Crane 3S handles the heaviest camcorders and cinema cameras, up to 14 lb (6.5 kg) without a rig or a vest. The ergonomics are good. There’s a large adjustment wheel and SmartSling handle (with duplicate controls and a tiny OLED screen).
But the whole thing measures 8.1 x 15.8 x 6.3 inches (46 x 40.1 x 16 cm). That makes it too big for a mirrorless camera or DSLR.
It’s not as expensive as you might think for a heavy-duty gimbal stabilizer. But it’s not built out of carbon fiber to save weight. And it doesn’t offer touchscreen operation.
It doesn’t offer much more than the power of its motors and an app. But it has a 12-hour battery life. Or 18 hours with the PowerPlus battery.
There are many switches and controls. But they’re well positioned. They include power and lock switches, a record button, and a joystick. Plus, there are these others:
The Crane 3S comes with fairly standard shooting modes:
| Brand |
Brand
Feiyu
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
11 x 10.5 x 2.8 inches / 27.9 x 26.7 x 7.1 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
2.4 lb / 1.1 kg
|
| Maximum Payload |
Maximum Payload
4.9 lb / 2.2 kg
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
13 hours
|
| Screen |
Screen
OLED touchscreen
|
| Best For |
Best For
Medium-sized cameras
|
The Feiyu Scorp C is a motorized three-axis gimbal stabilizer. It weighs 2.5 lb (1.1 kg) and can hold up to 5 lb (2.2 kg).
Feiyu designed it for mid-size camera systems. And it works with the Canon EOS R Series, the Fujifilm X-T5, the Nikon Z7 II, and the Sony a7 III with a standard zoom or prime lens.
The aluminum alloy construction makes it fairly light and portable. It folds to 2.7 x 8.1 x 13.6 inches (7 x 21 x 35 cm). It’s solid and easy to set up if you follow the instructions. And it has a versatile design.
The folding tripod legs can also act as an extended handle. It can be moved to the side and turned horizontally if necessary. You can also buy various accessories:
You can control the Scorp C gimbal using the buttons, joystick, or OLED touchscreen. Or you can use the trigger by cable when it’s attached to the camera. That means there’s no need for a smartphone app.
There are also handy locking switches for each axis to avoid movement or damage in transit. And a numbered scale on each arm helps you remember the correct settings.
Finally, a W7 algorithm powers the gimbal for preset shooting modes. They are time-lapse, 360-degree panning, selfie vlogging, and vertical shooting.
| Brand |
Brand
Moza
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
20.5 x 12.2 x 4.7 inches / 52.1 x 31 x 11.9 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
4.2 lb / 1.9 kg
|
| Maximum Payload |
Maximum Payload
9.3 lb / 4.2 kg
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
20 hours
|
| Screen |
Screen
No
|
| Best For |
Best For
Precise movement control using the handwheel
|
The Moza Air 2S is an upgraded version of the Air 2. Moza designed it to hold both mirrorless and DSLR cameras. It offers excellent value for money. And it boasts a 20-hour battery life after two hours of charging.
It weighs 4.2 lb (1.9 kg) and measures 20.6 x 12.3 x 5.1″ (47.8 x 20.6 x 18.4 cm). And it has a payload of 9.3 lb (4.2 kg). But the build quality is average.
It has various accessories, including a quick-release plate and tripod. And you can buy optional extras such as a hot shoe mount, microphones, auxiliary lights, sliders, and monitors. And it has a three-axis lock design for secure storage.
It features AI-assisted auto-tuning, saved profile settings, and one-step balancing. All of these make it quick and easy to set up. But the software is not very sophisticated.
You can also use Object Tracking and Mimic Motion Control to mirror your smartphone’s movement!
Its unique selling point is the Smart Micro Handwheel. It lets you control pan, tilt, zoom, lens focus, and follow focus. These are more precise than on most gimbals.
The Air 2S has three shooting modes. There are Inception and First Person View (FPV) modes like the previous Moza Aircross 2. And there is a Sport Gear mode to capture fast movements.
| Brand |
Brand
Zhiyun
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
11 x 2.9 x 6.2 inches / 27.9 x 7.4 x 15.7 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
1.5 lb / 0.7 kg
|
| Maximum Payload |
Maximum Payload
2.4 lb / 1.1 kg
|
| Battery Life |
Battery Life
20 hours
|
| OLED Touchscreen |
OLED Touchscreen
No
|
| Best For |
Best For
Smartphones and and mirrorless cameras
|
The Zhiyun Crane M3 is a compact gimbal for smartphones, GoPros, and cameras. It’s quite small and lightweight. And the payload is only 2.4 lb (1.1 kg). (As per Zhiyun’s website, the size weight of the Sony a7 III and a Zeiss 24-70mm f/4 lens.)
There are also a few packages and optional extras available:
There are a few downsides to its small size. The Crane M3 gimbal’s range of movement is restricted with larger cameras. And the stabilization performance is not quite as good.
That means you should switch on image stabilization if you have them. This is Vibration Reduction (VR) or Image Stabilization (IS) on your lens. And In Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) on your camera.)
When choosing a handheld stabilizer, you should check its size, weight, and maximum payload. That means discovering how portable it is and whether it works with your devices. Beyond that, it’s a question of usability:
Most gimbals offer similar features and shooting modes.
Three-axis stabilization using brushless motors is now standard. So you always have the option to “lock” or “follow” with each axis. That means either subject tracking or having the freedom to pan, tilt, or roll the camera without any restrictions.
One novelty is an Inception mode. This lets you roll the camera 180 or 360 degrees without worrying about using the manual joystick. And plenty of others depend on the brand and the model.
Smartphones are good enough to take 4K video clips these days. But investing in a camera gimbal is best if you upgrade to a mirrorless or DSLR to shoot video. It adds a smooth, professional look to your footage.
But the one you choose depends on your budget and the size and weight of your camera. I favor the DJI RS 2 and RSC 2 for their build quality, LCD screens, and portable, lightweight design. But there are many other options if you want a hybrid model that fits any device.
The best camera gimbals (camera stabilizers) on our list are the DJI RS 2 and the RSC 2. They’re both around the same size. But the RS 2 has a higher payload and more features. Our top pick is the DJI RS 2. It is perfect for everyday use by someone needing excellent performance and reliability.
