The Best Gimbals for your iPhone, GoPro, Mirrorless camera or DSLR in 2022
The benefits of using a gimbal over simply handheld ensures that your footage looks smooth even when you're walking, running or making sudden movements
Digital Camera World have compiled a list of what they believe to be the best gimbals in 2022, so lets break this down into the following categories,
Gimbals for smartphone. Essentially a stabilised selfie-stick.
Gimbal camera’s. Which are pocket-sized gimbals with their own built-in cameras, and do everything you need in a single package.
Gimbals for action camera’s. While more recent action cams from the likes of GoPro and DJI have their own stabilisation systems, a gimbal will smooth out wild and erratic camera movements giving your videos a more professional look.
Gimbals for DSLR and Mirrorless camera’s. If you're planning more serious vlogging and filmmaking, these gimbals can take the weight of a full-size camera and lens combination. Mirrorless cameras are typically a little lighter, but bigger gimbals can handle heavier DSLRs too.
Starting off with smartphone gimbals.
DJI OSMO 6. I recently recorded a review of this, which you can find in the description, or if you’re watching this I’ll also include the link on screen. This gimbal will cost you £145.
DJI OSMO 5. Portable and palm-sized with a built-in extension rod, DJI OM 5 is a versatile companion that unlocks the full potential of your smartphone. Enjoy flawless selfies, super-smooth video, automatic tracking, and much more. A new ShotGuides feature even provides creative tips, empowering you to get stunning shots wherever you go. With OM 5, get ready to master every shot.
Foldable and lightweight, OM 5 was designed to fit in the palm of your hand. That means you can easily take it along for any adventure. And for the first time, we’ve included a built-in extension rod, letting you include more friends in a selfie or capture footage from unique new angles.
This gimbal will cost you £109, so considerably cheaper than the 6, so deciding between to two will come down to whether you’re one of those people who has to have the latest tech, or whether you favour practicality or price over the latest gadget.
Zhiyun Smooth X. Ideal for those who want to save on weight but still want smooth video.
One of the draw backs to this gimbal however is that the app that you need to use in order to set up the gimbal isn't compatible with every phone, so something to check prior to buying if this is one that you are considering. If you shop around you can find this gimbal between £55 and &75.
Zhiyun Smooth 4. Aimed specifically at iPhone users, it's packed full of features that will make filmmaking easier. This is priced between £99 and & £199 through Amazon, so worth looking for a deal.
FeihyTech Vimble 3. An app-enhanced 3-axis gimbal, you can capture steadicam style moves with your smartphone.
This has been compared to the OSMO 4 from DJI with both having an accompanying app that enables them to perform a host of extra tricks, such as starting to record your actions when you make a specific gesture. However, at £176 you could get more for your money with an alternative brand.
The Zhiyun Crane M25 is compatible with both smartphones and action camera’s enabling you to perform a combination of tilts, pans and even rolls with your smartphone or action camera so that you can capture professional steadicam style clips. Its quick release plate enables you to detach a camera and remount a different one with a minimum amount of fuss and effort.
Again, ranging between £259 and £360 I think you can find cheaper alternatives that are comparable.
Gimbal Camera’s
DJI Pocket 2. Pocket-sized and extremely portable, DJI Pocket 2 is a tiny camera that lets you single-handedly record memorable moments. Equipped to stabilise movement and take sharp photos and smooth videos, Pocket 2 gives you the freedom to create magic at hand. This comes in at £339, any additional accessories will come at an extra cost, just something to be mindful of.
Benro Snoppa Omate. Record great quality 4K video for a lot less money than the DJI equivalent. This easy-to-use gimbal is capable of producing excellent quality 4K video as well as 12MP images. It can take pictures as either JPEGs or DNG raw files which makes them much easier to edit, especially if you don't quite get your exposure correct. From £240 you’ll save £100 against that of the DJI Pocket 2, so it may be worth comparing the two side by side to see which best suits your requirements, and then shopping around to see what deals are on offer.
Gimbal’s for Action Camera’s
Removu 1. Designed specifically for GoPro's, it feature’s remote control functionality and a removable battery pack. With strong, rugged weatherproofing, the Removu S1 makes a great pairing with a GoPro camera, and is compatible with the majority of contemporary models. You can currently buy this on Amazon for £230.
FeiyuTech G6. A splashproof, 3-axis gimbal with a battery that will for up to 12 hours. Compatible with GoPro Hero8 Black, Hero7 Black, Hero6 Black, Hero5 Black, Sony RX0 and other action cameras of similar dimensions, but it’s worth noting that cameras other than those I’ve just mentioned may not offer full app compatibility. You can find this gimbal for around £129.
Gimbals for DSLR and Mirrorless camera’s.
DJI RSC 2. This compact stabiliser for mirrorless and DSLR cameras features a foldable design and intuitive features, empowering filmmakers, one-man crews, and content creators everywhere.
Switch to portrait mode with just a tap to bring professional-grade footage to your social media content. This bad boy is priced at £389.
DJI RS 3 Pro. Expanding on the powerful features of the Ronin series, DJI RS 3 Pro is an advanced, comprehensive camera expansion platform that empowers videographers and provides coordinated shooting solutions for professional crews. This is certainly the most expensive of the list at £749, so unless you’re a pro, I would suggest to begin with one of the cheaper alternatives may be best suited.
DJI Ronin-SC. Designed for use with mirrorless cameras, it can take up to 2KG and it's competitively priced. DJI's Ronin-SC has been specifically designed for mirrorless camera setups up to 2kg in total weight. That’s considerably less than DJI’s bigger Ronin-S can support, but the Ronin-SC is 400g lighter at 1.1kg. Despite this, construction quality still feels first class. This can be yours for £325.
Zhiyun Crane 3S. This gimbal is aimed at professional filmmakers using top-spec cine cameras. It is a heavy duty powered stabilising gimbal for larger mirrorless, DSLR or cinema cameras. It's a total redesign from previous Zhiyun gimbals, with the addition of detachable handle options, a large 6.5kg payload, an updated axis-locking system, external power input, and the ViaTouch 2.0 motion control system. It's an update to the previous Zhiyun Crane 3 Lab, but with a payload increase of around 45%. At £659 it’s a touch cheaper than the RS 3 Pro form DJI, so worth comparing the two side by side to see which better cater’s for your needs.
Moza Air 2. Designed for heavier, DSLR cameras with a massive 4.2kg payload. Promising moving footage that’s smoother than smooth, the Gudsen MOZA Air 2 is capable of handling heavier DSLR and cinema camera setups with long professional lenses, up to a maximum payload of 4.2kg. It offers a 3-axis stabilization system and produces impressive footage when moving, as well as providing eight follow modes. Prices starting at £359 this will give the DJI Ronin-S a run for its money.
DJI RS 3 Combo. Make your camera glide, tilt and pan (and even control it remotely via your smartphone). With every detail, DJI RS 3 delivers a flexible and efficient shooting experience to solo creators and independent crews. Light and sleek, it provides professional stabilisation and efficient control for more creative freedom and endless possibilities. DJI RS 3 is ready when you are. Priced at £469.
Manfrotto MVG300XM. You can get your camera to glide, tilt and pan and even make moves via remote control. Prices start at just over £400, but if you shop around you ay be able to find this at a better price.
FeiyuTech MG Lite. Smooth, one-handed mirrorless camera operation. Its design allows the camera to move in 360 degrees in all directions, allowing for total freedom of movement while shooting. The MG Lite can be set in three modes: Panning, Panning/Tilting and Lock, allowing you to restrict it to just the kind of movements you want, and the four-directional control stick also allows for manual control of the camera’s angle. You can find this on Amazon for £288.
If you’re in the market for a gimbal, then I hope this has helped in some way, or at least narrowed your search.
Let me know by either leaving a comment, or by tweeting me @GaryFernon if there’s a gimbal not mentioned that you favour.
Be Creative. Be Inspired. Be You.
