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Smartphone cameras have been getting better and better, with the likes of the
iPhone X line and the Samsung S9/S9+ delivering fantastic 4K recordings at a
smooth 30 fps. It’s no wonder then that more and more phone users are
beginning to take photography and filmmaking with their phones more seriously.
The Zhiyun Smooth Q is a feature packed 3-axis gimbal that is now available
for under $90. The mere fact that it’s a 3-axis motorized gimbals means it
will provide far better stabilization than any EIS or OIS that is built into
any smartphone.
A sub-$90 3-axis gimbal simply didn’t exist a couple of years ago and will no
doubt be very tempting for a whole new generation of smartphone
cinematographers.
Zhiyun are a big name with a good track record when it comes to their gimbals.
Despite being a budget gimbal, I definitely have high hopes for the Smooth Q.
Let’s see how their new ‘consumer grade’ gimbal, the Smooth Q, turned out this
review.
First Impressions
Inside the Smooth Q’s box are a charger, Micro USB cable, user manual and
finally the gimbal itself. The gimbal is packed in a silver, semi-hard case
that almost looks like a scaled-down electric guitar case.
The plastic build quality of the Smooth Q means it won’t really handle a
beating, but it does contribute to its lightweight 440g construction. The hand
grip does not feature a rubberized grip, and thus feels a little less
comfortable in the hands than some other smartphone gimbals like the DJI Osmo
Mobile.
Mounting smartphones is easy and simply a matter of sliding your camera in and
making sure it sits tightly.
Powering the gimbal on by holding down the button for two seconds will
automatically make the Smooth Q calibrate and balance the mounted phone into a
leveled position. For a entry level smartphone, I was impressed that the
motors were powerful enough to balance larger phones like my iPhone 8 Plus
without any problems.
Compatibility
With a max supported load of 200g, the Smooth Q supports most smartphones
around. However, phablet sized phones like the iPhone XS Max Galaxy Note 9
which weigh above 200g will run into issues.
The Smooth Q can also be used with GoPros or action cameras if a suitable case
adapter (purchased separately) is used.
Zhiyun Smooth Q Features
The Smooth Q’s built-in battery has outstanding battery life. With a 26650mAh
capacity, it lasts around 12 hours from a full charge which takes
approximately 3 hours. The Smooth Q also doubles up as a 5V, 2000mA
powerbank, which makes a lot of sense given its battery is so good.
On the hand grip you’ll find a digital zoom slider that means you don’t have
to pinch in and out on your phone’s display. Unfortunately, this feature is
only usable if you’re recording through Zhiyun’s ZY Play App, and the zooming
in isn’t particularly smooth.
Another impressive feature of the Smooth Q is its range of motion. Fully
capable of panning 360-degrees, the Smooth Q is good for taking those wide
panoramic shots. Moreover, you can easily switch between landscape and
portrait shooting modes, the latter becoming more and more important as the
likes of Instagram now enforce portrait videos.
Controlling the Zhiyun Smooth Q
The Zhiyun Smooth Q has a fairly basic control setup. By default, the gimbal
starts in pan follow mode, which keeps the horizon level but
follows any movements you make in the pan axis.
The follow mode is activated by clicking the mode button
twice. This is the same as the pan follow mode, except it will also follow
movements in the tilt (up and down) axis.
Finally, there is the locked mode. This mode will keep the
camera’s orientation locked, and the camera will stay focused on what you’re
pointing it at.
Like most other smartphone gimbals, the Smooth Q also features a joystick that
allows you to electronically adjust the pan and tilt. Personally I never use
the joystick as using my hands is both smoother and feels more natural.
Stabilization Performance
Zhiyun have claimed to feature a much improved stabilization system over
previous Smooth gimbals which makes it more responsive.
I haven’t used any of the older Zhiyun smartphones gimbals so cannot make a
direct comparison, but the Smooth Q’s motors definitely felt snappy. There was
no significant lag produced by the Smooth Q when making quick changes of
direction.
The motor noise was roughly the same as the DJI Osmo Mobile, making it neither
loud nor especially quiet.
Overall stabilization was very reliable from the Smooth Q. However, keep in
mind the gimbal’s motors can only support a weight of up to 200g. Those with
heavier phones might want to consider gimbals which aren’t cutting things so
close.
Zhiyun ZY Play App
Zhiyun’s companion app is fairly basic. Its latest update lets you record 4K
video from the app on Android as well as iPhone. However, it lacks some of the
custom settings you ideally want in a video recording app.
That’s why I’d recommend using a stock iPhone/Android camera apps or a
third-party one. iPhone users may want to check out popular third party
options since you cannot disable OIS (which can interfere with the gimbal’s
stabilization) in the stock iOS camera app.
However, it does the job for updating the gimbal’s firmware, adjusting follow
speeds and configuring other settings.
Conclusion
Currently priced below $90, the Zhiyun Smooth Q is a great budget smartphone
gimbal. The long battery life is perhaps its best feature, but it is certainly
no slouch in other regards. Its build quality feels somewhat cheap, but it
looks able to withstand casual use.
Pros
One of the cheapest options for a smartphone gimbal
Decent image stabilization and quiet motors
Cons
Doesn’t play well with heavier phones
Poor build quality
Rating: 4/5
Sale
Zhiyun Smooth Q 3 Axis Smartphone Gimbal
Zhiyun Smooth-Q 3-Axis gimbal stabilizer suitable for smartphones
up to 7.7 oz like fits iPhone 7 plus, Samsung S7 and Gopro Hero
4/5, etc. gives you the best affordable solution for shooting
videos,(Gopro Adapter not included, but sell in our store with
lowest price! Please don't add a phone case while using the
gimbal)
One Year limited warranty is provided.Smooth, Steady and Noiseless
Videos powered by 3 brushless motors, 3 axis up to 360 degrees
unlimited rotation.Allow easy switch of mounting direction, either
horizontal or vertical. Control the shooting angle by touching
sensitive 4-way joystick.
Zhiyun Smooth Q is designed with the 5th High-Precision
Stablilizing Algorithm System. 30%-40% Faster Response Rate
Compared with Smooth II, More Accurate and Quicker Response.Zhiyun
Smooth-Q give you a best affordable solution that basically give
you all you need for a 3 Axis Smartphone Gimbal.
Enhanced camera functions such as camera record, zoom in/out, face
tracking, panorama mode and time-lapse mode can be achieved via
APP "ZY Play" available for Android and IOS.the Smooth-Q makes
your shooting more creative and enjoyable.
A standard micro-USB charging port and built-in batteries support
12hrs operating time. Another USB port enables to recharge mobile
while shooting.
The skateboarding itself is pretty cool, but what sticks out most is just how stable the footage is. As it turns out, the secret isn’t some kind of black magic, but rather a pretty neat accessory known as a “gimbal” stabilizer.
A gimbal is a tool that uses motors and intelligent sensors to support and stabilize a camera – meaning you can film silky smooth video footage while on the move.
A handheld gimbal for a GoPro.
How Does A Gimbal Work
In Hollywood, film producers in the past typically employed very expensive Dollys or Steadicams that use physical moving parts to keep things steady. These tools aren’t computer assisted, so they require the operator to be highly skilled in using them.
Professional film studios use incredibly expensive equipment to keep footage steady. Yikes!
Gimbals, on the other hand, are a more recent ‘digital’ kind of miniature stabilizer. They have their very own little brain and use sophisticated motion detecting abilities to essentially differentiate between the videographer’s intentional movements and unwanted camera shake.
Let’s consider your phone for a minute. It most likely has accelerometers and gyroscopes built-in which enables it to sense when you’ve flipped the screen or lifted it off the table.
A gimbal also has all that sensing capability PLUS some moving pivots and a camera mount. By utilizing quiet (obviously you don’t want the sound of motors being picked up by the mic!) brushless motors that make micro-adjustments to the arms, the mounted camera can be completely steady — just like when you lift up and move a chicken around
A Closer Look At The Science Behind Gimbals
I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on the physics that goes into a gimbal, but I can at least give you the lowdown.
Any physical object can rotate in 3 dimensions: pitch, yaw and roll. If you’re familiar with adjusting camera tripods, you’ll probably have experience making adjustments in all three axes to get that perfectly lined up shot.
The Three Axes of rotation: Pitch (a.k.a Tilt), Yaw (a.k.a. Pan) and Roll
A shaking camera will obviously have random unwanted movement in all 3 axes. However, it is possible to effectively counteract those movements by producing movements in the opposite direction. Essentially, we do the exact opposite pitch, yaw and roll movements and voila, we have a perfectly stable camera.
This isn’t rocket science, but how can we actually produce those exact countermovements? Modern day technology, of course.
In a motorized gimbal, ‘inertial measurement units’ or IMUs (a fancy way of saying motion and rotation sensors) immediately send movement data to a computer which in turn calculates how much countermovement is needed in each axis.
Of course, sometimes the cameraperson will deliberately tilt the camera. The computer therefore uses advanced heuristic algorithms that can tell when the movement was deliberate or not. Pretty neat, right?
In the context of photography/videography, the axes are more commonly referred to as Tilt, Roll and Pan.
2-Axis and 3-Axis Gimbals
Most gimbals will either be 2-axis or 3-axis gimbals. You can probably guess that a 3-axis is superior. However a 3-axis gimbal is more expensive, and the difference the extra pivot makes might not be enough to warrant the extra cost.
A two axis gimbal corrects a camera that is pitching forward and back or rolling from side to side. It won’t correct unwanted movements in the yaw axis. A three axis gimbal, on the other hand, does correct unwanted shake in the yaw axis, resulting in even more stable footage.
When you’re recording videos, it’s likely that you yourself will have some ability to reduce camera shake, especially in one axis. So A 2-axis gimbal is perfectly adequate for a lot of purposes.
A 3-axis gimbal has its own downsides. It has an extra pivot, meaning it weighs more. This is an especially big downside if you want to use it with a camera drone, where a heavier load can reduce the drone’s flight time. A 3-axis gimbal also has an extra motor. The extra motor means more battery consumption by the gimbal, and hence a shorter battery life.
How To Stabilize Video Using A Gimbal
Using a gimbal is very easy. Once setup, it does all the hard work of stabilizing for you, so the difficult part is finding something interesting to film.
Once attached to your camera, the gimbal will handle all the stabilization for you. Easy Peasy!
However, in the beginning at least, there will be some complications. Firstly, you need to choose the right gimbal for your camera.
If you’re using a GoPro or iPhone, a small handheld gimbal can be used. iPhone gimbals can typically also house GoPros thanks to their adjustable clamps, although a GoPro gimbal will have more direct compatibility. I’ve done extensive testing and made lists of what I rate to be the best gimbals for iPhones and best gimbals for GoPros.
If you’re wanting to use a gimbal with your DSLR or video camera on the other hand, you’re going to need a much bigger one. These bigger gimbals will of course also cost a lot more. Here is my list of the best gimbals for DSLR.
Once you’ve got your gimbal, you’ll follow the instructions to attach your GoPro/phone/DSLR/video camera to it and you’re pretty much set. Just be aware that the gimbal is designed only to cancel out those really small movements, and not bigger ones. For example, if you’re climbing the stairs, the entire camera will be moving up and down. If you don’t want that, you will still need to purposefully keep the camera moving upwards in a smooth line.
Gimbals Vs Mechanical Stabilizers
Hollywood has been producing amazingly stable footage for years, yet they didn’t rely on any of this new gimbal technology. Instead, they have been using fancy mechanical stabilizers called Steadicams. These beasts utilize a bunch of large counterweights, small counterweights, nuts, bolts, springs and more to mechanically counteract camera shake.
Hollywood/TV video recording equipment is simply too large for motorized gimbals to be feasible.
Gimbals are a newer phenomenon and technically only feasible because of the small nature of GoPros, iPhones, drone cameras and DSLRs. They are technically more advanced than mechanical stabilizers, but professional film studios use camera equipment that is too large for electronic motors to handle.
Some gimbals feature two handles that make it easier to hold steady
Most GoPro, iPhone and DSLR users will want to use gimbals for video stabilization. Many videographers WISH they could have a motorized gimbal for their huge video cameras, but they simply don’t.
However, it’s worth noting that mechanical stabilizers do exist for GoPros, phones and DSLRs. These are cheaper than motorized Gimbals but aren’t as effective and demand the cameraperson to use them skillfully. These were used by amateur videographers before motorized gimbals were a thing, but they don’t really have a reason to exist anymore (other than not requiring a battery).
A company known as Glidecam were industry leaders in small-camera stabilization before gimbals were a thing, but there is no doubt that motorized gimbals are where the smartphone/action camera industry is heading.
The iGlide by Glidecam is a cheaper, mechanical alternative to motorized GoPro/iPhone Gimbals.
Amazing Camera Stabilization Is Now For Everyone
Gimbals have brought state-of-the-art camera stabilization to the masses. Just look at @fatmanthedog’s amazing videos on Instagram. Anyone with an iPhone, Android, GoPro can now take amazing action camera footage without any hassle.
Despite being a photographer that used to rarely shoot video, I have fallen in love with Gimbals and shooting video. It’s a cheaper hobby than photography and just plain fun. Whether you’re filming whilst travelling, skateboarding, skiing or whatever—doing it with a Gimbal is far superior to the built-in stabilization your phone or action camera has.
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A few readers asked me to review the Smove Mobile which is a 3-axis smartphone gimbal being heavily marketed across Instagram and other social media streams.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with gimbals, they are basically a device you mount your phone on to drastically reduce camera shake and make the recording a lot more smooth. Or in this case, smove.
Upon checking out their website, it was immediately obvious that Smove’s marketing was far superior to that of all the Chinese gimbal manufacturers out there. No lousy spelling mistakes, boring technical specs and uninspired marketing imagery. Instead, we get a nice and catchy name and cool kids vlogging with the gimbal.
While the company’s marketing is on point, what about the gimbal itself? I recently did a write up for what I consider to be the best iPhone gimbals for this year, so what about the Smove? Let’s take a closer look in this review.
Compatibility
The Smove Mobile can accommodate phones with a width of anywhere between 57-84mm. Size wise, that covers every iPhone and almost every Android out there.
The maximum payload is 210g. For reference, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 weighs 201g and the iPhone XS Max weighs 208g. Therefore, on paper at least, the vast majority of phones can be mounted on to the Smove.
However, the reality with pretty much any gimbal you buy is that the max payload is somewhat exaggerated. Mounting a heavier phone like the iPhone XS Max will put far more stress on the gimbal’s motors and drain the battery faster. Not only that, the gimbal will also struggle to stabilize.
Therefore, I always recommend going for a gimbal that has a max payload that leaves some room to spare. My current favorite gimbal, the DJI Osmo Mobile 2, for example, has a maximum payload of 240g. If you have a phone weighing over 200g, I wouldn’t recommend the Smove Mobile.
Build Quality
The Smove Mobile is built from plastic like most smartphone gimbals. However, it doesn’t feel as high quality as the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 or Zhiyun Smooth 4.
Weighing 428g, it is significantly lighter than the Osmo Mobile 2 (485g) and Smooth 4 (547g), despite housing a built in selfie stick.
Being lightweight can be seen as a plus, but at the same time there is no denying this gimbal doesn’t feel quite as robust as some of the others. Costing $159, the Smove Mobile doesn’t have the premium build quality one would hope for.
Features
One of the nice things about the Smove Mobile is that it’s got some unique features compared to other gimbals.
The most obvious one is the built-in, 7-inch extendable arm. This makes those all-important selfie-shots far more convenient and opens up new possibilities for various crane shots and underslung shots. While I personally don’t feel like an extendable arm is a must have feature, I can certainly picture some people finding it incredibly valuable.
Another feature I like is the fact there is a USB charging port located on the cradle (or phone mount) itself. While almost all smartphone gimbals double up as a powerbank, a lot of them only feature a charging port on the grip, which isn’t quite as tidy as having a short cable connect your phone to the charging port right beside it.
Using the Smove Mobile
Mounting your phone to the Smove Mobile is simple, and it features one of the simplest mounting mechanisms out there. Simply slip your phone into the spring loaded clamp and make sure it is fully secured and balanced properly.
The gimbal has three main shooting modes: pan, follow and locked.
Pan: the gimbal will follow panning movements but keep the roll and tilt axes locked.
Follow: the gimbal will follow all up/down and left/right movements but keep the roll axis locked.
Locked: the gimbal will keep its orientation fixed.
These are pretty much the standard shooting modes you’d expect a smartphone gimbal to have. 90% of the time, your experience with the gimbal will be spent using one of these modes and let the gimbal work its video-smoothing magic.
There are some extra tricks you can employ when filming, like pulling the trigger at the back of the grip to temporarily lock the pan and tilt axes or using the joystick to electronically pan and tilt with more precision.
The Smove Mobile also features some other modes like motion timelapses and face/object tracking. I don’t find myself using these so won’t comment on these any further.
A Rebadged FeiyuTech Vimble 2?
I didn’t want to reveal this right from the get go but as soon as I got my hands on the Smove Mobile it was obvious that the gimbal is just a rebadged FeiyuTech Vimble 2. The Smove Mobile even has Feiyu Tech branding on it at the back of the mount.
I have previously reviewed the Vimble 2 and gave it a score of 8/10. It is a decent gimbal for the price and the extendable arm is a unique selling point.
The Smove Mobile costs roughly $70 more despite being the exact same gimbal with a different name stuck on it. What’s more, Smove don’t even bundle the mini tripod in the box, and instead sell it separately as a separate accessory!
Private labeling products is nothing new and there’s nothing wrong with the practice. And we’ve already seen it before with Evo Gimbals rebadging Zhiyun gimbals as their own. But with the Smove Mobile, the $70 markup for a bundle that contains less than the original FeiyuTech Vimble 2 bundle seems excessive to say the least.
Verdict
Pros
7 inch extendable arm allows for more creative freedom
Good stabilization performance
Cons
Struggles with heavier phones
An expensive FeiyuTech Vimble 2
The Smove Mobile itself is not a bad gimbal. But it doesn’t present good value for money. It is exactly the same gimbal as the FeiyuTech Vimble 2 which costs just $90 at the time of writing. With no improvements in hardware or software, it is simply too difficult to justify the additional cost.
Zhiyun used to dominate the under $1000 singled-handed gimbal market. That was until DJI answered with the Ronin-S which I found to be overall a better gimbal than the hugely successful Zhiyun Crane 2. This year, Zhiyun released the Crane 3 LAB and Weebill LAB in an attempt to regain the single-handed DSLR/Mirrorless camera gimbal crown.
In this article we’re going to compare the Zhiyun Weebill LAB with the DJI Ronin-S which I ranked as the best gimbal for DSLR. While the Crane 3 LAB is definitely worth considering, there is no doubt the Weebill LAB has made bigger shockwaves thanks to its lower price point and compact, travel-friendly size.
Sale
DJI Ronin-S
Easy to hold in one hand so you can focus better on your subject with the easy-to-control focus wheel.
Create professional and smooth videos and camera shots with the ronin-s stabilizer when you are on the move.
Smoothtrack technology allows you to transfer from motion to camera angle with one hand. Switch between three user profiles with a simple click.
Compatible with most DSLR and mirrorless cameras including Sony A7 series, Canon 5D/6D/7D/60D/70D/80D series, Nikon D5/3/850/750/700/5000 series/7000 series, Panasonic GH5/GH5s and more.
In the box: Ronin -S gimbal, BG37 grip (built-in battery), camera mounting plate, focus wheel, RSS IR control cable, multi-camera control cable (Type-C & type-B), lens support, camera Riser, extended grip/ tripod, USB-C cable, power adapter, Accessories box, Allen wrench, storage Case
Sale
Zhiyun Weebill LAB Standard Package
Stabilization Performance
Most DSLR and mirrorless camera gimbals coming from Zhiyun and DJI have offered top-notch stabilization for a while now and the Ronin-S and Weebill LAB are no different. Although the general consensus is that the Ronin-S has slightly superior stabilization, the difference is hardly big enough to make this the ultimate deciding factor.
Winner: DJI Ronin-S
Build Quality
The Ronin-S is the clear winner here. It’s a heavy piece of equipment that feels incredibly robust next to the Weebill LAB. The Zhiyun Weebill LAB has more plastic than the older Crane 2, which already felt less hard-wearing than the Ronin-S. Winner: DJI Ronin-S
Weight and Portability
The trade off of robustness is of course weight, and the Weebill LAB weighs 2.5lbs (1.12 kg) whereas the Ronin-S weights 4.1 lbs (1.86 kg). Not only is the Weebill LAB much lighter, its form factor is also much more portable. Running around filming with a Ronin-S will feel a lot more cumbersome than the Weebill LAB.
In defence of the Ronin-S, it does pack down quite nicely thanks to the ability to unscrew the handgrip from the gimbal head. However, there is no questioning that for travelling, the Weebill LAB is superior. Winner: Zhiyun Weebill LAB
Ergonomics
The ergonomics of the Weebill LAB aren’t great. Its compact design is a blessing and a curse. The handle is short and the buttons and dials are packed closely together. However, one of the unique features of the Weebill LAB is the ability to attach a mini tripod to two different parts of the gimbal. This actually makes it possible to hold the gimbal in a variety of ways using two hands, and actually makes for a rather pleasant filming experience.
The Ronin-S features great ergonomics, with a longer, comfier grip and superior button placement. However, the focus wheel is rather awkwardly placed. Winner: DJI Ronin-S
Payload
The Zhiyun Weebill LAB can support a maximum payload of 6.6 lbs (3 kg) vs the Ronin-S’s 8 lbs (3.6 kg). The difference is quite significant, especially if you’re intending to use heavier cine lenses.
For DSLRs, the Ronin-S is definitely recommended over the Weebill LAB, which is fundamentally designed with mirrorless setups in mind. Although Zhiyun does list compatibility with DSLRs, the smaller motors and small form factor of the Weebill LAB just aren’t cut out for the size and weight of DSLRs. Even a mirrorless Sony A7III paired with a Sony 16-35mm f4 lens is pushing it, so you can begin to imagine how it would fair with heavier cameras.
Even if your payload doesn’t exceed 6.6 lbs (3 kg), the Weebill LAB can also potentially run into problems if you try and use longer lenses. This isn’t an issue to do with the camera and lens being too heavy. Rather, the weight distribution is ‘front-heavy’. This requires the camera to be placed all the way back on the mounting plate to be balanced, causing it to hit the back motor when putting it into underslung mode. Winner: DJI Ronin-S
Compatibility
Both the Ronin-S and Weebill LAB have full interfacing with Panasonic and Sony mirrorless cameras. The Ronin-S has superior compatibility with a number of Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras. Meanwhile, the Weebill LAB features compatibility with a broader range of mirrorless cameras like the Fujifilm X-series. There is always the chance that further compatibility gets added in subsequent firmware updates.
Compatibility list for DJI Ronin-S
Compatibility list for Zhiyun Weebill LAB
Winner: TIE
Battery Life
The DJI Ronin-S makes use of an in-built battery that can last up to 12 hours. One of the nice things about the in-built battery is that it can be charged while the gimbal is in operation.
Zhiyun state the Weebill LAB’s two removable batteries can provide a battery life of 10 hours. However, most users have found this to be quite an exaggeration, and you can realistically expect something between 4-7 hours depending on things like the weight of your setup and intensity of operation.
The batteries are removable, which means you have the option to carry around spares. However, unlike the Ronin-S, the Zhiyun Weebill Lab does not support direct charging. Winner: DJI Ronin-S
Verdict: DRAW
On paper, the Ronin-S is the clear winner. It beats the Weebill LAB in most areas and that is perhaps what you’d expect from a more expensive gimbal.
However, drawing a direct comparison to the two gimbals is unfair to the Weebill LAB, which is not only cheaper, but was intended for a different purpose. The gimbal is a lot smaller than the Ronin-S, and if you own a mirrorless camera with a prime lens it’s just a much nicer gimbal to take out and start filming.
Being used to the feel of my Nikon D850 DSLR, I personally rarely use my mirrorless cameras, so the Weebill LAB isn’t really for me. But I know for sure that if I used a mirrorless camera, the Weebill LAB would be the gimbal I’d actually chuck in the bag and find myself using most of the time.
DJI and Zhiyun are the two titans when it comes to the gimbal market for DSLR and mirrorless cameras. The DJI Ronin S and Zhiyun Crane 2 are two of the most popular single-handed gimbals for mirrorless cameras and smaller-bodied DSLRs.
The Ronin-S was DJI’s answer to the huge success of the Zhiyun Crane 2. Coming out around a year after the Crane 2, it finally meant DJI had something for those who were looking for a smaller and more affordable gimbal than the Ronin-M.
After recently renting out the Ronin-S for two days, I’ve had the chance to test the two gimbals side by side.
Stabilization and Tracking Performance
After fairly extensive testing of the two gimbals along with my Nikon D850, the two gimbals were pretty much even in stabilization performance. On certain playbacks the Ronin-S footage looked smoother, and in others the Crane 2 looked better. In any case, the difference wasn’t big enough for the naked eye to discern.
However, AI tracking performance was noticeably more snappy on the Ronin-S. The Crane 2 wasn’t bad by any means, but when filming my dog play fetch there were times where the Crane 2 would take time to catch up and end up with the dog missing from a few frames. Winner: DJI Ronin-S
Maximum Payload
The Zhiyun Crane 2 can carry a payload of up to ~7lbs (3200g). The Ronin-S can support up to ~8lbs (3600g).
Both gimbals should be fine for most DSLR setups, but the Ronin-S leaves more breathing room for those that employ heavier cine lenses, shotgun mics, gimbal monitors and various other accessories. Winner: DJI Ronin-S
Build Quality And Ergonomics
Both the Crane 2 and Ronin-S are built from durable metal, but the heavier Ronin-S definitely feels more robust in the hands. In saying that, there haven’t been any widespread build quality issues for the Crane 2 or Ronin-S, so it’s safe to say that it’s unlikely either gimbal will fall apart while filming.
Both gimbals have good ergonomics but the Ronin-S has a slightly more ergonomic grip. The Ronin-S has an ergonomically designed grip whereas the Crane 2 just has a metal cylinder as its grip, which can make it difficult to determine whether you are holding it completely straight since it feels the same all around. Winner: DJI Ronin-S
Weight and Portability
Weight and portability are two crucial factors for those that frequently hit the road and film for longer periods of time.
The Ronin-S weighs 4.1 lbs (1.86 kg) whereas the Crane 2 weighs 2.76 lbs (1.25 kg). The difference isn’t huge and the weight of the gimbal itself only accounts for a small proportion of the entire setup’s weight. However, over long periods of time the weight you save with the Crane 2 will definitely reduce fatigue.
Although the Crane 2 weighs less, it doesn’t pack down quite as well as the Ronin-S. DJI have made it possible to unscrew the base/grip from the gimbal head, making it easier to fit into smaller compartments. Winner: Tie
Camera Compatibility
Although both gimbals will be able to stabilize footage for any camera that fits properly, proper compatibility ensures that the gimbal can properly control various camera features.
The Ronin-S originally lacked compatibility for Canon DSLRs, but with the latest firmware full interfacing compatibility has been added. Meanwhile, Zhiyun added compatibility with the Nikon Z6 and Z7 in their latest firmware updated.
Full Ronin-S compatibility list
Full Crane 2 compatibility list
Winner: Tie
Accessories
There are a plethora of accessories for either gimbal. DJI and Zhiyun are the biggest names in DSLR/mirrorless gimbals and have a lot of first-party and third-party accessories.
A follow focus system which physically pulls the focus ring on the barrel of a lens is an accessory often used by those filming video. Upon its release the Ronin-S lacked a follow focus system but now DJI have released their own. The Zhiyun Crane 2 has the Servo Follow Focus accessory. I have personally not used either and have gotten satisfactory results with autofocus, but more technical videographers will certainly want to look deeper into the gimbals’ respective follow focus system options. Winner: Tie
Battery Life
The Crane 2 makes use of three removable batteries that together give it an 18 hour battery life. Meanwhile, the Ronin-S features a built-in battery which can last for up to 12 hours.
Removable batteries are superior in that they can be recharged separately and provide the option for buying a secondary set of backup batteries. The built in battery of the Ronin-S does however mean charging is without the need of taking out the batteries and putting them back in each time you charge. Winner: Zhiyun Crane 2
Price
At the time of writing, the Crane 2 is the cheaper of the two. You can get the gimbal with the servo follow focus unit for just shy of $500.
Meanwhile, the cheapest option for the Ronin-S is the Essentials Kit which includes a plastic (instead of metal) tripod and doesn’t bundle a follow focus unit. The official bundle costs more. Winner: Zhiyun Crane 2
Verdict
After spending time with both gimbals I can say I preferred the DJI Ronin-S overall. Its ergonomics were superior and I would have more trust in its reliability given the superior build quality. The superior tracking performance also made it more suitable for capturing fast paced action.
Having said that, the Crane 2 is an incredibly good DSLR and Mirrorless camera gimbal that costs less and has a few advantages of its own. If you come across a second-hand one in good condition or find it heavily discounted, it may be too good to pass up on.
Having trouble figuring out which gimbal to get for your DSLR or mirrorless camera? Check out the list of my favorite gimbals for DSLR.
