Zhiyun are one of the biggest handheld gimbal producers on the market and its not surprising that the new Zhiyun Smooth 4 is already being touted as the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 killer. With a similar price point and packing in more features than the Osmo Mobile 2, it certainly seems like the Zhiyun Smooth 4 has a good shot at becoming the smartphone gimbal to have today.
In this review of the Zhiyun Smooth 4 gimbal stabilizer I’ll be looking at exactly what it does, share my first impressions, go through its various controls and shooting modes before finishing with my verdict. It’s a slightly longer review so please bear with me!
What’s It For?
The latest iPhones and Androids are now packing powerful cameras that take incredible photos and are capable of recording crisp 4K video at 60fps.
It’s therefore no wonder that many people are ditching their bulky DSLR cameras and video recorders and doing everything using their smartphone.
If you’re beginning to take shooting video on your phone seriously, you’ll no doubt have some experience dealing with camera shake. Even if your phone features fantastic optical image stabilization (OIS), the fact is if you’re moving around and filming, camera shake will be noticeable.
The Zhiyun Smooth 4 is a 3-axis gimbal stabilizer that is designed to almost completely eliminate camera shake. By mounting your phone on the gimbal, three brushless motors will rotate three pivots in 3-axes—pan, tilt and roll. These rotations are opposite to camera shake, thereby keeping your camera steady.
I go into more detail about the tech in this article, but hopefully you have a clear understanding of why you might want to film with a motorized gimbal like the Zhiyun Smooth 4.
First Impressions
The Zhiyun Smooth 4 comes packaged in a somewhat unremarkable grey styrofoam box that is lightweight and sturdy.
The only accessories included are a charging cable and small but functional tripod.
The charging cable is USB-C type and its nice to see Zhiyun adopting the latest technologies unlike the majority of gimbals (including the DJI Osmo Mobile 2) which still feature a Micro USB port. You can finally say goodbye to carrying around two USB cables.
Right off the bat, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 looks bigger and more advanced than other gimbals. Whereas the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 is compact and only includes the bare essential controls, the Smooth 4 has numerous buttons and dials to play with.
A nice feature is that the gimbal’s arm will lock itself into position when you line it up with the gimbal’s head. That means you won’t have the arm and clamp freely swinging about when it’s not being used.
It also has a stylish blue LED battery indicator and sleek metal Zhiyun strip at the top which make it one of the more aesthetically pleasing gimbals around. However, the Zhiyun Smooth 4’s plastic construction means its build quality is nothing particularly special.
The adjustable clamp makes it very easy to mount phones of different sizes
I found it incredibly easy to mount the various phones I tested the Smooth 4 with. Its adjustable spring loaded clamp means you simply need to open up the clamp and it will then grip the phone into place when you let go.
With a maximum supported payload of 210g, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 is compatible with almost all smartphones, including bigger ones like the Samsung Note 9. However, the 208g iPhone XS Max pushed the Smooth 4 to its limits and caused some balancing issues.
When you first setup the Zhiyun Smooth 4 with a new device, you will want to loosen the screw at the back of the clamp and slide the clamp along the rails into a position that best balances your device when the gimbal is held upright. The gimbal will electronically level your device when switched on, but it will overwork the gimbal’s motors and impact battery life if you don’t balance it well in the beginning.
Is the Smooth 4 compatible with GoPros and other action cameras?
The Zhiyun Smooth 4 unofficially supports GoPros. I had no problem fitting my GoPro in the clamp and recording with it. The setup is far from ideal, however. This is because many of the Smooth 4’s buttons and other functions are rendered unusable.
Controlling the Zhiyun Smooth 4
Unlike the DJI Osmo Mobile 2, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 is loaded with various controls on the hand grip. This means you rarely have to resort to touching your phone’s display to change settings like the exposure level or resolution.
The dial on the left of the hand grip can be used to adjust the focus and digital zoom. Most gimbals don’t let you physically adjust the focus, so this feature will tempt those more creative filmmakers. The digital zoom was very smooth and didn’t have the increments you often notice with other gimbals featuring a physical digital zoom control.
The button in the center of the controls will turn on the camera’s flash when pressed, again providing the user with more convenience. Although I didn’t end up using it much, there are definitely situations where you want to switch on the light while recording.
Being able to access menus, zoom in and out, turn on the flash and so forth using controls on the gimbal saves a lot of time and hassle.
However, there is one big caveat—most of these functions only work when you’re using the ZY Play app. The ZY Play app is decent and its current revision has solved various issues it used to have with Android users. However, I personally don’t like so many of the gimbals features being tied to the app.
Missing Joystick
Many gimbals feature a joystick which can be used to electronically pan and tilt the camera. The DJI Osmo Mobile 2 features this, and Zhiyun’s very own older Smooth Q also does.
However, DSLR gimbals and the high end Movi Cinema Robot for smartphones don’t feature pan/tilt joysticks. So is it a big deal or not?
Personally, I consider having a joystick to be a bit of a gimmick that has somehow become a trend for smartphone gimbals. In my opinion, panning and tilting with your own hand is part of the fun. Using these joysticks in the past have also been very clunky experiences.
Whatever your stance on joysticks may be, just be aware that the Smooth 4 doesn’t have one.
Shooting Modes
The 3-axis Zhiyun Smooth 4 has three basic gimbal shooting modes.
The first is pan and follow, which keeps the horizon level. In other words, the gimbal will follow your movements left and right (in the pan axis) but counteract any movements which point the camera up or down.
The second mode is following mode which means it will follow your movements in the pan and tilt axis. However, it will lock the roll axis, meaning if the camera rolls to the left or right, the gimbal will counteract those movements to keep the camera parallel to the ground.
The last mode is locked mode where all 3 axes are locked. This means the Zhiyun Smooth 4 will hold your camera’s orientation and stay focused on its target. This is useful when recording what’s going on at the stage during a concert or when you mount it on a vehicle.
PhoneGo Mode
A neat little feature of the Smooth 4 is the “PhoneGo” mode that can be activated by pressing the trigger button at the back of the grip. This essentially makes the gimbal more responsive to movements by increasing the motor speed. It’s nice when you want to capture the quick changes of direction in your recording.
Photo Modes
Using the ZY Play app makes it easy to take many kinds of photo.
Single shot photos (very simple thanks to a dedicated snap button on the gimbal)
Panorama shots (180-degree panoramas and 3×3 panoramas)
Timelapses and Motion Timelapses
Vertigo Effect
The vertigo effect mode is a photography effect that I haven’t seen any other smartphone gimbals feature. It’s a nice little camera effect, although I didn’t find myself playing with it very often.
FiLMiC Pro App – A supported third-party app
The ZY Play App needs to be used to unlock the full potential of the Zhiyun Smooth 4, so most people end up using this app to record their videos.
Fortunately, the app is one of the better gimbal companion apps. Despite previously having serious issues on Android, many of the bigger issues have been resolved.
However many people, including myself, simply don’t like using the gimbal companion apps to film video. Let’s be honest, they’re simply not the best around, and we’re prepared to sacrifice the some gimbal functions to use better shooting software.
Fortunately, Zhiyun has partnered with the guys over at FiLMiC to give the Zhiyun Smooth 4 native support for the FiLMiC Pro app. This is a fantastic third-party app that you actually want to use and now you can adjust settings using the Zhiyun Smooth 4’s own controls.
Performance
The Zhiyun Smooth 4 provided great all-around image stabilization that lives up to its name. Whether walking or running, the camera shake was completely eliminated. Its stabilization quality was definitely on par with the DJI Osmo Mobile 2.
The motors were very responsive, and activating the “PhoneGo” mode can make them even snappier at times you want to emphasise speed in your films.
Battery Life
The Zhiyun Smooth 4 features built in lithium ion batteries which can record for up to 12 hours.
That puts it among the top gimbals for battery life, and most people won’t have to worry about the batteries being an issue.
It’s slightly disappointing that despite its excellent battery, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 can’t double up to function as a portable powerbank—unlike some other gimbals.
Filming with the Zhiyun Smooth 4
It’s easy to shoot in both portrait and landscape modes, meaning those Instagram stars wanting to directly upload video to the platform will have no problems.
I also found myself using the bundled tripod accessory to function as an extension for the handgrip. By doing so, I had an easy time taking low angle shots, without the need to bend down as I would normally do.
However, I will say that my experience of filming with the Zhiyun Smooth 4 wasn’t quite as pleasant as other acclaimed gimbals, and that was because of the way it felt in my hands.
The Zhiyun Smooth 4 felt a little awkward in the hands for two reasons. Firstly, its ergonomics simply aren’t that good. Second, the sheer number of controls meant I was constantly looking at which button to press rather than focusing my attention to more important matters like how to frame the shot.
Conclusion
Pros
Good image stabilization
Highly responsive and quiet motors
Wide range of video and photo shooting modes
Ability to change recording settings on the fly using the gimbal’s controls
Cons
Some functions only work when using the ZY Play app
Too many controls will be confusing for some
Ergonomics
Overall, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 is a stunning piece of kit that is a very worthy competitor to the acclaimed DJI Osmo Mobile 2.
Within this price range, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 and DJI Osmo Mobile 2 are definitely the smartphone gimbals to consider.
The Zhiyun Smooth 4 offers more features for the ‘technical’ filmmaker who is constantly adjusting small settings while recording. You no longer need to touch your phone’s screen, since the Zhiyun Smooth 4 has physical controls for that.
However, the Zhiyun Smooth 4’s control scheme felt a little complicated and even excessive. The reality is most people will just want to hit the record button and forget about the gimbal. So for most people, the more compact, ergonomically superior and simpler DJI Osmo Mobile 2 is probably a better bet.
Feiyu Tech are one of the pioneering brands in gimbals and their new gimbals come highly anticipated. The Feiyu G5 was their previous flagship action camera gimbal. In my review of the G5, I found myself disappointed by leveling issues during stabilization tests and its fiddly mounting procedure. Feiyu went back to the drawing board and came back with the Feiyu G6 which is the gimbal I’ll be reviewing today.
Pricing
Retailing for $180, the Feiyu G6 is neither cheap or expensive. In any case, it’s a big step down from the G5 which cost $240 at release. This makes the G6 much less of a direct competitor to the acclaimed GoPro Karma Grip which costs $300.
Handheld gimbal stabilizer prices have fallen a lot over the past couple of years. Back in 2016 the lackluster G5 felt only slightly overpriced at $240. But in today’s market I would expect far better than the G5 for the G6’s retail price of $180. So let’s see how the Feiyu G6 fares in this highly competitive gimbal market.
First Impressions
The G6 is almost identical to the G5 in appearance. That’s definitely not a bad thing as the design was not something I disliked about the G5.
The gimbal is noticeably more compact than other popular gimbals like the GoPro Karma Grip and Removu S1. The rubberized grip is a nice bonus that makes it comfortable to hold during longer shoots. It’s also IP67 splash proof meaning it won’t have problems under the rain.
Unfortunately, the fiddly mounting procedure which was one of my biggest gripes about the G5 hasn’t changed. Needing to play with two hand screws to attach your GoPro might not seem like that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. But when so many other gimbals let you simply slide your GoPro on, it really feels unnecessary.
Compatibility
The G6 is compatible with a large range of devices. It’s officially compatible with the GoPro Hero 3/3+/4/5/6/7 along with the Yi 4K/4K+, AEE and other similarly sized non-GoPro action cameras. It can support a load of up to 130g.
The box also includes a separate frame for the Sony RX0 action camera. This is obviously a big factor for RX0 owners who are slightly more limited when it comes to compatible gimbals.
New Features
The G6 doesn’t innovate much on the G5 but has a few noteworthy new features.
Firstly, the handgrip features a small LCD display which indicates the battery level as well as shooting mode. This is actually more helpful than you’d as being unaware of your shooting mode is a common gimbal problem. Especially when switching between modes is done through tapping the mode button a specific number of times.
Secondly, the side of the handgrip now features a new mount thread and external mic port. The external mic port is a highly sought after feature for many and Feiyu have been smart to include it.
Finally the back of the handgrip features a slider to control the camera’s roll. That means you can tilt your camera left to right. Most gimbals don’t have this feature and I didn’t find encounter many situations where I found myself needing it, but I am sure some people would find it useful.
Shooting Modes
Much like its predecessor, the Feiyu G6 has three shooting modes:
Pan-follow: Keeps the tilt axis locked but follows pan (left or right) movements.
All-follow: Follows movements in the pan and tilt axis while keeping minimizing camera shake.
Locked: The G6 locks pan, tilt and roll. Used when you want to keep your GoPro’s orientation locked in position.
Modes are changed by pressing the mode button a specific number of times. Pressing the mode button three times in quick succession will flip the camera around for selfies. Note that the G6 has gone away with the dedicated selfie button that was featured on the G5.
Performance
The 3-axis Feiyu G6 performed very well and didn’t suffer from the stabilization issues found in the G5. It isn’t quite as smooth as the expensive GoPro Karma but the difference was miniscule. The motors also felt snappier than the G5 which was a nice change.
The G6 has very quiet motors which comes as a big deal for the audiophiles. I couldn’t make out any noise over the ambient sounds of my surroundings in recorded footage.
Battery Life
The Feiyu G6 features a removable 5000mAh that provides up to 12 hours of usage on a single charge.
Compare that with the GoPro Karma Grip’s 2.5 hour battery life. The difference is pretty remarkable.
However, I would note that I’ve never found myself needing more than 2 hours of battery life at most, especially with all the charging options available.
Conclusion
Back in late 2016, I found myself disappointed by the Feiyu G5 which didn’t perform well and cost too much. With the Feiyu G6, that isn’t the case. It’s a very solid performer and I really can’t fault its stabilization performance.
Costing $180, it’s definitely one of the best GoPro and action camera gimbal options within the sub $200 budget. The only thing I can fault is the fiddly screw-based mounting design that makes the experience a bit more troublesome.
Rating: 4/5
The Feiyu G6 is tied as our favorite handheld GoPro gimbal in our shortlist of the best gimbals for GoPros.
DJI’s roots might be in manufacturing drones, but today’s average consumer better knows them for their camera gimbals.
Released in January 2018, the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 went on to become the best-selling smartphone gimbal. It shook things up by slashing the original Osmo Mobile’s $299 price tag to just $129.
A year and a half has passed, and the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 has finally landed. The smartphone gimbal landscape is also very different to what it was back then, with an abundance of cheap Osmo Mobile 2 imitations and more technologically impressive gimbals being released by the likes of Zhiyun and Freefly.
Given today’s fiercely competitive and crowded gimbal market, does the Osmo Mobile 3 do enough to keep DJI ahead of the competition? Or has the room to truly innovate on a smartphone gimbal already reached its limits?
Let’s take a look and find out.
What Is It For?
If there’s one thing you can bet on when it comes to the next iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel, it’s that the phone’s camera will be upgraded.
The latest phone cameras not only take super high resolution photos, but they can also record crisp 4K video at 60 frames per second.
Many vloggers, streamers and amateur filmmakers are dropping their DSLRs and camcorders to use their phone as their primary recording device.
Say goodbye to unwanted camera shake
But videographers have always needed some method of stabilization for moving shots. Camera shake can render an otherwise well-shot video unwatchable. Built-in electronic image stabilization (EIS), and in some cases more sophisticated optical image stabilization (OIS), is improving, but they’re simply not good enough for creating publishable content.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is a 3-axis gimbal stabilizer designed to eliminate camera shake. So whether you’re abroad and filming a walking tour of a new city, or on the back of a bumpy safari truck ride, you can be sure that footage will come out looking silky smooth.
How Does It Work?
The way in which a gimbal like the Osmo Mobile 3 works is quite technical, but the short answer is that it uses three motors readjust the orientation of your mounted phone in three axes—pan, tilt and roll. Sensors detect the shake and a computer chip then calculates the necessary adjustments to keep the camera stable.
If you’re interested in learning about the tech behind gimbals, make sure to check out this post which explains exactly what a gimbal is and how it works.
Pricing
At just $119 MSRP, the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is more price-competitive than ever. Sure, it’s not the drastic $150 discount we saw going from the original Osmo Mobile to the Osmo Mobile 2, but at $119 the Osmo Mobile 3 manages to compete with budget gimbals, despite bringing in a whole raft of new and exclusive features.
DJI also offer the Combo Pack for $139, which includes an official DJI tripod and carry case.
Finally, A Foldable Gimbal
Despite all the new offerings hitting the market, it’s difficult to differentiate all the gimbals from one another.
They pretty much all look the same and function the same, save for a few different buttons and differences in stabilization performance and reliability.
The foldable design of the Osmo Mobile 3 makes it easy to pack into tighter spaces
The Osmo Mobile 3, however, finally breathes some life into the stale market by being able to fold inwards and effectively half its length.
The first of its kind, the foldable design is very much a welcome change. Say what you want, but there’s no denying that the iPhone and Android gimbals we’ve seen so far have been far too unwieldy. Not only are they too long, but their awkward form makes it impossible to pack them in a space-efficient way.
This might seem like an insignificant change, but let me assure you it is anything but. The Osmo Mobile 3 takes something that used to be so beastly you’d only carry it if you knew you’d be shooting video, to something that you can chuck in the bag on the off chance you might want to spontaneously record some video.
What Else Is New For The Osmo Mobile 3?
The trigger makes a welcome return to the Osmo Mobile 3
DJI have thankfully brought back the trigger at the back of the handgrip which mysteriously went missing on the Osmo Mobile 2. This trigger can be held down to keep your camera lens pointing at the same target, or alternatively boost motor speed to make the camera snap to wherever you’re pointing out without any lag.
They’ve also updated the micro-USB port to the newer USB Type-C standard, which reduces the charging time and also means you don’t need to carry around an old Micro-USB cable around with you. There’s also a USB 3.0 port at the side of the gimbal, which means you can also use it as a powerbank to charge your phone.
While the shorter rubberized grip is arguably less ergonomic than its predecessor’s, it’s now tilted forward slightly meaning you don’t have to constantly have your wrist slightly snapped back to keep the gimbal upright. Overall, it feels more comfortable to use.
Compatibility
The Osmo Mobile 3 is compatible with almost all iPhones and Android smartphones, including bigger, phablet sized ones. However, those hoping to use it with the Moment wide-angle lens attached to their phone will want to make sure the total weight of their phone and Moment lens remains below 230g.
Osmo Mobile 3
Osmo Mobile 2
Max Payload
230g
240g
Max Phone Thickness
9.5 mm
8.9mm
Supported Phone Widths
62-88 mm
58.6 – 85 mm
For full software compatibility with the DJI Mimo app, you can refer to this list.
Mounting Your Phone
The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 makes use of an adjustable spring-loaded clamp to secure your phone. You simply pull apart the clamp, slide the phone in and the clamp will securely grip your phone.
The balance adjusting knobs on the Osmo Mobile 2 (left) are not present on the Osmo Mobile 3 (right) DJI has ditched the set-it-and-forget-it balance adjustment knobs that were present on the Osmo Mobile 3’s predecessors. Instead, to perfectly balance the phone, you’ll have to play around with the position of your phone within the clamp each time you mount it. It’s a bit more fidgety, but nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Controlling The Osmo Mobile 3
The Osmo Mobile 3 has keeps the number of physical controls to a minimum
Unlike some gimbals which are lined with various buttons and dials, the Osmo Mobile 3 has a very minimalist control scheme.
A mode/power button, shutter button, zoom slider, configurable trigger and a joystick to electronically adjust pan and tilt is all there is to it.
Although I like the clean layout, it does have a learning curve as you’ll have to remember exactly how to access all the functions. For example, to switch between portrait and landscape mode requires you to press the M button twice, to switch between rear and selfie cameras requires you to press the trigger 3 times. Remembering all the correct combinations can be quite difficult.
The other quibble is DJI’s decision to go with a zoom slider over a zoom wheel that some other gimbals feature. The slider makes zooming in and out slightly less smooth, unless you have a rock steady thumb.
Shooting Modes
The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 features 3 gimbal modes: Follow, Tilt Locked and FPV:
Follow: The most frequently used mode, your gimbal will follow movements in the pan (side to side) and tilt (up and down) axes but lock the roll axis so that the image is perfectly straight and parallel to the horizon.
Tilt Locked: Rather confusingly named, this is essentially what other gimbals call pan-following. It locks the tilt and roll axes so that only pan movements are followed. Good when you’re filming while running and don’t want to negate unwanted up and down movements.
FPV: This keeps all 3-axes unlocked, albeit smoothes everything out. This could be useful when filming on a rollercoaster or on a mountain bike, where you want to create more immersive footage.
Stabilization Performance
Despite being one of the smallest iPhone/Android gimbals around, the Osmo Mobile 3 still offers great video stabilization.
Comparing footage with the Zhiyun Smooth 4 and Hohem iSteady Mobile, the Osmo Mobile delivered smoother footage than the iSteady Mobile but was slightly less stable than the Smooth 4.
The difference between all three tested gimbals was almost completely unnoticeable, though. It only became apparent when the camera was fully zoomed in and capturing things in the distance, at which point the Smooth 4 footage was slightly more smooth.
Range Of Movement
If there’s one compromise which has been made for the sake of its foldable design, it’s the gimbal’s range of movement. Let’s compare its range of movement with its predecessor’s.
Osmo Mobile 3
Osmo Mobile 2
Pan
-162.5° to 170.3°
±170°
Tilt
-104.5° to 235.7°
±170°
Roll
-85.1° to 252.2°
-90° to +70°
As you can see, the limits of the gimbal’s mechanical movements are a little more arbitrary than before.
In practice, this isn’t really a problem at all, but feels a little odd knowing that the limits in pan and tilt are not equal in each direction.
Battery Life
Most of the latest smartphone gimbals have a battery life that far exceeds the realistic needs of anyone, and the Osmo Mobile 3 is no exception.
Like its predecessor, the Osmo Mobile 3 has a 2450mAh battery that can last for 15 hours under ideal conditions. This means you can spend the day recording video and still be left with enough juice to charge your phone via the USB 3.0 port.
DJI Mimo App
Software is one of the areas where a DJI gimbal really beats the competition. The new DJI Mimo app which was born with the release of the DJI Osmo Pocket, replaces the older DJI Go app.
With the iOS/Android app, you can take photos, record video and do some fancier things like timelapses, hyperlapses and slow motion shots.
The DJI Mimo App also features a decent video editor
There’s also the new ActiveTrack 3.0 technology, which uses AI to track a person’s movements. It’s one of the most sophisticated algorithms around, although it admittedly does still lose track under some very specific parameters.
DJI Mimo also features some things which simply aren’t found on the software of other gimbals. For example, Story Mode combines clips and stills into a new video complete with its own soundtrack, while Gesture Control means you can wave at the camera for it to automatically snap a photo.
More serious filmmakers might want to use the third-party FiLMiC Pro app, which has some more advanced filmmaking modes missing from DJI’s own app.
Conclusion
Pros:
Foldable design is revolutionary
Great stabilization performance
Industry-leading software
Cons:
Zoom slider instead of zoom wheel
No balance adjustment knob
The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 isn’t perfect. It has a zoom slider instead of a zoom wheel, doesn’t have a balance adjustment knob and its range of mechanical movement isn’t as large as some of the competition.
However, I’d choose this gimbal over all the other iPhone/Android gimbals any day of the week. Its folding design is revolutionary, and it’s almost inevitable that other gimbal manufacturers will follow suit and start making their own foldable gimbals. But beyond portability, it performs fantastically as a stabilizer, doesn’t have any major issues and its software is simply the best in the business.
Overall, DJI have seriously impressed me with the Osmo Mobile 3 and it’s difficult to see how the competition will react given that the gimbal even manages to be competitive on price.
DJI gained worldwide recognition for producing some of the best consumer drones on the market, but their choice to diversify and manufacture camera accessories has also been massively successful. The DJI Osmo Mobile, though expensive, was an excellent first attempt at producing a smartphone gimbal.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 2 is the Osmo Mobile’s successor, and it appears DJI have made some big moves to position themselves as the market leader in handheld gimbals. The Osmo Mobile 2 supposedly delivers better stabilization than its predecessor—while costing less than half as much at launch.
As a fan of previous DJI gimbals, it should go without saying I was massively excited for the Osmo Mobile 2. At the same time, I was skeptical about whether or not DJI could deliver on their promises.
Could DJI really produce the ultimate smartphone gimbal while pricing it as a budget gimbal? Or did they have to cut some corners to appeal to the more price sensitive consumer? Let’s find out.
What The Osmo Mobile 2 Does
Before we dive into the review, let me clear up what exactly a gimbal like the Osmo Mobile 2 is for.
A gimbal stabilizer is essentially a device that drastically reduces unwanted camera shake.
Even though high end smartphones like the iPhone X feature advanced optical image stabilization (OIS), the fact is camera shake will always noticeable when filming things while moving, or when the camera is mounted on a moving object.
3-axis gimbals like the Osmo Mobile 2 use three brushless motors to control three pivots. These pivots move to counteract the changes in orientation of the camera. The resulting video footage is much smoother than any gimbal-less setup.
First Impressions
Out of the box, the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 looked very familiar. It looks almost identical to its predecessor while being slightly lighter and more compact. That’s obviously a plus, even though the original Osmo Mobile 2 was compact enough to begin with.
Unlike many other gimbals that include a bunch of accessories like frame housing, wrist straps and tripods, the Osmo Mobile 2 has a much more minimalist package. Inside the included carry case you’ll only find the gimbal itself and a micro USB charging cable.
Build Quality
Most smartphone gimbals are made from plastic, and the Osmo Mobile 2 is no exception. However, according to DJI, the Osmo Mobile 2 is made from high-strength nylon that is supposedly both lighter and stronger than its predecessor’s plastic.
The Osmo Mobile 2 felt good in my hands. Despite still being plastic, it felt better built than cheaper gimbals like the Hohem iSteady Mobile. Of course, only time will tell if that is actually the case.
Like its predecessor, the ergonomics of the Osmo Mobile 2’s handgrip is very good. It doesn’t feature a rubberized grip or feel quite as comfortable to use as the fancy GoPro Karma, but it’s definitely one of the better grips around.
As with almost every smartphone gimbal, the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 is not waterproof so it shouldn’t be taken outside on rainy days or used to film water sports.
Compatibility and Setup
The DJI Osmo Mobile 2 features a spring loaded clamp that makes mounting your smartphone a breeze. I found it vastly superior to the screw mechanisms found in many other gimbals. This is an especially welcome feature for a smartphone gimbal, because you’ll constantly be taking your mounting and unmounting your phone.
I personally tried the gimbal with my old Samsung S7 Edge, iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone X. I didn’t have any issues putting them on, but the iPhone 7 Plus in its TPU case was a bit of a squeeze.
According to DJI, the Osmo Mobile 2 is compatible with all iPhone models, including the new iPhone XS and XR and XS Max. Supporting a maximum payload of 240g, the Osmo Mobile 2 will also be compatible with the vast majority of Androids.
Your phone can be mounted in either horizontally (landscape) or vertically (portrait). The latter is obviously geared towards those users wanting to share stories on Instagram Stories or the like.
Unfortunately, switching between horizontal and vertical orientations requires you to physically take off your phone, flip the clamp and put it back on. Some smartphone gimbals allow you to switch orientation at the press of a button or flick of the wrist – the Osmo Mobile 2 doesn’t.
Regarding compatibility with accessories, the industry standard quarter-inch screw thread needle at the base of the gimbal makes it easy to mount to tripods and the like.
Controlling The DJI Osmo Mobile 2
Whereas some gimbals make you feel like you’re piloting a drone, perhaps ironically, DJI’s gimbal control scheme is very simple and straightforward.
The power button is not only used for turning the device on and off, tapping it three time will reset the gimbal to its default orientation.
There is a dedicated record button which means you don’t have to touch your phone’s screen to start capturing.
The joystick in the middle is used to control the gimbal’s pan and tilt. This is a fancy way of saying pointing the camera left, right, up and down.
The range of motion is very good, but not the best. The Osmo Mobile 2 has roughly a 340-degree range of motion in the pan and tilt axes and can roll 45-degree to either side. This is much better than a lot of gimbals which can only pan 180 degrees, but some of the newer gimbals are capable repeatedly panning 360 degrees.
Other than that, the left side of the handgrip has a zoom slider. This allows you to adjust the digital zoom while recording video. As with most gimbals that offer a physical button to control digital zoom, it’s not perfect. In other words, as you zoom in it’ll be a little choppy and not perfectly smooth.
Gimbal Modes
The Osmo Mobile 2 features two shooting modes which you can easily switch between: Follow Mode: In this mode, the Osmo Mobile 2 will follow the user’s movements while eliminating camera shake. Therefore when you pan left or right or tilt up or down, the gimbal will follow your movements, albeit smoothing out those movements for buttery smooth footage. Free Mode (a.k.a. All Lock): In this mode, the Osmo Mobile 2 will lock the pan, tilt and roll axis. In layman’s terms, the gimbal will try and keep the cameras orientation the same, and stay focused on the same object. As an example, you’ll want to be in this mode when you’re filming at a gig, or when you want to use your phone as a dashcam.
With only two gimbal modes, DJI have kept things simple. It is fine for most cases, but some users might be disappointed by the lack of a pan-follow mode.
Stabilization Performance
Stabilization performance is really where the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 shines, especially for its price. Videos are even more stable than its expensive predecessor, and suffer from very few micro-vibrations.
A common complaint of certain motorized gimbals is that their brushless DC motors are too noisy and audible in recordings footage. The DJI Osmo Mobile 2’s motors are practically silent and I couldn’t pick up any trace of their sound over the ambient sounds in my recordings.
The Osmo Mobile 2’s motors are also fast, meaning they can keep up with even the fastest changes of direction. Sometimes you want the follow speed to be slower, and the smartphone companion app allows you to manually adjust the follow speeds.
DJI Go App
Quite frankly, most of the iOS/Android apps that gimbal manufacturers create for their gimbals are rubbish. Even though they add some functionality, I always find myself using the stock camera apps to record.
However, the DJI Go companion app is an exception. With a big company like DJI behind it, it feels more polished and very user friendly.
Of course this is the app you’ll use to calibrate the gimbal, configure settings and so forth. However, using the DJI Go app will unlock some exclusive capture modes that are actually worth using.
Firstly, the app lets you record time-lapse and hyperlapse video. Most of you will probably be familiar with time-lapses, but some of you might not be familiar with hyperlapses. In photography, a hyperlapse is essentially a motion time-lapse where the camera also moves. DJI’s Go app lets you take hyperlapses by prompting you to select the start and end position of the camera and the duration of the shot.
Perhaps the apps greatest feature, and feature that makes you actually want to record video using it, is ‘ActiveTrack’.
ActiveTrack lets you draw a box around an object and the gimbal will follow that objects movements by means of AI. A usage example would be if you’re a vlogger wandering around your room and want the camera to follow your movements.
For static photography, the app has the following three photo modes:
Photo Timer
Panorama shots
Long exposure shots
The resulting quality of your photo will vary depending on your smartphone, but you can adjust things like the white balance through the app.
Finally, I should probably mention the livestream feature within the app. I don’t personally livestream, but if you want to easily livestream to Facebook live or YouTube, this app has you covered.
Battery Life
The Osmo Mobile 2’s 2600mAh battery is built into the handgrip. Unlike the original Osmo Mobile 2, it’s not removable. Using non-removable batteries seems to be becoming a trend since the release of the popular GoPro Karma gimbal stabilizer.
The battery life of the Osmo Mobile 2 is absolutely fantastic. I’m typically used to using batteries that last 2-6 hours on a single charge. The Osmo Mobile 2 can keep going for up to 15 hours on a single charge. That’s three times longer than the original Osmo Mobile.
A full charge will take approximately 3 hours. If you’re ever in a situation where you need to charge your phone, USB port on the back of the handgrip will allow you the Osmo Mobile 2 to function as a powerbank.
Conclusion
DJI have outdone themselves with the Osmo Mobile 2. They kept the Osmo Mobile’s winning formula, threw in some tweaks and significantly reduced the price. I would recommend this gimbal to almost any videographer. Those who desire a gimbal to aid them in doing fancy videography techniques, however, might find it a little basic.
Pros
Fantastic stabilization performance for the price
Motors are very quiet, almost silent
Spring loaded clamp takes the hassle out of mounting your phone
Excellent battery life
Decent smartphone app
Cons
Flipping between portrait and landscape mode is fiddly
Limited shooting modes
Rating 4.5/5
The DJI Osmo Mobile 2 is currently what I consider to be the best gimbal for iPhone.
Recording buttery smooth video is as easy as mounting your phone to a gimbal and pressing the record button. But picking the best iPhone gimbal stabilizer is not easy.
New gimbals are seemingly released every year, and each one of them looks more or less the same. They’re made by companies you’ve never heard of before, and the glowing Amazon reviews aren’t particularly convincing. And in most cases it’s impossible to even try before you buy. The list goes on.
To make things easier for you, in this iPhone gimbal buyer’s guide I’ll walk you through my top picks.
The all-new DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is my favorite gimbal to date
To come up with the list, I’ve thoroughly tested all the gimbals that are frequently recommended by tech magazines and YouTube reviewers. I’ve also aggregated the praise and common complaints from these other reviews so hopefully you’ll find my rankings to be fair and well-researched.
I’m fully aware that different people have different requirements and budgets, so I’ve broken my list down into the following three categories: best overall, best for techies, best under $100, best gimbal with wireless charging and best for cinematographers.
At A Glance: Best iPhone Gimbals 2019
DJI Osmo Mobile 3 – Best Overall
Zhiyun Smooth 4 – Best For Techies
Hohem iSteady Mobile – Best Under $100 (TIE)
Zhiyun Smooth Q – Best Under $100 (TIE)
MOZA Mini-MI – Best Gimbal With Wireless Charging
Freefly Movi Cinema Robot – Best For Cinematographers
Why Should I Get An iPhone Gimbal?
Before I discuss my picks, let’s clear up exactly why you might need a gimbal stabilizer for your iPhone in the first place.
The iPhone Camera Is Better Than Ever
Go back just a few years ago and you’ll find no one really took recording video with their iPhone that seriously.
Sure, they were used to share some casual footage on social media. But vloggers, amateur filmmakers and live streamers were all using expensive DSLRs or mirrorless cameras.
But newer phones like the iPhone 8, iPhone X and Samsung S9 changed everything. These phones pack in cameras that can produce crisp 4K video at a smooth 60 frames per second. More and more people are turning to their phones to record video content. And that trend is set to continue.
Newer iPhones like the iPhone XS have become viable alternatives to DSLRs.
Say Goodbye To Shaky Video Footage With A Gimbal Stabilizer
As you begin shooting video on the move, camera shake becomes apparent. Even with newer phones that feature fantastic built-in optical image stabilization (OIS), camera shake is inevitable.
So what’s the solution to the problem? A 3-axis motorized gimbal is a camera accessory that can drastically reduce unwanted camera shake and vibrations.
They use gyroscopes and accelerometers to detect camera shake. Then, three brushless motors rotate three pivots by just the right amount to counteract the shake. With the ability to keep your smartphone level in all three axes (pan, tilt and roll), your phone is held completely steady.
And best of all, unlike a Steadicam or dolly that Hollywood film crews operate, gimbals are incredibly simple to use. Just mount your iPhone or Android and hit the record button.
So whether you’re a YouTube content creator, an amateur filmmaker or someone simply looking to record better videos for their Instagram stories, a gimbal stabilizer is a simple and cheap way to massively up your game.
Smartphone Gimbals Are Cheaper Than Ever
I still remember choosing my first iPhone gimbal back in 2016. Back then iPhone gimbals cost around $300, so a lot of research went into my purchase. I finally settled on the awesome DJI Osmo Mobile, which is still a great gimbal today.
Today, however, smartphone gimbals cost much closer to $100 and perform even better than the ones from 2016. Now is definitely a great time to pick up a new gimbal and start producing some slick video footage.
1. DJI Osmo Mobile 3
Best Overall iPhone Gimbal
Pros
Foldable design makes it truly portable
Excellent stabilization
Ergonomic design
Ease of use
15 hour battery life
Cons
Few bundled extras
Who’s it for?
The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is the iPhone gimbal I’d recommend to the vast majority of video shooters. The gimbal has excellent image stabilization for the price and its software is the best in the business.
DJI have focused on the user experience. It’s easy to pack, setup and focus on the fun part – actually recording things. Compatibility
The DJI Osmo Mobile 3’s adjustable spring loaded clamp can accommodate iPhone and Android phones 62-88 mm wide and up to 9.5 mm thick. This makes it possible to fit smaller iPhones like the iPhone SE as well as bigger ones like the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone XS Max.
The max payload is an impressive 230g, meaning in most cases it can support your phone even when you’re using iPhone camera attachments like the Moment lens.
The gimbal also features a quarter-inch thread needle for compatibility with mount accessories like tripods.
As for software, the DJI Mimo companion app is compatible with iOS 10.0/Android 6.0 and later versions. It can record 4K@60fps with the iPhone 8 and later models. Osmo Mobile 3 Overview
DJI are the biggest drone manufacturer in the world and their engineering expertise is clearly demonstrated by their iPhone gimbals.
Their first iPhone gimbal, the Osmo Mobile, was a resounding success thanks to its build quality and ease of use. The Osmo Mobile 2 kept the winning formula but slashed the $299 price tag all the way down to $129.
For the all-new Osmo Mobile 3, DJI have had to innovate to stay ahead of the competition. The first of its kind, the Osmo Mobile 3 has a foldable design that makes it far easier to pack.
DJI have also moved away from the DJI Go app and replaced it with the all new DJI Mimo for iOS/Android. This makes it easy to take fancy dolly zooms, panoramas, timelapses and slow motion shots. Also, the new ActiveTrack 3.0 AI does object tracking much better than competitor apps.
Other subtle tweaks, from the angled hand grip to the addition of a useful trigger at the back of the hand grip, make it DJI’s best gimbal yet.
A folded design makes it possible to fit the Osmo Mobile 3 into smaller bags
What I Liked
The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 faces stiff competition from the likes of the Zhiyun Smooth 4, but ultimately I believe the Osmo Mobile 3 manages to get everything right: ease of use, portability, ergonomics, stabilization performance, battery life and price.
Filming with the Osmo Mobile 3 felt the most natural of all the gimbals I tested. It feels nowhere near as bulky as other gimbals and the angled handgrip means you don’t have to snap your wrist back in order to keep it upright.
The new foldable design is truly a game changer. The awkward shape of most smartphone gimbals makes them difficult to fit into a small bag or daypack. But the Osmo Mobile 3 is easily packed, making it an accessory you can chuck in the bag without sparing a second thought.
The stabilization performance is great and superior to my old Osmo Mobile 2 which I had no complaints about. The motors are very responsive and when you crank up the pan and follow speeds it can film fast-paced action without a hitch. The motors are also very quiet, meaning recordings aren’t affected by motor noise.
With regards to the battery life, the Osmo Mobile 3’s inbuilt 2450mAh battery will last 15 hours. No smartphone gimbal lasts longer, with the exception of the Freevision Vilta Mobile.
At its current price, there is no question that the Osmo Mobile 3 presents outstanding value for money. The DJI Osmo Mobile 2 was followed by cheaper imitations and I have no doubts the Osmo Mobile 3 will set a new standard for iPhone gimbals. What I Didn’t Like
While the Osmo Mobile 3 is almost the perfect iPhone gimbal, it isn’t free from flaws.
The Osmo Mobile 3’s foldable design compromises its mechanical range of movement slightly, meaning it can’t pan or tilt quite as far as some of the other gimbals.
I would also have preferred a zoom wheel over its zoom slider, which makes it harder to achieve perfectly smooth zooming unless you have a rock steady thumb.
Last but not least, it would have also been nice if DJI included a small tripod with the standard package, as many other manufacturers do. Read the full review: DJI Osmo Mobile 3
2. Zhiyun Smooth 4
Best iPhone Gimbal For Techies
Pros
Excellent Stabilization
Ability to access menus and settings without touching phone’s screen
Cons
Over-engineered controls
Bulky
Uncomfortable hand grip
Who’s it for
For videographers who like to get technical, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 is a great alternative to the DJI Osmo Mobile 2. The Zhiyun Smooth 4 performed just as well as the Osmo Mobile 2 in stabilization tests, but features more buttons and dials to play with. You can change the exposure and aperture without reaching for your phone’s screen.
However, less technically-minded users might find all the buttons confusing and unnecessary. Compatibility
With a max supported payload of 210g, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 is compatible with almost all iPhones. In testing, it didn’t have any problems with the large iPhone 8 Plus, but the heavier iPhone XS Max (208g) caused balancing issues and overworked the motors.
Like the Osmo Mobile 2, the Smooth 4 also uses an adjustable spring loaded clamp so mounting your smartphone is a very simple process. Smooth 4 Overview
Zhiyun have a long history of producing high quality yet inexpensive handheld gimbals. The 3 axis Smooth 4 is their current flagship smartphone gimbal and currently the best selling iPhone and Android gimbal stabilizer on Amazon.
If you like buttons, you’ll love the Zhiyun Smooth 4. You can change the exposure, flip your phone, adjust the focus and turn on the flash all through the Smooth 4’s controls. And those are just a few examples.
Put simply, the Smooth 4 doesn’t feel like a simple handheld gimbal. It’s more like a filmmakers tool that also happens to stabilize the camera. This does mean there’s a steep learning curve to the gimbal, and you’ll need to be familiar with filmmaking basics to get the most out of it.
Zhiyun have generously bundled the Smooth 4 with a small but useful tripod.This in not only great for those panoramas and time lapses, but I found myself using it as a grip extension when holding my gimbal in underslung mode (upside down) for those low angle shots.
The Smooth 4 has a total of three shooting modes: pan follow, following and locked.
The first and default shooting mode is pan follow mode, where the gimbal keeps the horizon level and while following panning motions. The following mode means the gimbal will follow any movements you make, but keep footage nice and steady. The locked mode will keep your iPhone’s orientation locked, so it’s always looking at the same point.
At the back of the handgrip is a double function trigger. When hold down on the up trigger, you activate “PhoneGo” mode which increases the responsiveness of the gimbal’s motors. This means they’ll be snappier – great for when you want to capture fast-paced action.
You’ll use the ZY Play app to connect to your iPhone over a bluetooth connection. It’s important you use this app, because a lot of the Smooth 4’s controls only work when you’re recording from it.
The ZY Play app has all the video and photo modes that the Osmo Mobile 2’s DJI Go app has. That includes autonomous tracking, time lapses and motion time lapses, panoramas and long exposure shots.
It’s also worth noting that the Zhiyun Smooth 4’s controls aren’t only functional when filming with the ZY Play app. Zhiyun partnered with the folks at FiLMiC and made the gimbal fully compatible with the Filmic Pro app. This premium video camera app offers various settings and modes for the more serious video shooter. What I Liked
The Zhiyun Smooth 4 packs in more controls on the hand grip than any other iPhone gimbal. Meanwhile, Its stabilization performance is just as good as the DJI Osmo Mobile 2. For the videographer who likes to tweak every little detail, the Smooth 4 is a very logical choice.
I also like the fact the Smooth 4 goes with the new USB-C standard, as opposed to the older Micro USB. Many of its advantages aren’t obvious, but not needing to carry around a Micro USB cable is one that everyone will appreciate.
The Smooth 4 packs a 4000mAh battery that provides up to 12 hours of recording. That isn’t quite as good as the Osmo Mobile 2, but still more than enough.
Given all of its features, you’d be forgiven for assuming that the Smooth 4 must be a very expensive gimbal.
Not so. In fact, the Smooth 4 costs less than the DJI Osmo Mobile 2, meaning you get a ton of features for the money. And let’s not forget it comes with a mini tripod that the Osmo Mobile 2 doesn’t come with. What I didn’t like
On paper it would seem the Zhiyun Smooth 4 offers better bang for your buck than the DJI Osmo Mobile 2. So why didn’t I also consider it to be the best overall iPhone gimbal?
Well, when actually filming, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 has a few issues that irked me.
Firstly, the hand grips ergonomics aren’t very good. The hand grip is wide and shallow, making it feel rather awkward in the hands.
Continuing with design flaws, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 is bulky and features too many buttons.
During filming I simply didn’t need half of the buttons on the gimbal. What’s more, in many situations I found changing settings from my iPhone’s touchscreen was less of a hassle than using the buttons on the Smooth 4. I couldn’t help but feel the Smooth 4 carries extra baggage for nothing.
Finally, it’s worthy mentioning that despite all its controls, the Smooth 4 doesn’t feature a joystick to electronically control the pan and tilt (unlike the Osmo Mobile 2). Personally, I don’t consider this a big deal as panning/tilting with your own hands is far more natural. But, if this is a feature you fancy yourself using, be aware the Smooth 4 doesn’t have it. Read the full review: Zhiyun Smooth 4 iPhone And Android Gimbal
3. Hohem iSteady Mobile
Tied for Best Under $100 iPhone Gimbal
Pros
Good stabilization
Lightweight
Comfortable Grip
12 hour battery life
Cons
Digital Zoom is not smooth
Unpolished companion app
Who’s It For
For those on a tighter budget, the Hohem iSteady Mobile is the iPhone gimbal I’d recommend. It might not have the very best stabilization performance around, but it’s the best within this budget and doesn’t skimp on any features. Compatibility
The Hohem iSteady Mobile is compatible with all iPhones newer than the iPhone SE. It can accommodate larger iPhones like the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone X. Hohem have not published the gimbal’s maximum load, however it is listed as being compatible with large phones like the Samsung Galaxy S9+ and iPhone XS Max which puts it on par with the Osmo Mobile 2. Hohem iSteady Mobile Overview
Although Hohem isn’t a well known brand, the iSteady Mobile is one of the bestselling handheld gimbals today.
At just 410g, the iSteady Mobile is incredibly light. Its build quality is decent, and surprisingly, Hohem gave it a rubberized grip that prevents it from easily slipping out from your hands.
The control scheme is very much similar to the DJI Osmo Mobile 2: A mode button to select the shooting mode, a joystick to control the pan and tilt, and finally a zoom slider to adjust the digital zoom.
It features impressive technical specifications for the price. A 640-degree panning range of motion is roughly double what other gimbals can do. The 4000mAh battery can provide 12 hours of use, putting it level with the Zhiyun Smooth 4.
All of this comes at under $100, and Hohem have even included a mini tripod in the box. Granted, the mini tripod that comes with it is very flimsy and provides almost no elevation. What I Like
Feature wise, the Hohem iSteady Mobile is very similar to the DJI Osmo Mobile 2. In fact, there’s almost nothing the Hohem iSteady Mobile can’t do that the Osmo Mobile 2 can.
The rubberized grip is a nice little touch and one I wouldn’t have expected from a budget gimbal.
Of course, what I like most about this gimbal is its price. A few years ago, no one would have believed you could get such a well-rounded 3 axis gimbal for under $100. But here we are with the iSteady Mobile. What I Didn’t Like
While the iSteady Mobile is a good gimbal, its stabilization performance is behind the pricier gimbals.
The difference became noticeable when filming while running. Video footage had a jerkiness that wasn’t an issue in the other gimbals.
Another issue was the zoom slider. When zooming in or out, the zoom is not smooth. Instead, you can see it zooming in in small increments. This is a common problem with smartphone gimbals, but on the iSteady Mobile it was considerably less smooth.
Finally, the Gimset app was one of the least polished companion apps I’ve used, so recording with the stock iPhone camera app or a third party alternative is highly recommended. Read Full Review: Hohem iSteady Mobile
4. Zhiyun Smooth Q
Tied for Best Under $100 iPhone Gimbal
Pros
Good stabilization
Price
Cons
Digital Zoom is not smooth
Larger phones overwork motors
Who’s It For
Costing even less than the Hohem iSteady Mobile, the Zhiyun Smooth Q is one of the cheapest 3-axis iPhone gimbals around. For those who are simply looking for the cheapest decent gimbal around, look no further than the Zhiyun Smooth Q. Compatibility
The Zhiyun Smooth Q is compatible with most iPhones. However, with a supported max payload of only 200g, it is not recommended for those use with larger iPhones. This includes the iPhone 8 Plus (202g) and iPhone XS Max (208g). Zhiyun Smooth Q Overview
The Zhiyun Smooth Q was released before the Zhiyun Smooth 4 and is a slightly more basic gimbal.
Its design is much more comparable to the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 than the Zhiyun Smooth 4. Its main controls are a joystick for adjusting the pan and tilt, as well as a digital zoom slider.
It uses the same ZY Play app that is used with the Smooth 4, meaning there are a lot of shooting modes like object tracking, panoramas, time lapses and more. What I Liked
The Zhiyun Smooth Q isn’t outstanding in any department, but it is a very decent iPhone gimbal overall. Its main draw is definitely its price.
My other budget recommendation, the Hohem iSteady Mobile, has better battery life and superior specifications overall. However, the Smooth Q is cheaper and the ZY Play app is better than the Hohem Gimset app.
What I Didn’t Like
The Smooth Q feels a little forgotten and outdated compared to the newer Smooth 4. It doesn’t feature full compatibility with the FiLMiC Pro app and features a Micro USB port instead of a USB-C port.
It also doesn’t play well with heavier phones, while the Hohem iSteady Mobile does. As a result it isn’t quite as future proof in case you purchase a heavier smartphone in the future. Read full review: Zhiyun Smooth Q
5. MOZA Mini-MI
Best iPhone Gimbal with wireless charging
Pros
Decent stabilization
Wirelessly charges your phone
Tons of features
Cons
Budget build quality
Poor companion app
10-hour battery is less than its competition
Who’s It For
The MOZA Mini-M is the only gimbal that can wirelessly charge your phone and has an impressive number of different shooting modes. While these features might seem redundant to many, it also has stabilization performance that is among the best within the sub-$100 budget. Compatibility
The MOZA Mini-MI supports every iPhone, although its wireless charge feature will of course only work with the newer iPhones that feature wireless charging.
Thanks to a max supported payload of 300g and a max supported phone width of 92mm, the Mini-MI supports just about any Android phone you can think of. MOZA Mini-MI Overview
The MOZA Mini-MI is an iPhone gimbal that has more features than almost any other gimbal you can think of. Its most unique feature is its ability to charge mounted phones wirelessly using the Qi Wireless Charging standard.
Weighing 534g, the Mini-MI isn’t quite as small as its name might suggest. It is a little on the bulky side, but the difference in size won’t be an issue for most and its thick handle will be welcomed by those with bigger hands.
Despite its size, the Mini-MI packs a slightly smaller 2100mAh battery which provides the gimbal with 10 hours of battery life.
For controls, the Mini-MI features a joystick for electronic panning and tilting, as well as a number of controls to switch shooting modes and more. It can flip the mounted phone with a double press of a button, putting it into ‘selfie-mode’.
All these features can be had for under $100. Given that many of its features are missing on more expensive gimbals like the Osmo Mobile 2, MOZA offer terrific value for money with the Mini-MI. What I Like
The wireless charging feature isn’t for everyone, since many older phones won’t be supported. However, it is an incredibly useful feature for those that can take advantage of it, since you almost always run into issues with your phone’s battery life when recording with a gimbal, and not the other way around.
Wireless charging aside, the Mini-MI is a very solid budget gimbal. It has stabilization performance that is on par with my other favorite budget gimbals: the Hohem iSteady Mobile and Zhiyun Smooth-Q. Not only that, it has the ability to independently lock each axis, giving a total of 8 different following modes. What I Didn’t Like
Despite all the awesome features it packs, the Mini-MI’s stabilization performance is like that of a budget gimbal and it’s build quality isn’t the best, either.
When you zoom in on footage and compare it to similar footage taken with the Osmo Mobile 2 or Zhiyun Smooth 4, the micro-stutter is a lot more apparent.
Given that MOZA are a fairly new brand, their smartphone companion app is expectedly disappointing. You will be better of filming with the stock camera app or purchasing Filmic Pro–a shame considering the MOZA app has a neat sports mode and barrel-roll mode.
The MOZA Mini-MI is a serious contender for the best budget gimbal, but given its bulky size and slightly lower battery life, it isn’t the best gimbal under $100 unless you’re going to make use of the wireless charing feature. Read Full Review: MOZA Mini-MI
6. Freefly Movi Cinema Robot
Best for cinematographers
Pros
Excellent stabilization
Can hold with both hands
Great app
Cons
Expensive
Some features unnecessary for the average user
My Rating
Who’s It For?
The Freefly Movi Cinema Robot is a gimbal designed by filmmakers for filmmakers. Besides being an excellent video stabilizer, its companion app, Movi App, makes it easy to perform various ‘cinematic’ tricks. However, it isn’t cheap. Compatibility
The Movi Cinema Robot can support a payload of over 500g. It can support the largest iPhones like the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone XS Max. Larger Androids are also supported. You can find a full list of supported phones here. Movi Cinema Robot Overview
The Movi Cinema Robot is almost U-shaped, unlike most monopod styled gimbals. This makes it possible to hold it with with two hands and provide additional stability.
As you might expect for a gimbal of its price, the stabilization performance is excellent and superior to the DJI Osmo Mobile 2.
A big part of the Movi Cinema Robot is its exclusive companion app – Movi App. Unlike other gimbal companion apps, this app is well thought out and offers a lot of cinematic presets. This makes it easy to produce impressive video content.
The Movi Cinema Robot takes two 2600mAh Lithium Ion batteries that last for around 8 hours. This is shorter than the other gimbals on this page, but the Movi Cinema Robot uses powerful motors that can support a much higher payload.
There’s also a lot of further customization possible with the Movi Cinema Robot. By attaching the Movi Hoodie accessory mount, you can attach flashes and shotgun mics to the gimbal. What I Like
I loved the Movi Cinema Robot’s unique U-shaped design. You can hold it using both hands, which not only helps stability but reduces fatigue when filming for extended periods.
Its U-shaped design features a sturdy rubber base, which allows you to rest the gimbal and keep it upright on any flat surface. I therefore rarely need to use a tripod with it.
The stabilization performance is excellent and using the Movi App is heaps of fun. It makes it incredibly easy to change settings like the exposure or quickly flip through previews of your recordings – all without needing to touch your phone. It also makes it easy to capture barrel roll, dolly zoom, orbit and other cinematic effects. What I Didn’t Like
The gimbal is bulkier than other gimbals, and unnecessarily cumbersome if you’re just looking to record some shots during your next holiday.
But the biggest issue is its cost. At $300, it costs between 2-3x as much as the other gimbals on this list. I personally don’t feel the gimbal is worth it unless you are certain that its unique features are worth the difference in price. Read Full Review: Freefly Movi Cinema Robot
Other Noteworthy iPhone Gimbals
Evo Pro Gimbal
Evo Gimbals are a U.S. based gimbal company that have produced some excellent DSLR and GoPro gimbals in the past. The Evo Pro is their flagship smartphone gimbal but it’s actually a rebranded Zhiyun Smooth 4.
That’s a good thing, since the Zhiyun Smooth 4 is a fantastic gimbal. With Evo Gimbals, you also get superior local customer support. However, it costs roughly $20 more which is too high a premium, in my opinion. Feiyu Tech Vimble 2
The Feiyu Tech Vimble 2 has a neat little feature: An 18cm extendable arm that makes it easier to record selfies or those low angle shots in underslung mode.
However, with a battery life of only 5 hours and a poor smartphone app, it’s difficult to recommend it over the similarly priced DJI Osmo Mobile 2 and Zhiyun Smooth 4. Read full review: Feiyu Tech Vimble 2 Freevision VILTA Mobile
For ergonomics and build quality, the Freevision VILTA-M is my top pick. It is similar to the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 in design, but features an even comfier grip and is constructed using ‘aeronautical materials’.
It is a solid alternative to the Osmo Mobile 2, but unfortunately its image stabilization came out inferior. This was noticeable when comparing footage at a 250% zoom, where the VILTA-M showed a lot of jitter.
More Buying Tips
Motorized Gimbals Vs Mechanical Stabilizers (Steadicam, Glidecam etc.)
Before gimbals were a thing, handheld stabilizers were the go-to tool for image stabilization. They cost less but require more skill to operate, and don’t offer the same level of stabilization. For iPhone video stabilization, gimbals are definitely the way to go.
Can My New Gimbal Be Used As A Power Bank?
Yes. Most smartphone gimbals can also double up as a power bank. Their battery capacities are smaller than dedicated power banks but they can be useful as a backup. Of course, charging your phone with a gimbal will eat into the recording time of your gimbal.
Will My New Gimbal Conflict With My iPhone’s OIS?
The iPhone 6S Plus was the first iPhone to feature optical image stabilization (OIS). iPhones with OIS use gyroscopes and accelerometers to detect shake and reduce its impact by moving the lens with electromagnet motors. However, as a method of image stabilization, it is nowhere near as effective as a gimbal.
Sometimes, simultaneously using OIS and a gimbal can have strange results. If this is the case, using a third-party video camera app like Pro Movie App or FiLMiC Pro and disabling the iPhone’s OIS is advised.
Can I Use My iPhone Gimbal With A GoPro/Action Camera/DSLR?
Smartphone gimbals are primarily designed for use with iPhone and Android devices. However, many of them can also hold a GoPro or similarly sized action camera instead. To ensure the GoPro or action camera is held firm, purchasing a GoPro gimbal mount adaptor plate is recommended.
DSLR and mirrorless cameras are too heavy for use with these gimbals, so you will need to use a gimbal designed for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.
Further Video Stabilization With iMovie
Using a gimbal stabilizer is the best way to deal with camera shake. However, it is possible to further stabilize recorded video footage in iMovie (iOS/Mac). You can find detailed information about the procedure here.
Are Smartphone Gimbals Waterproof?
In general, smartphone gimbals are not waterproof. Their brushless motors could be damaged by contact with water. It is therefore not recommended to record video in wet conditions.
