Last updated on April 9th, 2023
The funny word ‘gimbal’ is an essential tool for a video creator. So, If you think about how to buy a gimbal for your DSLR, GoPro, iPhone, or Android, you have come to the right place!
Generally, a gimbal is used to capture smooth videos and it avoids blur and shakiness from videos. In this post, we will describe the all facts and tricks for choosing the best gimbal for a camera.
There have lots of gimbals on the market. They can be smartphone gimbal and DSLR gimbal or Camera gimbal. For purchasing a gimbal you have to consider a few facts.
After intuitive research, we have included some essential things about buying a gimbal. Without considering those things don’t purchase a gimbal.
So, go for the details. Let’s drive in!
What Is Gimbal?
Gimbal or stabilizer is used for video recording. Yes, you can record video without a gimbal but it could be blurry and cringy. Indeed, the gimbal help to evade cringe and shakiness from videos.
So What is Gimbal? A gimbal is a tool, which uses intelligent technology to avoid shakiness and captures smooth footage while moving. It also helps to capture videos smoothly even in a bumpy situation.
Mainly there have two types of gimbals; two-axis and three-axis. Two-axis stabilizer is able to tilt and roll. On the other hand, three axis stabilizer can tilt, roll and pan as well.
Meanwhile, a two-axis gimbal is affordable and a three-axis is more expensive than a two-axis. But a three-axis is best for cinematic shooting, it offers all angles for shooting.
How work a gimbal stabilizer? Gimbal is designed with intelligent sensors and a motor, which help to track a subject, measure the situation, and give a counter-movement to make a smooth video.
How to Buy a Gimbal for Camera: (7 Things to Consider)
Well, now we demonstrate some important facts regarding a gimbal. And before purchasing a gimbal for your camera consider these 7 facts.
Let’s see those things.
1. Two-Axis or Three-Axis?
Do you know the types of gimbals? Apparently, the gimbal has two types according to Axis; Two-axis and Three-axis. A two-axis gimbal can be tilting and rolling your camera motion.
Whereas, a three-axis gimbal is able to tilt and roll as well as pan your camera motion. And a three-axis gimbal can capture dynamic videos while you moving.
Generally, a two-axis gimbal is less expensive than a three-axis. But a three-axis more advanced for filmmaking.
Whether you want to use a gimbal for the studio or still scenery, two-axis is good for you. But if you would like to use a gimbal for recording fast-motion video and filmmaking, three-axis make your creation more astonishing.
2. Build Quality
Typically, the camera gimbal is built-in with carbon fiber and aluminum. And both are looking good and sturdy.
Carbon fiber offers improved strength and less weight than aluminum. But aluminum is also a strong and durable material.
There has no big difference between them. Carbon fiber is a bit more expensive than aluminum. Indeed, a compact size lightweight gimbal is easy to travel anywhere.
Bear in mind, too much light gimbal doesn’t give proper stability.
3. Battery Life
How do you feel when your gimbal turns off in the middle of a shot? It’s an embarrassing situation and you might miss exciting scenery.
Therefore, battery life is also an important thing for a gimbal. Some gimbal offers long-life battery and advanced charging system.
Before buying a gimbal you have to check the battery rpm and charging system. Fast charging system saves time and you also can choose a gimbal that offers a power bank for an emergency.
If you’re a traveler and used to shooting long-time, choose a long-lasting battery life gimbal. And you also can take a spare battery for long travel or shooting.
4. Size And Weight
Big size and the heavy-weight gimbal is like a piece of bulky equipment. It feels exhausting to a long time shooting and traveling.
On the other hand, a lightweight compact size gimbal is easy for long-time shooting and traveling. But bear in mind, a too-light and small gimbal are not suitable for perfect stability.
When choosing a gimbal look at the size and weight, is it support your device? And always try to choose one, which weighs high than your camera.
5. Compatibility
There have several types of gimbals on the market, those gimbals offer versatile features and outstanding footage. But some of them get bad reviews for compatibility.
For compatibility, you have to consider a few things like- camera gimbals or smartphone gimbals. Many gimbals are compatible with multiple devices, check before purchase.
Generally, smartphone gimbals are not compatible with cameras. But many camera gimbals are compatible with smartphones. When you choose a gimbal stabilizer keep in mind if it supports your device.
And also bear in mind, does the gimbal compatible with DSLR, action, and mirrorless cameras?
There have many specific gimbals like; action camera gimbals, DSLR gimbals, and mirrorless camera gimbals. Choose one which matches your device.
6. Accessory Mounts
Simply, an accessory mount implies, where you can put any accessory for comfort. A gimbal accessory mount helps to attach some gears to the gimbal directly.
Sometimes you may need to add extra light and a microphone to the gimbal. Without an accessory mount, you can’t attach those gears to your gimbal.
In addition, which allows you to attach MDR, RCP translator, transmitter and CineMilled, and so on. It also helps to add counterweights to a gimbal.
7. Payload Capacity
If you like to add a heavy lens to your camera, you have to look at a robust gimbal. Some gimbals are more lightweight than a camera, too lightweight gimbal doesn’t give proper stability.
Bear in mind, the load capacity must be higher than your device. If you set a DSLR in a mirrorless gimbal with a heavy lens, it won’t work properly.
Some old-model cameras’ has weight limitation, so before buying a camera gimbal check the payload capacity properly.
8. Price
As a beginner-level videographer or hobby video creator, your important consideration thing is budget. If you just start videography you wouldn’t spend too much money.
There are some smartphone gimbals that start at 40$, but for premium quality gimbals, you have to spend above 150$. If you want a camera gimbal, then you could spend 150$ for a beginner-level gimbal.
And if you look at the high-quality versatile camera gimbal then it could go up 305$. For the best DSLR camera gimbal or mirrorless camera gimbal, you need to prepare 500$.
When choosing a gimbal you need to look at your purpose, and why you buy a gimbal. Professional gimbals are always a bit expensive. For selecting the best camera gimbal look at some reviews.
Are Camera Gimbals Worth it?
Why do you need a gimbal for a camera? How you would like to use your camera. If you are a hobby photographer or videographer and use a camera for a while, then you don’t need a gimbal.
While you shoot action and sports videos, the camera can’t be stable, capturing blurry and cringy videos. Where a stabilizer is the best solution. Also, a gimbal can help you with long-exposure photography.
Having a gimbal can improve the quality of your videos more than ever. It promises to eliminate shakiness from videos. A gimbal can take your creation next level.
You can easily capture smooth videos while you moving, even in bumpy situations. A professional videographer and filmmaker need a gimbal must, without a gimbal you need some bulky equipment for shooting.
With a gimbal, you can record footage from different angles. You can tilt, roll, and pan with confidence. In addition, a gimbal is compact and lightweight, and it can take anywhere comfortably.
Which Gimbal is Best for Beginners?
At the crowdy gimbal market, it’s hard to say which one is best. There have many gimbal brands on the market, and all offer versatile features.
When you choose a gimbal you have to consider a few things like axis, compatibility, build quality, battery life, and so on. After judging those things you might get the usable best gimbal.
Actually, some gimbals are best in build quality, some are good in battery life and some are versatile in compatibility. But there have a few gimbals that are all in one.
A beginner-level videographer or filmmaker wouldn’t spend too much money for the first time.
After relentless research, we have found some beginner-level gimbal stabilizers, that are affordable and versatile. Have a look at our top beginner gimbals.
1. DJI OM 5
Key Specification:
- Brand: DJI
- Material: Aluminum
- Item Weight: 290 Grams
- Dimensions: 10.41 x 4.37 x 3.63 inches
The DJI OM is a versatile beginner gimbal, which offers an incredible filming experience. DJI is a market leader in both smartphone and iPhone gimbal manufacturing.
This gimbal’s ingenious design and amazing features give smooth footage always. It is a palm size portable gimbal for smartphones, you can use for vlogging as well as daily life recording.
You can enjoy flawless selfies, automatic tracking, and super-smooth videos. Built-in extension rod, you can make videos from any angle.
In addition, this gimbal also adds a shot guide, which automatically recognizes your environment and suggests the perfect shot.
It includes a tutorial, you just have to follow those for great footage. Even a first-time user can make filming videos.
Has a next-generation tracking system, and fast-motion videos can capture smoothly. And the powerful 3-axis motor keeps your smartphone steady in an uneven situation.
However, it also keeps your smartphone secure, the rubber coating on the phone clamp ensures proper safety.
2. DJI RSC 2
Key Specification:
- Brand: DJI
- Material: Carbon fiber
- Item Weight: 1.3 Kilograms
- Dimensions: 6.4 x 13.3 x 10.9 inches
The DJI RSC2 is a DSLR camera gimbal, which is compatible with DSLR, and Mirrorless cameras. This gimbal design is user-friendly and always gives great footage.
Usually, camera gimbals can take huge payloads, and proper payload offer precise stability. This camera stabilizer is able to take a 10lb payload. It’s the highest payload ratio in the industry.
A robust gimbal is suitable for the camera. It’s made with carbon fiber and gives incredible strength and lightness. You can easily use heavy-weight lenses with a DSLR.
Have a color touchscreen that allows adjusting all functions. And also gives professional mounting, you can attach it with a car, jib, or slider and control it remotely.
In addition, the DJI RSC 2 gives precise balance with a dual-layer camera plate, it is also compatible with Manfrotto and Arca-Swiss. There has a knob to achieve a proper balance setup.
And DJI Ronin app supports iOS 11.0 and Android 7.0 or above. The compatible device: are Sony, Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, and so on.
3. INKEE Falcon Plus
Key Specification:
- Brand: INKEE
- Material: Aluminum
- Item Weight: 650 Grams
- Dimensions: 9.25 x 1.38 x 4.92 inches
The INKEE Falcon Plus is an amazing gimbal for GoPro. If you looking for the best GoPro gimbal for an action camera, it could be a great asset for you.
This is a three-axis gimbal stabilizer, compatible with GoPro hero 11/10/9/8/7/6/5 and other action cameras. The powerful brushless motor gives smooth videos even sports movements and daily vlogs.
In addition, it offers versatile working modes, you can capture video from any angle. Support time-lapse, vertical/horizontal, and pan follow, and it could be controlled by Bluetooth.
It gives a great filmmaking experience, 3D fantasy, and HD videos. And the ‘Inception’ mode also gives a fantasy rotation effect to your footage. You can switch the time-lapse mode remotely.
The battery is always an important thing for a filmmaker, well battery life makes your work easier. INKEE Falcon Plus uses a 2500mAh huge capacity battery and the charging system is fast, using a USB type-c cable.
Although, it is an action camera gimbal, offers an unbelievably compact size and the weight is only 300g, you can travel anywhere comfortably.
Sometimes installation needs more time but INKEE GoPro is easy to set up. This gimbal is affordable and you use it as a professional gimbal. And keep worry-free about the size of the camera.
Over To You
A gimbal is an asset of your videography. We hope in this post you have got a comprehensive guide; on how to choose a gimbal for a camera.
You will see many gimbals on the market, but choosing the best gimbal for a camera is a bit tricky. But before buying a gimbal you have to study a bit.
For buying the best gimbal you should notice a few things must like; compatibility, axis, build quality, battery life, size & weight, and payload capacity.
However, the gimbal is not a cheaper accessory for videography. A premium quality gimbal needs 150$. So, before buying one, check everything about a gimbal.
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I’m a videographer and travel photographer. I created this website to help you buy a Tripod or Gimbal for your DSLR, GoPro, or Mirrorless camera. I tried and reviewed most of the Tripod, Monopod, or Gimbal currently available on the market.