Whether you are a professional or a beginner in DSLR videography, you must be aware of the role of a gimbal in producing professional content. This is because a gimbal is a stabilizing device that allows you to shoot steady videos without vibrations from movements. While you are up for buying a gimbal, you will find a lot of gimbals claiming to be the best gimbal for DSLR, thus confusing your mind to make a choice. To help you in that, we took a deep dive into the gimbal market and created a list of the 10 best gimbal for DSLR cameras in India.
DJI Ronin SC Black Handheld Camera Gimbal
Weighing 1.1 kg in weight and having a payload capacity of 2 Kg, Ronin-SC is certainly the new buzz in the gimbal market due to its impressive features in such a compact size. With an integrated battery with servers for up to 11 hours, Ronin-SC comes with Motionlapse mode which allows you to Shoot epic time-lapses and a Sport mode for recording some fast actions.
You can also connect Ronin- SC with your smartphone using DJI’s Active Track technology and allow the gimbal automatically track subjects. Moreover, you can place your smartphone on gimbal with a camera and pair them using the DJI app in order to control the camera using the phone screen.
In spite of these features, this gimbal is easy to use and perfect for one-handed filming which makes it an ideal option for beginners.
Features
Unobstructed Roll Axis Arm
Three-Axis Motorized Gimbal Stabilizer with dynamic stability
Comes with Active Track 3.0
Includes Motionlapse and Sports mode for enhanced camera use
Pros
Lightweight and compact
Next-level features for connecting smartphone and DSLR.
Packed with supportive features such as Motionlapse and Sports mode
User friendly
Cons
Not suitable for heavy cameras or cameras with larger lenses
The battery is integrated and only serves for 11 hours
Zhiyun Crane 2 3-Axis Camera Stabilizer
With a maximum payload of 3.2 Kg and OLED interface design, the Crane 2 has been a popular choice among users due to its superb motion sensitivity and precision control. Although the gimbal is not the newest, still is an ideal stabilizer ideal for the bigger DSLRs cameras.
Another impressive feature of Crane 2 is its 18 hours continuous battery which can also be used for charging your cell phone via the gimbal in case of emergencies. Moreover, the gimbal is based on removable batteries giving you the option of replacing them with spares if needed.
Unfortunately, there are a few drawbacks to it, which you don’t see, in the latest generation of DSLR and mirrorless camera gimbal stabilizers. But due to discounted price, this can be a great budget option.
Features
Amazing Auto-focus offers a precision of 0.02 Degree
Supports a large variety of DSLR Cameras with weights up to 3.2 kg
Advanced Anti-shaking technology
Superb Battery backup up to 18 hours on a single charge
Can also work as a power bank in case of emergencies
Pros
Widely compatible
Great for long hours of use
Easy to control with OLED interface
Durable, lightweight, and hand-held gimbal
Good value for money
Cons
Does not include any quick-release mechanism for the camera
Poor ergonomics
The rear motor obstructs the camera’s LCD display
Moza AirCross 2
Another much-talked gimbal in the market is Moza Air Cross 2. With its own weight of 1 kg, the gimbal is able to deliver a maximum payload of 3.2 kg, which is excellent for those who like stabilizers to be compact.
Packed with numerous programmable shooting modes including time-lapse, motion control, and panoramic still-image capture, the Gimbal comes with Motion Control mimicry which allows you to control the gimbal movements using the motion sensors in your smartphone.
With a larger mounting plate and 3-axis independent locks to support Universal compatibility, Aircross 2 certainly marks its spot in the best gimbals for DSLR cameras.
Features
Lightweight gimbal with a payload of 3.2 Kpayloakgs
Near Universal Compatibility
Quick charging of 1.5 hours serving up to 12 hours of gimbal use
3 power outputs on a gimbal for supplying power to peripherals
Three-axis lock design
Facilitates time-lapse, motion control, and panoramas
Comes with FPV and Sports gear mode
Pros
Fine-tuning is available through an app
Excellent machining and quality build
Roll follow mode
Cons
The joystick on the handle does not work diagonal, but the remote joystick works diagonally
Difficult to use for the first time as balancing the camera can be tricky
Moza Air 3 Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer with Dual Grip
Made of aerospace industry-grade aluminum, MOZA Air 3-Axis Motorized Gimbal Stabilizer comes with one or two-handed configurations for stabilizing your DSLR camera for smooth, professional-looking footage.
Serving a payload of up to 2.5 KG, it comes with three automobile-grade motors with high-resolution encoders and allows 360-degree unlimited rotations and more. The handgrip control of the stabilizer allows you to select modes just using your fingertips.
You can also control the gimbal by using a free smartphone app or the separately available Wireless Thumb Controller, which is quite useful in two-handed configurations. The app on the smartphone also helps in auto-tuning for optimizing performance.
As the gimbal comes in a nice hard carry case to fit in all the accessories along with the gimbal itself, Moza Air is quite convenient to keep and carry with comfort. Overall, MOZA Air is a nice option that is reasonably priced as the gimbal comes with a dual handle and tripod stand.
Features
A nice metal design that Included two-handed arms
One or two hand configuration option
Time-lapse feature
Compatible with cameras up to 2.5 pounds
Pros
Comes with a nice hard case for easy portability
Included tripod stands the gimbal upright when not in use
Ability to start and stop recording remotely
Ability to control motion with gimbal, remote controller, or app on a smartphone
Cons
No USB wall power adapter is included in the box
Very short range for remote control and smartphone app
Takes some getting used to. Don't expect to get this handled overnight
Hohem 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal
Popular as the cheapest 3-axis gimbal for DSLR and mirrorless cameras, iSteady gear is a stabilizer designed for recording steady shots with ease. It can automatically calibrate shaking caused by dynamic movement/shaking, which contributes greatly to stabler video shooting.
With a Well-tuned self-innovated Algorithm and empowered by optimized high-torque motor control technology, iSteady Gear responds to intense motions or even sudden twists in real-time and offers different pan and tilt modes to meet various shooting needs.
The gimbal’s 4-way joystick and quick switch are nicely placed and allow you to change lens direction and modes with ease. Remote connectivity is supported by an additional remote control and intuitive APP-hohem Gimset interactions via BT4.0 connection, making it advanced enough to mark its sport in the list.
Features
Lightweight gimbal weighing 1.2 kg with batteries to serve payload up to 2.5 KG
Motion time-lapse shooting mode
Perfectly compatible with mainstream brands DSLRs and Mirrorless Cameras
32-bit x 3 high-speed MCU parallel control technology
Independently developed attitude algorithm optimized stabilizing image system.
12-hour battery service
Pros
Intuitive APP supports your creativeness
Damping the sliding arm makes the balance adjustment more convenient
Easy to setup
Budget option for beginners
Cons
Lacks advanced moves such as 360 roll mode
Lighter cameras need much attention to balancing to avoid vibrations
FeiyuTech G6 Plus 3-Axis Stabilized Handheld Gimbal
With its excellent splash-proof technology to offer no rain resistance on the go, the FeiyuTech G6 Plus camera stabilizer is another budget option in the DSLR gimbal market which allows 360°unlimited rotation of pan axis for capturing wider views.
The gimbal offers Bluetooth as WiFi connectivity I.e. you can control major features of the camera by connecting and controlling it remotely with a WiFi device. Thanks to its 5000 mAh battery which offers a maximum of 12 hours runtime, you can have long shooting sessions.
Although this is one of the lightest gimbals on the market which is suitable for a range of cameras including mirrorless ones, the gimbal has some pretty important restrictions in terms of length and weight of cameras. But considering budget and its suitability for smaller DSLR cameras FeiyuTech G6 Plus keeps its spot in the top DSLR gimbals in the Indian market.
Features
Reliable image stabilization
Easy to use controls with maximum flexibility
Can use a mobile device to control the settings
The battery lasts up to 12 hours on a full charge
Pros
Budget option serving a range of cameras
Ability to accurately and quickly stabilize images
Has both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity
Cons
Restricted with length and weight of cameras
Controlling via the app can be difficult
FeiyuTech AK2000 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer
FeiyuTech AK2000 can be considered an advanced camera stabilizer with some awesome features to make your shooting experience flawless. With its support for multiple holding positions, intelligent algorithms, 3-axis 360-degree rotation, and the app for remote operations, the gimbal can handle a payload up to 2.8 kg which makes it suitable for most mirrorless cameras, DSLRs, and camcorders.
Using the shutter cable which comes with this product, you can also shoot excellent time-lapse videos. Unlike most of the gimbals, FeiyuTech a2000 3-Axis comes with both single and double handle grip.
Although two-handled installation can cost you a bit more, it is highly recommended as it allows the perfect balancing of the camera for professional videos. With high durability, the gimbal is one of the best camera stabilizers for those who are entering into professional videography and are not restricted by budget.
Features
Supports up to 2 kilos (4.4 lb)
Dual handles with 4-way control joystick
Unique Anti-Shake algorithm for smooth footage
Remote operation using the Feiyu app
Support for time-lapses and motion time-lapses
360 degree rotation on all three axis
Pros
Dual handles with 4-way control joystick
Remote operation
Auto weight balancing
Multiple holding positions
Cons
High on budget
Weight is high if compared to other options
Zhiyun-Tech Crane V2 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal
Although the gimbal is not a recent one, it still has an impressive design and advanced technology to have its own market segment. Designed primarily for mirrorless cameras, the Zhiyun crane is ideal for low-cost individual filming scenarios.
The gimbal comes with slip ring technology which allows 360 degrees rotation and comes with a nice joystick to adjust the axis while operating. Zhiyun Crane also features a self-innovated Instune Algorithm and high-torque motor control technology for optimization, which is helpful in responding to intense motions and sudden twists while filming.
Extremely easy to balance and setup, the gimbal is able to deliver smooth footage, even in the most blustery wind conditions. Weighing only 950 grams without batteries to serve a max payload of 1.8 KG and with a capacity to serve 12 hours of run time, it is a fairly priced gimbal that is available in the market.
Features
Supports wireless mode
360-degree rotation service for all three axis
Accompanied with an advanced control stick and a bright OLED display
Serves 12 hours of run time
Pros
Low on weight and highly durable
Designed with an attractive appearance and stylish mounting plate
Special modes such as Pan-Follow/Lock switch, PhoneGo mode
Low weight and durable material
Cons
Gimbals' crane movements are limited 1.2 kg weight limit
The joystick can take a little bit of time to get used to
ZHIYUN Weebill-S Gimbal Stabilizer
Claimed to be “compact as a piece of A4”, ZHIYUN Weebill-S comes with a new age 3-axis gimbal which weights around a kg but serves 2.1 Kg of payload with 14 hours of battery run time.
With 300% larger motor torque than the previous generation to offer 50% faster response speed and 8th-generation Honeycomb Image Stabilization Algorithm, ZHIYUN Weebill-S responds to sudden motion without any hindrance from vibrations.
Supporting a wide range of DSLR cameras and various models, the gimbal can be configured as a handle facing straight down or in“sling” mode, where the handle faces up and out at an angle. The gimbal is able to produce Timelapse and Motionlapse videos with ease. Additionally, an intelligent ViaTouch 2.0 system and an ultra-low latency HD image transmission module（accessory) certainly make WEEBILL-S push the limit of videography even further.
Features
Exchangeable, off-the-shelf batteries to serve 14 hours of run time
Motion Time-lapse Mode
Exceptional Compatibility
Sling mode configuration
Lightweight and compact design
Pros
Modular Design
Optional Video Transmission, Follow focus, and Camera Control via phone
Active Track only with optional accessories
Image Transmission module for enhanced features
Cons
Full Compatibility with sony Cameras is an issue
Non-intuitive setup
The LCD screen may give a small appearance
FeiyuTech Feiyu AK4000 : 3-Axis DSLR Gimbal
With super strong payload capacity, Feiyu Ak4000 offers a lot of top-class features. It can be connected with compatible WIFI devices to control the camera and switch modes. Using Feiyu ON iOS/Android app, the gimbal can also be connected via Bluetooth to set up various other parameters.
Besides being able to shoot motion-controlled time-lapses and hyper lapses the AK4000, it features a “Magic Ring” which may seem like a regular focus wheel of a follow focus, it is quiet helpful in controlling settings such as zoom, focus, or rotation along 3 axes.
With a long handle, a larger touch screen supported with 12 hours of battery life, the gimbal offers a satisfactory performance. Overall, the gimbal is a little more expensive than others, but if you are looking for higher payload capacity, this is the best option in the gimbal market.
Features
Highly Compatible with most DSLR Camera
Max Rotatable Range: Tilt: 360° // Roll: 320° // Pan: 360°
Low-power LCD touch panel for easy adjustments
High-precision software algorithms
WiFi + Bluetooth dual module connection
12 hours of long battery life
Pros
Super-strong payload capacity
Beveled angle design
Includes Follow Focus 2 control
Larger joystick with a super smooth control wheel
Cons
Not backward compatible with the previous dual-handle grip
No lock mechanisms
The weight and size make it a little unwieldy for longer shoots
Things to consider before buying a Gimbal
Price
Different DSLR gimbals come at different prices. In general, those that offer advanced features or higher payload capacity are quite expensive while others can be budget-friendly. Although, it is recommended to pay a little more for a higher quality gimbal, defining a budget is certainly helpful in filtering the right gimbal from the market.
Payload capacity
Every gimbal available on market comes with a payload capacity i.e. the limit of minimum and maximum weight it can carry without producing vibrations and distortions. While shortlisting a gimbal, make sure your choice supports the combined weight of the camera and other accessories if any.
Camera Compatibility
Not all gimbals support all cameras. Although new-age gimbals claim to have near-universal compatibility, it is always advisable to check the compatibility between your devices and the gimbal itself.
Batteries
Gimbals need power so they are dependent on batteries. Depending on your usage type, you need to how much a gimbal is able to run with one set of batteries or a one-time charge. New gimbals are based on lithium-ion batteries so check for the time taken by a particular gimbal to charge up, while others use the standard alkaline batteries so have a check on service time and easy availability of such batteries. Apart from these, you should choose a gimbal, which has good quality and heat resistant batteries.
Gimbal Weight
A gimbal weight is a quite important feature to consider while making a choice. Think like this would be the weight you will be carrying in your hands apart from your camera and other peripherals, so prefer an option which claims to be light. Also keep in mind that while comparing the options, you consider the weight of the gimbal including batteries.
Axis Stabilization
Gimbals stabilize the videos by using brushless motors for 2-Axis or 3-Axis movements. In general, 2-Axis gimbals stabilize the roll and tilt axis while the 3-Axis options use the Pan axis too, and produce better footage. Although 2-axis gimbals are budget-friendly, a 3 -axis is always suggested for professionals’ videos.
Apart from these, build quality, setup styles, camera balance, mounts, and advanced features such as remote control ability are a few more features to consider while deciding on which gimbal to buy.
FAQ
How does a gimbal work?
A gimbal uses a complex system of electronics, sensors, and motors to cancel the external motion. In a 3-axis gimbal, a motor is placed on the three different axes around the camera and as the sensors detect shakes or jolts on these axes, electric brushless motors counteract these movements, keeping the camera steady.
Is it worth buying a Gimbal?
Yes. if you want to improve the quality of videos to a professional level, a gimbal is certainly a worth buying gadget.
Is Gimbal Allowed in a Flight?
Like any other electronic device, in general, gimbals are allowed on flights. But you need to ensure that battery is removed from the gimbal before you present it to the security check. Keep in mind, that airport securities are subjective in nature, so it is always a good option to confirm it with authorities before you carry it to the checkpoint.