Best Smartphone Gimbals 2019

Best Smartphone Gimbals 2019

Smartphone gimbals are considered by many mobile filmmakers as an essential piece of kit. Personally, I don’t use them for every shot, but they really are fun to use. A gimbal is a really great tool to create nice, smooth walking shots. You can also become like a human crane, lifting your camera smoothly into the air. As I’m pretty tall, that gives me a an extra advantage, here.

So, here is a list of some of the most popular smartphone gimbals out there. If you know any other good ones, be sure to leave a comment.

DJI Osmo Mobile 2

The pitch: “The Osmo Mobile 2 is a handheld smartphone gimbal made for the storyteller in all of us. Whatever your passion, wherever your destination, and whenever you feel inspired, capture moments with cinematic movement and incredible ease. Using a lightweight design, intelligent functions, and a long-lasting battery, the Osmo Mobile 2 lets you share your story.”

A handheld smartphone gimbal, compatible with various smartphone models. Made of high-strength composite material, this gimbal is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around whenever you go travelling. Has up to 15 hours of battery life, plus it can charge your smartphone if needed. Has various intelligent shooting functions including Timelapse, Motionlapse, Hyperlapse, Slow-mo and Zoom Control.

Review: “A great value, easy-to-use gimbal that delivers super-smooth results.”

Check Price of DJI Osmo Mobile 2 on Amazon

Zhiyun Smooth 4

The pitch: “Enhanced Motor Torque with Greater Applicability. Smooth-Q not only supports PLUS-size smartphones, but further allows external add-ons, such as lenses, light-compensating lamp, and microphone etc, to support a wider range of applications. Empowered by the 5th Gen. Instune Algorithms combined with world’s advanced electronic stabilizing system, Smooth-Q has realized 40% improvement in its torque output, supporting a max. payload of 210 g (min 75 g). By activating the Object Tracking function, the gimbal and phone camera will be configured to follow and focus the target automatically. In addition, it supports time lapse, slow motion, long exposure, multiple filters and more.”

Review: “The design of the Smooth 4 is superb with its well-built frame, easy hand-holding body, and attention to detail.” 

YouTube review: “There is a bit of a learning curve. I feel the zoom function could be a bit better. But it works well on the iPhone. The Smooth 4 is more of a filmmaker’s tool.” (See full video below)

Check Price of Zhiyun Smooth 4 on Amazon

UPDATE: DJI & Zhiyun New Gimbals for 2019

Recently, leading gimbal makers DJI and Zhiyun have released their new models. The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 and the Zhiyun Smooth Q2. Both gimbals are small and lightweight, aimed at the vlogger and casual gimbal user. For travel videos and social media users.

Check Price of DJI Osmo Mobile 3 on Amazon

While DJI have already released their Mobile 3, Zhiyun have the Smooth Q2 available for cut price pre-order on Kickstarter. To find out more, read the article below.

MUST READ: DJI Osmo Mobile 3 vs Zhiyun Smooth Q2

MOZA MINI-S – BEST BARGAIN

The current best affordable smartphone gimbal is the MOZA Mini-S. The gimbal is foldable and can carry a max payload of 260 grams, which beats both the Smooth 4 (220) and the Osmo Mobile 2 (240).

The Pitch: “Advanced phone gimbal with a perfect slim body, easily to be folded for carrying outside. 1.1 oz lighter and half smaller than Zhiyun Smooth 4. Great choice for travel, holiday, party or fashionable gift! Maximum payload 9.1 oz, phone’s size from 2.3″-3.5″. Fits for iPhone Xs/Max/Xr/X/8/7/6 Plus Samsung Note 8/S8 Huawei, etc.With built-in artificial intelligence recognition technology, MOZA Mini-S Essential can be automatically detect multiple subjects for fast tracking, producing smooth continuous frames for you.”

The Review: “The Gudsen Moza Mini-S packs a wealth of sophisticated features for a gimbal at its price point. And while you could knock its plastic build as a negative, this is what keeps the Moza Mini-S below benchmark price and allows Gudsen to provide all that impressive functionality.”

Check Price of MOZA Mini-S on Amazon

Gimpro One

For smartphone filmmakers on a tighter budget, you might want to take a look at the popular (and a little more affordable) Gimpro One.

The Pitch: “Three gyroscopes in three gimbal motors calculate every movement and vibration transmitted by your hands and convert them into smooth, smooth images. Time-lapse, Face/Object Tracking, Zooming, Panorama Photography Slow Motion are included. These functions can be well used on Gimpro phone stabilizer by both iOS and Android users. 1/4” screw on the bottom of smartphone gimbal contributes to more compatibility for accessories like tripod, extensive pole, dual handgrip etc.”

Review: “The Gimpro ONE has the build quality and features of many others, but at a lower price. Comes with a well made carry case and a USB charging cable. The build quality is excellent and a little lighter than some of the other gimbals. The Gimpro One has 3 following modes for object tracking.”

Check Price of Gimpro One on Amazon

Check Price of Gimpro One on Aliexpress

Zhiyun Smooth Q

The pitch: “Capture smooth handheld footage with your smartphone. This gimbal features a maximum load capacity of 7.8 ounces, meaning it can handle heavier smartphones such as the iPhone 7 Plus or accessories such as add-on lenses. Balancing is done with one button controlling the roll axis. The Smooth-Q has face-tracking, panoramic, and time-lapse modes, and for you vloggers out there, it switches quickly into vertical mode. The downloadable ZY Play app can be used to remotely control your smartphone and to upgrade the gimbal’s firmware.”

I bought one of these earlier this year. I’ve now used it on 3 short films and a few “walk through” videos. Actually, I bought 2 as it seemed sensible to have a backup. If it ran out of battery power, I could simply switch to a fully charged one. As it happens, the Smooth Q has never run out of power while I’ve been shooting.

I think they are really excellent for the price. I also like the simplicity of it. When I’m filming, I simply want it to keep the smartphone relatively stable. If you’re doing a walking shot, you will get those slight up and down movements from your body. You can’t escape that, unless you put yourself on wheels. But that’s the same for any budget camera stabilizer.

Check Price of Zhiyun Smooth Q on Amazon

Review: “Zhiyun Smooth Q vs. DJI Osmo Mobile 2: Why I chose the Smooth Q”

Moza Mini Mi

The pitch: “By employing inductive charging technology and magnetic coils in the phone holder base, the Mini-Mi lets you charge your mobile phone wirelessly simply by setting it on the gimbal. By using the dial wheel located on the hand-grip you can smoothly zoom in without touching your smartphone. To focus control, use the MOZA App and it under the camera settings menu. Features independent control system for each axis; Roll, Yaw, and Pitch. These axes can be controlled individually by 8 follow modes, giving you the same professional functionality that comes from MOZA’s advance control technology.”

Review: “The Moza Mini-Mi ran into app connection problems with some Android phones when it was reviewed, but overall, the gimbal is great for its asking price. Wireless charging in general still needs to be further developed to match wired charging speeds, but the feature is still nice… For its low price and stacked list of features, We Talk UAV recommends the Moza Mini-Mi, especially since current problems can easily be updated in the future.”

YouTube review: “It’s not about the gear, it’s about the story.” (Full video below)

Check Price of Moza Mini Mi on Amazon

Feiyutech Vimble 2

The pitch: “Smartphone gimbal + selfie-stick combo. All three axis are 320° and comes with sliding cross arm. Intelligent design means it ‘lands’ the smartphone gently when switched off. Supports face tracking and object tracking. ”

Review: “Pros – Cheap. Easy to use controls. Light in weight. Great accessories like the tripod, USB cables, Case included, 1/4 uni screw on bottom for other attachments. Extended selfie-stick for crane shots (now I can go even higher? yeah!).

Cons – feels a bit like a toy. USB Port rubber piece feels cheap and might fall off depending on use. Bit heavier than the Zhiyun Smooth 4.”

Check Price of Feiyu Vimble 2 on Amazon

EVO SHIFT

The pitch: “When paired with your smartphone, the EVO Shift allows full control of your cameras record and zoom functions right from the handle. Fine tune your cameras shooting angle on the fly using the touch sensitive 4-way joystick. Featuring 3 easy to use stabilization modes, the EVO Shift gives you the ultimate freedom of motion. Replicate the same dolly moves and crane shots seen in multi-million dollar productions. Up To 10 Hours of Run-Time with Built in charger and battery. The EVO SHIFT also has a Built-In Smartphone Charging Port on the bottom of the handle allowing you to give your smartphone a convenient & fast 1A charge.”

Review: “No one ever complains that a gimbal is too easy to use—no one. Most people find the EVO SHIFT simple to set up and get working right out of the box. Not only is it smartphone compatible but you can mount GoPro action cameras too. The built-in ¼-20 threaded mount is another of those small but welcome extras. For example, there may be times when a situation requires a tripod or monopod and you have that option.”

Check Price of Evo Shift on Amazon

Freevision Vilta M

The pitch: “VILTA M uses the same algorithm as VILTA, which applies the most advanced efficient motor control algorithm and servo control algorithms in the industry. This allows Gimbal to respond in high speed scenarios with high control precision, achieving an image stability exponentially higher than competitive products. 17 hours battery capacity is enough to meet your needs when travelling. Via a type-c adaptor, VILTA M can charge the phone while using. It adopts intelligent battery management system, making VILTA M safer and battery life longer. Rubber coating handle design, all aim at providing you incredibly comfortable grab feel.”

Review: “Considering there’s only effectively 3 buttons and 1 joystick on here, there’s an incredible amount of functionality built into that.”

Check out the full video review by Scott Dumas below. He demonstrates the “POV mode”, which looks really useful. The gimbal will smoothly follow all your hand movements.

Check Price of Freevision Vilta M on Amazon

Movi

The Pitch: “We taught Movi all of our professional filmmaking tricks. It’s the world’s most portable, adaptable, and intuitive smartphone stabilizer. Movi is always ready to go. He’s loaded with technology to help you create your best shots. Climb, sail, ride, crawl. Movi loves to do it all. He’s so small and so simple, you’ll want him on every adventure. The app allows Movi and your phone to work together to achieve stunning shots. Future app and firmware updates mean Movi will learn many more tricks over time.”

Review: “The Freefly Movi is a high-performing stabiliser for the smartphone market. Although there’s some crossover with other gimbals on the market, like the DJI Osmo Mobile 2, you can tell that the Movi incorporates Freefly’s knowledge and experience with filmmaking.”

The shooting modes can help users with any experience level in capturing great scenes in smooth and buttery motions.

BUY Movi Freefly Cinema Robot on Movi Website

Check Price of Freefly Movie on Amazon

Read Thomas Meek’s extensive review HERE.

Read Next: All the Best Smartphone Filmmaking Equipment in… THE KIT LIST

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