Top 5 Gimbals Every Filmmaker Needs in 2025

In addition to stabilizing your camera to eliminate jitters, the best DSLR and mirrorless camera gimbals also regulate and smooth out intentional camera movements to produce incredibly smooth tracking and panning shots. For ‘run and gun’ style filming, in which you and the camera are physically following your subject, they work particularly well.

Even with ‘active’ digital stabilization, the smoothness of a gimbal is unmatched by in-body stabilization systems (IBIS), which are now included with the majority of mirrorless cameras. However, IBIS can only partially compensate for camera wobbles.

Gyroscopic sensors and motorized pan, tilt, and roll axes are used by gimbals. They provide various Pan shooting modes. Track motions in which the camera remains level, Observe settings that allow the camera to tilt up and down.The weight of each gimbal must be ‘balanced’ for the camera and lens combination you’re using in order to prevent the gimbal motors from being overloaded and to center the weight over the axes of movement. Even with balancing, you must ensure that the weight of your camera kit does not exceed the gimbal’s payload capacity so that it can move through its entire range.

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Last update on 2025-01-11 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Gimbals Every Filmmaker Needs in 2025

1.DJI RS 4 Pro

Last update on 2025-01-11 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

One of the most difficult tasks when using a stabilizer is balancing a heavy DSLR and lens payload, but DJI’s RS 4 Pro has a few tricks up its sleeve to make balancing less tedious.

You can easily and precisely balance your camera with the help of a convenient knob on the tilt axis. Additionally, the tilt axis of the new RS 4 Pro has a Teflon coating, which facilitates repositioning when balancing a large payload. Dual sliding bearings on the roll axis allow you to balance a DSLR and make adjustments with comfort.

This gimbal, in contrast to some competitors, automatically locks and unlocks the axes, saving you from receiving annoying error messages when you forget to do so manually.Since they dominate the market for aerial videography, many of us will associate the DJI brand with drones. You may also be familiar with their fantastic Osmo Pocket 3, which combines a camera and gimbal in one device, and their reasonably priced, smartphone-friendly DJI Osmo Mobile 6. The purpose of the final two gimbals I discuss is to help average users record more fluid camera movements. Additionally, DJI manufactures the Ronin line of powerful 3-axis stabilizers for professional mirrorless and DSLR users.

To assist professional camera operators in executing a variety of tilts, pans, and tracking shots with complex camera and lens setups, DJI released the Ronin line in 2014. After reviewing the RS 3 Pro, I had the good fortune to obtain the eagerly awaited DJI RS 4 Pro before its April 2024 release so that I could put it through its paces and get my review out on launch day.

Professional video producers can handle a bulky camera and lens payload weighing up to 4.5 kg (10 lbs) with the help of DJI’s line of Ronin gimbals. Owners of the previous RS 3 Pro model will be especially curious to find out if the RS 4 Pro is worth the upgrade. As you can see from this review, the RS 4 Pro has undergone some minor adjustments, but they all contribute to a better gimbal handling experience.

Finding a balance between the roll, tilt, and pan axes to support the weight of our camera is one of the most difficult tasks we encounter when using a gimbal. The fine-tuning makes it simple to balance the tilt axis, just like with the RS 3 Pro.

2.Zhiyun Crane 4

Last update on 2025-01-11 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Look no further than the Zhiyun Crane 4 if you’re looking for a gimbal that can handle your larger camera setup, including DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and small cine camera setups. This well-made design has a wrist rest and a sling grip to keep even heavy cameras balanced and comfortable while you shoot. After mounting your camera, you can quickly find its balance with the help of motor warning lights on each of the three axes. Additionally, a feature-rich smartphone app is available to give you remote control options.

Smartphone users don’t need to think about the Crane 4, as it falls into the heavy-lifting category on the gimbal spectrum. Check out my reviews of the ZHIYUN Crane M2S and Smooth Q4 if you’re a smartphone filmmaker.tested the Crane 4 with a mirrorless full-frame Lumix S5 sporting a Lumix 20-60 mm lens, though I’m confident it could handle a heavier payload. ZHIYUN doesn’t specify a specific payload weight for the Crane 4 but you can find a list of compatible cameras here.

The tilt, roll, and pan axis motors found on all gimbals allow you to execute a variety of fluid handheld camera movements, and the Crane 4 naturally has these motors. Nevertheless, these motors have a welcome new feature that I haven’t noticed in the other nine gimbals I’ve reviewed!

A gimbal’s arms must be adjusted to ensure that the camera is perfectly balanced for it to operate smoothly. The gimbal will always switch to sleep mode to protect the motors if the camera and lens aren’t balanced because this puts stress on the motors, causing the arms to judder. The Crane 4 assists you in making sure the camera is precisely balanced because to warning lights on each of the three-axis motors. If a motor is happy with the balance then it displays a white light. If a motor is under strain then the light changes to red.

This enables you to quickly diagnose where the camera is out of balance so you can slide the appropriate adjustable arms until the relevant motor light displays as white. These diagnostic balancing lights reduce the ‘hit and miss’ approach of trying to work out where the balance problem lies so they should reduce the time it takes to perform the often tedious task of balancing the camera and lens. 

3.DJI RS 3 Mini

Last update on 2025-01-11 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The DJI RS 3 Mini has a lot of features from its larger counterparts, which is really impressive. However, if you’ve balanced the RS 3, you might notice that you’re missing the knob for tilt axis adjustment. Automatic power locks do not exist, but they are also not necessary. Because of the NATO expansion port, you can still use a briefcase handle.

There will be a slight learning curve for new users (or those upgrading from the Osmo Mobile 6 or DJI Mini 3 drone) because switching from portrait to vertical mode isn’t as simple as pressing a button. It might take some time to become familiar with all the options, but they are easily reset, and the menu is user-friendly (even more so than many mirrorless cameras!).

In the end, this is a solid tool offered at a very attractive price point. If only the balancing process could be a bit more precise, it would surely deserve that fifth star.Now that gimbals have become a staple in every videographer’s toolbox, most people ask themselves, “Which one suits me?” rather than whether they need one at all. DJI offers smartphone gimbal solutions in addition to its well-known professional line of Ronin gimbals, which are among the best DSLR gimbals available. Osmo is a smaller set of stabilizers. DJI has therefore always had a few responses. Naturally, their drones also have gimbals, but that’s a different matter.

The RS 3 Mini bridges the gap between its larger siblings and the Osmo by building on the advantages of the smaller camera, even though many operators use Ronin gimbals for mirrorless cameras. This enhances portability because it is lighter and smaller. Additionally, it operates via wired control or Bluetooth.

To begin with, the Ronin algorithm performs exceptionally well. Automatic calibration follows balancing, which is a useful feature. Although using a gimbal is a skill in and of itself and should be practiced, it is relatively easy to get started. Anyone can quickly go through their shot list thanks to the ease with which the many options can be navigated and the ease with which Bluetooth connections and mode selection are made.

The lens tilts to align with the handle in 360˚ mode, making the motors work harder. Actually, it wasn’t until this point that we realized our initial attempt at balancing hadn’t been successful; the motors are strong enough to get past some problems in the majority of modes (good news if you adjust focus).but 360˚ is held like a flashlight and requires what is normally the pan motor to work very hard. We tested with a Sony A7iii and FE 28-70mm, so not the heaviest.

4.DJI RS 4

Last update on 2025-01-11 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

You must be sure that the gimbal you purchase can tilt, roll, and panning a large payload if you have a mirrorless camera and a variety of lenses. We only tested the DJI RS 4 with a Sony A7 III mirrorless camera that weighed 1.4 kg and had a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 Di III lens, but it can easily handle a payload of 3 kg.

Because you must exert force to slide each axis arm back and forth until your payload is balanced, certain gimbals can be difficult to balance. You can slide the RS 4’s three alloy axis arms more easily thanks to their Teflon coating, and the tilt axis arm has a fine-tuning knob that makes it even easier to move the arm into a perfectly balanced position.

Another issue many gimbals have is that the 3 axis arms need to be unlocked when the gimbal is operating. It’s very easy to forget to unlock one of the arms, causing the gimbal to power down or shake. The RS 4’s 2nd generation locking system ensures that all arms are locked (for transport) or unlocked for action automatically. This is a very welcome design feature. We did encounter an issue with the roll arm slowly slipping during a long shoot and becoming unbalanced, but it was a quick and easy matter to re-balance it.

To maintain smooth and level motion, the DJI RS 4 is a three-axis stabilizer that automatically tilts, pans, and rolls the mounted camera. For smooth pans and tilts between subjects, you can also program the gimbal to follow your hand movements. Gimbals, also known as stabilisers, are available in a variety of sizes and costs. The DJI RS 4 belongs to the gimbal range’s pro section, not the smartphone gimbal section.

In April 2024, the DJI RS4 and its more costly and feature-rich sibling, the DJI RS4 Pro, were both released. See the guide to the best gimbals for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras for more expert advice on how to buy one.

The significantly more costly DJI RS4 Pro is made to work with DJI’s professional movie-making ecosystem, so it includes a 2nd-generation LiDAR focusing system and vehicle mount. The RS 4 Pro also supports a wider range of professional camera and lens combinations thanks to its 4.5 Kg payload, whereas the cheaper RS 4 supports mirrorless camera and lens combinations up to a weight of 3kg.

5.Zhiyun Weebill 3S

Last update on 2025-01-11 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

You must be sure that the gimbal you purchase can tilt, roll, and panning a large payload if you have a mirrorless camera and a variety of lenses. We only tested the DJI RS 4 with a Sony A7 III mirrorless camera that weighed 1.4 kg and had a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 Di III lens, but it can easily handle a payload of 3 kg.

Because you must exert force to slide each axis arm back and forth until your payload is balanced, certain gimbals can be difficult to balance. You can slide the RS 4’s three alloy axis arms more easily thanks to their Teflon coating, and the tilt axis arm has a fine-tuning knob that makes it even easier to move the arm into a perfectly balanced position.

Another issue many gimbals have is that the 3 axis arms need to be unlocked when the gimbal is operating. It’s very easy to forget to unlock one of the arms, causing the gimbal to power down or shake. The RS 4’s 2nd generation locking system ensures that all arms are locked (for transport) or unlocked for action automatically. This is a very welcome design feature. We did encounter an issue with the roll arm slowly slipping during a long shoot and becoming unbalanced, but it was a quick and easy matter to re-balance it.

To maintain smooth and level motion, the DJI RS 4 is a three-axis stabilizer that automatically tilts, pans, and rolls the mounted camera. For smooth pans and tilts between subjects, you can also program the gimbal to follow your hand movements. Gimbals, also known as stabilisers, are available in a variety of sizes and costs. The DJI RS 4 belongs to the gimbal range’s pro section, not the smartphone gimbal section.

In April 2024, the DJI RS4 and its more costly and feature-rich sibling, the DJI RS4 Pro, were both released. See the guide to the best gimbals for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras for more expert advice on how to buy one.

The much more costly DJI RS4 Pro comes with a vehicle mount and a second-generation LiDAR focusing system because it is made to work with DJI’s professional filmmaking ecosystem. Because of its 4.5 kg payload, the RS 4 Pro can also carry a greater variety of professional camera and lens combinations than the less expensive RS 4, which can only carry mirrorless camera and lens combinations up to 3 kg in weight.

Teflon-coated axis arms (more on that later) and a 4th-Gen RS Stabilization Algorithm are two examples of the advanced hardware and software that both RS 4 versions benefit from. This review’s remaining sections will only address the RS 4 kit, testing the Combo kit, which includes extra accessories like the Carrying Bag, Briefcase Handle, and Focus Pro Motor.

How we test gimbals

We conduct as much in-field testing as we can for accessories like gimbals. We hire seasoned reviewers who have used these products before and are well-versed in identifying any potential flaws. In particular, we consider portability, stability, smooth operation, and ease of setup for gimbals. We test the camera’s smoothness of movement, grip, and for any design flaws that might be preventing it from functioning properly, such as parts colliding when the camera is in particular positions.