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A Quick Overview
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Best overall - Editor’s choice | Best for Selfie Camera | Best for Travel | Best Handheld | Best Budget Friendly |
Our Review of the Top Best iphone Gimbals in 2022
Best Overall - Editor’s choice - DJI OM 5
Highlights:
- Compact and lightweight body frame.
- Long lasting battery life for over 6 hours.
- Easy setup, control, and intuitive smartphone app for enhnaced remote control
The DJI OM 5 ranks as the best gimbal for iPhone in 2022 on our list because of its sleek, versatile and portable design. It has a built-in extension rod, and uses a 3-axis system to control footage stabilisation. Footage shot on iPhones using this gimbal is very smooth as it covers a wide range of camera angles.
Despite the DJI OM 5’s compact and lightweight design, it can support phones that are 2.64-3.31 inches wide, 0.27-0.39 inches thick and weigh 0.375-0.639 lb. This makes it an ideal iPhone support gimbal.
The DJI OM 5’s magnetic phone clamp is well designed and allows you to capture images and remove your phone within seconds. This is more than most gimbals can do. It also has an extendable selfie-stick feature which is ideal for vloggers and TikTokers.
The DJI OM 5’s three-axis gimbal is one of the most stable in the market to create smooth footage with an iPhone. You can use the DJI OM 5 independently or connect it to the DJI Mimo app through Bluetooth to gain access to higher camera resolutions, frame rates, and other advanced functions. The DJI Mimo app also has ShotsGuide functions, which provides some helpful instructions for newbies.
DJI OM 5 has a tracking system; ActiveTrack 4.0, which is an advanced feature that allows you command the gimbal to follow moving subjects. Other essential options, such as Dynamic Zoom, TimeLapse, and CloneMe Pano, makes shooting videos easy and fast.
The DJI OM 5 is an ideal choice because it strikes a good balance between it’s performance and price. You can’t go wrong with the DJI OM 5 if you’re searching for an iPhone gimbal with amazing performance, superb stabilisation, stylish design, compatibility with other camera apps and devices, and good object tracking system.
Best for Selfie Camera - Zhiyun Smooth Q3
Highlights:
- Sophisticated 3-axis stabilisation technology
- Excellent battery life that lasts approximately 15 hours.
- Built-in fill light
The Zhiyun Smooth Q3 offers improvements in two important gimbal areas: weight and payload. It has a plastic body that weighs 0.75 lb without its battery. It also has a maximum payload of 0.617 lb. It not only has a sophisticated 3-axis stabilisation technology, it also possesses an intuitive control system with a well-designed, easy-to-use joystick.
With this gimbal, you may choose from six different shooting settings. Pan Follow, Lock, Follow, POV, PhoneGo mode and Vortex are the available options. You can easily switch between options with a single click or by double-pressing the mode button to shuffle between the settings.
It’s worthy of note that the Zhiyun Smooth Q3 is not without limitations. Its Vortex Mode is distinct from the usual modes and you can’t attain a 360 degrees rotation due to its roll axis. Other limitations include the record button and zoom rocker which cease to function when it is coupled with the ZY Cami app.
The Zhiyun Smooth Q3 is an apparent bid for TikTokers and other selfie camera users. Many thanks to its built-in 4300K fill light which can suffice for the ring light many TikTokers use. If you don’t want to invest in a gimbal and a ring light at the same time, this is a fantastic option. Thus, if you’re looking for the best gimbal for iPhone with excellent battery life and great for making selfie videos then you should get the Zhiyun Smooth Q3.
Best for Travel - Moza Mini-S
Highlights:
- Compact and lightweight body frame.
- Strong Battery life of approximately 8 hours.
- Intuitive control layout
One of the best iPhone gimbals for travel is the Moza Mini-S. It is a flexible gimbal that can be folded to be 5.12 inches wide, 2.68 inches deep, and 7.68 inches high. The Moza Mini S is only an inch and a half longer than the iPhone XS Max when folded. The gimbal arm is also compact, this allows it to fit into a tiny bag or backpack easily. Its lightweight design also makes it an easy travel choice.
MOZA Mini-S supports phones that are 2.24-3.47 inches wide and 0.617 lb weight. It Possesses a 3-axis weight stabilisation of 1.08 lbs. The eight-hour battery life is another feature which can seamlessly serve as a standby full day’s shooting gimbal. Again, this feature makes the Moza Mini-S an excellent travel choice as you don’t have to worry about charging while shooting for a full day.
MOZA Mini-S is one of the cheapest gimbals in the market and it performs admirably for its price. The 3-axis stabilisation is smooth and steady in a wide range of settings, and the gimbal has a number of handy supplementary modes. Among its supplementary modes is the Object Tracking feature for tracking moving subjects.
Generally, the MOZA Mini-S, asides its portability, has fairly average gimbal features. These features include a quarter-inch mounting hole, a joystick for electronically panning and tilting the camera, focus control and a multi-function rear trigger.
Its available recording modes are; Pan Following, Tilt Following, FPV Mode, All-Locked, Sport Gear mode, and Inception mode. The sport gear mode allows the MOZA Mini-S gimbal to follow panning movements more quickly. The inception mode allows the camera to rotate 360 degrees on the roll axis while moving forward or backwards.
If you are looking for an affordable backpack and travel kind of gimbal with a decent battery life and regular features, the MOZA Mini-S is a good choice.
Best Handheld - FeiyuTech VLOG Pocket
Highlights:
- Can be easily converted to tripod
- Battery life of approximately 9 hours.
- Portable and adjustable body fram
The FeiyuTech VLOG Pocket is another incredibly portable gimbal that is perfect for “throwing in a bag.” Its pocket size frame makes it easy to carry around. It can support phones that are 1.61-3.50 inches wide and weigh up to 0.551 lb. The 3-axis stabilisation is smooth. While it doesn’t require the FeiyuTech On app to function, you’ll discover plenty of extra functions, such as Object Tracking and Gesture Control, if you do download the app.
You can choose between numerous modes on the FeiyuTech VLOG Pocket depending on your shooting preference. By default, it is set to be in Follow Mode, which means the roll direction is fixed and the smartphone travels left-right and up-down in response to the user’s hand movements.
The Pan Mode is another shooting option; here the roll and tilt directions are fixed, and the smartphone moves according to the user’s clockwise movements. There is also the Lock Mode option, which locks the camera’s orientation while shooting. Other features such as Object Tracking, Gesture Control, Time-Lapse, Slow Motion, and Wide Angle Panorama are available through the FeiyuTech On app.
To capture that smooth fluid motion, the 3-axis stabilisation performs an excellent job of keeping your iPhone steady. Essentially, the FeiyuTech VLOG Pocket is an iPhone gimbal that fits into your purse, pocket, or other small space ultimately to keep your phone stable and steady. This is why it is described as the best handheld iPhone gimbal on our list.
Best Budget Friendly - Zhiyun Smooth X
Highlights:
- Compact and lightweight body frame
- Great stabilisation support
- Easy to hold
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a gimbal, the Zhiyun Smooth X is the best iPhone gimbal you will find. Its stabilisation system is a 2-axis system, unlike other gambals with higher axis systems. It also only supports phones 1.97-3.54 inches wide and 0.441 lb weight. Many advanced iPhones weigh more than this and will not be compatible with Zhiyun Smooth X. Its telescoping handle also doubles as a selfie stick.
The Zhiyun Smooth X’s stabilisation performance is fairly good and the results will suffice for casual filming.
The control layout Zhiyun Smooth X is basic and straightforward with only three primary buttons. A joystick allows you to make adjustments electronically, but moving your arm and hand physically is preferable. In your iPhone’s camera app, the Smooth X can also start, stop recordings and control zooming over bluetooth.
Overall, its features are basic but decent for its price. If you are on a shoestring budget and need to buy a gimbal for your iPhone, then Zhiyun Smooth X is a great option.
“Gimbals are a good addition to camera equipment. They adopt a mechanical method to provide stable footage whilst the camera is in motion.”
What makes an iPhone gimbal a good video shooting device?
When you first see someone filming with a gimbal, you could easily mistake it for a selfie stick. Gimbals are gradually becoming a must-have item in the toolkits of most vloggers and content makers. A gimbal is a device that supports and stabilises a camera by using motors and sophisticated sensors (1).
In the past, Hollywood film producers used very expensive steadicams, which use real moving elements to keep the camera stable. Gimbals, on the other hand, are modern ‘digital’ micro stabilisers. They employ advanced motion detection technology to distinguish between the videographer’s intended actions and undesirable camera wobble.
2-Axis and 3-Axis Gimbals
The majority of gimbals will be 2-axis or 3-axis gimbals. A two-axis gimbal stabilises a camera that is rolling from side to side or pitching forward and back, but can not correct undesirable axis motions. When you’re filming videos, you’ll almost certainly have some control over camera shake. As a result, a 2-axis gimbal is fair enough for a variety of applications.
In contrast, a 3-axis gimbal corrects undesirable motion in the axis, resulting in even more steady footage. A 3-axis gimbal, despite being more reliable, has its drawbacks. It features an extra pivot and is therefore heavier. It also has an additional motor and consumes more battery power, resulting in a lower battery life.
Factors to consider in choosing the best gimbal for iPhone
Budget
If you’re shopping for a gimbal for the first time, price may be your first priority. This is especially true if you’re just getting started as a vlogger.
Always examine your needs while deciding based on your budget; are you planning to use it for dynamic shots or just B-roll? If you require it for the former, you might want to go with the three-axis gimbal, which is more expensive.
Battery Life
This is something to think about, especially if you’re going to be travelling a lot or shooting all day. If your gimbal has an adaptor for ordinary AA or AAA-size cells, this would be much better because these batteries are readily available at convenience stores all over the world. It would also be fantastic to have a gimbal that could shoot for a day or two on two or three battery packs for your convenience.
Weight
If you plan on filming with your gimbal for more than a few minutes at a time, weight will be a consideration. Make sure the gimbal you choose isn’t too heavy by comparing gimbal weights with the weight of your iphone.
Software
Most gimbals come with utility software; check to see if it works with and comes with a mobile app for your iPhone. Consider gimbals that come with a mobile app that allows you to manage your gimbal wirelessly and simply alter advanced shooting settings such as time lapse, ISO, aperture, exposure, shutter speed, white balance, and focus.
Compatibility with cameras
Not every camera is compatible with every gimbal. Check the gimbal product page to see if your iPhone camera will fit. Check to determine if the gimbal’s design will block up any crucial camera ports if you utilise accessories like extra battery packs or microphones.
A sturdier gimbal is recommended if you plan to install accessories such as a case or an add-on lens. Some older or more affordable versions may include a weight limit, making your device less stable if it is too heavy.
Connectivity
When buying an iPhone gimbal, you should also think about connectivity choices. Multiple connectivity options, or at the very least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, is required.
Mounts for supplementary devices
Your gimbal should feature mounts for on-camera illumination, a microphone, or even an extra LCD if you’re planning to film in a variety of locations. Gimbals with tripod mounts or built-in legs are available. So, if you need to set it down while shooting, you can easily do so.
Specifications
Some gimbals allow you to monitor your subject and maintain the frame coverage automatically. This is especially useful if your filming subject is constantly moving. If you need to record in harsh weather or underwater, seek for gimbals that are resistant to these factors.
Yes. Many smartphone gimbals can also be used as a power bank.
This depends heavily on the type of footage being shot. A glidecam is better for videos that require fast camera movement and fluidity while a gimbal is better for videos that are primarily focused on the subject and require the finest possible stability. For more details, you can read our article on glidecam vs gimbal.
Gimbals for smartphones are primarily developed for iPhone and Android devices. Many of them, however, can also handle compatible action cameras. To get the most suitable gimbal for your DSLR and GoPro, you can read our article on the best DSLR gimbals and best gimbals for GoPro.
Conclusion
Finding the right tools and devices to shoot high quality videos can be a huge game changer for vloggers and content creators. A good gimbal is a complementary asset for your iPhone camera. Our best gimbal for iPhone, DJI OM 5, is an optimal gimbal because of its long lasting battery and features.
Having a gimbal does not cancel out a tripod. You can use both interchangeably depending on the type of video you intend to shoot. You can read our article on the best fluid head tripod to make an informed purchase.
We would like to know your video shooting experience with any of the gimbals on our list. Please leave your reviews or questions in the comment section below.
References:
- Hayman, M. (January 22, 2019). What’s A Gimbal? The New Camera Accessory Everyone’s Talking About – Capture Guide. Capture Guide. Retrieved from https://www.captureguide.com/what-is-a-gimbal/