I have compiled a list of the best gimbals for Sony ZV1 or ZV-E10. The Sony ZV1 is an excellent digital camera to take pictures with because of its compact and portable design. Although these features are some of its greatest strengths, they can be its greatest weakness, too, especially when it comes to capturing video footage with a camera so lightweight.
That is where camera gimbals come in to save you from this dilemma. The gimbals are your friend if you want to take professional-grade videos. They allow you to take smooth and fluid-like videos with just about any type of camera. Using a gimbal will take your filming skills to the next level as you can record cinematic-like scenes.
But there are so many in the market with similar features, so it gets hard to choose the right one. You can’t go wrong with either option because they will be the perfect companion for your VLOG.
What is the best gimbal for Sony ZV1?
Here are my top 5 gimbal picks plus a bonus budget option:
- Zhiyun Crane M3 – Best overall.
- Zhiyun Crane-M2 – Previous model, cheaper alternative.
- DJI Ronin-S – Best for heavy DSLR cameras.
- Zhiyun WEEBILL S Gimbal Stabilizer – Extremely flexible and easy to use.
- FeiyuTech G6 Max 3-Axis – Multi-functional and splash-proof.
- Zhiyun Crane V2 Handheld Stabilizer – Smooth, easy, and noiseless.
1. Zhiyun Crane M3
Key Features:
- Payload Limit: 3.96 lbs./1.8 kg
- Battery life: 8 hours approximately
- Weight: 2.2 lbs.
- Dimension: 11.02” x 2.91” x 6.18”
- More features: Fill light filters, sleek design, 1.22” touch OLED, upgrade compatibility, fast charging, easy adjustment wheels, cable control
- 3-Axis Gimbal
- Compact and lightweight construction.
- Easier to handle in all situations.
- Stylish looks.
- Ideal for lightweight mirrorless camera.
- The UI design needs to be improved.
- There is no indication of charge percentage.
- Display software freezes occasionally.
Perfect for Sony
I have chosen it as the best gimbal for Sony ZV1 because of its lightweight yet durable construction that no other competitor gimbal has.
It is perfect for small action cameras, phones, and mirrorless cameras. You will also love M3’s built-in light, which can provide up to 800 lumens.
Easy Handling
Because of the M3 gimbal’s compact and ergonomic design with lightweight construction, anyone can handle it easily.
While moving the camera back and forth, you will find its balancing capability satisfying. You will have to spend some time perfecting all axis movements.
There is more to the handling feature. The quick-release design allows for quick assembly and disassembly.
Convenient Features
Life becomes a lot easier once you have set things up. Another great thing is its 1.2″ bright display which you can use under direct sunlight.
What I like the most is that you can quickly change the camera battery on the go without having to rebalance it.
Compared to the previous version, Zhiyun Crane M2, you will find this one is better at adjusting the pan and roll axis.
With the help of Zhiyun’s fast-charge technology, you can recharge its 1150mAh battery within only 2 hours.
Wide-Range of Compatibility
While this works great for lightweight cameras like the Sony ZV1 or ZV-E10, it also supports other camera models from different brands. You can even mount a smartphone with an accessory mount.
2. Zhiyun Crane M2
Key Features:
- Payload Limit: 1.67 lbs
- Battery life: 7+ hours
- Weight: 1.1 lbs
- Dimension: 10.5” x 2.7” x 5.4”
- More features: Comes with different modes, OLED display, Allows phone charging, lockable arms, travel friendly
- 3-Axis Gimbal
- Phone support opens up new possibilities.
- Compact design, lightweight, and easy to carry.
- Great for traveling.
- The price is reasonable for what it offers.
- The battery is not removable.
- Confusing instruction manual (suggest finding help on YouTube).
Easy to get going
This user-friendly gimbal is easy to start using right out of the box. A single button press lets you quickly mount and unmount the camera using a new quick-release system. Thanks to the memory lock and scale mark, you are saved from the trouble of readjusting the axis every time.
The OLED display shows gimbal mode, Bluetooth, connection, battery level, and other parameters. There are also a few modes like vortex mode, POV mode, PhoneGo mode, and more. You won’t have to go through the hassle of configuring a mode; choose one of the presets and start filming.
Comfortable filming
One thing that worries every vlogger is the battery life of the gimbal. Even though Sony ZV1 has good battery life, that is not the case with all the gimbals. There is no reason to worry about running out of juice because you can charge it with a power bank. Its WiFi and Bluetooth connection let you control the camera wirelessly, offering users a fair amount of creative freedom.
Other Features
- You can charge your smartphone with this unit.
- It supports almost all popular smartphones in the market. All you have to do is put it up and start shooting.
- The design of the axis prevents swinging around when you are traveling.
In short, you are in for a very comfortable experience with the M2, no matter which device you put on it.
3. DJI Ronin-S
Key Features:
- Payload Limit: 8 lbs
- Battery life: 12 hours
- Weight: 4.07 lbs
- Dimension: 7.28”x7.95”x19.13”
- More features: Offers a suite of advanced features, modular design, built-in battery, easy to use
- 3-Axis Gimbal
- It can be used as a tripod.
- The structure is made of metal.
- Grip surface has rubber finish.
- Battery life is excellent.
- Panning and tilting are butter smooth.
- Very easy to set up.
- Ideal for heavy DSLR cameras.
- A bit difficult to balance.
- Extra time to learn.
- For some, the weight might feel like it’s too heavy.
Capture in high speed
This DJI Ronin-S gimbal will be your best option if high-speed, on-the-go adventures are your thing. It has a feature called SmoothTrack that helps film footage with clarity and smoothness. Transitioning from upright to underslung mode is seamless with a push of a button to switch between modes. The new sport mode makes sure you can capture everything when moving fast.
Innovative design
Its innovative design makes it portable, ergonomic, and versatile. The angled motor makes it possible to support heavier DSLR cameras, with a max payload of 8 lbs., for even greater flexibility for the cameras you can use with it.
Other Features
- Comfortably move around while supporting it with one hand.
- Battery life is rated at 12 hours, which is decent by any standard.
- Shoot perfectly smooth footage up to speeds of 46 miles per hour.
- There is a wheel on the button to adjust focus on the go.
- The generous payload limit is almost 8 lbs.
4. Zhiyun WEEBILL S
Key Features:
- Payload Limit: 11.02 lbs
- Battery life: 14 hours
- Weight: 2.04 lbs
- Dimension: 11.81”x 7.52”x 2.76”
- More features: auto payload tune, underslung mode, always-on focus, instant settings
- 3-Axis Gimbal
- Six different modes allow creative freedom.
- Professional performance at a reasonable price.
- Lightweight and comfortable design.
- Has great battery life and powerful motors.
- Easy to use for beginners.
- Use lock function carefully as they are prone to breaking.
- Stabilizing would need some practice as the size is too small for parallax moves.
Excellent Features
One of my favorite features, and why I think it is a great gimbal for Sony ZV1, is the Auto Payload Tune, which auto-adjusts the motor to suit your camera setup. This gimbal puts standard camera functions within a thumb’s reach. It has an always-on focus that utilizes electronic and mechanical focus control through a button on the body. You can also control zoom using a button on the gimbal.
Ease of use
The WEEBILL S has an OLED display that looks amazing and speeds up modifying settings through intuitive controls and design. You can change settings like motor strength, follow speed, dead-band (dead zone or neutral zone), and more via the handle. It also has an axis-by-axis lock system, saving you precious time. With these features, you won’t need to readjust everything every time the scene changes. You can transmit images to your phone in real-time using TransMount Image Transmission Module (sold separately).
Other Features
- This gimbal comes with the 8th Instune algorithm, designed to be highly responsive and reduce jitter from fast movement.
- The battery can run up to 14 hours at a stretch. Since the batteries are removable, you can easily swap them for another.
- It also has different modes that facilitate the creative process while filming. For example, GO Mode allows you to capture video when there is fast movement, POV mode allows 360-degree synchronous motion, and more.
5. FeiyuTech G6 Max
Key Features:
- Payload Limit: 2.6 lbs
- Battery life: 9 hours
- Weight: 1.48 lbs
- Dimension: 11.81”x7.87”x3.23”
- More features: Splash-proof, motor lock, quick release, OLED screen, half size of A4 paper, better compatibility
- 3-Axis Gimbal
- Water and dust resistance.
- Can be used with smartphones.
- Allows shooting in complex natural environments.
- Decent battery life.
- The gimbal can be controlled by a smartphone.
- Might struggle to bring out optimal performance when nearing maximum payload.
- Learning curve is a bit steep.
Multi-functional
The large OLED display makes interacting with it very enjoyable. It constantly shows you data like: battery level, current mode, Bluetooth, and more. You will always be aware of what is going on with your gimbal. The multi-function magic focus ring comes with improved sensitivity. With this ring, you have remote camera control for zoom, focus, axis rotation, and other camera settings like ISO, exposure, and more.
Perfect Adventure Companion
This gimbal adopts waterproofing that protects it from dust and moisture entering the device, giving you more confidence to shoot fantastic footage without fear. It has your back if you like to film in the countryside or near the water. With dimensions at roughly half of A4 paper, you won’t have any problem carrying it around no matter where you go.
Other Features
- It is made from space-grade aluminum alloy.
- Lightweight design.
- Comfortable to hold.
- Silicon on both sides of the grip makes it more secure in your hand.
- Long battery life can last up to 9 hours, plenty of time to capture lots of smooth video footage.
- You can reverse charge your phone or camera.
6. Zhiyun Crane V2 – BONUS PICK
Key Features:
- Payload Limit: 3.9 lbs
- Battery: 12 hours
- Weight: 1.89 lbs
- Dimension: 15.83”x13.98”x 4.21”
- More features: 360 degrees shot along 3 axis, instant camera control, 60-second balance adjustment, long runtime, highly precise
- 3-Axis Gimbal
- The stabilization is excellent.
- Good choice for those who are starting out.
- Very easy to setup.
- Seamless phone app support.
- Smooth and steady video recording.
- Does not perform well with heavy cameras.
- The leveling might be difficult, but there is plenty of helpful video on the YouTube.
Faster balance adjustment
One of the best things about this gimbal is that you can adjust the balance in 60 seconds.
More Creative Shots
With the app’s help, you can remote control the camera from afar. Set up 360-degree panorama shots or adjust various settings without needing to interact with the gimbal physically.
Other Features
- Long battery life.
- Highly efficient and precise motors are very reliable and make minimum noise.
- Intune Algorithms improve efficiency.
- Support for single or dual-hand use.
- Object tracking so you will not lose your subject when shooting.
Other Great Vlogging Accessories
5 Best External Mic for ZV1 And ZV-E10
Important Gimbal Features
Every camera gimbal will offer something different to suit better the filming needs of videographers, vloggers, and action seekers. Because the price of gimbals is relatively the same, you’ll want to focus on getting the gimbal that matches your filming style first. Getting the wrong gimbal can directly impact the type of footage you’re hoping to get with your Sony ZV1.
Consider these features when selecting the best gimbal for Sony ZV1:
Axis Stabilization
Gimbals that can only handle tilting and rolling have two-axis stabilization. The only good thing about them is their low price. The 3 axis gimbals allow smooth panning, rolling, and tilting. Although gimbals with three-axis stabilization are a little pricier, their performance justifies their value.
Payload Limit
The Sony ZV1 body is relatively lightweight (0.66 pounds) without a lens or other accessories. But some camera setups can weigh several pounds, directly impacting your gimbal’s ability to function correctly. Using the Sony ZV1 with a gimbal leaves you little to worry about and several options of gimbals to consider.
A minimum payload limit of 1.5 pounds would serve you very well. You can go for more if you wish to use it with other heavy cameras.
Weight
The weight of the gimbal will play an essential role in the shooting. If you get one too light, there will be too much movement to compensate. As a result, the battery will drain faster. On the other hand, overweight gimbals will make you tired quickly. It will also be harder to move around when carrying a heavy one.
I would suggest you find a comfortable weight range, and if you still can’t decide, then go for the lighter ones. Swapping out the battery is much less tiring than lugging around a heavy one.
Dimension
The best gimbal will be the one that your filming environment won’t constrain. For example, imagine you are filming in a tight space, like a crowded room where it is hard to move around—such a scenario where the size of the gimbal will play a significant role. The smaller the gimbal you have, the more flexibility you will have.
Larger gimbals have their benefit because brands have extra room to add features we wouldn’t see on smaller, more compact gimbals.
Battery
Your gimbal will require charging whether it has non-removable or removable batteries. With removable batteries, you can swap them at a moment’s notice and carry on working. But will likely take up more space and will likely make for a larger gimbal.
With non-removable batteries, you’ll find that they last longer than 8 hours, but once they are depleted, you’ll have to wait for them to recharge.
Build Materials
Entry-level gimbals are typically made from plastic and are not durable under rugged conditions. High-end gimbals are made of reinforced plastics or high-grade aluminum, offering more durability for action shooting and occasional falls.
As Sony ZV1 costs almost a thousand dollars, I suggest going for the higher end of the spectrum. They will be much safer for your camera and allow you great flexibility.
App Support
Make sure that their app supports Android, iOS, or both. The mobile app lets you wirelessly control the gimbal, and change settings like ISO, exposure, shutter speed, and more directly from the phone. This functionality comes in handy when you want to film a tricky shot. We think the Zhiyun Crane-M2 has excellent app support.
Why Do You Need To Use A Gimbal With Your Camera?
Gimbals are essential if you are thinking about taking YouTube video production to the next level with your DSLR or Smartphone. They counteract all the shakiness during the shoot because of handholding or movement.
Because the Sony ZV1 is so lightweight and compact, it is an excellent camera for vlogging and traveling. However, your video shows the littlest handshake or walking as a jittery mess.
The best gimbals for your camera come to the rescue because you can tilt, pan, and roll the camera without sacrificing stability. All the footage you shoot will be smooth and fluid. When incorporating a gimbal into your workflow, you won’t have as many wasted scenes or nauseous clips.
Bottom Line
Camera gimbals are a crucial part of filming equipment if you’re looking for fluid motion and steady shots with a cinematic feel. Having one is even more critical when using a lightweight camera like the Sony ZV1. Choosing the best gimbal will make your filming experience more enjoyable and produce stunning results.
Zhiyun Crane-M2 has an excellent reputation among enthusiasts and professionals.
FeiyuTech G6 Max is great if you want to film your adventures.
In my personal opinion, these two gimbals stand out the most from the group. But any option you pick here will be perfect for helping you capture those butter-smooth shots.
