What is a gimbal?
A gimbal is a clever bit of kit that you can slot your smartphone into. It uses a motor and sensors to stabilise your device, allowing you to shoot smooth video footage when you are on the move. You download the app, connect it with your phone, clamp your phone into it, and you are pretty much ready to go.
Do you need a gimbal?
If you like to shoot on the move and want to reduce the shakes, then a gimbal could be a good investment. There is no doubt that for shooting out and about, a gimbal can really up your production value on a range of video shoots.
The gimbal can eliminate shaky or blurry footage to help your videos look much more professional, and it keeps your smartphone steady during any action shots.
This gadget takes the shakes and shudders out of everything, but before you do decide that one of these is for you have a look at your own smartphone.
Most of the newer smartphone models do have a video stabilisation button in the camera settings, so check how good your smartphone is at doing this before you invest in a gimbal.
Which is the best gimbal to use?
The gimbals or stabilisers that we really recommend are the ones in the DJI series.
We have been using the DJI OSMO 3 for the last few years, but alas they have now discontinued this model. You can still pick them up second hand, but only do this if you are on an iPhone, as the app is no longer supported on Google Play for Android users.
The new replacement model is the DJI OM5 which is foldable and lightweight, and it comes with a built-in extension rod to capture more footage.
It’s pretty light and if you are shooting on your smartphone that’s important as every smartphone video shooter wants accessories in their kit bag that don’t weigh you down.
The Active face tracking lets your smartphone track a subject even when they move, moving the camera automatically, so you don’t have to and the app helps you out with time-lapse, long exposure, slo-mo and live-streaming.
The gimbal flips your phone easily, so you can move from landscape mode to vertical really quickly and record without fiddling around, plus it also filters your footage to make it look as good as it can be.
The DJI OM5 retails for £139, but we’ve spotted them at £119 here on offer this week if this is sounds like a good investment for your shooting style.
