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A gimbal earns its place when you move. It is a motorized three-axis stabilizer (pan, tilt, roll) that holds the camera steady while your hands and feet do whatever they do, which suits walking shots and follow-alongs. If your shots are mostly static, a passive stabilizer, or none at all, may be the saner choice.
The catch is that "gimbal" covers two different products. Camera gimbals carry a mirrorless body or compact camera and have to be balanced before every shoot. Phone gimbals clamp a phone magnetically and need no balancing, but they carry nothing heavier than a phone. This guide keeps them apart.
This guide is based on manufacturer specs and documentation, not our own testing. Figures that come from a maker are labelled as claims, and runtime numbers in particular are measured with the gimbal level and stationary, so expect less once you start walking.
Camera gimbal or phone gimbal?
Start with what you shoot on. If a phone is your main camera, a phone gimbal covers the job and folds down small. If a mirrorless or compact camera is the tool, only a camera gimbal can carry it. Lens swaps matter too: each one on a camera gimbal means rebalancing, so axis locks, balance dials and quick-release plates count as much as the payload number.
DJI's Osmo Pocket line is not a stabilizer for gear you own: it pairs a small built-in camera with its own gimbal. And if your subject is the night sky, the stabilization problem is different: star trackers and light-pollution filters solve different problems, one countering Earth's rotation and the other cutting skyglow.
How to read a gimbal spec sheet
Payload. The number on the box is the maker's recommended or maximum carry weight. Camera, lens, cage, monitor and wireless transmitter all count against it. DJI and Zhiyun both point buyers to their compatibility lists, so check your body and lens there. Our advice is to leave real margin below the rated number, since weight adds up once you mount a monitor or a cage.
Runtime. Makers measure runtime with the gimbal level, stationary and balanced. It drops when the gimbal moves, when a tracking module is active and when a fill light is on. DJI's own Osmo Mobile 8 figures show the gap: about 10 hours baseline, about 5 hours with tracking on, about 4 hours with tracking plus the light at maximum.
Clamps, trackers and DockKit. Phone gimbals publish limits for phone width, thickness and weight, so measure your phone with its case on. A hardware tracking module is a small magnetic camera that follows a subject without the phone doing the work. Apple DockKit is different: an iOS framework that lets a compatible stand pan and tilt an iPhone, so the Camera app can track with no extra code. It is iPhone only.
Best camera gimbals
DJI RS 5: the current standard-line flagship
DJI's newest mainstream camera gimbal launched in January 2026. Per DJI, it has a recommended payload of 3 kg. The gimbal weighs about 1,193 g including its quick-release plates, and the BG33 handle adds about 274 g. DJI claims up to about 14 hours of runtime and a full charge in about an hour with a 65 W PD charger, and compares it with the RS 4 as 15% longer runtime and 60% faster charging.
DJI lists fine-tuning balance dials, Teflon-coated balancing, second-generation automated axis locks, Bluetooth 5.0 and a USB-C control port. The Amazon listing names Canon, Sony, Nikon and Fujifilm; check DJI's compatibility list for your exact body.
The tracking story depends on the kit. The Combo adds the RS Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Module and an Electronic Briefcase Handle. Per DJI, the module is magnetic, weighs about 19 g, tracks subjects from 0.5 to 10 m and needs more than 20 lux of light. The standard kit includes the BG33 handle and a quick-release tripod but not the module.
DJI's own US store did not carry the RS 5 at launch, so check who is selling the listing you open.
DJI RS 4: the older sibling that is still listed
The RS 4 launched in April 2024, one generation before the RS 5, and DJI still lists it. It shares the 3 kg recommended payload. The gimbal weighs about 1,066 g and the handle about 203 g. DJI claims up to 12 hours of runtime and about 2.5 hours to charge with an 18 W charger.
DJI's Amazon listing mentions Teflon-coated axis arms, second-generation native vertical shooting, an RSA communication port and a BG21 grip in the box. The optional BG70 high-capacity grip is sold separately and, per DJI's listing, lifts runtime from 12 to 29.5 hours. More on plates, counterweights and spare batteries in our accessories guide.
Choose the RS 5 for the tracking module option and faster charging, the RS 4 if you only need the payload.
DJI RS 4 Mini: small, with an optional tracker
DJI released the RS 4 Mini on 20 February 2025. DJI lists a payload of 0.4 to 2 kg, a gimbal weight of about 890 g including the quick-release plate and up to 13 hours of runtime, with about 1 hour 50 minutes to charge on a 30 W charger. DJI also claims 5 hours of use from a 30-minute charge.
DJI says it works with both cameras and smartphones, but gives no phone list, so check before assuming your handset fits. Its second-generation axis locks take about a second, and DJI's Amazon listing puts the horizontal-to-vertical switch at 10 seconds.
The tracking module attaches magnetically to the tilt axis in about a second. It is a Combo item: the standard kit has the gimbal, quick-release plate, tripod and cables, while the Combo adds the module and a briefcase handle.
Check the DJI RS 4 Mini on Amazon.
Check the DJI RS 4 Mini Combo on Amazon.
DJI RS 4 Pro: 4.5 kg from DJI
If your rig has outgrown 3 kg, the RS 4 Pro is DJI's answer. DJI lists a recommended payload of 4.5 kg, a gimbal weight of about 1,242 g and a handle weight of about 265 g. DJI claims up to 13 hours of runtime and about 1.5 hours to charge with a 24 W fast charger. It works with DJI's Focus Pro and Transmission accessories and launched alongside the RS 4 in April 2024.
The Amazon listing is a Combo with an image transmitter and a Focus Pro motor. If follow focus is new to you, see our explainer on follow-focus systems.
Check the DJI RS 4 Pro Combo on Amazon.
Zhiyun Weebill 3S Combo: compact body, light built in
Zhiyun's comparison table lists a max carry weight of 3,000 g for the Weebill 3S. The main unit weighs 1,054.8 g including the battery but not the tripod or quick-release plate. Zhiyun claims 11.5 hours of runtime (measured with a Nikon D850 and Sigma 24-70 f/2.8, balanced and flat) and about 2 hours to charge. It can power a camera at 5 V / 1 A.
It has a Sling Grip mode, a built-in fill light (peak 1,000 lux per the Amazon text; a dedicated LED panel does more) and a quick-release module for the landscape-to-portrait switch. The Combo adds a wrist rest, sling grip and carrying bag, and the Amazon link below is the Combo.
Zhiyun also sells the Weebill 3E, listed at the same 3,000 g carry weight. The 3S launched in 2023.
Check the Zhiyun Weebill 3S Combo on Amazon.
Zhiyun Crane 4: the 4.5 kg Zhiyun
Zhiyun lists the Crane 4 at 4,500 g max carry weight, with a net weight of 1,673 g, 12 hours of runtime and a 1 hour 50 minute charge. It has a built-in 10 W fill light (the Amazon text gives a maximum of 3,200 lux and CRI 95+) and a 1.22-inch color touchscreen. It launched in 2023.
Zhiyun tells buyers to check its official compatibility list for camera support. The Amazon text names Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, Canon, Fujifilm and the Blackmagic Pocket 6K, but specific cinema bodies should be confirmed with Zhiyun before purchase. At 4.5 kg it sits in the same claimed class as the DJI RS 4 Pro.
Check the Zhiyun Crane 4 on Amazon.
Zhiyun Weebill 5 Combo: new, with a handle that folds out
Zhiyun announced the Weebill 5 in September 2026 and calls it the world's first built-in handle AI camera gimbal: the sling handle extends from inside the body. Zhiyun lists a 3 kg payload, a gimbal weight of 1,080 g and a 1.8-inch touchscreen. Zhiyun claims 9 hours of runtime and about a 2-hour charge. It has a built-in fill light (2700 to 9000 K, CRI 95 or higher, 2,150 lux) and a dual-layer Arca-Swiss quick-release plate.
The AI tracking module (2 MP, tracking from 0.5 to 10 m, gesture control from 0.5 to 5 m) comes only in the Combo; the standard set does not include it. The Amazon link below is the Combo.
Check the Zhiyun Weebill 5 Combo on Amazon.
Camera gimbals side by side
| Model | Maker payload | Gimbal weight | Runtime claim | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJI RS 5 | 3 kg | about 1,193 g | up to about 14 h | Tracking module in the Combo |
| DJI RS 4 | 3 kg | about 1,066 g | up to 12 h | BG70 grip optional |
| DJI RS 4 Mini | 0.4-2 kg | about 890 g | up to 13 h | Module in the Combo |
| DJI RS 4 Pro | 4.5 kg | about 1,242 g | up to 13 h | Amazon listing is the Combo kit |
| Zhiyun Weebill 3S | 3,000 g | 1,054.8 g | 11.5 h | Fill light; Amazon link is the Combo |
| Zhiyun Crane 4 | 4,500 g | 1,673 g | 12 h | 10 W fill light |
| Zhiyun Weebill 5 | 3 kg | 1,080 g | 9 h | AI module in the Combo only |
Weights follow each maker's own definition (some include plates or battery, some do not), and every runtime figure is a manufacturer claim.
Best phone gimbals
DJI Osmo Mobile 8: 360-degree pan
DJI's Osmo Mobile 8 launched globally on 5 November 2025. DJI lists a phone fit of 67 to 84 mm wide, 6.9 to 10 mm thick and 170 to 300 g. DJI claims about 10 hours of runtime and about 2.5 hours to charge at 10 W, and it can charge your phone in return. Pan is unlimited at 360 degrees, with a built-in extension rod (215 mm maximum) and an integrated tripod, and tracking runs through DJI Mimo with ActiveTrack 7.0. It also supports Apple DockKit.
The Multifunctional Module tracks people and pets and has a fill light (40 lux at 0.6 m, 2,500 to 6,000 K, as a DJI reference value). The Advanced Tracking Combo, which is the default on the Amazon listing, includes the module; check what the Standard Combo contains before ordering.
DJI does not sell the Osmo Mobile 8 officially in the US, so check the seller and the warranty terms on any US listing. Readers outside the US may also see the Osmo Mobile 8P (global launch May 2026); DJI does not sell it officially in the US, so it is not covered here.
Check the DJI Osmo Mobile 8 on Amazon.
DJI Osmo Mobile 7P: the older module-equipped model
The 7P arrived in February 2025 and, unlike the plain Osmo Mobile 7, includes the Multifunctional Module. It weighs about 368 g, claims up to 10 hours of runtime, takes about 2.5 hours to charge and uses ActiveTrack 7.0. Per DJI's listing, the module handles tracking, lighting and reception from DJI Mic 2 and Mic Mini transmitters; if audio is a priority, our comparison of the DJI Mic 3 and RODE Wireless GO 3 is a good next read.
The step up to the Osmo Mobile 8 is the 360-degree pan. Do not assume the Osmo Mobile 8's with-tracking runtime figures apply to the 7P.
Check the DJI Osmo Mobile 7P on Amazon.
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: built around DockKit
Insta360 released the Flow 2 Pro on 16 January 2025. Its spec page lists a 1,100 mAh battery with a 10-hour claim (25 C, balanced, stationary, no module or light) and about 2 hours to a full charge. The gimbal weighs about 357 g, the clamp fits phones 64 to 84 mm wide, 6.9 to 10 mm thick and 130 to 300 g, pan is 360 degrees continuous and the selfie stick extends up to 210 mm.
Per Insta360, the feature list includes Deep Track 4.0, Active Zoom Tracking up to 15x, multi-person tracking, a Free Tilt Mode, and Apple DockKit support for the iPhone Camera app and more than 200 third-party iOS apps, plus Dolby Vision and Apple ProRes capture support. DockKit is iPhone only. On Android it works through the Insta360 app. Bundles differ, so check what the one you pick includes.
Check the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro on Amazon.
Hohem iSteady M7: for big phones and add-ons
Hohem put out the iSteady M7 in December 2024 (a CES 2025 showing followed). It lists a 500 g payload and a clamp 58 to 90 mm wide, with foldables supported up to 12.5 mm thick when folded; Hohem says it fits 95% of smartphones. The tracker is a detachable magnetic AI unit with a built-in fill light (2 MP, CCT 2700 to 6500 K plus RGB) that works without an app, per Hohem. A detachable 1.4-inch touchscreen remote controls it from up to 10 m.
It has a built-in 193 mm extension pole and 360-degree infinite pan. Hohem claims up to 12 hours of runtime, about 8 hours with the AI tracker on and about 3 to 4 hours with the tracker and light at maximum. Weight figures differ between listings, and more than one M7 listing exists on Amazon, so check that the title says 500g and includes the tracker. If you plan to hang a clip-on mic on it, our guide to wireless lavalier mics is worth a read.
Check the Hohem iSteady M7 on Amazon.
Hohem iSteady X3 SE: the simple option
The X3 SE was listed on Hohem's store in September 2024. Hohem lists a payload of 0.66 lb (about 300 g), a weight of 0.79 lb, an 11-hour battery claim and a detachable magnetic remote usable up to about 10 m. It uses iSteady 8.0 stabilization and the Hohem Joy app, which adds AI tracking, gesture control and shot templates. The Amazon listing says non-foldable phones up to 6.8 inches, so check your phone against that before ordering. Hohem also lists a newer X3 SE Plus.
Check the Hohem iSteady X3 SE on Amazon.
Phone gimbals side by side
| Model | Phone fit | Battery claim | Tracking | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJI Osmo Mobile 8 | 67-84 mm wide, 170-300 g | about 10 h, about 5 h with tracking | Module (Advanced Tracking Combo), DockKit | 360-degree pan; not sold by DJI in the US |
| DJI Osmo Mobile 7P | see DJI's clamp limits | up to 10 h | Module, ActiveTrack 7.0 | Mic reception via module |
| Insta360 Flow 2 Pro | 64-84 mm wide, 130-300 g | 10 h | Deep Track 4.0, DockKit | iPhone only for DockKit |
| Hohem iSteady M7 | 58-90 mm wide, 500 g payload | up to 12 h | Magnetic AI tracker, no app needed | Detachable touchscreen remote |
| Hohem iSteady X3 SE | up to 6.8 in, non-foldable | 11 h | Hohem Joy app | Detachable remote |
Which one fits you
- Mirrorless body, tracking module wanted: the RS 5 Combo, or the RS 4 Mini Combo if the camera is light enough for its 2 kg ceiling.
- Mirrorless body, no tracking needed: the RS 4.
- Rig with a cage, monitor and transmitter: the Crane 4 or RS 4 Pro, both listed at 4.5 kg.
- Compact body, built-in light: the Weebill 3S Combo or the Weebill 5 Combo.
- iPhone, tracking in the stock Camera app: the Flow 2 Pro, or the Osmo Mobile 8 with its DockKit support.
- Large or foldable phone with a mic or light attached: the iSteady M7.
- First gimbal, modest phone: the X3 SE, once you check its clamp limits.
If your shots are mostly slow or static, a non-gimbal handheld stabilizer or a motorized slider may serve you better. Phone-first creators may get more from a phone tripod or a full vlogging kit of tripod, mic and lighting than from a bigger stabilizer.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can a phone gimbal hold a small camera?
Check the maker's payload number. The Hohem iSteady M7 lists 500 g, which is meant for large phones plus accessories, and no phone gimbal here is rated for a mirrorless body. If one gimbal has to cover both phone and camera, the DJI RS 4 Mini is the one DJI says works with both.
Q: Does tracking work on Android?
DockKit is iPhone only, so the native Camera-app tracking does not apply on Android. The Flow 2 Pro works on Android through the Insta360 app, and DJI's tracking runs through DJI Mimo with ActiveTrack. Hohem's X3 SE uses the Hohem Joy app.
