A gimbal stabilizer is one of the most important supporting equipment for DSLR cameras and should be treated as such. A good gimbal will increase the range of your camera movements and allow you to capture steady footage no matter the camera you use.
As a result, choosing the correct gimbal for your DSLR camera is a task that should be undertaken only with sufficient information. I think the best gimbal for DSLR is DJI Ronin-SC because of its outstanding payload and stability.
I have also tested several other models and created this guide to help you choose the right one.
Best Gimbal for DSLR
 | Top Choice DJI Ronin-SC
| |
 | DJI RS 2
| |
 | MOZA Aircross 2 Gimbal
|
Table of Contents
Best Gimbal for DSLR
Tested & Reviewed
There were a number of factors that I took into consideration when choosing which gimbal stabilizers to put on this list, from the number of axes to the difference between mounted and handheld gimbal stabilizers, camera compatibility, and battery life.
Each and every gimbal was also thoroughly tested, meaning that you can be certain that these are some of the best DSLR gimbal stabilizer options currently available on the market.
1. DJI Ronin-SC
Best overall
Stefan’s Take:
I have tested DJI Ronin-SC with several DSLR and mirrorless cameras and was amazed by its performance, especially with DSLRs.
The gimbal is lightweight and foldable yet quite stable and ideal for getting clear videos that won’t make your viewers dizzy.
Moreover, I liked the three shooting modes, wireless control and phone tracking, as these features add the most to its practicality.
| Payload | 10 |
|---|---|
| Number of Axis | 10 |
| Remote Control | 9 |
| Battery Life | 10 |
There are quite a few things that make this camera gimbal from DJI stand out from the rest of the products in its category.
First of all, this device is very lightweight and compact, allowing you to use it on the move with ease. This makes it a must-have for anyone looking to shoot action scenes or simply use the camera stabilizer on rough terrains, such as in the mountains.
Furthermore, the automated Ronin app helps this camera stabilizer achieve a more precise result when on the move, making the camera steady and preventing shaking.
Another great thing about this gimbal, and one in which it beats most other DSLR camera stabilizers, is that a large degree of its motion-sensing and lens stabilization, as well as other capabilities, are automated.
Additionally, this gimbal is quite easy to handle, as all of its buttons are quite easy to reach; while it has been tailored for action cameras, you can also use it almost any other type of camera out there, which leads us to another excellent thing about it: compatibility.
Speaking of compatibility, you should know that the DJI Ronin App requires at least IOS 11.0 or Android 7.0, so make sure that your smartphone is running the appropriate operating system.
That being said, the gimbal can be used with a wide range of cameras from multiple top brands, such as Canon, Fujifilm, and others. This, combined with its smartphone app and suitability for an action camera, makes it quite a good choice for anyone looking into a great overall gimbal.
Pros
- Very lightweight and easy to use
- Comes with an excellent app
- Very wide compatibility range
Cons
- Has no focus wheel
2. DJI RS 2
Gimbal with the best payload
Stefan’s Take:
What stood out the most about DJI RS 2 was the incredible payload of 10 lbs – I didn’t have to worry a bit about which camera I could use it with since I knew that it would easily support even the heaviest ones.
Surprisingly, it was lightweight, and I liked the LCD screen to access all controls. It was relatively easy to manoeuvre and worth every penny.
| Payload | 10 |
|---|---|
| Number of Axis | 10 |
| Remote Control | 9 |
| Battery Life | 9 |
The first thing you will notice upon purchasing this great 3-axis gimbal stabilizer is its massive payload. At 10 lbs, it can carry just about any camera with ease and, in fact, has some of the highest payloads in its category.
What is surprising but very welcome, however, is that its own weight is only 2.3 lbs, making it almost as lightweight as many gimbals with a much lesser carrying capacity.
This is primarily because of the material the gimbal is built from. Carbon fiber is both incredibly durable and much lighter than any metal, making it the best choice for a large 3-axis gimbal like this one.
The next thing worth noticing about this piece of equipment is its LCD touchscreen, which allows immediate access to the powerful RoninApp, allowing you to control your gimbal and camera without the need for a smartphone.
Additionally, the mounting plate is suitable for and compatible with both Arca-Swiss and Manfrotto mounting options, giving you a lot more flexibility when choosing the camera to use with this gimbal.
Overall, this is quite an excellent stabilizer, with many useful features and excellent durability and payload, one that I would recommend to anyone needing a multi-purpose gimbal.
Pros
- Excellent touch screen
- Incredible 10 lbs maximum payload
- Durable carbon fibre construction
Cons
- Significantly more expensive than many alternatives
3. MOZA Aircross 2 Gimbal
Gimbal with the best battery life
Stefan’s Take:
I liked plenty of MOZA Aircross 2 features: stability, quality materials, lightweight, foldable design, and built-in screen for controlling.
But what caught my eye was the battery life. I was filming for several hours and got worried about the battery draining soon. However, even after a long day of recording and testing the gimbal, it still had enough battery for a few more hours.
| Payload | 9 |
|---|---|
| Number of Axis | 9 |
| Remote Control | 9 |
| Battery Life | 10 |
This handheld camera gimbal is quite a good choice for any DLSR or mirrorless cameras, as long as they do not cross their maximum payload.
The gimbal is made out of a very durable magnesium alloy, which allows it to be just as stable as some much heavier gimbals while also weighing just over a kilogram, making it possible to make cinematic quality videos with one hand.
Additionally, not only that its 3000Mah battery more than enough to provide the gimbal itself with quite a decent battery life of u to 12 hours, but it can also be used as a power source for your DSLR camera as well as other pieces of equipment.
The full automatization of the rotation, speed, and angle at which the gimbal places your DSLR or mirrorless camera for streaming allows you a far greater degree of movement and customization options, as you won’t have to handle the joystick while filming.
Furthermore, this device also features mimic motion control, allowing you to control it remotely by using your smartphone.
Finally, the gimbal stabilizer features an excellent smart wheel and OLED screen, both of which assist you with fine-tuning the camera parameters, allowing you to get much more smooth footage.
Pros
- Excellent OLED screen
- Easy image stabilization
- Light enough to hold in one hand
Cons
- Expensive
4. Zhi Yun Weebill S
Best for streamers on the go
Stefan’s Take:
I think this gimbal would suit the best somebody who is frequently on the go. The design is foldable and lightweight, so you won’t feel dragged down by the extra equipment you have to carry around.
Also, Zhi Yun created a gimbal with improved stabilization through a unique axis-locking mechanism. This makes finding the right position for filming and precision much easier.
| Payload | 9 |
|---|---|
| Number of Axis | 9 |
| Remote Control | 9 |
| Battery Life | 9 |
This gimbal stabilizer is used both as a DSLR camera gimbal and a mirrorless camera gimbal stabilizer, supporting a great variety of cameras and lenses.
Highly precise and with excellent motors, the gimbal is also surprisingly light, weighing no more than 900 grams (battery not included)
The most important advantage of this gimbal is, however, its compact size and the ability to fold upon itself for easy transport. Because of this, the Weebil S is perhaps the best DSLR gimbal in this price range for those who often find themselves shooting on the move.
Additionally, this makes the Weebill 3- axis handheld gimbal stabilizer an incredibly versatile piece of equipment, making it possible to adjust it on the move.
Not only that, but this compact gimbal also features an individual axis locking mechanism for each of its arms, allowing to adjust each and every axis separately for more precision.
OLED screen allows you to instantly change gimbal settings which are then automatically put into practice. Additionally, many of the functions can also be manipulated and adjusted via the handle, allowing for even quicker adjustments.
Overall, I believe this gimbal to be one of the best products I have had the chance to test. It is incredibly practical, has a long battery life of 14 hours, and is completely handheld, making it fully deserving of its spot on this list.
Pros
- Very lightweight and compact
- OLED screen allows for easy control of the camera’s movements
- The interchangeable lithium-ion batteries
Cons
- It doesn’t support large cinema cameras
5. DJI RSC 2
Great compatibility
Stefan’s Take:
I tested DJI RSC 2 with my Canon 90D (a quite heavy DSLR camera), and it didn’t feel too heavy to use. The manoeuvring was a bit tricky at first, and it does require a learning curve to use it properly and get the most out of it.
The battery life is outstanding, and it features an LCD screen. However, for my taste, it was too small, and I didn’t particularly appreciate that it was mostly made of plastic and easy to damage.
| Payload | 9 |
|---|---|
| Number of Axis | 9 |
| Remote Control | 9 |
| Battery Life | 8 |
A great gimbal stabilizer that is also fully foldable, this device is primarily sought after because of how easy it is to transport it.
But that is hardly scratching the surface of the quality and versatility this product has. First of all, it has a significantly large payload of 6.6 lbs and features Titan Stabilization, an algorithm designed to make the footage quality as consistent as possible.
The gimbal also features a 1-inch OLED screen, which, while providing insight, is unfortunately too small to be easily and comfortably used.
Much better, however, is the 14-hour long battery life, as well as the fast recharge time, which allows you to be quite mobile with your gimbal and guarantee smooth image capture even during day-long shoots.
What I disliked about this gimbal, though, was the material it is composed of. While its plastic frame is surprisingly lightweight and durable, it is quite a bit more susceptible to wear and damage than a metal or carbon fiber frame would be.
Ultimately, this is one of the more decent camera gimbals currently available, but it is by no means fantastic. It offers a good mid-range solution for someone who doesn’t feel like investing too much money into buying one, however.
Pros
- Very small when folded
- Pretty good quality
- Battery life is excellent
Cons
- The OLED screen is too small
6. Zhiyun Crane 3S
Great gimbal for heavier cameras
Stefan’s Take:
While this gimbal wasn’t, particularly what I needed, it has plenty of positive features. The stabilizer is rock-solid and easy to assemble and use. It took me 10 minutes to set it up, mount my camera, and start recording.
The payload and battery life are also great, and the gimbal performs quite well in high-speed motion. However, I didn’t like how heavy it was, and considering the price, I wasn’t too impressed.
| Payload | 9 |
|---|---|
| Number of Axis | 9 |
| Remote Control | 8 |
| Battery Life | 8 |
This high-quality gimbal stabilizer excels at supporting large cinema cameras and camcorders but can also be used with many DSLR cameras of smaller size if needed.
It features a maximum payload of 6,5kg, which is more than enough for most cine cameras, and has large motors that allow for easy movement of these larger and heavier recording devices.
In addition, the gimbal is exceptionally stable and can be used in high-speed motion or extremely windy conditions without such environmental issues having any effect on the powerfully built Zhiyun crane.
Furthermore, the gimbal features a removable extension that allows it to be used with all sorts of cameras regardless of their size, something that is quite rare on the gimbal market nowadays.
Finally, the battery life of the Zhiyun crane 3s is quite high. 12 hours is more than enough for most recording sessions, and if not, the DC-In port allows for easy charging, even on the move, provided that you have a suitable power source of up to 25.2V
Overall, this is quite a good gimbal, especially if you work with large DSLR cameras or cine cameras a lot. Otherwise, a smaller camera stabilizer can work just as well.
Pros
- Almost unmatched weight capacity for large cameras
- Small OLED screen is very clear
- Relatively good battery life and easy to recharge
Cons
- Extremely expensive
7. Flycam Redking Camera Stabilizer
Great budget option
Stefan’s Take:
I have to say that figuring out how to use this gimbal took some time. While it has quite a simple construction, it isn’t the best for outdoor shots and uneven ground.
Also, it’s one of the heavier gimbals, but you get good stability and a great payload. Thanks to quality materials, it’s resistant to wear and will last you for years to come.
| Payload | 9 |
|---|---|
| Number of Axis | 8 |
| Remote Control | 8 |
| Battery Life | 8 |
This quite unusual gimbal stabilizer is made of a very durable aluminum alloy that grants it a great resistance to wear and damage while also being extremely lightweight and thus quite portable.
In addition, the 3-axis frame allows for 360 degrees orientation of your choice, with the X-Y adjustments allowing you to manipulate the horizontal position of your camera to an extremely high degree.
Furthermore, the platform of this webcam is extremely stable and features a set of weights that make it a little heavier but ensure that it remains in place even during windy conditions, for example.
Unfortunately, the nature of this platform means that you will have to find a way to put it on flat and solid ground, as it has a pretty wide base, making it unsuitable for uneven terrain.
The handle allows for quite an easy way to control the camera stabilizer, and the maximum payload is extremely high at 7kg or 15.4 lbs, more than all the gimbals covered so far.
While this makes it an excellent choice for large cinema cameras and camcorders, it also makes it somewhat difficult to use with smaller ones.
One important disadvantage of this camera stabilizer to note is the absence of any motors, which makes automatic and remote control impossible. Still, as it provides a higher carrying capacity than the competition, this is an acceptable trade-off.
If you are looking for a gimbal capable of supporting large action cameras or video cameras, this is one of the best gimbal stabilizers out there, even though its lack of brushless motors and compatibility issues with compact cameras make it a bit streamlined toward a specific group of users.
Pros
- Can support cameras weighing over 15 pounds
- Extremely stable support base
- The degree of orientation is quite high
Cons
- It has no motors or remote control
8. INKEE Gimbal Stabilizer
Best for action cameras
Stefan’s Take:
Initially, I got this gimbal for my DSLR, but it worked best with GoPro and smaller action cameras. I wasn’t too sure about the handheld feature, but it’s lightweight and won’t cause any discomfort.
The tripod is easy to assemble and attach, so that you can get great shots in this way too. Moreover, the battery life is also great, but you’re limited by its size.
| Payload | 8 |
|---|---|
| Number of Axis | 8 |
| Remote Control | 8 |
| Battery Life | 8 |
This relatively small gimbal stabilizer is primarily tailored for action cameras and, as such, has been adapted in several ways in comparison to standard gimbals.
It is extremely lightweight at 393 grams, making it very easy to use as a handheld gimbal while also featuring an extension tripod that allows you to put it on the ground if necessary.
Another great feature of this gimbal is that it supports quite a few shooting modes, including some rarely found in a handheld gimbal stabilizer., such as vertical and low-angle shooting modes.
Likewise, the automatic response of the three motors responsible for the moving and repositioning of the camera is quite fast but unfortunately doesn’t allow remote control, which is a downside, in my opinion.
Being an action camera stabilizer, the carrying capacity of this gimbal is quite small at around 200g. This makes it completely unusable for most DSLR cameras but does allow it to double up as a dedicated smartphone gimbal, which some people might find quite useful.
Finally, it has a decent battery life of up to 9 hours and can be easily recharged via a USB-C connection. What is important to note, however, is that the first charging should not be stopped until the battery is completely full, as this allows it to reach its maximum capacity for subsequent use.
Overall, this is by far the best gimbal on this list for small cameras and handheld footage, allowing you to easily capture shots on the move. If you primarily use small cameras and smartphones to capture your footage, this is an excellent choice. Otherwise, look for a larger gimbal.
Pros
- Perfect for capturing handheld footage on the move
- Very easy to recharge
- Includes an extension rod and a tripod
Cons
- Small size and carry capacity
What to Look for in the Best Gimbal for DSLR
Payload capacity
Simply put, having sufficient payload capacity determines whether you will be able to use a certain gimbal with your camera. As a result, the first thing you should check before purchasing one is whether it can support your camera’s weight.
Number of axis
Having more axis available to you when adjusting the position of your camera allows you to create clearer and more stable footage. Additionally, it will let you reach angles that would otherwise be impossible to manage.
Motors and remote control
Motors and remote control both vastly increase just what you can use your gimbal for. The first allows for automatization of the movements, making them more precise and allowing you to focus on other things, while remote control makes it so you can operate your gimbal for a distance, both of which are very useful in various situations.
Conclusion
We have reached the end of this guide. I hope you found my reviews helpful and picked a suitable gimbal.
If you’re still unsure, check out my top three choices once more:
- DJI Ronin-SC as the best overall,
- DJI RS 2 with the best payload,
- MOZA Aircross 2 Gimbal with the best battery life.
In the end, it comes down to your needs. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed whichever you choose from the list. Happy streaming and vlogging!
FAQ
Which gimbal is best for a camera?
There is no singular answer to this question. Instead, your choice will depend on what size and type of camera you are using, as well as the type of footage you are using it for. Regardless of your preferences, you can find a good DSLR gimbal for yourself in this guide.
What is a good DSLR gimbal?
There are quite a few competitors for this elusive top spot, each of them featuring pros and cons in regards to each other. This means you should look for specifications instead of simply looking for a specific product.
Luckily for you, this list contains a detailed explanation of some of the most useful and versatile DSLR gimbals on the market, complete with our testing results.
Is a gimbal worth it for a DSLR?
Definitely. Owning a gimbal will make your camera movements much more precise and, in some cases, even allow for remote control. Additionally, there are gimbals that can be used to recharge your camera from its own battery, some of which can be found on this list.
