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Best camera gimbals in Australia 2020

Take your photography to the next level with the best camera gimbals in Australia, from budget to professional.

Anthony Caruana
Anthony Caruana

Updated

Fact checked
Man hand on setting his camera with handheld gimbal stabilizer.

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The best camera gimbals in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team selected the products on this list based on personal experience as well as actual customer reviews and ratings. For each category, we carefully picked parameters based on our research and identified the camera gimbals with the highest reviews and rating scores within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Best camera gimbal overall: Moza AirCross 2

Pros

  • Object tracking mode
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Poor instructions
  • Focus wheel lacks "feel"

Specs | Dimensions: 46 x 26 x 18cm; 1.1kg | Payload: 3.2kg | Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2

Price (RRP): $600

Buy at Amazon
Buy at Kogan

Why we chose it

With owners of the Moza AirCross 2 scoring it with an average of 4.5/5 and professional reviewers raving about it, this gimbal has an almost perfect balance of features at a very reasonable cost.

The Moza AirCross 2 is able to handle a 3.2kg payload which is more than enough for most camera users. It comes with a tripod to make balancing and set-up easy, although many users note that online videos do a better job of giving guidance than the supplied instructions. There's a joystick and trigger for gimbal control and a focus wheel with inbuilt RGB lighting. The removable battery is rated for about 12 hours of use.

One of the AirCross 2's really neat features is object tracking. You can mount your smartphone above the camera and coordinate it with an app to make the view of the smartphone consistent with that of the camera. You can then select an object on the smartphone and the gimbal will automatically move to track the object.

What users say

This gimbal is marvellous to operate. I have some of the heaviest lenses, it could handle all." Read reviews.

Best cheap camera gimbal: FeiyuTech G6 Max

Pros

  • Splashproof
  • Flexible

Cons

  • Low battery life
  • Challenging to set up correctly

Specs | Weight: 665g | 280° Tilt, 330° Roll, and 360° Pan Movement | Payload: 1.2kg

Price (RRP): $380

Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

If you're looking for a gimbal to support a lightweight DSLR, compact or action camera then the FeiyuTech G6 Max is a great option. With a solid score of 4.2/5 from online purchasers and strong positive feedback from professional reviews, it hits the spot for those who don't need all the bells and whistles but are after a way to stabilise their camera without spending a fortune.

It's important to note that the FeiyuTech G6 Max isn't pitched at those after a stabilisation system for a large mirrorless camera; it's firmly pitched at those looking for a decent stabiliser for a smaller camera. It can be used both as a handheld or you can place it on a tripod. It comes with both a regular camera mounting plate and a mount for smartphones. All the controls are easily accessed from the handle.

At this price, the FeiyuTech G6 Max does represent some compromises. But it works well, boasts a decent battery life of around nine hours and can be used with a variety of cameras.

What users say

Been looking for an all in one gimbal to be able to use all my devices (Action Cam, Mobile Phone, my Lumix G80 DSLR, Compact Camera) for ages and finally this gimbal provides the perfect solution to my problems." Read reviews.

Best professional camera gimbal: Freefly MōVI Pro

Freefly MōVI Pro

Pros

  • Light weight
  • Remote control

Cons

  • Doesn’t support heavier cameras
  • Battery life lower than main competitor

Specs | Dimensions: 19.6 x 20 x 16.5cm, 2.7kg | 3-axis stabilisation | Payload: 6.8kg maximum

Price (RRP): from $5,900 depending on bundled accessories

Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

The MōVI Pro allows photographers to easily manipulate their camera without creating jerky or unsteady images. The 3-axis control can be handled manually, with an operator using the handles to move the camera in three dimensions or they can use "Mimic Mode" with the gimbal mounted on a tripod and use an app to control the stabiliser remotely.

As a gimbal for professionals, it is very well regarded, with professional reviewers ranking it highly and noting that it almost achieves feature-for-feature parity with others but at a far lower price. The key difference is that other professional gimbals can support heavier camera rigs. But many professionals say the MōVI Pro is far easier to set up and getting a great result takes far less effort than with other gimbals.

Swapping batteries is easy and that means you can keep shooting without interruption. The main criticism of the MōVI Pro is that it is quite large and heavy to transport. But otherwise, it ticks all the boxes for professional camera users.

What users say

We now shoot everything on the gimbal in 4K 50p and our clients are delighted. Slow motion, cinematic, 4K gimbal shots with a shallow depth of field are a reality with this set up. We love it!"

Best camera gimbal for DSLRs: Zhiyun Crane 3S

Pros

  • Multiple carrying options
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Some controls hard to reach

Specs | Dimensions: 46 x 40.6 x 15.6cm; 3kg | 3-axis (Pitch, Roll, Yaw) | Payload: 7kg

Price (RRP): from $1,189 depending on bundled accessories

Buy at Amazon
Buy at Kogan

Why we chose it

The Zhiyun Crane 3S boasts an average score of 4.4/5 from purchasers as well as glowing comments from many professional photographers. It's a heavy-duty powered stabilising gimbal that works with a wide variety of different mirrorless, DSLR and cinema cameras. It fills a gap in the market between single-handed gimbals and those made to be used with mid to large-sized digital cinema cameras.

It can handle payloads of up to 7kg. Some owners report issues with shaking but there are online tutorials for setting this gimbal up and avoiding those shakes. As well as supporting up to 18 hours on battery, it can be connected to AC power and there's an optional, larger battery pack as well.

The Crane 3S gives smooth and steady footage although it can be heavy when loaded up with a camera sporting a large lens. It has a handle and EasySling – a system that allows you to hold the camera without relying on just hand and arm strength. The supporting app allows you to remotely control the zoom and focus as well as viewing shots without disturbing the camera when it's securely mounted.

What users say

Overall, awesome gimbal! I love the form factor and the ability to lock the axis while balancing the gimbal." Read reviews.

Best camera gimbal for drones: Walkera G-2D 2 Axis Brushless Gimbal

Pros

  • Easy installation and set-up
  • Works with a wide variety of cameras

Cons

  • Plastic construction

Specs | Dimensions: 105 x 95 x 95mm, 136g | Working environment temperature: -15ºC~65ºC | Maximum acceleration: 16g

Price (RRP): $157

Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

The Walkera G-2D enjoys a reputation as one of the most durable gimbals that can be connected to a wide range of quadcopters. It scores a respectable 4.2/5 from hundreds of purchasers with quadcopter and drone mavens loving its solid construction and elegant appearance.

As well as securely holding your camera and allowing it to smoothly move in two axes, the Walkera G-2D has an auxiliary video output so you can view your footage easily without having to unmount the camera. Both pitch and roll can be adjusted on the fly remotely and installation is straightforward, requiring just a couple of screws and an adapter to snugly hold the camera and secure it to the bottom of your drone. The gimbal can be integrated with your aircraft's flight control and power distribution systems.

The light weight means it won't tax your drone's battery too heavily. However, that comes at a price with some reviewers concerned that the plastic construction can be easily damaged in a crash or if it's not packed away carefully.

What users say

Took this out to the park and flew some extreme left and right banks, forward and back, and the camera stayed real steady. Absolutely no vibration or jelly effect." Read reviews.

Best camera gimbal for phones: DJI Osmo Mobile 3

Pros

  • Easy to hold
  • Folds away

Cons

  • Landscape mode mounting is fiddly
  • Software is better in iOS than Android

Specs | Dimensions: 16.2 x 6.2 x 17.9cm; 405g | Bluetooth 5 LE | Battery life: 15 hours

Price (RRP): $159

Buy at Amazon
Buy at Kogan

Why we chose it

Thousands of users across multiple shopping sites agree – the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is a brilliant gimbal for your smartphone. With an average review score of 4.5/5, with 74% of reviewers giving it a perfect score, as well as professional reviewers giving it plenty of praise, this is a great choice for those shooting photos and videos with a smartphone.

The Osmo Mobile requires a free app. Once installed, you can easily connect your smartphone to the Osmo Mobile over Bluetooth LE. As well as operating the shutter, the app lets you control your phone's camera settings, like zoom, ISO, shutter speed and white balance, from the gimbal's handle. As well as working as a handheld, there's a tripod attachment and a carry case.

A few owners have noted that the Android version of the app isn't quite as solid as the iOS version. And mounting your phone in landscape, rather than portrait mode, can be a little fiddly so you'll need to take extra care.

What users say

You won't ever shoot video, take panos, or probably even take photos again without it. This little machine is genius!" Read reviews.

Best camera gimbal for GoPro: Hohem iSteady Pro 3

Pros

  • Works with broad range of cameras
  • Big range of motion

Cons

  • A little slow to respond
  • Feels cheap

Specs | Dimensions: 31 x 14 x 6cm; 540g | Works with GoPro Hero 7(2018)/6/5/4/3, SJCam, Yi 4K, AEE, Eken or similar GoPro-sized sports camera without protective case. | Battery life: 12 hours

Price (RRP): $129

Buy at Amazon
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

High user ratings and rave reviews from experts make the Hohem iSteady 3 the standout when looking for a gimbal to complement your GoPro or other action cams. With an average score of 4.3/5 on Amazon and high scores from independent experts, the iSteady Pro 3 delivers great features without breaking the bank.

The iSteady Pro 3 boasts four shooting modes and a massive 600° range of motion in the pan axis. The handgrip includes a joystick to adjust the pan and tilt as well as the shutter control, and programmable hotkeys – setting those requires the Hohem Gimset App.

The angled arm ensures the GoPro's display is unobstructed and a trigger at the back of the handle makes functions like locking-on or snapping easy while filming. The main issue professionals note is that the build quality feels a little "cheap" but, then again, the iSteady Pro 3 costs half as much as more well-known competitors.

What users say

Excellent alternative to the better known makes. Works just as good and half the price." Read reviews.

Methodology

15
Brands considered
30+
Products compared
7
Best gimbals chosen
  • Our editorial team compared more than 30 gimbals from multiple brands sold by Australian retailers and reputable online stores.
  • We based our findings on real customer reviews across multiple websites, including Amazon, eBay, Google and Kogan.
  • We also consulted reviews from independent reviewers and consumer choice publications.
  • Our own expertise in reviewing camera products was a deciding factor as well.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

Buying a camera gimbal

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Do I need a camera gimbal?

We all know what a tripod is – a tool for keeping a camera steady while shooting a photo or video. But what if you need to move while shooting? Or want to capture great footage from a drone or action camera? That's where a gimbal becomes essential.

A gimbal securely holds your camera while allowing it to move along an axis. So, as you move around you get a straight image without any jerky movements. They use gyroscopes and brushless, silent motors to move the camera into a straight position. For anyone filming a video, a reliable gimbal is an essential piece of kit. If you ever wonder why some people's drone or action cam footage looks so smooth, the secret is a good gimbal.

Photographers also benefit from a gimbal. There are times when getting the camera into the right position to perfectly frame an image requires holding the camera out on an awkward angle. Having the camera mounted with a gimbal allows you to aim the camera and still keep the image perfectly framed.

Unless you shoot all your video and photos from a fixed position, a gimbal is a great investment for your photo or video camera kit.

What to consider

Although a gimbal's main job is keeping your camera steady, some include extra features such as remote controls so you can control the camera's movement or the ability to set them to automatically pan across a field so you can shoot a timelapse video. But there are some other features to consider.

If you're looking at a handheld gimbal, weight is a critical factor. Many DSLRs, once equipped with a lens, are quite heavy so you'll want to factor the overall weight into your consideration.

Gimbals also limit how heavy a camera they can hold. So there's an interplay between what the gimbal can hold and how much weight your arms can bear. You'll also want to pay attention to how the camera is held in place. A quick release mechanism is handy if you need to quickly access the camera.

We'd strongly advise looking at 3-axis gimbals. While there are 1-axis and 2-axis gimbals around, it's worth investing in a more versatile gimbal.

You'll also want to ensure the gimbal you choose is suitable for your camera. For example, there are many GoPro specific gimbals around. If you're after one for your smartphone, then look for one that suits the camera position and size of your device. And if you're planning to use a gimbal with a drone, make sure it can be easily attached and won't weigh your drone down.

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