Should You Buy A Gimbal For Your Action Camera?
Gimbals are known for being the solution to shaky footage, from action cameras to bring used by professional filmmakers. Gimbals stabilizers have become a fundamental accessory that travels use with cameras of all types. Most YouTubers and videographers use these devices to stabilize the videos while they walk and eliminate those uncomfortable bounces that give a very unprofessional result.
Of course, the use of gimbal is not exclusive to action cameras and GoPros. In fact, the popularization of this accessory is due to Smartphones. However, what interests us in this article is to compare the best gimbals for GoPro, so from now on, we will dedicate ourselves to giving you all the data to select the one that best suits your lifestyle.
What is a gimbal?
A gimbal is a motorized platform and is controlled by a plate with several sensors. The gimbal is the ultimate stabilizer of cameras. So when you are recording a video, it will be perfectly smooth. You can easily move and record without having to worry that the footage obtained will not be stable.
The gimbal stabilizes the camera while walking or holding it free. It is composed of several axes and each one stabilizes the movement of the camera on a specific axis (lateral movements, rotation, forward or backward). Something that is very useful for all those athletes or video enthusiasts who enjoy getting cinematic smooth footage.
Another important detail about getting a gimbal is which one you are going to choose since you can find 2 types of gimbals in the market. You need to choose according to the sport or activity you practice or what you record. There are several types of gimbals ideal for the different types of recordings you want to make.
Handheld gimbal: These are the most popular type of gimbal and the ones usually used for action cameras. This type of gimbal is able to comfortably be held with just your hand and they are a perfect option for most cases.
Which action cameras don’t need gimbals
There are some action cameras that do an amazing job in stabilization without the need of a gimbal. Especially if you are not recording something which will make you be very shaky.
GoPro Hero 8: The new GoPro comes with a new (EIS) Electronic Image Stabilization like the Hero 7 but it’s an improved version of it, they call it, HyperSmooth 2.0. Unlike Hero 7 Black which allows Hypersmooth in some resolutions, the Hero 8 has HyperSmooth on all of them and unlike Hero 6 which only allows regular stabilization to be applied to 30 frames per second when shooting in 4K.
What is HyperSmooth? HyperSmooth is the next level of Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) introduced in the last year’s HERO7 Black. With improvements in the GP1 chip and 2GB memory, the camera delivers gimbal-like stabilization for creating even more smooth video captures.
GoPro Hero 7: Hero 7 also comes with HyperSmooth. HyperSmooth 0.1 is the level of Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) introduced in the last years, HERO7 Black. With improvements in the GP1 chip and 2GB memory, the camera delivers gimbal-like stabilization for creating even more smooth video captures.
HyperSmooth really is a game-changer, at least for action cameras, so in conclusion, if you want an amazing action camera with great stabilization and picture quality and does not want to spend a lot of time editing and post-processing their footage, GoPro Hero 7 is the perfect camera for you
DJI Osmo Pocket: The Osmo Pocket costs less than the GoPro Hero 7 Black. The Osmo has image stabilization built-in, with stabilized footage better than what you’ll get from top-of-the-line smartphones.
The stabilization in this camera is really good, stabilization and image quality are at a high level. This small Osmo Pocket can come to surprise to some people when they see what it is capable to do with its size.
The camera is very lightweight, a consequence of the low weight is that when we want to make slower movements it’s easy to record some small vibrations. These vibrations, in spite of the compensation of the stabilizer, are noticeable in the final clip.
Even if you have these action cameras but want to record some activity which will cause your camera to shake a lot, I still recommend getting a gimbal.
My recommended gimbals
In this article I compile the most recommended gimbals, in the market, you can find other models but with these, you will be sure. They are models designed for sports cameras, smartphones or in some cases a lightweight compact camera.
3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer for GoPro: The 3-Axis GoPro gimbal stabilizer was built to film on the go. It responds to every delicate movement without any delay. Provide a film-level video recording, and say goodbye to fuzzy video. Instead of the shaking selfie stick in the wind, this gimbal stabilizer can help you to get stable quality videos and photos. This gimbal will help you capture smooth footage even on the roughest roads. The world is so exciting, don’t worry about rough roads!
Zhiyun Evolution 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer for Action Cameras: Zhiyun Evolution is designed for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure sports photographers and videographers, the unique brushless motor control system on Evolution has achieved the control accuracy up to x8 higher than the industry average, presenting an extraordinary stabilizing performance that realizes perfect smooth imaging even intense motions.
Feiyutech WG2x 3-Axis Wearable Gimbal: The WG2 3-Axis Gimbal is verified for splashing and is waterproof with its enhanced structural water resistance. It can work in as deep as half a meter underwater, good for snorkeling, surfing, and filming in the rain, etc. It comes with a tripod and extension pole with the gimbal together. Very helpful for using the gimbal.
Conclusion
Gimbals are an amazing tool to have with you which will help you get amazing smooth footage, especially if you are doing activities that will make your footage very shaky or just going for a cinematic feel. However they are a little pricey and if you just want to record a little with an action camera like the Hero 8 which comes with HyperSmooth 2.0 (EIS) which will already stabilize your footage a lot, you might not need a gimbal.
So if you have an action camera with mediocre stabilization and want to get that super smooth stabilize cinematic footage, I strongly recommend getting a gimbal.
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