Videographer tips - Picking the right gimbal for your kit
As a videographer based in London, I’m no stranger to tight schedules and the need to pivot fast between indoor corporate shoots, creative B-roll on London streets, or cinematic travel work across the UK. My mirrorless camera is my constant companion—and to get truly smooth, professional footage, a gimbal is indispensable. But not all gimbals are made equal. In this post, I’ll walk you through what matters most, and share the models I currently favour (and why) from my time filming around London, from the South Bank to Hampstead Heath.
What Makes a Gimbal “Best” (For My Use Case)
Before diving into models, here’s the checklist I use when deciding on a gimbal:
Payload headroom & torque - I often use fast primes, follow-focus motors, external monitors or mics. The gimbal must handle more than just the camera body.
Portability & weight - Climbing stairs at a townhouse venue, hopping on the Tube, squeezing into tuk-tuk vans in Camden — lighter setups are easier to manoeuvre.
Battery life & fast recharge - On location with no access to power for a while, I need at least 8–10 hours (ideally more) and a quick-charge option.
Switching between portrait/landscape modes - With social media in mind (Reels, TikTok, etc.), I want quick transitions without re-balancing entirely.
Ergonomics & comfort - A videographer’s filming days in London are long. Sling grips, wrist rests, dual-hand layouts all help avoid fatigue.
Software, tuning, and support (UK) - Firmware updates, spare parts, and service support in the UK are less of a headache with established brands.
Stability in real-world motion - The terrain in London differs massively. Walking across cobbles in Covent Garden, navigating festival crowds, shooting on elevated walkways—all stress the motors and algorithms.
Top Gimbals I’m Using (or Eyeing) in 2025
Here are several gimbals that have stood out to me
ÂŁ395.00
•
ÂŁ258.46
•
ÂŁ669.00
•
ÂŁ211.00
•
ÂŁ159.00
•
ÂŁ249.00
•
ÂŁ385.99
•
ÂŁ90.00
•
Here are some highlights:
DJI RS 4
This sits at the sweet spot for many mirrorless rigs. With a ~3 kg payload capacity, it gives me room for a full frame body + zoom lens + accessories. DJI’s motor locking and fine-tune knobs help balance quickly. Digital Camera World names it among the best for mirrorless setups in 2025. Digital Camera WorldDJI RS 4 Mini
For lighter setups, run-and-gun days, or packing tight, this is my go-to. It’s compact and still very capable. It’s often recommended in “best for small cameras” lists. Digital Camera WorldZhiyun Crane 4
A strong competitor to DJI’s mid-to-pro range, with an OLED screen, auto-tune, and nice ergonomics. Digital Camera World highlights it as a “best for grip / pro” option. Digital Camera WorldZhiyun Weebill S
Light, versatile, and with a comfortable grip, this is something I often use when I want agility but still serious performance.FeiyuTech SCORP Mini 2
This one has been interesting for social-first or solo vlogging use. It’s compact, supports AI tracking, and handles mirrorless cameras with surprising competence.Moza Air 2S
A strong choice in the mid-budget bracket. It gives you plenty of control features for your money, though its payload headroom is less generous than the top-tier ones.Hohem iSteady MT2
Solid option when I need a backup or a less expensive rig for secondary shoots.FeiyuTech AK4500 FF PRO
For when I’m shooting heavier setups (cine lenses, follow-focus, matte box) and want a gimbal that’s up to the task.
My Real-World Use Cases as a videographer in London & How Each Performs
1. Night Walks on South Bank
On a misty river evening, I'm doing slow glides past the London Eye and embedding the motion into establishing shots. Here, smoothness is king. A gimbal must eliminate jello and micro jitters. Strong motors and motor tuning matter. While all the models above can handle such scenes, the DJI RS 4 and Crane 4 shine thanks to torque headroom.
2. Wedding Speeches in a Town Hall
Crowds, stress, tight spaces, and finesse. I’ll use a dual-grip or sling grip mode, keep motion minimal during speeches, but be ready for dynamic transitions. Here, ergonomics and quiet motor operation count heavily.
3. B-roll in Shoreditch / Hackney
Walking through narrow alleys, capturing bokeh-rich charts, doing whip pans—these demand agile handling, quick mode switching, and low-latency response. The RS 4 Mini or Weebill S are often my “city roamers” when I don’t need full payload.
4. Documentary or Travel Shoots (UK & EU)
Packing light is essential. Every extra 500 g adds fatigue across a multi-day shoot. The compactness and fast setup of the Mini options or smaller stabilisers become more valuable.
5. Commercial / Client Shoots with Heavy Rig
When I’m mounting external monitors, wireless video transmitters, or larger lenses, then I go up a tier. The RS 4 or even heavier rigs can handle the extras without strain.
Tips & Pitfalls (From the Field)
Don’t aim for theoretical maximum payload — leave 20–30% headroom. Running at max often causes drift or overheating.
Balance meticulously— a well-balanced gimbal saves you time and spares motor wear.
Watch firmware regional support — if the manufacturer has strong UK/Europe service, you're safer with repairs and updates.
Practice motion control — even the best gimbal can’t fully compensate for sloppy movement.
Mind motor noise — in quiet scenes (indoor interviews with ambient sound), motor hum is audible. Use external mics and test before rolling.
Use the “underslung” or “briefcase” modes — these are powerful for creative shots along staircases or railings.
Carry the right accessories — extra batteries, balance rods, counterweights, and a sturdy gimbal bag are essentials.
Final Thoughts (From a London videographer)
If I had to pick one gimbal to carry daily around London for a mixed-use mirrorless setup, I’d likely reach first for the DJI RS 4. Its balance of payload, ergonomics, and smart features fits most of the shoots I carry out as a videographer working throughout London.
But when I know I’ll be light (say, a Sony A7S4 + 24–70mm), the RS 4 Mini is my stealth runner—less bulk, almost no compromise, perfect for rooftops or the Tube.
If I were advising someone on a single pick to start with in 2025, I'd say: identify your heaviest lens + accessory combination, add margin, then choose a gimbal that handles that well without pushing its limits. That’s the trick to longevity and reliability in real-world video work.