Best Gimbal for Smartphones
The Smooth 4 Smartphone Handheld Gimbal Stabiliser from Zhiyun-Tech has been designed to provide cine-style functions to content creators using their mobile phones for video capture. When used with the free, downloadable ZY Play app, the control panel enables Android and iOS users to control both gimbal and smartphone camera functions such as focus, zoom, time-lapse, and still photo settings.
The Smooth 4's controls reduce the need to touch your phone's screen, thereby minimising unintended jostling while recording. A dedicated "Vertigo" function emulates the perspective-shifting, dolly/zoom effect dear to many filmmakers.
Compared to the ZT Smooth-3, the Smooth-4's controls are more ergonomically laid out and better labelled with icons. The Smooth-4 also has a significantly larger focus/zoom wheel, a PhoneGo mode for quickly grabbing the action, multiple time-lapse functions, and object tracking.
With the ability to support smartphones weighing up to 210g and measuring up to 85mm high, the Smooth-4 is compatible with almost any mobile phone.
Features
- For up to 210g Smartphones
- Large Left-Side Focus/Zoom Wheel
- Quick-Response "PhoneGo" Mode
- Dolly/Zoom "Vertigo" Effect Mode
- Control Select Phone Functions
- Multiple Time-Lapse & Tracking Modes
- 300° Pan, 240° Tilt & Roll
- Up to 12-Hour Runtime
- Ergonomic Control Panel
- Charges Phone While Shooting
Compatible devices
ZY Play for IOS 2.6.4
Version iOS 9.0 or Higher is compatible with the following equipment:
iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone SE, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6
ZY Play for Android 1.13.6
Version Android 5.0 or Higher is compatible with the following equipment:
- Google: PixelPIXELThe shortening of 'picture element', a basic unit of programmable colour forming the dots that make up an image. Pixel size depends on a camera’s resolution, which is measured in megapixels (MP), meaning millions of pixels. The more pixels on a sensor, the smaller they have to be to fit. An image's number (or density) of pixels correlate to the amount of information and image holds. Cameras with more pixels on the sensor have a higher pixel density and thus more resolving power, able to capture smaller details with much more clarity and accuracy. Higher resolution images can be cropped more agressively and also produce better quality large prints. XL, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 2, Pixel, Nexus 6P, Nexus 6, Nexus 5X
- Samsung: Galaxy S9 Plus, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S8 Plus, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy Note 7
- Huawei: P9, P20 Pro, P10 Plus, P10, Mate 9, Mate 8, Mate 10 Pro, Mate 10
- Oneplus: 6, 5T, 5, 3T, 3
- Xiaomi: Redmi Note 4X, Redmi Note 3, MI 6, MI 5s, MI 5, MI 4
- Lge: G6, G5
- Smartisan: U1 Pro, Nuts Pro 2
- Oppo: R9s, Find X
- Vivo: X7, NEX
*Support list of this device will be continuously updated, so be sure to follow the link below for accurate information.
**Functions not available on all devices.
SMARTPHONE COMPATIBILITY GUIDELINES
In a nod to its filmmaker-centric design, the Smooth-4's large focus wheel even has a witness mark that can be lined up to focus marks you place on its textured band. The wheel is located on the left side of the handgrip, with a button placed to its lower right that lets you toggle between focus and zoom functions, with a button light indicating zoom mode. Scroll and press to select settings with the central Menu/Return button, or choose the Parameter Display button to switch between close shooting, still photo, and full-auto modes. The Smooth-4 offers 300° of pan and 240° of tilt and roll for nimbly capturing your action shots, or for smoothly gliding along more tranquil scenes. Choose between Pan-Following, Locking, Full-Follow, or the full-speed PhoneGo mode to adjust your level of axis control while shooting.
Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, the Smooth-4 features a maximum runtime of up to 12 hours. A USB Type-C port on the handgrip enables you to add a separately available power pack to extend your shooting time even further. An LED display indicates your remaining power, and an output port enables you to charge your phone while shooting with the stabiliser. The Zhiyun Smooth-4 includes a mini tripod, carrying case, and a USB cable. A single 1/4"-20 female thread on the handgrip bottom can be used to mount the stabiliser onto the included tripod or other support, or to attach a compatible accessory.
Focus Pull & Zoom Capability
The more professional and delicated handwheel is built in Smooth 4, bringing you the unprecedented experience of smooth operation. You can zoom in or out as you want to take close-up shots.By pressing the FN switch button, the handwheel is configured into a focus puller, helping you achieve high-precision focus changes in real time to create creative.
PhoneGo Mode for Instant Scene Transition
Like a high-end sports car, Smooth 4 can enter PhoneGo mode and release the potential of motors in a flash. It can respond to every delicate movement without delay without the need to worry about losing any shots. What's better is that amazing scene transition can be achieved in your footage without post-processing.
Time Lapse Expert
Smooth 4 supports all kinds of advanced shooting techniques. It can realise features such as Timelapse, moving time lapse and Motionlapse, recording lives and displaying the art of time flow.
With so many time lapse with freer settings on shooting ranges (wide to tight), angles and focus, you can customise unique-style time lapse footage, capturing all movements and objects including huge crowds, dancing flowers, moving silhouette or white cloud in the air. Creating a different time flow in your phone or capturing lives in a retrospective light, it's all up to your imagination.
Object Tracking
Smooth 4 can produce smooth footage and also track objects including but not limited to human faces with much higher precision. You can frame the object you want to track on the screen, and the stabiliser can do the rest. Shooting has never been so easy, but now we have Smooth 4!
Two-way Charging with Longer Runtime
Smooth 4 can run for 12 hours in a row. The battery indicator tells you how much power is left. The stabiliser can charge your phone directly during shooting. You can shoot video all day long with no need to worry about the battery. It adopts the mainstream Type-C charging port so that users can use both ends of the cable for charging. The stabiliser can be charged by portable power source and the phone can be charged by the stabiliser via USB port on tilt axis. The two-way charging can happen at the same time, guaranteeing the longest operation time possible.
Always powerful and compatible to all phones
The motor power of Smooth 4 has increased by a large extent, making it compatible to phones of all sizes. In the meantime, it can be used together with many accessories such as LED light and camera lens. Smooth 4 is versatile in different environments, releasing the potential of phone camera anywhere, anytime.
Less is More
Smooth 4 is designed with a slider on its control panel and a trigger button on its back, to easily recognise and switch between different gimbal modes.
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