When it comes to a choice of smartphone gimbals, the first question you need to ask is “do I really need one?”
Buy What Something Does, Not What It Is.
Too many people buy based on features they'll probably never use, as against what the camera, drone etc will do for you.
Best Of 2025 … MY Take… And a Little Different From The Norm
I have never done this before, but I thought it might be fun to go through all of my reviews of the last 12 months and see which ones really caught my eye, were groundbreaking, best of breed or just downright “cannot do without”.
400 Frames / Second for Slo-Mo. From My GoPro?
Being designated as “action cameras”, the popular GoPro and its DJI sibling, the DJI Action camera are perfect for shooting Slo-Mo
List of Zhiyun Stories
This is a list of current stories that relate to Zhiyun either by major context or the company (or its products) are mentioned
New CINEPEER CX50 series of compact video and photo lights
The ultra-compact CX50 series light offers a new fill lighting experience for portraits, live streaming, social media videos, and still life shots.
ZHIYUN Launches CINEPEER SMOOTH 5E Mainstream Smartphone Gimbal
Designed to elevate smartphone videography, the SMOOTH 5E eliminates shaky, blurry footage, enhancing the overall visual polish
New Zhiyun X100 RGB pocket-sized lighting solution
The compact and portable ZHIYUN X100 RGB light provides professional full-colour, smooth scene lighting – making it an ideal light source for video and photo creators.
ZHIYUN Launches AI Tracking Technology for Smartphone Gimbals
For example, a simple ‘OK’ signal (circled thumb and forefinger) tells the gimbal and camera to track the user.
Review: Zhiyun Cinepeer Crane 4E
The Cinepeer Crane 4E supports an impressive array of camera makes and models right out of the box, such as those from Canon, Sony, Panasonic and Nikon, including full frame models like the Canon C70. From my own point of view, it also supports my Blackmagic Cinema Pocket Camera 6K...
Review: Zhiyun CQ5 Smartphone Gimbal (with AI)
So, if this is the criteria, then a new-ish gimbal from Zhiyun, as elsewhere it has been around for a little while, the CQ5, does not have AI as is suggested. Or does it?
ZHIYUN Unveils the CRANE 4E
The company says the CRANE 4E redefines camera videography with its enhanced stabilization and powerful performance, providing a video production solution for filmmakers, videographers, and content creators seeking a lightweight, versatile, and user-friendly stabilizer.
Review: Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI Smartphone Gimbal
The Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI is leaps and bounds ahead of that early Feiyutech model I reviewed way back when, and the addition of the gesture recognition via the AI module adds a new dimension to its use.
Review: Zhiyhun Cinepeer Weebill 3E Gimbal
At AUD$389 the Weebill 3E is at an excellent price point for what you get, and supports a reasonably wide range of popular cameras from Sony, Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Olympus etc.
And ANOTHER Zhiyun Gimbal …
The CQ5 lets anyone capture professional-quality footage, thanks to intelligent features like AI tracking and intuitive voice control, and ease-of-use features like the extendable rod.
Review: Zhiyun Cinepeer CF100 Light Stick
The flexibility of the Zhiyun CF100 makes it suitable for a large variety of purposes. Product lighting, portraiture photography, as a special effects generator for films immediately spring to mind, but there are a zillion other uses obviously.
Another Stabiliser from Zhiyun – for smartphones this time.
With advanced AI tracking technology, this gimbal provides stabilization and operation for capturing smooth and professional-quality footage with users' smartphones.
New Zhiyun Weebill 3E Gimbal
Zhiyun has released the WEEBILL 3E, a compact, feature-packed gimbal that is compact and lightweight, weighing less than a kilo and smaller than an A4 page. And it has a very competitive $389 price tag in Australia. The Weebill 3E supports Bluetooth shutter control and for Tik Tokees, can shot...
ZHIYUN Reveals New Stylish 300W COB Light
ZHIYUN has announced the official online sale of the MOLUS G300 COB light, a game-changer in lighting technology designed for professional filmmakers and photographers. The MOLUS G300 combines a stylish design, innovative technology, and user-friendly features to provide unmatched lighting performance. Its grand debut at NAB 2024 served as a...
ZHIYUN Reveals Credit Card-sized 60W Video and Photography Light
ZHIYUN’s new MOLUS X60 videography and photography light provides powerful 60 watt professional quality lighting, but is remarkably compact, easy-to-use, and cool-running. Color fidelity is excellent, and the MOLUS X60 RGB variant provides full color control. Barely larger than a credit card in height and width, the ergonomic MOLUS X60...
ZHIYUN’s New CINEPEER Lights Provide Professional Features
ZHIYUN’s new CINEPEER CX100 100W photography light and CINEPEER CM25 pocket-sized 25W fill light offer simple but high-performance lighting at affordable prices. These video and photo lighting solutions are lightweight, compact, portable, and easy to operate. OUTDOORS OR IN: INSTANT EASY-TO-ADJUST LIGHT Both lights are excellent for outdoor as well...
Review: Panasonic HC-X1500 camcorder. My thoughts.
Sure, it doesn’t have XLR ports and the smaller sensor does have some low light issues, but the HC-X1500 is nonetheless a very impressive package, and as mentioned, at the current knock down price available is simply brilliant in my opinion.
Review: Zhiyun Fiveray M20C Lighting Kit
Zhiyun suggest this light is the perfect lighting accessory for those that shoot things such as portraits, miniatures or even food.
Pocket-Sized FIVERAY M20 Lighting Series
ZHIYUN’s new FIVERAY M20 series of pocket-sized lights combine professional-level features with consumer-level ease-of-use in an easily portable format. They offer videographers and photographers a powerful light in a compact and portable form factor, which is suitable for a wide range of applications and scenarios. Professional Lighting in a Pocket...
Review: Zhiyun Weebill 3S Gimbal
The gimbal has come a l-o-n-g-way from being a simple camera stabiliser. The latest models from companies such as DJI, Feiyutech and Zhiyun these days incorporate sophisticated electronics and add-ons far in advanced of their predecessors. The latest for me is the flagship model Weebill 3S from Zhiyun - which...
Review: Zhiyun MOLUS X100 Lighting System
The latest new product to cross my desk is yet another lighting system under the MOLUS monicker from Zhiyun, the company that made its name originally with its range of gimbals. This time it is the MOLUS X100, a fill lighting system using a rechargeable battery. If it seems I...
Review: Zhiyun Crane-M 3S
Zhiyun have become well know over the last couple of years via its range of gimbals, and lately, its lighting systems. Indeed, it feels like the company churns out a new gimbal model each month! The latest to get to me for review is the new Crane-M 3S and I...
New MOLUS G200 and Fiveray V60 Lighting
ZHIYUN today announced two new lightweight, film-grade prosumer additions to its existing breakthrough lighting ranges; the MOLUS G200 and the FIVERAY V60. ZHIYUN’s new professional lighting tools offer power, portability, and reliability, thanks to ZHIYUN’s proprietary DYNAVORT cooling technology, which prevents overheating and flickering. Both of these easy-to-use light sources...
Zhiyun Launches Crane 4 Gimbal for DSLR / Cinema Cameras
ZHIYUN has today announced the launch of its new premium camera gimbal, the CRANE 4. Stand-out features include built-in balance indicator lights at each motor provide an at-a-glance indicator of their balance calibration status. Meanwhile, Bluetooth connectivity provides direct shutter control to supporting cameras, removing the possibility of a cable...
Review: DJI RS3 Mini (plus a bit more).
In the Blue corner we have the Zhiyun Crane M3S, designed for smaller interchangeable lens camera and mobile phones, and now, in the red corner, we have the DJI RS3 Mini, also designed for smaller interchangeable lens cameras – but can also take some of the larger full frame cameras...
The perfect camera / drone backpack? Maybe…
I have been searching for the ‘perfect’ camera / drone backpack for more time than I care to think. I would have thoughts my needs were simple; lots of adjustable compartments, plenty of external pockets, water resistant with a raincoat available, comfortable and able to carry a tripod and drinks...
New Zhiyun Gimbals – Ultra-Portable CRANE – M 3S and WEEBILL 3S
To quote Roy and HG, when too many gimbals are never enough, Zhiyun has upped the ante in the gimbal stakes yet again with the CRANE M3S and Weebill 3S. Zhiyun describe them as "two ultra-portable products that break new ground in the professional stabilizer market and will catalyze a...
The Perfect Hardware Combo of Gear? My Choices. For Now Anyway…
I am luckier than most in that I get to play with a lot of gear, ranging from cameras to camcorders and action cams to gimbals, drones, microphones of all types and even tripods. There are some “off-beat” gadgets too like the MSM for astrophotography and the brilliant little Pluto...
CreativeSpeak Podcast #3 Now Available
My latest podcast CreativeSpeak, is now online. In this edition: Should you pay your cast and crew regardless? What makes a professional video or film? A GoPro battery discussion A FREE subsitute for expensive 3D modelling, animation and motion graphics applications Win a Zhiyun Molus G20 Lighting Kit worth over...
Weebill 3 Gets Another Gong
The ZHIYUN WEEBILL 3 has won the TIPA World Award 2023, for Best Video Accessory, and was the only camera gimbal to be awarded by TIPA among 40 different product categories. Thomas Gerwers, Chairman of TIPA said, "The latest WEEBILL 3 gimbal is an important tool for content creators and vloggers...
Just a Kid At Heart. Timelapse for Crystal Growing.
I’m just a big kid at heart. That probably why I still have a Meccano set, like making complex Lego models (of race cars particularly), love Dr Who (most of it anyway) and gadgets. So, I think I can be forgiven for when seeing a $12.99 “Grow Your Own Crystals”...
ZHIYUN WEEBILL 3 Wins iF Design Award 2023
I just heard Zhiyun's WEEBILL 3 has won the iF Design Award 2023 in the TV/Camera category. The iF Design Awards recognized the WEEBILL 3 is an all-in-one gimbal solution with a unique ergonomic design that delivers light, sound and image-stabilization, while also providing 40% energy savings. Built from lightweight,...
Win a Zhiyun Molus G60 Lighting Kit
I reviewed this kit here and loved it. And now I have one complete combo to give away to some lucky person (Australia only sorry). All you need to is register to be a subscriber to Creative Content (it's free and all I need is your email address), and as...
New! Zhiyun Molus G60 COB Portable Light Reviewed. Simple and Brilliant.
As regular readers will know, over the COVID period I spent some time in a part time gig at the local Jaycar store. If you are outside Australia, Jaycar is the sort of successor to Radio Shack – or more correctly, what Radio Shack (Tandy Electronics) probably would have become....
New MOLUS G60 and the MOLUS X100 professional pocket film lights
Zhiyun has launched the MOLUS G60 and the MOLUS X100 professional pocket film lights for amateur and seasoned content creators alike. This follows the company's recent entry into the professional lighting industry and follows the successful 2022 introduction of the FIVERAY lighting stable. With these new lightweight, one-man operational, powerful...
Review: Zhiyun FR100C “Fiveray”
In fishing parlance, if you have a love of all things gadgety, and can’t resist buying that new brightly coloured lure, the new gizmo to remove a fish hook or the latest contraption to help you tie a hook on without jamming the point through your finger, then there is...
Add a Gimbal to a GoPro? Yes, yes indeed!
Could a GoPro benefit from a gimbal? Most would say, “why use a gimbal.. the latest GoPros have brilliant built in stabilisation”. And my answer would be, “Yes I agree, but a gimbal gives you access to shots you can’t otherwise get. And a lot more besides”. Not to mention...
Updated: A Live Video Streaming Recording Studio for <$3K
Updated: I have been asked to itemise the individual costs of my setup. All products are listed at the end of the main story. One of my projects over the Christmas and New Year break was to put together a mini–TV Studio setup in my office. The intention was to...
Hail Our New Overlord ChatGTP! Not Bloody Likely … And Here is Why
There is a LOT of noise about these days regarding this ChatGTP thingo. And a few commentators are banging on about how it will replace writers and artists and make us all redundant and destined forever to lay down prostate in front our new overlords. Or some other sort of...
Review: Zhihyun Crane-M2 S
Gimbals are like, oh I dunno, dash cams. You don’t know you need one until you need one. And then when you have one, you wonder how you got by without it. I played with a few in my time, and I like the way they can increase your range...
Review: Zhiyun Crane M3 Gimbal
A week or so ago I looked at the new Zhiyun Crane M2S, designed for smaller cameras and smartphones. This time around it is the turn of the Zhiyun M3, and this is a more up-market version aimed at users of mirrorless cameras, action cameras and smartphones. Priced at around AUD$650...