If you haven’t thought of them now, then consider CES 2018 as your official wake up call to stabilizers and gimbals. One look and you might mistake them for selfie sticks. Selfie sticks and stabilizers and can sometimes be used to describe the same thing, but gimbals will be different.
These sticks hold smartphones, action cameras, DSLRs, and even professional video cameras. If you’re looking to get the best possible angles for your pictures and videos, a stabilizer or gimbal might be in your best interest.
At CES 2018, we got the chance to try out some of these devices to see if they are worth all the praise.
DJI
Osmo Mobile 2
We’re used to seeing DJI’s drones all over the internet, but they have a full list of accessories for all your smartphone and camera needs. At CES 2018, they showcased the Osmo Mobile 2, their latest addition to their stabilizer family.
The Osmo Mobile 2 looks similar to the first version of the Osmo Mobile, but this time comes with simpler controls on the handle and nearly 15 hours of battery life.
If you’re confused as to why a stabilizer would need batteries, here’s where it gets better. The Osmo Mobile 2 is a stabilizer that links electronically to your smartphone, enabling it to take pictures, zoom, and record all from the handle. No more having to reach up and press the button on the smartphone.
Move the stabilizer whichever way you want or snap it into an upside down or vertical position. No matter how you orientate your phone, the Osmo Mobile 2 will keep it level. The Osmo Mobile 2 will be available later this year for sale.
Click here to shop the Osmo Mobile 1.
Ronin 2
DJI was proud to show one of the crown jewels of its stabilization department–the Ronin 2. It’s not an entirely new product, but one that deserves some recognition for its capabilities.
The Ronin 2 is a handheld gimble for film cameras and DSLR cameras, but you can probably mount an SLR or mirrorless camera just as easily. Altogether, it can hold equipment up to 30lbs or less.
Even better, the mechanism that holds the cameras in place is equipped with an integrated power system, allowing the holder to shift the camera in whatever way they desire without touching the camera itself.
For such a large and complicated product, you can expect that the Ronin 2 is going to require a deep product. However, if you’re truly invested in filmmaking or professional photography, the Ronin 2 will provide your film camera or DSLR with the perfect stabilization experience.
Click here to shop the Ronin 2.
Ronin S
The Ronin S is DJI’s first handheld DSLR gimble. It works in many of the same ways as the Osmo Mobile series does for smartphones. The handle has smart controls that allow you to take a picture, record, and change the angles of the camera all without even having to touch it.
The Ronin S has two primary positions-underslung and upright position. No matter which way your DSLR is orientated, it will always be obstruction and shake free in the process.
One of this gimble’s most interesting features is SmoothTrack. SmoothTrack enables you to switch from tracking a moving object to a shooting angle with the push of a button. For the videographer/photographers that enjoy streamlined productions, the Ronin S is the gimble for you.
The Ronin S will soon be available for preorder. You can find out more about it here.
Feiyu-Tech
Vimble 2
Feiyu-Tech is one of DJI’s direct competitors in the stabilizer department. At CES 2018, they announced the Vimble 2. The Vimble 2 is a selfie stick and gimbal all in one. Many stabilizers and gimbals simply come as they are with just the handle.
The Vimble 2’s extended stick allows you to get more in your shot or see in hard to reach spots. The 3-axis gimble allows the Vimble 2 to move your phone 320 degrees to get a variety of angles.
You can control all of the movements from the comfort and accessibility of the handle. Like the Osmo Mobile 2, you can shift or orientate the smartphone horizontally or vertically depending on your choice.
The Vimble 2 will be available for sale later this year.
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