A gimbal is an efficient device that lets you capture impressive cinematic footage, which was only possible with the use of large mechanical devices a few years back.
Those devices were big in size and to operate them experienced camera mem were needed.
But in recent years, with access to these small and easy-to-use devices, it became possible for everyone, from beginner to experienced videographers and bloggers, to introduce those cool effects in their creations.
To make the better and right choice for your camera, you should know which gimbal is compatible with the camera model you have.
Here we are discussing gimbals for Sony A7 Series cameras, so the gimbal should be able to accommodate those cameras.
You can read more about Sony A7 series cameras here and here.
Consider These Things to Make the Best Decision
Runtime
The runtime of the gimbal will depend on the battery type and its size, the bigger the size longer the runtime.
If you are a traveller or you shoot for extended periods, then runtime is important as you will be capturing the moments the whole day, so a gimbal should have longer battery life.
They come with either removable batteries or non-removable batteries.
Removable batteries have the advantage that they can be replaced when depleted with the charged battery to continue your shoot. You won’t have to wait till it recharges.
Stabilization
There are gimbals in the market that can balance all three-axis or two or only one axis.
The difference is simply of an axis; the gimbal, which has only one motor to balance the single axis, will only diminish the shakes from that axis.
From any other axis, you will have to balance the gimbal manually.
1-axis or 2-axis stabilization is good for some things but not for all types of shoots.
For overall better stabilization, you should have the 3-axis gimbal as it balances the sudden jolts from any of the three-axis, namely tilt, pan, and roll.
If we talk about the price, then a 3-axis gimbal will cost more than others, but the investment is worth it.
They have the upper hand in providing the enhanced smoothness during the shots where the subject is moving.
You can get various style shots and can show the audience the story as you want without any blurs and jerks.
Build Quality and Weight
The build quality and the weight of the gimbals become important when you have to shoot for an extended period of time and that too in a harsh environment.
A gimbal should be made out of the best quality plastic and should feel comfortable in hand.
If the gimbal doesn’t have an ergonomic and smooth feel, then you will most likely experience fatigue when used for longer periods.
Other than that, the gimbal should be lightweight. If the weight is more than sore hands over the long period of use is inevitable.
You should ignore the gimbals, which are bulky and heavy. Go with the one which doesn’t compromise in the performance and also has less weight.
Features and Software
There are plenty of Sony A7 gimbals in the market, and all of them come with almost the same features.
If the gimbal you choose doesn’t come with the particular feature which would have made your work much easier in regular work, then it might be a wrong choice.
Look for features that fulfil your needs and make the job easier. Many of the gimbals come with gesture control, tracking features, dolly zoom, and more.
You can refer to different gimbal reviews to know more about the features they provide to make a better choice.
Besides the features, the utility software of the brand is also important. This software lets you have full control of the gimbal. You can control every function from your smartphone.
This software should be of good quality and should have intuitive controls and better compatibility with Android as well as with iOS.
If the software is of poor quality and lags during the working, then it is better not to have one.
Reliability
The gimbal should be durable and should be made out of the best quality material and components. Beware of cheap products available from unknown companies.
To save a few bucks, you might end with the gimbals, which lack performance; it is also possible that they might break down and stop working after a few uses.
To know more about the products, you can read reviews on those products. Customer feedback is the best way to establish the credibility of the brand.
Ease of Use
The control panel should be at an easy-to-reach distance, and the button placement should be such that there is no need for a stretch of a finger.
The controls shouldn’t be complicated and congested, and if that is the case, then your focus will be on the controls rather than on the scene.
In short, the gimbal you choose should be easy to use, the mounting process should be simple, and the camera should move fluidly with every movement.
A quick-release mounting plate makes the balancing much more convenient.
