This reduces wear on the gimbal motors. The second big question how easy is it to use is where things get a little murkier. It's definitely lighter, smarter and more capable. 5. You will lose some functionality, notably the record and zoom buttons on the gimbal handle and some advanced features in the app. Im not sure if this is a bug or expected behavior, but its very annoying. Following extensive testing, our verdicts in. Then, power on the device and place it in standby mode. With that said, the Smooth Q3 collapses via a sliding mechanism for compact storage. 3 comments Best Add a Comment MassDisaster 1 yr. ago You want PF mode not F Mode, F mode will follow the tilt as well meaning if you lower the gimbal to the ground the tilt will go full with the gimbal, PF mode doesn't do this and will keep the tilt level And the joystick will control tilt and pan. The Smooth Q3 cant compete with the OM4 either in my opinion, except on price. It does this to conserve battery charge, so to wake the device, unlock the fixing buckle of the roll and tilt axis. The trigger performs a couple of functions. The gimbal also acts as a selfie stick or even as a tripod and is an essential tool for video creators. You smartphone is connected via Bluetooth to the gimbal and smartphone software help guide you through capturing content with interesting perspectives. However, when I first tried them together I found out that the s20 ultra does not support 60fps on the gimbal. Trigger Button: The trigger performs a couple of functions. Jamie has been writing about all aspects of technology for over 14 years, producing content for sites like TechRadar, T3, Forbes, Mashable, MSN, South China Morning Post, and BBC Wildlife, BBC Focus and BBC Sky At Night magazines. Even with all of these features on board, I found myself rarely needing to charge the Smooth-Q3. We also discovered an issue with a jumpy zoom rocker and were not convinced that the ZY Cami app needs to collect as much personal data as it wants. It also lets you illuminate subjects and objects on the other side of the camera. Zhiyun Smooth 5 Problems: How to Fix Them - YouTube The more advanced, finessing features are all in the ZY Cami app. Stabilization: 3-axis It's just a few steps to setup the hardware, including sliding up the main vertical arm and tightening the screw, rotating the tilt axis fixing buckle, and then rotating the roll axis fixing buckle that has the smartphone mounting bracket attached to it. Note: The app upgrade process requires a functional internet connection to work. It ranges left, right, up and down smoothly and purposefully. You can not use an existing account if you already have one for another ZHIYUN product. Where the Smooth Q2 was straight and tube-like, the Q3 has a curved joystick look and feel. What does it mean? It also comes with an included tripod. If you capture video with your smartphone, a gimbal is a great way to capture smooth and cinematic content. Guilin Zhishen Information Technology Co., Ltd. ICP17006240-1 COPYRIGHT 2015 - 2023 Guilin Zhishen All Rights Reserved. This smartphone gimbal will take your TikToks and Instagram videos to or have already made your purchase, and you are wondering how to take your smartphone cinematography to the next level. Instant Dolly Zoom The Zhiyun Smooth-Q3 undercuts the DJI OM 4 so heavily that it earns a solid recommendation on price alone. The Zhiyun Smooth-Q3 is a solid piece of tech. While the restricted nature of this mode doesnt appeal to my particular tastes, its super-handy as a means of quickly compiling footage on-the-go. 3. Best gimbals Do you need one? I get why its much lighter but I prefer the sturdier construction of the Smooth Q2, which is more in line with ZHIYUNs larger camera gimbals. The Q3 appears to have solved this problem. Additionally, Android devices are able to support the Zhiyun Smooth Q3. Compatible with SMOOTH 5S. Lots of options may be confusing at first. The Smooth-Q3 feels like Zhiyun's natural response to the Q2, in as much as the shortcomings of the Q2 have largely been addressed with the Q3. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. To accommodate for the longer design, the Q3 uses a screw mechanism to hold the arm in place when its not in use, the arm slides down to rest just behind the handle. 4. Reddit, Inc. 2023. On the reverse is a trigger button to reposition the smartphone, switch between portrait and landscape orientation, and enable both PhoneGo (where the roll axis is locked) and SmartFollow 3.0 Object Tracking modes. Download the calibration upgrade tool and USB drivers. Just like the DJI Mimo app, theres a great emphasis on community here, since youre immediately presented with an array of videos created by other users. Plus, the fact that 4K rendering is locked behind a paywall is enough to put you off using the app as an editing tool. Mod IG: @felipe.m.Vera. 6. The experience is helped by the responsiveness of the Smooth-Q3s button layout. Therefore, keeping a subject in focus irrespective of any movement from the gimbals handle. Related: What to look for in a smartphone camera. Weight: 340g But is it any good? While it's still possible to achieve great results with other gimbals, we aim to provide a unique, feature-rich experience for each of the above-mentioned products. At the higher end, DJI leads the space with the Osmo Mobile series and the $149 OM4. The DJI OM4 ($149) is still plastic but feels sturdier and offers a marginally better app experience. Advanced features for ZHIYUN Prime . Smooth 5 - All lights blinking : r/Zhiyun - Reddit Once this is done, you will be prompted to log in or register your device on the ZY Cami app. Once that is done, proceed to: 1. Physically its undergone something of a makeover, but not necessarily as you might have expected. Attach the grip tripod to the ZHIYUN Smooth-Q3. The panoramic mode with the tripod is awesome since you can set the Smooth Q3 down on a stable surface, enable pano in the software, and then hit record to watch the gimbal work with your phone to capture a perfectly aligned pano shot. Privacy Policy. Zhiyun Smooth 5 Problems: How to Fix Them Zhiyun Smooth 5: https://amzn.to/3FiAZIl Zhiyun Smooth 5 COMBO: https://amzn.to/3FoIf5qM U S I C 30 days FREE-TRIAL: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/gbijmf/=========================================[Affiliate links: At no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you make a qualifying purchase]=========================================M Y M A I N G E A R:My Main Camera: https://amzn.to/3Hy5ZoLRecommended Full Frame Camera: https://amzn.to/2YkdZWUBest Vlogging Camera under $600: https://amzn.to/3kcRP0IMy Favorite Lens: https://amzn.to/37MRSLVMy Travel/All Around Lens: https://amzn.to/2Ym13j9My Drone: https://amzn.to/32P4lwGMy 2021 Travel Drone: https://amzn.to/3nxsyQwFavorite Drone: https://amzn.to/3aEzp6Y2021 Favorite Action Camera: https://amzn.to/3CIcfs0Pocket Camera: https://amzn.to/3lU2yhYThe Microphone I Use (2021): https://amzn.to/2TKY7gcEveryday Tripod - https://amzn.to/2YRVPuC=========================================M Y G I M B A L SFor Smartphone PRO: https://amzn.to/3FiAZIlFor Smartphone Everyday: https://amzn.to/2FldW5WFor Smartphone Budget: https://amzn.to/2RGELYRMy Camera Gimbal: https://amzn.to/3finVXz=========================================M Y L I G H T I N G G E A R:My Main Light: https://amzn.to/3kF3EhmGodox Cheap Studio Light - https://amzn.to/2NfXi8LAputure Budget Studio Light: https://amzn.to/3abc9MTNeewer Bi-color LED panel: https://amzn.to/39J8gOtMy favorite RGB Light: https://amzn.to/3bUZZrQFavorite Aputure RGB light: https://amzn.to/2ZCDClZFavorite Cheap RGB light: https://amzn.to/3fKguaLPortable Mini LED light: https://amzn.to/2NjELbv26 inches Softbox: https://amzn.to/3dpfOWN36 inches Softbox: https://amzn.to/3cgtBSPCheap light stand - https://amzn.to/2PrpHJZHeavy Duty light stand: https://amzn.to/3frZkOxHeavy Duty C-Stand: https://amzn.to/3abeabV5 in 1 Reflector Small: https://amzn.to/3fjGTLS =========================================E V E R Y D A Y G E A RSmall Travel Tripod - https://amzn.to/3hInXsGShoulder strap - https://amzn.to/31ahL7bCamera Clip (I won't travel without it) - https://amzn.to/3dtWBU5Carbon Fiber Tripod - https://amzn.to/37Wwx2vLavalier Mic - https://amzn.to/3emJncJ Budget Shotgun Mic: https://amzn.to/35GhNWk Microphone Stand: https://amzn.to/2ZG9OEV My Camera Backpack - https://amzn.to/2YZjglAMy wireless Buds: https://amzn.to/3pb5LLMAndroid Phone: https://amzn.to/3o5lkDrClothes I wear: https://amzn.to/3ox5GCTFull list here: www.amazon.com/shop/ottojulian=========================================F O L L O W M E: https://www.instagram.com/ottojulian_https://www.twitter.com/ottojulian_=========================================TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Intro=========================================About:=========================================#DJI #om4 #CreateMagneticMoments=========================================DISCLAIMER: I'm a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and most of the product links are Amazon Affiliate Links, where I earn a small commission if you decide to purchase an item AT NO EXTRA COST to you. For instance, the Magic Clone Pano is pretty much just the CloneMe Pano, letting you inject yourself into multiple points of a scene for rather hilarious shots of yourself and others being in multiple places at once. Create professional long-exposure shots after dark with these 10 tips, Why you need to plan now to photograph 2024's 'Great North American Eclipse'. But that app is comprehensive to say the least, and helps make the Smooth Q3 an overall impressive addition to the brands enormous range of gimbals for every scenario. 2023 The Institution of Engineering and Technology. Scan this QR code to download the app now. These buttons are spread across the stabilizers and control several functions. Enter the $89 ZHIYUN Smooth Q3 gimbal, which is only 60% of the price of the DJI OM4 and looks to be every bit as good but is it? ZHIYUN Smooth Q3 3-axis Stabilizer: Best Gimbal for Phones | ZHIYUN The Joystick:The Joystick is a quad-directional controller that enhances navigation when using the gimbal. Prior to turning on the gimbal, you can perform a bit of manual balancing. Throughout my ZHIYUN Smooth Q3 review period I constantly had to reconnect the app with the gimbal via Bluetooth. Hopefully, ZHIYUN pushes some updates, but Im not holding my breath. You can either upgrade the firmware for this device using your computer or the ZY Cami app on your smartphone. My Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 has too odd of a form factor to work in the gimbal, which was expected. The ZHIYUN Smooth-Q3 offers lightweight materials, compact construction, and a built-in fill light for mobile content creators. out there today. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The Smooth-Q3 uses a USB-C port for charging. Click on "upgrade," and the process will commence concluding in a few minutes. Three-axis structure for a surprisingly stable and smooth footage. USB convenient charging. Slide apart the smartphone clamp, it has rubber braces on either side, and insert your phone with the cameras facing away from you. Problem with Zhiyun Smooth Q3 : r/smartphonefilming - Reddit Now the ZHIYUN Smooth-Q3 is activated and ready for use. Options. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. As such, smartphone gimbals are perfectly placed to help users get the most out of their handsets, offering stable, professional-level recording in a compact form factor. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, This mode allows your smartphone to pan and tilt as the stabilizer moves while the roll axis remains in a fixed spot. You can also triple-tap the trigger button to switch between portrait and landscape mode. It provides content creators with the capacity to shoot vibrant cinematic shots at an affordable starting price. Theres a USB-C port for charging but you can no longer reverse-charge your phone with the gimbal. However, while DJIs CloneMe worked like a charm, the Magic Clone was an absolute mess in testing. Even though the videos on offer do feel highly curated, they at least provide some solid ideas for how you can make the most of your own Zhiyun gimbal. ZY Cami 1.3.4 2022-10-21 What's New 1. Activation is usually a one-off process for your new gimbal. ZHIYUN Smooth-Q3 Tutorial: Every Feature Explained, How to Live Stream with ZHIYUN Smooth Series on YouTube and Facebook, ZHIYUN X Wondershare: Gimbal Cinematic Shots You Can Try. When Lock mode (L) is enabled the three motors are locked and will not follow the movement of the stabilizer handle with the joystick again controlling tilt and pan. Amazon.com: Customer reviews: zhi yun Smooth Q3 Handheld 3-Axis Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. If you are willing to adjust to the ZY Cami app, youll get a host of additional features which are worth figuring out, even if only to see how they might mesh with your creative workflow. You can long press this button for a few seconds to turn the device on or switch off the Smooth-Q3 stabilizer. ZHIYUN claims a similar max runtime for both gimbals, although I didnt even get close to that in the summer heat. Which Gimbals are Currently Supported by FiLMiC Pro? All rights reserved. Buy Now. 3.For more templates, please subscribe to ZHIYUN Prime. Photo/Video Button: As the name implies, this button takes action to shoot videos or capture photos. The Zhiyun Smooth Q3 is available for $89 or $109 if you want the combo package that comes with some additional goodies; storage bag, ZY Cami one-year prime service card, and a wrist strap. It's definitely lighter, smarter and more capable. and independent advice on what to buy. 1. 1. You can even mount your phone in a case if it is not a bulky case. ! You genuinely can go from pocket to shot in seconds. The ZHIYUN Smooth Q3 only comes in gray. Entering the lock mode with a single press (when in pan follow) locks the three motors. Gimbals provide 3-axis stabilization with internal motors that activate after you mount your phone and then turn on the gimbal. Obviously at night, or in dark spaces indoors, having a dedicated light is immensely useful, making it much easier to capture clear portrait images or moody videos in low-light conditions. Two more buttons swap from video to photos, and toggle around four stabiliser modes (PF, L, F and POV). Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. While more serious, heavy-duty DSLR camera users will migrate upstream to pro-level gimbal products . Does any one knows if Samsung developers are coming with a new update to . The integrated light is a great feature we do not see on the DJI competitor. Clearly the standout feature on the Smooth Q3 is its built-in 4,300k fill light, which forms the top of the smartphone clamp and can be toggled through three levels of brightness. This soft but powerful light contributes to a warmer, more natural skin tone and is well-suited to day or night-time use. An excellent way to start is by first understanding the buttons that are present on the gimbal. Its just a tad too large, being on the verge of ruining the portability factor that makes smartphone filming so appealing in the first place. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. To activate the Smooth-Q3, ensure that your smartphone is connected to the Internet and the Bluetooth is switched on. Unfortunately, there are a few issues holding back the editing component of the ZY Cami app. With that thought in mind, if you buy the 'Combo' pack - which is the better value of the two hardware bundles available - you get the Q3; a decent carrying case; the USB-C charging cable; the extension handle; a hand strap - plus a one-year membership card for Zhiyun Prime. Zhiyun Smooth Q3 review | ZDNET The Zhiyun Smooth Q3 is an uncategorized device designed for stabilizing smartphones and cameras. Zhiyun Smooth Q3 8.00 / 10 Read Reviews See on amazon At its core, the Zhiyun Smooth Q3 provides a budget-friendly gimbal with everything you want. Learn more. Its smaller form factor makes it easy to pack the case and gimbal along with you everywhere. ZHIYUN is gunning for DJI with the new super-lightweight Smooth Q3 at almost half the price of the OM4. In this regard, the Zhiyun Smooth-Q3 is far more aligned to my tastes, featuring a slimmer grip and a lightweight frame that comes in at just 340g, making it super-easy to hold for long periods of time without fatigue. Sell on Amazon 3 VIDEOS Zhi yun Smooth Q3 Combo, Handheld 3-Axis Smartphone Gimbal Stabilizer with Grip Tripod LED Fill Light Protective Case Foldable Phone Stabilizer for iPhone & Android Visit the zhi yun Store 349 ratings | 25 answered questions About this item Best add on lenses for phones. There's a red record button, a mode button and that's your minimalist lot. New Q3 can't be found via bluetooth I thought maybe firmware was an issue, so I successfully upgraded it via Windows program. It stutters as its switches between the lenses of a quad camera phone. If youre tied to a strict budget then the Smooth-Q3 can still offer fantastic gimbal-quality footage with a great fill light to boot, all without breaking the bank. Guilin Zhishen Information Technology Co., Ltd. ICP17006240-1 COPYRIGHT 2015 - 2023 Guilin Zhishen All Rights Reserved. What does it mean? This unfortunately means you can no longer reverse-charge your phone from the gimbal. Click on "upgrade," and the process will commence concluding in a few minutes. So this is a gimbal for vloggers, right? This almost-great Raspberry Pi alternative is missing one key feature, This $75 dock turns your Mac Mini into a Mac Studio (sort of), Samsung's Galaxy S23 Plus is the Goldilocks of Smartphones, How the New Space Race Will Drive Innovation, How the metaverse will change the future of work and society, Digital transformation: Trends and insights for success, Software development: Emerging trends and changing roles. Setting up the ZHIYUN Smooth-Q3 for use with your smartphone is pretty straightforward. The Smooth 4 ($99) is a larger and less portable but more well-rounded gimbal to my mind than the Smooth Q3. The ZHIYUN Smooth-Q3 comes with several modes that are designed to give creators a variety of shooting options. The motors are responsive and powerful enough to handle larger smartphones but they seem much more sensitive than the Q2, frequently flopping under load (for example, when using attachable lenses). Delving deeper into the feature set, I found it hard to shake the notion that Zhiyun had simply looked at what DJI was doing and tried to imitate its competitor with mixed success. Using the ZY Cami app is much easier. The core controls and button layout have also been improved on the Q3 for more natural thumb and finger access and a simplified workflow, which makes using the gimbal more instinctive once you learn the necessary. The Smooth Q3 has a familiar button setup on the handle. At $89 the Smooth Q3 is cheaper than both its predecessor the Smooth Q2 at $119 and the DJI OM4 at $149. The flip-side to that is that the Q3 is very easy to travel with; the entire gimbal collapses in half thanks to a slider. The phone clamp securely held these phones and the rubber inserts protected the finish on the phones. Most importantly, ZHIYUN Smooth-Q3 comes with USB Type-C and a 1300mAh battery which can last up to 15 hours, making it convenient for extended shooting projects like hiking, road trips, etc. You could simply slap in a phone and start gimballing, but you'll be making the motors work a lot harder than they need to while they constantly compensate for the movement. Hello beautiful people, Today bought my first Smooth Q3, however, when I power on Smooth Q3 , All 4 indicator lights blink rapidly at the same time. Zhiyun's Smooth Q3 Gimbal for iPhone comes with a fill-in light geared toward YouTubers and offers robust filming features in a highly compact device. Still, if you happen to have a Zhiyun Smooth-Q2 in your collection, then the Q3 feels so far removed from its predecessor that it would be easy to mistake it as one of DJIs gimbals from sight alone. ZY Cami app is unreliable No more reverse-charging Motors seem very sensitive ZHIYUN Smooth Q3 As far as an affordable, basic smartphone gimbal goes, the ZHIYUN Smooth Q3 is a good. Zhiyuns latest mobile gimbal does its best to swipe the DJI OM 4s crown with a similar array of features and an even more tempting price point. Nothing changed, all 4 green lights flashing rapidly. Smooth Q3 Combo . Theres not much else to say about the Smooth Q3s light other than it works as advertised it is just a light after all. The Smooth Q3 defaults to portrait orientation when you power it on. Mount your device to the ZHIYUN Smooth-Q3. I thought maybe firmware was an issue, so I successfully upgraded it via Windows program. Switching to vortex mode on the Smooth-Q3 can be done by single pressing the mode button when in POV mode or double pressing the mode button when in pan follow mode. Privacy Policy. Put it back on the charger for 2 - 3 hours then check it, probably will fix the issue. Cookie Notice In this mode, you can fiddle with the joystick to control the tilt and pan axis. Smooth 3 comes standard with one 26650 rechargeable battery, supporting unprecedented ultra-long continuous runtime up to 14 hours. The smartphone gimbal war is now a battle of increasingly lighter and lower-cost products. For that added durability Im willing to pay the price of extra weight, although many wouldnt. The first question has a very simple answer here: very. Nothing changed, all 4 green lights flashing rapidly. Mode Button: The mode button also performs a host of functions that enables switching from one mode to another, depending on a single or double press action. Has the tactic paid off? Downtown_Waltz122 4 mo. Zhiyun Smooth Q3 Review: The Best Budget Gimbal for Instagram - MUO 2. Extend the gimbal arm and tighten the lock screw. A single press of the button starts or stops video recording, while double-pressing this button captures images. QuickEdit pretty much does all of the work for you, throwing in music, transitions and timed cuts automatically, if all you need is a snazzy few seconds to populate your social media feed.