Do you want to make your videos look more professional?

Enter: Camera Gimbals.

While they’ve been around for a while, they’ve really made a splash in the past couple of years. Manufacturers have come out with high-quality gimbals for DSLRs, mirrorless models, smartphones and action cameras (like GoPros) – at more affordable prices.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s talk about why gimbals are the key to smooth, shake-free footage.

What is a camera gimbal?

Equipped with motors and sensors, a gimbal is a device that allows your digital camera to rotate smoothly along an axis. These days, 3-axis gimbals are the most common type. They stabilise your camera while you tilt, pan and roll, and help you to film fluid, smooth footage while you’re on the move. In the past, mechanical camera stabilisers were used to prevent jerky footage, but gimbals have a little more manoeuvrability. 

While gimbals are handy for shooting stills from tricky angles, they’re essential for videographers. With a gimbal, you have the freedom to film handheld, knowing you’ll end up with steady, blur-free footage. Think of it as the best way to hold a camera steady without a tripod.

Videographers who have been in the game for a while may be used to dollies, jigs and other professional video-making equipment. Though gimbals can’t replace these, they’re much more portable – which is great news for on-the-go content creators.

How does a camera gimbal work?

Backed by algorithms and gyroscopes, gimbals pick up on any unwanted jolts or bumps in your footage – and then stabilise those moments with the help of motors.

The popular 3-axis gimbals use Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) to detect movement, and then adjust the gimbal on each axis to balance your camera and keep it still as you move through the scene. The best part? The gimbal’s built-in computer can determine which movements are intentional (and which ones aren’t), so your panning scenes and sweeping views turn out the way you wanted them.

Thanks to this technology, 3-axis gimbals can create a cinematic yet dreamy effect, where the camera appears to be floating through the air. (On that note, this is why many of the newer video drones are fitted out with gimbals.)

Finally, gimbal motors are usually brushless. This means they’re silent – which is key to the quality of your finished work.

On a budget? Though 3-axis gimbals offer the smoothest video, they’re an investment. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, go for a 1-axis or 2-axis gimbal. They have similar capabilities, so they’re great starter gimbals.

Do I need a gimbal?

Now, onto the million-dollar question: Should you get a gimbal?

If you’re a budding or professional videographer who’s serious about video quality, it’s worth adding a gimbal to your kit. Without one, handheld video can be very hit and miss. You’ll be limited in the movements you can make, and may have to settle for less-interesting shots. Chances are, you could also end up with shaky footage. Unless you’re deliberately shooting in a ‘raw’ style (like you might for a documentary), the goal is to film steady video.

Of course, a tripod will help you to film smooth footage – but it can’t offer the same speed and versatility to move your camera like a motorised gimbal can. For this reason, many wildlife and sports videographers choose to use a gimbal to stabilise their camera and track moving subjects.


Along with shooting steady footage, there are other benefits to using gimbals:

They’re quick to set up, compared to more professional stabilisation gear.

They’re lightweight and easy to carry, which is important if your videography often takes you on adventures.

They let you comfortably film with your camera for longer periods of time.

They help you to effortlessly change the direction of your camera, which can cut down on your shooting time.

They allow you to mount other camera accessories, such as microphones.

They give you a firmer hold on your camera.

They’re brilliant for shooting underwater and aerial footage.

Some gimbals are connected to apps that can open up a new world of creative possibilities, too.

It's the reason I like camon 18 sha, cos of the gimbal camera feature

Shuregirl:
It's the reason I like camon 18 sha, cos of the gimbal camera feature

so with the camon 18, no need for a gimbal ?

Seems so

Cheezzyy:
so with the camon 18, no need for a gimbal ?

all these epistle for camera wey go fade after 6 month? oga o

Shuregirl:
It's the reason I like camon 18 sha, cos of the gimbal camera feature

yep. It's a cool.feature

judatech:
Do you want to make your videos look more professional?

Enter: Camera Gimbals.

While they’ve been around for a while, they’ve really made a splash in the past couple of years. Manufacturers have come out with high-quality gimbals for DSLRs, mirrorless models, smartphones and action cameras (like GoPros) – at more affordable prices.

But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s talk about why gimbals are the key to smooth, shake-free footage.

What is a camera gimbal?

Equipped with motors and sensors, a gimbal is a device that allows your digital camera to rotate smoothly along an axis. These days, 3-axis gimbals are the most common type. They stabilise your camera while you tilt, pan and roll, and help you to film fluid, smooth footage while you’re on the move. In the past, mechanical camera stabilisers were used to prevent jerky footage, but gimbals have a little more manoeuvrability. 

While gimbals are handy for shooting stills from tricky angles, they’re essential for videographers. With a gimbal, you have the freedom to film handheld, knowing you’ll end up with steady, blur-free footage. Think of it as the best way to hold a camera steady without a tripod.

Videographers who have been in the game for a while may be used to dollies, jigs and other professional video-making equipment. Though gimbals can’t replace these, they’re much more portable – which is great news for on-the-go content creators.

How does a camera gimbal work?

Backed by algorithms and gyroscopes, gimbals pick up on any unwanted jolts or bumps in your footage – and then stabilise those moments with the help of motors.

The popular 3-axis gimbals use Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) to detect movement, and then adjust the gimbal on each axis to balance your camera and keep it still as you move through the scene. The best part? The gimbal’s built-in computer can determine which movements are intentional (and which ones aren’t), so your panning scenes and sweeping views turn out the way you wanted them.

Thanks to this technology, 3-axis gimbals can create a cinematic yet dreamy effect, where the camera appears to be floating through the air. (On that note, this is why many of the newer video drones are fitted out with gimbals.)

Finally, gimbal motors are usually brushless. This means they’re silent – which is key to the quality of your finished work.

On a budget? Though 3-axis gimbals offer the smoothest video, they’re an investment. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, go for a 1-axis or 2-axis gimbal. They have similar capabilities, so they’re great starter gimbals.

Do I need a gimbal?

Now, onto the million-dollar question: Should you get a gimbal?

If you’re a budding or professional videographer who’s serious about video quality, it’s worth adding a gimbal to your kit. Without one, handheld video can be very hit and miss. You’ll be limited in the movements you can make, and may have to settle for less-interesting shots. Chances are, you could also end up with shaky footage. Unless you’re deliberately shooting in a ‘raw’ style (like you might for a documentary), the goal is to film steady video.

Of course, a tripod will help you to film smooth footage – but it can’t offer the same speed and versatility to move your camera like a motorised gimbal can. For this reason, many wildlife and sports videographers choose to use a gimbal to stabilise their camera and track moving subjects.


Along with shooting steady footage, there are other benefits to using gimbals:

They’re quick to set up, compared to more professional stabilisation gear.

They’re lightweight and easy to carry, which is important if your videography often takes you on adventures.

They let you comfortably film with your camera for longer periods of time.

They help you to effortlessly change the direction of your camera, which can cut down on your shooting time.

They allow you to mount other camera accessories, such as microphones.

They give you a firmer hold on your camera.

They’re brilliant for shooting underwater and aerial footage.

Some gimbals are connected to apps that can open up a new world of creative possibilities, too.

but one will still need a gimbal for standing sha

Camera stand is different from the gimbal though

Blastedholligan:
but one will still need a gimbal for standing sha

hoilakes:
Camera stand is different from the gimbal though

I know, the phone still needs a stand for video purpose

So people can use the phone without a gimbal or stand?

sunshineV:
all these epistle for camera wey go fade after 6 month? oga o

Xiaomi sef dey fade. I don use one so I dey talk out of experience

Kunja2:
Xiaomi sef dey fade. I don use one so I dey talk out of experience

who said anything about xiaomi? mtcheew all these dead marketers sef

sunshineV:
who said anything about xiaomi? mtcheew all these dead marketers sef

you OBVIOUSLY are a xiaomi marketer na so I was making reference to your Employers

Mohbola:
Seems so

doings from Tecno, lol

well....

Cheezzyy:
doings from Tecno, lol

Blastedholligan:
yep. It's a cool.feature

I think it's the first phone to come with that feature, right?

Cheezzyy:
so with the camon 18, no need for a gimbal ?

apparently, yes

Tecno Camon 18 premier has this feature. It allows you take steady video even in motion.

Maybe with he camon 18 you don't need a gimbal as the camera already comes with that feature preinstalled.

Shuregirl:
I think it's the first phone to come with that feature, right?

yeah I believe so too cos I've not heard of any other.

No need carrying extra loads , the Camon 18 Premier is very handy here

Sure is the camera or na your vision dey fade?

Think am well

sunshineV:
all these epistle for camera wey go fade after 6 month? oga o

Blastedholligan:
I know, the phone still needs a stand for video purpose

Yea! It might need a tripod stand but, they called it a Gimbal camera, it might not need the stand since it's a Gimbal camera..

Swears... That why I love this brand, once it a Gimbal camera no need for me to be carrying loads again, would probably get one for me

Not if you have the camon 18

Idarachris84:
Sure is the camera or na your vision dey fade?

Think am well

nothing to think jare. na u no get sense

Lol!

Him talk say you get brain failure!

sunshineV:
nothing to think jare. na u no get sense

Kakadancefreak:
Lol!

Him talk say you get brain failure!

brain failure ke? small play on words u don dey yarn dust. u need better education o

With a device like Camon 18 you don't need a gimbal

Ammaizingemmy:
Swears... That why I love this brand, once it a Gimbal camera no need for me to be carrying loads again, would probably get one for me

Camon 18 ba?

Sunkanmiwise:
No need carrying extra loads , the Camon 18 Premier is very handy here

i think the gimbal camera feature is on the entire camon 18 series

Epass2f:


Yea! It might need a tripod stand but, they called it a Gimbal camera, it might not need the stand since it's a Gimbal camera..

very true