Focus Check podcast ep72: What are your ULTIMATE mirrorless camera features? - WATCH or LISTEN now!
Focus Check podcast ep72:The ULTIMATE mirrorless camera?
Education for Filmmakers
Language
The CineD Channels
Info
New to CineD?
You are logged in as
We will send you notifications in your browser, every time a new article is published in this category.
You can change which notifications you are subscribed to in your notification settings.
Zhiyun has just released a new smartphone gimbal: the Zhiyun SMOOTH-Q3. This lightweight and highly portable gimbal can take a maximum payload of 280g, which covers some of the heavier smartphones on the market, including the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The SMOOTH-Q3 features a built-in LED light, 17 creative shooting modes, and it’s just $89.00.
After the Zhiyun SMOOTH-Q2 that came out in 2019 on Kickstarter and the palm-sized Zhiyun SMOOTH-XS last year, the company is back on the smartphone gimbal market with the Zhiyun SMOOTH-Q3.
The Zhiyun SMOOTH-Q3 is a foldable compact smartphone gimbal with dimensions of only 45 x 154 x 180mm when folded, and 90 x 127 x 279mm when unfolded. With a weight of 340g/0.75lbs, it can take payloads ranging from 150g/0.33lbs to 280g/0.61lbs.
The SMOOTH-Q3 features a built-in 1300mAh battery with a maximum runtime of 15 hours, according to Zhiyun. The charging time is around 3 hours.
As you can see, Zhiyun changed the buttons’ layout compared to previous models. In front of the gimbal, you now have a zoom rocker on the left, a mode selector, a trigger button, a joystick, and the USB Type-C charging port on the right. At the back of the gimbal, you’ll find a position reset button; if you press this button multiple times, you can switch between landscape/portrait/selfie mode.
The Zhiyun SMOOTH-Q3 features a new built-in LED light. To turn it on, press the switch on top of the light. Then, if you press it again, you can select between three brightness levels. It’s not a really bright LED light, but it’s certainly much better and pleasing than your smartphone’s built-in flashlight.
To take full advantage and control over the Zhiyun SMOOTH-Q3, you’ll need to download the free ZY Cami App, which is available for iOS and Android smartphones.
Inside the App, you’ll have access to 17 shooting modes, including Dolly Zoom, Object Tracking, Gesture Control, Panorama, Time-Lapse mode, and so on.
Also, you can fully edit your footage inside the ZY Cami App. However, if you want to access the App’s templates or stream directly to social media, you’ll need to subscribe to the Zhiyun Prime program.
The Zhiyun SMOOTH-Q3 is available for pre-order and should start shipping on May 20th. The standard kit retails for $89.00/€80.00. In the box, you’ll find the gimbal, a small tripod, and one USB Type-C charging cable. You can get the Combo kit for $109.00/€95.00, which includes an extra compact bag, a wrist strap, and a ZY Cami Prime Card.
For more information, please visit Zhiyun’s website here.
What do you think about this new SMOOTH-Q3 smartphone gimbal? Do you often use a gimbal with your smartphone? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!
Stay current with regular CineD updates about news, reviews, how-to’s and more.
You can unsubscribe at any time via an unsubscribe link included in every newsletter. For further details, see our Privacy Policy
Want regular CineD updates about news, reviews, how-to’s and more?Sign up to our newsletter and we will give you just that.
You can unsubscribe at any time via an unsubscribe link included in every newsletter. The data provided and the newsletter opening statistics will be stored on a personal data basis until you unsubscribe. For further details, see our Privacy Policy
Jeff Loch is a French freelance director, editor and colorist, working mostly on music videos, commercials, and corporate films.