Camera stabilizers steady your gear and help avoid shaky and unbalanced footage. They are a necessary accessory because there isn’t much you can do in post-processing with shaky footage without also introducing warping. Nonetheless, the market provides a variety of camera stabilizers, each a better fit for a particular situation or camera movement.
Choosing a camera stabilizer depends on your preferred video genre (e.g., YouTube tutorials, interviews, movies, etc.) and workflow (e.g., outdoor, studio, big crew, small budget, etc.). Continue reading to learn more about camera stabilizers and how to choose the best one for your footage.
Types of Camera Stabilizers
Not all camera stabilizers are the same. Before purchasing new gear, learn the differences between the types of camera stabilizers to find out which one works for you.
Handheld Stabilizers
Handheld stabilizers are designed to offer the freedom of handheld shooting while taking the weight off the filmmaker’s shoulders. They distribute the weight of the camera and accessories over your entire body (e.g., shoulders, waist, legs, etc.), which means you can steady the camera more efficiently, move rapidly (even run if you wish), and record continuous footage for a longer time.
Who should use a handheld stabilizer?
Handheld camera stabilizers are suited for filmmakers who prefer the handheld look and work with lightweight equipment, such as small video cameras or DSLRs. There are two reasons for this. First, a handheld camera stabilizer can only hold up to approximately 5 kg. Even when benefiting from an advanced weight-distributing system, it’s difficult to move around and keep the camera steady while carrying over 10kg of equipment. Handheld camera stabilizers are also a good choice when shooting outdoors, on rough terrain, or in the street.
Example: FLYCAM HD-5000 Handheld Video Camera Stabilizer
The handheld stabilizer provides stability and smooth gliding movements and works perfectly for travel shooting, recording events, and making outdoor video productions. It’s made of aluminum, which makes it lightweight while holding up to 5 kg of gear. The stabilizer features micro balancing for adjusting the horizontal balance of the camera, rotational camera control, 16 weight discs for maintaining the dynamic balance, and a telescopic central post for vertical balance.
3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizers
A 3-axis gimbal is a mechanism that maintains the orientation of the camera while allowing it to rotate smoothly on three axes (360-degree rotation). The stabilizer is controlled partly by your movement and partly by a joystick and buttons on the gimbal. You can expect smooth footage, easiness in operating the handle, and custom controls for panning and tilting.
Who should use a 3-axis gimbal stabilizer?
Any filmmaker who needs to move the camera while filming benefits from a 3-axis gimbal camera stabilizer. The only situation for which you don’t need a 3-axis gimbal is filming a static scene, such as an interview or a cooking tutorial. Whether you prefer to mount the camera on a tripod or in a handheld stabilizer, the 3-axis gimbal ensures balanced footage, smooth movements, and seamless following of the subject.
Example: DJI RS 3 Gimbal Stabilizer
This gimbal stabilizer weighs just 1.3 kg with a payload of up to 3 kg. It features a 360-degree pan, tilt, and roll, dual-layered quick-release plates, a 1.8-inch OLED full-color touchscreen, customizable controls, wireless shutter control, smartphone monitoring, and more. The DJI RS 3 includes a battery grip and has a 12-hour operating time. Its best feature is the RS stabilization algorithm that provides exquisite stability even in running scenarios or when switching rapidly between camera angles.
Vest Stabilizer System
A vest stabilizer system is a harness that distributes the weight of a handheld camera stabilizer over your entire body. It looks like a vest, hence the name, and protects your shoulders and back from the heavy load of camera gear, allowing you to focus on filming. A vest stabilizer system should be lightweight, well-padded and comfortable, adjustable to any body type, easy to put on, and resistant.
Who should use a vest stabilizer?
A vest stabilizer system is perfect for a filmmaker who likes versatility of different smooth shots, without having to set up a lot of gear. It is ideal if you plan to run, go up and down stairs, film in rough terrain, shoot from moving vehicles, or follow different subjects in one smooth take.
Example: Glidecam X10, Pro Video Vest Stabilizer System
This vest system isolates the operator’s movements from the camera and provides balanced footage regardless of the handheld camera stabilizer you attach to it. It supports a payload of up to 4.5 kg and may be adjusted for a left-hand or right-hand operator. The vest is made of 1000 denier cordura fabric, EVA foam padding, and integral T6 aluminum alloy and distributes the weight evenly over the back, shoulders, and hips. It’s also easy to adjust to any body type and neutralize the weight of the support arm based on your body’s center of gravity.
Crane / Jib
Jib and crane are interchangeable terms in the world of filmmaking. Sometimes people like to call jib a smaller crane, but they are basically the same thing. They are mechanisms that help you reach higher camera angles than you would do with a tripod or handheld camera and provide perfect vertical movement. For example, you can start filming your subject through a first-floor window and move the camera down to find the subject exiting the building. Or you can start filming a tree’s root and go up along its trunk.
Who should use a crane or jib?
A crane or jib is useful when you need dramatic vertical movement or want to place the camera at a high point. For example, you may want to film a scene from above, look through a window, recreate Romeo and Juliette’s balcony scene, or impress your audience by emphasizing the height of a tree or building. It is a sturdy gear made for professional use.
Example: Proaim Kite-22 24.5′ Octagonal Telescopic Camera Crane
This telescopic crane is made of aluminum that can hold up to 20 kg of camera gear. It has 360-degree rotating wheels, expandable arms, inbuilt wheel locks, and a Spin-3 axis pan tilt head with joystick control. You can also control the zoom speed thanks to a universal controller for LANC and Panasonic Mini DV or HDV cameras.
Tripod / Pedestal
Tripods and pedestals are sturdy and reliable camera stabilizers that provide the best stability and support the heaviest payloads. Pedestals are more stable and secure than tripods and usually have wheels to change the position of the camera more easily. Tripods, on the other hand, offer more grip and work better on rough terrain. Both are pretty stationary and designed for long filming hours and heavy gear.
Who should use a tripod or pedestal?
Tripods and pedestals are excellent choices when you have a relatively stationary filming setup and heavy gear. You don’t chase the subject around or run up and down stairs. Also, you usually need a reliable environment, such as a studio or indoors, because it’s difficult to pick up your gear and go with such a heavy load. Tripods are better for filming outdoors because of its rubber feet that offer grip on multiple surfaces.
Example: iKan E-Image Air-Assist Pedestal with Easy Height-Adjustment Lever
This is a professional camera pedestal, sturdy, easy to assemble, and complete. It’s an all-in-one kit for filming stationary scenes, such as TV shows, video interviews, studio films, and event broadcasting. The pedestal supports up to 14.97 kg and can hold a large studio or cinema-style camera and a studio-sized teleprompter. The legs have integrated mono-locks, and the 7103H fluid head offers 0-3 stages of tilt and pan drag and 0-8 stages of counterbalance settings.
Dolly / Slider
Dollies and sliders produce a sliding camera effect, meaning the camera moves horizontally as fast or slow as the operator wants. You may use this movement to provide context (start or end the movement with the subject in focus and use the rest of the movement to film the surroundings), keep a moving subject in focus and the same frame position, or move smoothly from one subject to another.
Who should use a dolly or slider?
A dolly or a slider is helpful to many filmmakers. It’s a versatile device that works very well for interviews or when filming someone in a moving vehicle, or walking in a park. It produces a dramatic effect that keeps the viewer engaged. You can even imagine a static scene, such as the interior of a room, and add dynamism and atmosphere by using a dolly or slider.
Example: GVM GR-120QD 47″ Motorized Camera Slider
This motorized camera slider provides smooth motion, 120-degree panorama shooting, and all the control you need. You can adjust the starting and ending points, speed, dwell time, shooting angle, head position, and even the parameters for time-lapse shooting. It’s made of carbon fiber and supports up to 4.98kg (11 lbs). GVM GR-120QD provides remote control, allowing you to operate the camera slider from a distance.
How to Choose a Camera Stabilizer
The type of camera stabilizer is not the only feature you need to consider. You’ll find plenty of other features that impact your work, such as….
Size and Weight
The size and weight of your gear will influence where you’ll be able to take it and how often you’ll be using it. Choose a camera stabilizer that fits your workflow and complements the existing gear.
If you use a relatively small and lightweight camera and shoot in studios or confined spaces, you don’t need the largest and heaviest camera stabilizer on the market. Also, if you move your gear a lot from one location to another, bulky or heavy equipment will increase your transportation costs.
If you film outdoors or in large spaces, have a film crew to carry your gear, or need to support professional TV or cinematic cameras, you should go for the sturdiest and most reliable camera stabilizer.
Type of Shooting
The type of shooting helps you understand what you need from a camera stabilizer. If you prefer the handheld look, limit your search to handheld camera stabilizers. If you film moving subjects and need to keep up with them, look for a stabilizer that provides speed and freedom of movement.
On the other hand, if you film mostly stationary subjects in a controlled environment, focus on a stabilizer that offers optimal stability and comfort for long hours of shooting.
Shots Needed
If you want a particular effect, you should go for a dedicated camera stabilizer. For example, if you only want a sliding movement, there’s no point in buying a camera stabilizer able to do everything. You just need a slider.
If you want stability and balanced footage, you don’t need a 3-axis gimbal because you won’t be chasing your subject around. Consider what shots you need most of the time and buy gear that covers 80% of your workflow.
Budget
Budget is also something to consider because professional camera stabilizers can be expensive. Again, think about how often you’ll be using the stabilizer, how much it will improve your work, and how much your revenue may increase thanks to the new addition to your equipment.
For tests and one-time-only occasions, try to borrow or rent the gear. If you’re committed to buying a camera stabilizer, look for the best value for the money.
Conclusion
Now that you know everything there is to know about different types of camera stabilizers, you can make an informed decision and choose a product that fits your workflow and necessities. Whether you go for a general-purpose pedestal or a more dedicated crane or slider stabilizer, remember that you should use every feature of that stabilizer. Don’t go for the fanciest or most expensive item if you can’t integrate it into your workflow. Consider the size, weight, type of shooting, the shots you need, and your budget before making a decision.
