So, you decided to launch your youtube channel and need some advice to spend your money wisely on gear? I've got you, especially if you are going to film youtube videos off your phone and with a small budget for 2023.
Instagram and tiktok are great for short videos but if you need to dive into specific topics and need to post longer videos, youtube is the best platform to do so. However, filming content for Youtube requires different techniques and gear and one of the first things you need to invest in to take your content to the net level is a gimbal: both to stabilise your videos but also to be able to take a portable stand that can track your face and body while you film yourself without help.
Shopping for gear as an influencer can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to finding the right phone stabilizer or gimbal. There are 2 types of gimbals, gimbals for phones and for cameras. In this blog post we address how I went through the process of buying a phone gimbal, from the research to the purchasing step, including links to my favourite gimbals.
Before you spend your money, here are some tips to help you find the best option for your needs:
- Research the top gimbals: Start your search by researching the top gimbals on Google. Look for models that have received positive reviews and are highly rated by influencers and photographers.
- Watch YouTube reviews: Go to YouTube and watch reviews of the top gimbals. Pay attention to the pros and cons of each model, as well as the overall performance and ease of use.
- Visit a physical store: Find a physical store that sells the gimbal you are interested in. This will allow you to test the product in person and see if it is a good fit for your needs.
- Test it out: Try out the gimbal with your own phone and see how it performs. Make sure it feels comfortable to hold and that it provides smooth and stable shots.
- Compare prices on Amazon: Before buying the gimbal, go to Amazon and type in the product name. Look at suggested or similar products and compare prices and features.
- Check for alternative options: If there is another product you are interested in, repeat the process. Visit a store where you can test the product in person and compare prices and features on Amazon.
- Look for online offers: Before making a final decision, check for online offers. Compare prices and consider buying online if you can find a good deal.
By following these steps, you will be able to find the best phone stabilizer or gimbal for your needs. Whether you are shooting vlogs, tutorials, or any other type of content, a good gimbal can help you take your filming to the next level.
To continue, here are my top 2 phone gimbals, their cost and an online link to each one of them:
1. DJI
Despite some controversy around privacy policies around DJI's drones, it is no secret DJI is still a favourite among thousands of creators worldwide. They quickly identified the future trends of content creation from our phones and quickly built some of the best phone gimbals on the market. Particularly their OSMO mobile version 3 which I particularly liked filming on when it launched a few years back, however since the launch of Tiktok, where dance moves and face-locking editing trends started, that version was left a bit outdated, so they came up with my favourite version so far, which appears in many gimbal reviews for 2023, the OSMO mobile 6 with face tracking 5.0.
Why I like the Osmo mobile 6? because it has kept the industry three-axis stabilization, it is still foldable and portable but it comes with an integrated extendable arm, which is a must when filming myself when I interview people in the street. But another thing I appreciate is its quick start and active Track 5.0– if you are a tiktoker, you will find this super useful. And to put the icing on the cake it comes with a quick release magnetic design.
What I don't like about it? If you use a wireless microphone, there is very little space between the adaptor and the gimbal's axis and it also doesn't come with a built in selfie light, so if you film in places with low light, such as concert or indoor events, you might have to buy a separate phone ring-light and that might be uncomfortable, adding extra weight to your phone, making your gimbal lose battery in less time.
You can buy it here:
https://store.dji.com/es/product/osmo-mobile-6?gclid=Cj0KCQiA2-2eBhClARIsAGLQ2RmLWEivjcvIVPdTHlV01T4M_nT3HAkoskQjQLLwg1o6POE5HKp0uwEaAvPCEALw_wcB&vid=121851
Price: 169 Euros.
2. Zhiyun
I found this brand on amazon, and I suddenly realised how famous it was among a big niche of youtubers and tiktokers who create super cool videos, especially under low light conditions. Why? because its latest model–the one I ended up buying comes with a built in selfie light and it gives you the option of adding 2 extra light magnets you can buy separately, the Zhuyin Smooth 5S (don't mistake it for the plain smooth 5!).
The brand specialises on photography equipment, and are particularly good at Gimbals for smartphones. So a good thing about them is that unline DJI who specialises in drones, they are solely focused on photography accessories, giving me that extra reliability that the company is fully focused on delivering good photography accessories.
Why I like the Smooth 5S? As I mentioned before the integrated selfie light was a deal breaker for me. And it shouldn't be for you, as each one of us creators, we will film in different places with different light conditions. The truth is, I travel to Sweden quite often and it can be a bit dark during winter, so this will help me a lot. On the other hand, I also attend a lot of events where light can be tricky.
In addition to the integrated light, I liked that it also had everything else the DJI Osmo 6 came with: 3 axis stabilisation, it is foldable and portable, extendable arm, quick start and it has all the cool things you need in its control panel: joystick, mode button, etc, including my favourite, a dolly zoom effect.
You can buy it here:
https://www.zhiyun-tech.com/en/product/detail/682?type=website&page=header&source=general_detail&title=SMOOTH%205S
Price: 189 Euros
Let me know on IG, Youtube or Tiktok which one you chose:
https://linktr.ee/thereelgiga
All the best!
Andrea Neira
