Finding the best gimbal to use with your Sony A7iii is an important piece of the production process for most photographers. You always want to create footage that is smooth and clean. That’s why you need to look for gimbals that can carry the weight of your camera and lens.
Hello, my fellow photography and videography enthusiasts! My name is Lavelle and I am a professional photographer. Since 2009 I have been working with clients across the United States to photograph and film projects of all types. During this time, I have used some excellent gimbals.
In this article, I will share some tips on what you should look for in a good gimbal and I will also share with you my list of the best gimbals to use with the Sony A7iii. Additionally, I will answer a few frequently asked questions and give you some helpful nuggets of information.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- When looking for a gimbal for the Sony A7iii, consider the ones that have a high payload and good advanced features.
- Options with long battery life and short recharge times are great values.
- Look for stabilization systems that come with the gimbal to help create smooth video production.
Yes, most gimbals now come with remote control and monitoring features that are used in conjunction with smartphone applications.
Does the lens type affect the kind of gimbal to use with the Sony A7iii?
Weight distribution is the primary concern when considering the lens type to use with the Sony A7iii and the gimbal that you choose. You should consider the payload capacity when deciding on what to choose.
How much should a good gimbal cost?
The cost of a good gimbal varies greatly depending on the features of the gimbal. Generally speaking, a good gimbal may range in price between $250 and $1000.
What Makes The Best Gimbal for Sony A7iii
- Axis Stabilization: One of the most important characteristics of a gimbal is the stabilization system. Several of the best gimbals offer a 3, 4, or 5-axis stabilization which creates exceptional smoothness when recording videos. The Sony A7iii also works best with a gimbal that has a pan & tilt option.
- Best Grip: Since you will be holding the gimbal for several hours at a time potentially, it is important to get one with a good, ergonomic grip.
- Battery Life: One annoying inconvenience is having to stop in the middle of a great shoot to recharge your battery. Look for a gimbal that has a long battery life to enhance your productivity.
- Advanced Features: When all other factors are relatively even, the advanced features of the gimbal may be the determining factor in your choice. Look for gimbals that support your photography and videography needs with easy applications and practical functions. For the Sony A7iii, a gimbal with features such shutter control, fill lighting, and bluetooth are great options.
The 5 Best Gimbals for the Sony A7iii Reviewed
Now let’s get to the good stuff! Here is my list of the best gimbals for your Sony A7iii.
1. DJI RS3 (Best Overall)
- Max Payload: 6.6 pounds
- Battery Life: 12 hours
- Charging Time: 2.5 hours
- Special Feature: Easy Bluetooth shutter control
The first choice on my list is the DJI RS3. This all-around great gimbal offers excellent stabilization, has a great payload capacity, and supports live streaming. The battery life of this gimbal is also notable.
It is a lightweight, compact model with a decent payload and some nice additional features. The enhanced run time is very impressive as is the ease of use and the quick-release plate.
The thing that I like about this gimbal is the large 1.8-inch OLED display, which makes it very easy to frame objects. It is a much larger display than the one on its predecessor.
The one concern I have is the indefinite tracking issue. This hiccup is inconvenient and is corrected in the next version of this model, the RS2 Pro.
My Verdict: Overall, this gimbal offers the most bang for your buck. It’s a well-designed, user-friendly gimbal that supports the Sony A7iii nicely.
2. DJI RS3 Pro (Best Advanced Features)
- Max Payload: 10 pounds
- Battery Life: 12 hours
- Charging Time: 2.5 hours
- Special Feature: Advanced LiDAR Focusing
The next choice on my list is the DJI RS3 Pro. This well-designed gimbal improves on a few features from the RS3 and adds some very nice advanced features to its credit. The gimbal is perfectly designed for the Sony A7iii and gives you even more stability than its predecessor.
This model has a lot to offer including the highest payload of all the gimbals here. It can carry up to 10 pounds which is remarkable and with its 3.3 lb weight, it doesn’t feel nearly as heavy as it is. It also has a large display of 1.8 inches.
The thing that I really like about DJI RS3 Pro is the Active Track 3.0 system. It helps you to stay locked onto a subject, even when moving rapidly. This feature stands out from the gimbal along with several other notable advanced features.
The main drawback is bulkiness. While it doesn’t feel as heavy as it is, it is still a heavy piece to carry around, especially for long shoots. It also makes it a little more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces.
My Verdict: This is an excellent choice to use with the Sony A7iii. The features are great and it is well-designed specifically for that camera. This is a professional-level gimbal that is more expensive than the others but is well worth the investment.
3. Zhiyun Crane M3 (Best Budget)
- Max Payload: UNSPECIFIED
- Battery Life: 8 hours
- Charging Time: 2 hours
- Special Feature: Built-in LED Fill Lighting
The Zhiyun Crane M3 comes from a long line of gimbal greatness. The M3 is no exception as it offers excellent features and comes at a great price point.
This gimbal works very well with the Sony A7. It has built-in fill-up lights, a built-in microphone port, and some exceptional creative modes. It is ergonomically designed and very user-friendly.
It can shoot in 360-degree rotation while also offering the Pan Follow, POV, and Portrait modes and so much more. These features all combine to provide the user with some excellent options.
The one thing that worries me is the short battery life. This issue is noticeable in comparison to the other gimbals and causes the user to have to stop and recharge often.
My Verdict: The Crane M3 is a nice choice at an excellent price. It works almost perfectly with the Sony A7iii and it gives users several impressive features to choose from when using.
4. Moza Aircross 3 (Best Battery Life)
- Max Payload: 7.05 pounds
- Battery Life: 19 hours
- Charging Time: 1.4 hours
- Special Feature: Deep red algorithm
The Moza Aircross 3 is a nice, innovative approach to gimbal productivity. It has nice features on it and it works not only with Sony A7iii but also with several other mid-size cameras. Its compact size makes it easy to travel with.
This gimbal is a unique option in several ways. Its foldable structure and durable design makes it very appealing to traveling photographers. It is also a very stable gimbal with an exceptional auto-tuning function.
The thing that I like most about this gimbal is its lengthy battery life. At a run time of 19 hours, this gimbal is easily the top of the class in this category of gimbals. The charging time is also notable for such a long run time, only taking approximately an hour and a half to recharge.
The biggest concern is that there are not many automated functions on it. Most of the functions must be performed manually which creates a longer learning curve for users and is not as efficient as others on this list.
My Verdict: The Aircross 3 is a good option and offers an exceptional run time. It is structured well and has an excellent stabilization system.
5. FeiyuTech AK2000S (Best Design)
- Max Payload: 4.85 pounds
- Battery Life: 7 hours
- Charging Time: 1.5 hours
- Special Feature: Motion time lapse
The last choice on my list is the Feiyu Tech AK2000S. This interesting gimbal has a lot to offer users of all levels. From the one-touch display screen to the advanced features, this gimbal is deserving of serious consideration.
FeiyuTech AK2000S offers several excellent working modes including Pan Mode, Follow Mode, POV Mode, Lock Mode, Selfie Mode, and Portrait Mode. It also has an impressive multi-functional knob to navigate its features.
The thing that I like most about this gimbal is the motion time-lapse function. Sony A7iii owners can easily swipe left to engage the function which allows you to preset snapshot durations and route settings. It also gives you the option to reduce or increase rotation speed.
The main con is its unusual bulkiness. The size of the gimbal makes it difficult to use for long periods.
My Verdict: This is a good choice for several reasons including its durable construction and advanced features. It is moderately priced for gimbals in this category and is fairly easy to use.
Final Thoughts
A great gimbal can help you reach ultra-smooth video or pristine images with the Sony A7iii. You just need to find that perfect option to help make your shots smooth as butter.
Look for a model that gives you the types of features that will enhance your productivity. Overall, you want to choose a gimbal that makes your job much easier and gives you exceptional quality.
Hope that the gimbal options I’ve provided for you here will assist you in your photography and videography needs.
What gimbal has worked best for you? Share your thoughts here and feel free to leave any questions that you might have.
Until next time, keep changing the world, one image at a time!
