Sony A6700 Active Steadyshot vs small gimbals?

[Jeromy]

Hi All, I have a question regarding using a gimbal with the A6700 camera. For video, I primarily use three Sony lenses: the E PZ 10-20mm f/4 G, the E 15mm f/1.4 G, and the E 16-55mm f/2.8 G. Given that, would you stabilize handheld video with the camera’s Active Steadyshot or a gimbal? If you were to choose a gimbal for the A6700, which would it be? - Thank you in advance.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

Footage taken with a gimbal will always be superior to Active Steady Shot. Active steady shot crops in, and I believe there are other drawbacks.

I would rank stabilization this way:
Poor - A6700 and non-stabilized lens
Average - A6700 and Sony OSS lenses
Good - A6700, Sony lens, and Active Steady Shot
Better - A6700, Sony lens, stabilize footage with Sony Catalyst Browse software
Best - A6700, any lens, plus gimbal.

I would probably go with something like the Zhiyun Crane M3, but lenses like the 16-55 would require you to rebalance the gimbal at different focal lengths because the lens barrel extends. Also, make sure that whatever gimbal you choose can handle the weight of the largest lens you plan to use. A few years ago I got a compact gimbal and it could not handle the weight of the Sigma 16mm on my a6400, so research before you buy your gimbal!

 

[Richard A]

Personally, I’d be doing my own experiments with active steady shot to see if you get the results you are after before getting a gimbal. The limited amount of video I have done with my camera so far has all been on a tripod. I am planning something (when I get the right conditions) that will be hand held but not suitable for a gimbal.

 

[Jeromy]

Thank you for your responses. Considering lenses like the 16-55mm f/2.8, which DJI gimbal would you recommend—the RS3 Mini or the RS4? TIA.