GoPro is, no doubt, a great camera that captures amazing, high quality photos and videos. But, being an action camera, it is mostly used while you’re on the move, or out there doing adventurous activities, like biking, skiing, diving and so on… This is where gimbals come into picture!
Although some of the newest models of GoPro Hero cameras (especially after Hero 7) come with quite impressive EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization), you may still need a gimbal for truly smooth and shake free shots and videos.
What is a Gimbal?
Equipped with motors and sensors, a gimbal is a device that allows your GoPro to rotate smoothly along an axis. These days, 3-axis gimbals are most commonly available in the market. They help in stabilising your camera while you are out and about, doing what you love the most: adventure! 🙂
So, while you tilt, pan and roll, gimbal enables you to get perfect shake-free shots!
5 Reasons Why You May Need Gimbal for GoPro
Whether you’re just an amateur who loves to take perfect shots on the go, or a professional photographer, a gimbal is worth adding to your kit!
Here we have compiled top 5 reasons why you need a gimbal for your GoPro:
#1: Better Stabilization:
Even if your GoPro has a good in-built EIS function, attaching a gimbal to your GoPro is always an added advantage. You’ll definitely notice a remarkable improvement in the stability of your shots when your GoPro is attached to a gimbal.
#2: Better Low-Light shots:
Even with the advanced version of EIS, that is, Hypersmooth, you may notice an annoying Jello effect commonly produced by the camera’s processor while shooting in low-light situation. But if you use a gimbal in low-light, you will definitely get a better shot as it smooths out most vibrations on the fly.
#3: Motion Timelapse:
In case you want to capture timelapse videos with camera move, you would need a gimbal to enable a smooth and slow rotation of your camera during long durations of time. In such situations, it’s just not possible to be holding the camera for so long and pull off a perfect rotation. So a gimbal is MUST!
#4: Fake Crane/Drone Shots:
If you attach your GoPro with a gimbal connected to a monopod, you can take great crane shots. The amazing stability that the gimbal provides makes it look exactly like the ones taken from a drone.
#5: Extend GoPro Battery Life:
Do you experience short GoPro battery life , especially when filming in higher resolutions and frame rates like 4k/60fps? Some Gimbals can work as a power supply too! Typically, gimbals have their own built-in battery which is larger than that of your GoPro. So, you can power your GoPro with your gimbal via a cable, in case you find that your GoPro is running out of battery.
Are GoPro Gimbals Waterproof?
No, most gimbals for GoPro (including the Official GoPro Karma Grip Gimbal) are NOT waterproof. But they are splash proof. So, it will work great in the rain. Just don’t take it underwater!
How much is a GoPro Gimbal?
GoPro gimbals cover a price range from as little as $90 up to 3-4 times more, so there’s one for every pocket. Find the current price of GoPro official Karma Grip Gimbal below:
- Capture amazingly smooth shake free video
- Compatible with GoPro body mounts
- Includes karma harness for Hero6 black/Hero5 black/Hero7 black
Top 3 Gimbals for GoPro
Here’s a list & quick review of top 3 gimbals for GoPro based on our experience. For an extensive review of the best 10 gimbals for GoPro and action cameras, check out “Top 10 GoPro Gimbal Stabilizers On the Market (2021)“.
#1. Inkee (3-Axis Handheld Stabilizer)
The Inkee gimbal for GoPro is designed to provide stable and versatile shooting options for action camera enthusiasts. This review will explore the features, pros, and cons of the Inkee gimbal, highlighting its compatibility, stability, and various shooting modes. It is compatible with GoPro Hero 11/10/9/8/7/6/5, OSMO Action,Insta360,Support GoPro Media Mod.
- 【Support Media Mod】: The gimbal is connected through the fast shoes of the action...
- 【Note】 For adjusting the balance, please refer to the video at the end of the...
- 【Extra Extension rod】Extension Rod for Adjustable Selfie Stick and low angle...
Pros: The gimbal’s Bluetooth control compatibility for GoPro models ensures seamless operation. The included extra extension rod offers adjustable selfie stick functionality and enables low-angle shots. The gimbal’s three motors provide quick response and physical stabilization for stable images, with a maximum load-bearing capacity of 200g, accommodating action cameras with media mods. The built-in 2500mAh rechargeable battery ensures long working time and fast charging, with the ability to function as a power bank and charge the GoPro camera during use. The Inkee gimbal boasts multiple shooting modes, including follow mode, lock mode, vertical shooting mode, low-angle shooting mode, and one-button time-lapse shooting mode.
Cons: Users need to carefully follow the video instructions for adjusting balance and update to the latest firmware for optimal compatibility with their GoPro Hero camera.
#2. GoPro Karma Grip for GoPro Hero 5, 6, 7
For an extensive review on the GoPro Karma Grip check out: GoPro Karma Grip Stabilizer: Full Review (2021)
GoPro Karma Grip gimbal is designed specifically for the GoPro Hero 5, 6 & 7. It’s very convenient to set up and lets you control your GoPro straight from the grip itself. Karma Grip gimbal also lets you get connected to the computer without having to detach the camera. You just need to plug the grip to your computer for transferring files and even recharging both the grip as well as the camera.
- Capture amazingly smooth shake free video
- Compatible with GoPro body mounts
- Includes karma harness for Hero6 black/Hero5 black/Hero7 black
Pros: Simplicity is the major forte of this product. Just about anyone even without any prior experience of handling gimbals can pick it up and start shooting. GoPro Karma Grip has high build quality and is lightweight at the same time. The performance of image stabilization provided by Karma Grip is awesome. 2 hours battery backup while shooting continuously also looks great!
Cons: GoPro Karma Grip is expensive. You can find gimbals offering similar functions at half the price! Also, it features only two shooting modes (pan follow and following). Another drawback of this gimbal is that it is NOT compatible with GoPro Hero 8 Black and onwards models.
Check out this video to see an interesting introduction about the GoPro Karma Grip and its operation!
#3. Hohem iSteady Pro 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal
Unlike other gimbals in the market, Hohem iSteady Pro has a one-piece design & it doesn’t require any assembly whatsoever. Owing to this, the gimbal is capable of providing superior stabilization and an excellent anti-shake performance. It has several different stabilization modes and also features object tracking option. Joystick of this gimbal lets you control as well to manually adjust the pan and tilt axes.
- [5.0 iSteady Tech] The 5.0 iSteady stabilizer helps you in capturing stunning and...
- [Quick Release Clip Design] The stabilizer is equipped with a quick release clip...
- [App Control Modes & One Click Videography] The hohem gimbal application works like a...
Pros: Compatible with most cameras including smartphone, action cameras and compact cameras, this gimbal also has a lot of interesting high end features, like object tracking (for smartphones). It provides great value for the price you pay for it. Another major plus of this gimbal is that it offers an impressive 12 hours of runtime!
Cons: I feel that the build quality of this gimbal could be better! Some iSteady Pro users have also reported to have experienced annoying motor noise while recording.
What Gimbal is The Best One For a GoPro?
In conclusion, a GoPro gimbal is an essential tool for anyone who wants to capture smooth and stable footage with their action camera. It eliminates shaky footage and allows you to focus on your subject without worrying about camera movements. A gimbal offers a variety of features like pan, tilt, and roll that enable you to capture different angles and perspectives.
Whether you’re an amateur filmmaker or a professional videographer, a GoPro gimbal can take your content to the next level and make it look more professional. It’s an investment worth making if you want to produce high-quality footage that stands out from the crowd.
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