Just catching up on this thread! Since you mentioned vertical shooting for Reels, you should definitely check out the DJI RS 3 Mini 3-Axis Gimbal Lightweight Design. It supports native vertical shooting without needing extra accessories, which keeps the setup light. I usually check the compatibility lists on the DJI site or sites like RTINGS for motor strength tests before buying. Another solid budget pick is the Hohem iSteady MT2 Kit Camera Gimbal Stabilizer. It is often cheaper than the DJI stuff and the build quality is surprisingly good for the price. Practical tip: when you are balancing that Sigma 18-50mm, try to balance it at the halfway point of the zoom range, maybe around 35mm. This way, the motors dont struggle as much when you zoom in or out. Also, keep an eye on BH Photo Video or even eBay for open-box deals... you can usually snag a higher-end model for way less than retail.

I just saw this thread and honestly, I spent way too much time looking at spreadsheets for this exact setup. I was obsessed with finding the perfect power-to-weight ratio because I didnt want to burn out the motors while hiking. I actually started with the Zhiyun Crane M3S 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer because its incredibly light at around 705g. The built-in fill light is a nice touch for travel, but I found that with the Sigma 18-50mm, the balance was a bit finicky when shooting vertically. The clearance between the camera body and the tilt motor is just a bit too tight for my liking when doing fast movements. I eventually swapped to the DJI RS 3 Mini Lightweight Travel Gimbal. Its usually right at the $249 mark on sale. The 2kg payload capacity is overkill for the ZV-E10 II, which is actually a good thing because it means the motors stay cool and the battery lasts longer. The native vertical shooting is basically built into the design, so you dont lose stability by adding extra brackets. If you want to save even more cash, the Hohem iSteady MT2 4-in-1 Camera Gimbal is worth a look. It supports up to 1.2kg and has this cool AI tracking sensor that works without an app. Its great for solo creators, tho the build quality feels a bit more plasticky compared to the DJI. Personally, I think the DJI RS 3 Mini is the sweet spot for specs vs price right now... just feels more professional in the hand.

I've been through a lot of these budget setups over the years and honestly, most people focus on weight and forget about motor reliability. Just curious tho... are you planning on adding a cage or a shotgun mic later on? Even a small mic can really change the balance and strain those smaller motors when you're tilted. Since you want to stay under 250, you should definitely look at the Feiyu SCORP-Mini 2 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal. I've found it to be way more reliable than the cheaper plastic ones, and it handles the weight of that Sigma lens no problem. It has native vertical shooting which works great for TikTok. Another one that flies under the radar is the Moza AirCross S 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal. It's super light and fits into a backpack easily. Moza's software is a bit clunky compared to DJI, but for pure stabilization, it gets the job done without breaking the bank.

The Sigma is light but shifts weight when zooming. Are you planning on adding a cage or heavy mic? Payload distribution is huge for those smaller motors tho... dont want to overload the axis torque.

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