13/03/2026 4:14 am
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What's the best small gimbal for a Sony a6700 that wont break my back or my bank account? i just bought this camera like two weeks ago because everyone said it was great for travel and stuff but man my hands are super shaky and the video looks like an earthquake happened lol. I've been watching some youtube videos and they keep talking about gimbals but honestly i am totally lost like i have no idea where to start and some of them look so huge and heavy.
I'm going to Japan in three weeks for my first big solo trip mostly hitting up Kyoto and Tokyo and I really want to get some smooth cinematic shots of the shrines and the busy streets but I dont want to be carrying around some giant professional rig that makes me look like a weirdo or weighs down my backpack. My budget is probably around $300 maybe $400 if it's really worth it but i'd prefer cheaper if possible since i already spent way too much on the camera itself. I keep seeing people mention the dji rs3 mini or some zhiyun thing like the crane m3 but i dont know if they actually fit the a6700 or if the setup is going to be a total nightmare for someone who barely knows how to change a lens...
I heard you have to balance them every single time you turn them on which sounds kinda exhausting if im being honest. is there something that is just really easy to use for a beginner like me? also the a6700 has that little flip out screen so i need to make sure it doesnt hit the motor or whatever when it moves around. sorry if these are really dumb questions but i feel like i'm drowning in technical specs and i just want something that works right out of the box without me needing a masters degree in engineering. any advice on what i should look at for a small setup that fits in a regular daypack or am i better off just trying to hold it really still...
Wait, I forgot to mention I'm using the kit lens that came with it, the 16-50mm one, so it's pretty light but I might buy a better lens later so I guess it needs to be able to hold a little more weight just in case. does that change anything?
3 Answers
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13/03/2026 4:48 am
Re: "Honestly, I was in the same boat before..."
- I agree, but be careful with that flip-out screen. The DJI RS 3 Mini 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer is a safer bet because it has enough clearance for the a6700. If you upgrade lenses later, it wont struggle with the weight. Just make sure to use the Bluetooth shutter... it saves a lot of hassle. Better to be safe than stuck with a rig that blocks your view.
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13/03/2026 4:38 am
Building on the earlier suggestion, I've spent years testing these small rigs because I hate lugging a heavy payload in my daypack. In my experience, the Zhiyun Crane M3S 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer is a sleeper hit for the a6700. It weighs around 705g but the motors are punchy enough that your kit lens setup is a breeze. The big win for your Japan trip is the PD fast charging—you can just top it off with a power bank while grabbing lunch. I used to spend way too much time recalibrating old gear, but the quick release system on this one actually works. Since the a6700 is only about 493g, you arent even hitting half of what this thing can carry. That headroom means the motors wont get jittery when you're walking. It fits your $300 budget and the clearance for the flip screen is solid. Definitely easier than carrying a massive rig.
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13/03/2026 4:14 am
Honestly, I was in the same boat before my last big trip and I'm so happy I went with a smaller one. I was terrified of the balancing thing, but once you get the hang of it, it's actually really quick. My footage went from looking like a shaky disaster to something I'm actually proud to show people. It fits right in my daypack too, so no regrets!
