Congrats on the a6700, honestly it is a beast for its size. I have spent way too many hours looking at torque ratings and motor efficiency for these compact setups because I hate overpaying for extra weight capacity I never use. If you are watching your budget but want professional performance, the Zhiyun Crane M3S 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal is probably the smartest play right now. You can often find it for under $300, which is significantly cheaper than the DJI equivalent. Technically speaking, it handles a solid payload, so your a6700 and that Sigma 18-50mm (roughly 800g total with the mic and cage) wont even stress the motors. The balancing process is pretty snappy once you get the hang of the dual-layer quick-release plates. It is basically the best power-to-price ratio in the micro-gimbal category. Another solid budget move is the Hohem iSteady MT2 Camera Gimbal with AI Tracker. While some people sleep on this brand, the MT2 is surprisingly robust for the price. It actually has a higher payload ceiling than the M3S, and the integrated AI tracker means you dont need to buy extra accessories for solo follow-shots, saving you cash on extra gear in the long run. It fits perfectly in a standard bag like the Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L v2 without having to play Tetris. I would honestly skip the RS3 Mini unless you absolutely need the wireless shutter for specific Sony lenses, because you are basically paying a $100 premium just for the brand name tho.

I've been thinking about your setup and honestly, if you're worried about motors being weak or a nightmare balancing process, I'd really stick with the DJI RS 3 Mini 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer. It's basically built for the a6700. The native vertical shooting is a huge plus because you dont have to carry extra plates that clutter up your 10L sling. The Hohem iSteady MT2 Kit with AI Tracker is also decent if you want that AI module for solo stuff, but it feels a bit more gadgety and less robust than the DJI. Balancing the Hohem can be a bit finicky if youre in a rush, which isnt great for travel. Tbh, I'd spend the extra money on the DJI for the peace of mind. It handles the Sigma 18-50mm and a mic without any jitters. Just a practical tip: always lock the axes when it's in your bag... helps avoid any unnecessary motor wear long-term. Worth the investment imo.

stumbled upon this discussion... tbh i went through a similar phase of wanting the smallest kit possible. iirc i heard some guys talking about the Moza AirCross S 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer because it handles multiple devices but im not totally sure how the vertical mounting works on it tho. sometimes those smaller motors get a bit stressed once you add a mic... balancing can definitely be a nightmare if youre in a hurry.

Building on the earlier suggestion regarding the RS3 Mini, I agree it is a strong contender, but you might want to consider the long-term reliability of the motors when you start adding accessories. I would suggest being cautious because even a small mic like the Rode VideoMicro II can create clearance issues when you are trying to tilt the camera fully. The Feiyu SCORP-Mini 2 Camera Gimbal Stabilizer is another one to look at if you want something that feels solid. It has that built-in handle which is great for the walking shots you mentioned. A few things to watch out for:

• Make sure the gimbal allows enough room for the a6700 screen to flip out.
• Check if you can balance the camera with the Sigma lens zoomed all the way out.
• Always leave a bit of weight headroom so the motors dont get hot. Balancing in a rush is usually where things go wrong, so I usually prefer gimbals with physical locks on every axis. It makes a huge difference when you are tossing the gear back into a 10L sling. Just be careful not to over-tighten the adjustment knobs as they can strip over time if the build quality isnt top-tier.

This thread is gold. Bookmarking for future reference 🔖