DJI RS 4 Mini is the best choice.

I use DJI RS 3 Mini, works well.

Ok so if you're looking for the absolute best bang for your buck for a small setup like that honestly check out the Zhiyun Crane M3S or even the older Zhiyun Crane M2S if you're really pinching pennies because they're way more compact than the DJI stuff and the ZV-E10 II is light enough that you don't need a massive payload capacity tho. I've found the Zhiyun stuff is great for the DIY shooter because:
- The size is perfect: It actually fits in a normal backpack without taking it all apart.
- Quick release: The system on the M3S is a lifesaver when you want to switch from the gimbal to a tripod or handheld quickly.
- Built-in light: It sounds like a gimmick but it's actually super handy for vlogging in weird lighting. Just a heads up tho no matter which one you get you really gotta learn the "ninja walk" because a gimbal doesn't fix vertical bounce on its own so you still have to put in the work to get that professional look basically and if the budget is super tight you could even skip the gimbal for a bit and try the "self-service" route by using Sony Catalyst Browse to stabilize your footage using the camera's gyro data in post-production which works surprisingly well if you keep your shutter speed high but honestly for a real production boost the M3S is the sweet spot.

Just catching up on this and i really have to agree with Lien about the hardware longevity issues on these smaller setups. When looking at cheaper units for the ZV-E10 II, there are a few technical things you might want to consider before committing for the long haul:

• Motor torque: I think I recall reading that these smaller motors lose efficiency faster when pushed near their payload limit.
• Bearing wear: Not sure but someone told me the cheaper axis locks tend to develop play after about six months of heavy use.
• IMU drift: IIRC the sensors in the budget models might require more frequent manual recalibration than the professional series. Make sure to watch your balance closely because even a slight offset can really cook those small motors over time if you arent careful.

For the Sony ZV-E10 II, the Feiyu SCORP-C is a budget-friendly gimbal offering excellent stabilization, 13-hour battery life, and multiple shooting modes. Prioritize payload capacity, battery life, and ease of use. Users report smooth footage and comfortable handling with this model.

@Reply #7 - good point! While I totally see where you're coming from with the motor wear, I actually think you can get pro-level performance without breaking the bank if you look outside the usual DJI or Zhiyun bubble. I've been super satisfied with the Hohem iSteady MT2 Kit for my ZV-E10 II and it honestly punches way above its weight class. Two quick tips to keep the performance top-notch:

• Always do a manual balance as perfectly as possible before turning it on to save those motors from working overtime.
• Use the POV mode for more natural, organic movement when you're walking around; it feels way less robotic. I’ve had no complaints with mine even after some pretty heavy use. It's been a solid little workhorse and the setup is quick enough that I actually enjoy using it.

I am literally in the exact same boat right now and it is honestly driving me crazy!! I love my Sony ZV-E10 II Body Only so much, like the image quality is just fantastic for the price, but finding a gimbal that fits my tiny budget and doesnt have weird compatibility quirks is such a headache. I've been staying up way too late scouring used gear sites because I really need to save every penny for a better lens, ngl. The anxiety of whether a cheaper unit like a Moza AirCross 2 3-Axis Gimbal or even a used Gudsen Moza Air 2S Handheld Stabilizer will actually clear the battery door or work with the Sony control cables is keeping me from pulling the trigger. I had this one nightmare story with a budget stabilizer a few years back where the motors started smoking mid-vlog... it was awful! I'm just desperately waiting for a flash sale or a lucky find on a marketplace because the struggle to get smooth footage without going broke is so real.

tbh everyone talks about the initial setup but nobody really mentions the *long-term* headaches of running a budget rig with the ZV-E10 II - after using cheap stabilizers for a while you start to see where they cut corners and it usually isnt the software but the actual hardware durability so keep these things in mind: - dont ever ignore the motor strain warnings because budget gimbals have way less torque overhead than the pro stuff and if you use a heavy lens without re-balancing every single time you zoom in or out youre basically cooking the internals and the stabilization will get jittery after a few months tho
- the mounting plates on cheaper models are often made of softer alloys and they strip super easily if youre a "run and gun" shooter constantly swapping to a tripod - honestly just buy a spare plate immediately because you *will* lose or break the first one - watch the weather because most affordable units have zero sealing and even a bit of mist can get into the joystick assembly and cause phantom movements which is basically a nightmare to fix
- keep an eye on the battery health if you arent using it every day because the cells in the cheaper handles tend to discharge weirdly if they sit in a cold gear bag for too long and im not 100% sure if the internal chargers handle trickle charging well so just be careful with that stuff