Story time: I went through this recently! I actually picked up the Zhiyun Crane M3S for around $240 on sale cuz the DJI RS 3 Mini was wayyy more expensive at like $370. I was super worried about the screen clearance too, but it turned out okay... mostly. It’s a bit of a tight fit with the cables, but for the price, it’s a decent option if you’re trying to save some cash like I was lol.

For your situation, I would suggest going with the DJI RS 3 Mini. Honestly, it is AMAZING with the Sony ZV-E10 II! I tried it with the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary and clearance for the flip screen is totally fine. It is soo lightweight too! Setup is basically a breeze and it doesnt block ports. Youll love how compact it stays. gl!

Re: "For your situation, I would suggest going with..."

• I totally agree that staying light is the goal, but I would suggest being a little careful with focusing only on weight or price tags. tbh I learned that the hard way. I once picked up one of those "budget sleeper" gimbals for a mountain trip thinking I was being smart. The motors ended up overheating because they couldnt handle the constant micro-adjustments from the wind, and I basically had a paperweight for the rest of the hike. It really taught me to prioritize reliability over just saving a few bucks or ounces. A few things to keep in mind:
• Make sure to leave a decent buffer between your gear weight and the max payload. If you're pushing the limit, those motors will get hot fast.
• Be careful with how the screen clears the back motor. Some designs look fine in photos but actually restrict your movement when you're trying to get low-angle shots.
• You might want to consider the long-term support. The big brands usually have much better firmware updates than the cheaper alternatives. Its always better to be safe than sorry when you're hanging expensive glass off a motor.

Yo, jumping in a day late but I gotta mention the Hohem iSteady MT2 Camera Gimbal. If you're trying to save some money for more glass, this is a total sleeper pick. I've been using it with my Sony and the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary and it balances like a dream. It's usually much cheaper than the mainstream options but the build is surprisingly solid. It doesnt block the flip screen at all which is a huge relief when you're filming solo. It even comes with a little fill light and AI tracker in some kits which is actually kinda useful for the price. Another one to look at is the Feiyu SCORP Mini 2. It has this unique underslung grip that makes low shots way easier without buying extra accessories. You can usually find it on sale if you keep an eye out. Both of these are gonna save you a chunk of change compared to the DJI stuff while still handling that Sigma lens perfectly fine. ngl, the value for money here is just way better for a hobbyist setup.

Just saw this thread and honestly some solid advice here already. To add to the point above regarding the Hohem, its definitely a solid choice for the price, though in my experience, you really gotta watch those motor temperatures if youre shooting for hours. Nothing kills the vibe like a gimbal going limp in the middle of a trip lol. Before I weigh in on what else is out there, are you planning to use a cage or a bulky mic? If youre gonna throw on something like a Sony ECM-B10 Shotgun Microphone or a heavy external monitor, that really changes which gimbals will actually clear the flip screen without hitting the arm. Usually better to be safe than sorry with those clearances... let me know what your full rig looks like.