Oh man, I totally feel u on the XLR handle struggle! Balancing that tall setup with a Sony FX3 is a literal headache, but I've been there. For run-and-gun docs, you need serious motor torque to handle that Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II. I've tested both and here's the deal: * DJI RS 4 Pro: This is the workhorse. It has extended axis arms for way more clearance for the top handle. Plus, the Teflon-coated arms make balancing sooo much smoother.
* Zhiyun Crane 4: A beast with huge payload capacity and balance indicator lights. Reallyyy solid, but highkey feels heavier during long days. Basically, I stick with the DJI RS 4 Pro cuz those auto-axis locks are life-savers. Lesson learned: always prioritize vertical axis clearance over raw payload numbers for that specific setup!! 👍

- So basically the consensus is clearance is a nightmare!! I'm pretty new but well actually really satisfied with a used DJI RS 2 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer—it’s under $350 and works well!

I have been diving deep into the technical specs for these lately since I am still trying to figure out my own rig, and honestly, the market data can be so confusing. The FX3 with that top handle is a totally different animal compared to a standard mirrorless setup because of how it shifts everything. A few things I noticed in my research that might be huge red flags:

• The center of gravity is the biggest issue because it sits way higher than what most stabilizers are built for, which puts massive strain on the tilt motors.
• You really have to watch out for the physical clearance during a full tilt, because even if the weight capacity is high, the height of the XLR handle can still clip the rear motor during fast movements.
• Some brands have much better software for manual motor tuning, which is basically required for top-heavy setups like yours so the gimbal doesn't start vibrating or shut down mid-shot.
• Tbh, the extra weight from the 24-70mm lens means you are pushing the limits of the arm length on most mid-range options on the market right now. It is a lot to keep track of, right? I would just make sure the motors aren't getting hot to the touch during those long doc shoots or you might risk some long-term damage.

In my experience, trying to balance that tall rig is honestly a total headache lol. I worked a local doc last year with a similar setup and the clearance was so tight that the XLR handle kept clipping the back motor. I almost fried the electronics because of the constant motor strain... reallyyy scary stuff when you're on a paid gig. Basically, the DJI Pro series is probably your best bet because of the high motor torque, but it's still a gamble with that heavy 24-70mm lens. To help you narrow it down, I have a few questions:
* Are you planning to mount extra gear like a monitor or a shotgun mic to that top handle?
* What's your actual tolerance for carrying a heavy setup for 8-10 hours straight? Lesson learned: Even if the total weight is technically under the limit, the center of gravity on that FX3 handle setup is weirdly high. You’ll definitely want to look into offset plates or riser blocks to keep those motors safe. Dont ignore the vibration warnings!!