What are the best gimbals for Sony FX3 and a7S III video setups?

Question

I been rocking the a7S III for a long time and added an FX3 to the kit last year for my corporate gigs here in Chicago. Usually I just stick with my old DJI Ronin-S but honestly its starting to show its age and the motors keep vibrating whenever I try to use the XLR top handle on the FX3. I tried balancing it for like an hour the other day and even with counterweights it just feels off and the roll axis keeps drifting. I know how to balance a rig but this top-heavy nature of the FX3 with the handle is just a different beast compared to the a7S III. I'm looking at the RS3 Pro or maybe something from Zhiyun like the Crane 4 but I've heard mixed things about the software lately.

I need something way more robust because I'm starting a big documentary project in three weeks and I really dont want to be fighting my gear on set while I'm trying to interview people. My budget is around $800 give or take and I'm really looking for something that wont give me motor errors the second I put a 24-70 GM II on there. Does the RS3 Pro actually handle that top-heavy offset well or is there something better for a dual-camera setup where I might be switching between the two bodies quickly during a shoot? Maybe something with a better quick release system for these specific Sony bodies?

Craignor · Accepted Answer

I tried the RS3 Pro for a bit and honestly it was kind of a letdown. I kept getting motor vibrations with my Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II and it just felt unstable for corporate work where you cant afford a mistake. Unfortunately, the software updates didnt really fix the jitters I was seeing on the roll axis. If youre doing a documentary and need absolute reliability, Id probably look at the DJI RS 4 Pro 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer instead. Its a bit over your budget maybe, but the auto-locking axes and the motor torque are way better for heavy rigs. Also, definitely get a SmallRig Extended Quick Release Plate for DJI RS Series because the standard ones are too short for the FX3 when that top handle is attached. Its annoying having to buy extra parts just to make it work right, but thats been my experience.

Edwinassof · Answer

Regarding what #2 said about "I tried the RS3 Pro for a bit...", you really should look at the DJI RS 4 Pro Gimbal Stabilizer instead! The motor torque is 20% higher which is amazing for that top-heavy FX3 handle.

4.5kg payload capacity

Teflon-coated arms

Automated axis locks I love how snappy it feels with the 24-70 lens, definitely wont give you those motor errors during your doc project!

Mariogus · Answer

I went through this exact same thing when I moved from the a7S III to the FX3. That XLR top handle is a nightmare on older gimbals because it shifts the center of gravity way higher than most motors were designed for. The Ronin-S just doesnt have the arm clearance for it. I've been using the DJI RS 3 Pro Gimbal Stabilizer for a few months now and it handles the top-heavy nature of the FX3 perfectly without needing those annoying counterweights.

Extended carbon fiber arms provide the extra physical space needed to balance the vertical offset of the handle.

High-torque motors easily manage the weight of a Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens even when zoomed out.

Quick release system is compatible with Manfrotto plates, making swaps between the FX3 and a7S III much faster. The main reason I'd suggest the RS3 Pro over the Zhiyun Crane 4 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal is the software stability and the physical locks. When you're doing doc work, being able to lock the axes instantly is huge for moving between locations. Zhiyun has improved, but their software can still feel a bit clunky compared to the DJI ecosystem. Since your budget is around $800, you should be able to find an RS3 Pro kit easily. It fixes that roll axis drift because the motors aren't struggling at 90% capacity just to keep the camera level. Its a much more methodical way to work and basically solves the top-heavy problem through sheer motor strength and arm length.