Zhiyun Crane 2SFrom real comments

Name: Zhiyun Crane 2S
Rating: 5 (3 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 3 mentions across 1 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment100%

PROS 100%

Rank based on 3 mentions across 1 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want fast tripod-to-handheld switching without rebalancing
You need to carry heavier caged setups like a BMPCC 6K with accessories
You mainly shoot with cameras that have reliable USB-C control support

What users love

Quick-release plate convenience0 mentions

Strongly positive

Skip this if...

You're an Android user needing full app functionality to activate or control the gimbal
You plan to shoot BMPCC 4K/6K and are sensitive to tilt-axis vibration issues
You need dependable camera start/stop record control over USB-C out of the box

What users complain about

No cons data available.

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Mid

DJI Pocket 2~$349 · 1.6× cheaper

Discreet, pocketable size

DJI Pocket 2~$349 · 1.6× cheaper

Discreet, pocketable size

You are here

2Mid

Zhiyun Crane 2S~$549

Quick-release plate convenience

Zhiyun Crane 2S~$549

Quick-release plate convenience

Best value

3Mid

Zhiyun Weebill 3S~$399 · 1.4× cheaper

Beginner-Friendly SetupSmooth, Fluid StabilizationComfortable Wrist Support and Sling GripCamera Record-Button Compatibility IssuesBalancing and Tensioner ProblemsFootage Not Always Smooth Despite Balance

Zhiyun Weebill 3S~$399 · 1.4× cheaper

Beginner-Friendly Setup

Smooth, Fluid Stabilization

Comfortable Wrist Support and Sling Grip

Camera Record-Button Compatibility Issues

Balancing and Tensioner Problems

Footage Not Always Smooth Despite Balance

4Upper

DJI RS 4 Pro~$869 · 1.6× pricier

Smooth, refined performanceWorthy upgrade from older gimbalsEasy one-button locking systemLidar sold separately at extra costMarginal upgrade over RS3No built-in active tracking

DJI RS 4 Pro~$869 · 1.6× pricier

Smooth, refined performance

Worthy upgrade from older gimbals

Easy one-button locking system

Lidar sold separately at extra cost

Marginal upgrade over RS3

No built-in active tracking

5Mid

Zhiyun Weebill 3~$469 · similar price

Beginner-friendly with guidanceBuilt-in lightSmooth motor performanceCamera record button issuesAuto-tune and setup failuresBalance and clamp mechanical problems

Zhiyun Weebill 3~$469 · similar price

Beginner-friendly with guidance

Built-in light

Smooth motor performance

Camera record button issues

Auto-tune and setup failures

Balance and clamp mechanical problems

6Mid

Zhiyun Weebill S~$439 · 1.3× cheaper

Lightweight and portableRemovable, swappable batteriesImproved smoothness with tuned settingsBalance issues with heavier or front-heavy setupsPoor customer service and supportFragile locking mechanisms and mount

Zhiyun Weebill S~$439 · 1.3× cheaper

Lightweight and portable

Removable, swappable batteries

Improved smoothness with tuned settings

Balance issues with heavier or front-heavy setups

Poor customer service and support

Fragile locking mechanisms and mount

7Mid

Zhiyun Crane M3S~$349 · 1.6× cheaper

Handles demanding camera/lens combosLightweight yet handles full-frame gearConvenient USB port and quick disconnectFrequent rebalancing requiredInconsistent camera control compatibilityProprietary plate, no Arca-Swiss support

Zhiyun Crane M3S~$349 · 1.6× cheaper

Handles demanding camera/lens combos

Lightweight yet handles full-frame gear

Convenient USB port and quick disconnect

Frequent rebalancing required

Inconsistent camera control compatibility

Proprietary plate, no Arca-Swiss support

8Mid

Zhiyun Crane M3~$369 · 1.5× cheaper

Handles APS-C and light full-frame kitsUltra-compact and lightweightEasy to balance with good tutorialsBalance struggles with heavier or full-frame setupsLimited camera control without extra modulesFirmware and sleep-mode bugs

Zhiyun Crane M3~$369 · 1.5× cheaper

Handles APS-C and light full-frame kits

Ultra-compact and lightweight

Easy to balance with good tutorials

Balance struggles with heavier or full-frame setups

Limited camera control without extra modules

Firmware and sleep-mode bugs

9Mid

DJI RS 3~$549 · similar price

Lightweight and portable designImproved stabilization performanceAutomatic lock/unlock mechanismInconsistent Bluetooth camera controlDifficult tilt axis balancingMandatory app activation and software dependency

DJI RS 3~$549 · similar price

Lightweight and portable design

Improved stabilization performance

Automatic lock/unlock mechanism

Inconsistent Bluetooth camera control

Difficult tilt axis balancing

Mandatory app activation and software dependency

10Mid

DJI Ronin-SC~$439 · 1.3× cheaper

Lighter and more portable than Ronin-SGood performance with small mirrorless camerasAxis locks and removable handleDifficult and finicky balancingStruggles with larger lenses and full-frame bodiesConfusing official DJI tutorials

DJI Ronin-SC~$439 · 1.3× cheaper

Lighter and more portable than Ronin-S

Good performance with small mirrorless cameras

Axis locks and removable handle

Difficult and finicky balancing

Struggles with larger lenses and full-frame bodies

Confusing official DJI tutorials

Beginner friendly
1. Zhiyun Weebill 3Sarrow_upward7
2. Zhiyun Weebill 3arrow_upward5
Balancing difficulty
1. DJI RS 3arrow_downward3
2. DJI Ronin-SCarrow_downward8
Payload limits
1. DJI RS 3arrow_downward4
2. DJI Ronin-SCarrow_downward6
Smooth stabilization
1. Zhiyun Weebill 3Sarrow_upward6
2. DJI RS 3arrow_upward3
3. Zhiyun Crane M3Sarrow_upward1
Lightweight
1. Zhiyun Crane M3Sarrow_upward3
2. Zhiyun Weebill 3arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

The quick-release plate system is the gimbal's most loved feature. Multiple users single out the quick-release base plates for horizontal and vertical shooting as a major workflow improvement, letting them switch fast between tripod and gimbal without the usual rebalancing hassle. However, this same mechanism is also a recurring failure point: several buyers report the latch won't lock reliably straight out of the box, requiring dozens of attempts, with some returning units as a result.

BMPCC 6K/4K compatibility brings both praise and persistent vibration complaints. Many reviewers use the Crane 2S specifically with Blackmagic Pocket cameras, appreciating its payload capacity for caged rigs with SSD mounts and grips. But a notable cluster of users report tilt-axis vibration or micro-shaking with this camera, sometimes worsening after relocating the rear motor or running auto-calibration, with fixes like added lens weight or tighter cage fit only partially effective.

Camera connectivity and app support are inconsistent pain points. Several users struggle to get USB-C camera control working for record start/stop on Sony and Olympus bodies, with some suspecting firmware issues. The ZY Play app draws separate criticism: one Android user found the gimbal effectively unusable since activation requires the app, which lacks Android support, while others note missing features like object tracking compared to expectations.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

swap_horizQuick-release plate convenience

3 mentions

Strongly positive

Users highlight the quick-release base plates for horizontal and vertical mounting as a major upgrade that eliminates the need to rebalance the gimbal every time it's swapped between tripod and handheld use. This is repeatedly called out as a standout, time-saving feature.

@dylanfgarrison

Bought it. Here’s what no one is talking about or telling you. If you are coming from a Crane2 read this BEFORE you buy...\n\nCRANE2S review:\n\nSo yesterday I used my new crane 2S on a real estate shoot. \n\nKeep in mind I’m coming from a Crane2 and it could be that newer Zhiyun gimbles already function similar to the way this one does.\n\nPros:\n\nAs suspected the ability to quickly switch the camera from horizontal to vertical is not only awesome but also convenient. I see this ushering in an entire new suite of products I am able to sell. I’m also excited to start integrating these clips into my standard widescreen format videos as well.\n\nYou can adjust your settings right on the gimble (pan speed, etc). Super awesome not needing to use the app. \n\nCons:\n\nThere’s a trigger button that you bump constantly. Touching the trigger moves the gimbal into follow mode which completely screws up your composition if you are in lock mode. This happens a lot and I hope eventually I will learn not to touch this goddamn button.\n\nOn my original Crane2 to you can easily adjust the camera with your hand as well as with a joystick. This does not appear to be the case with the Crane2S. My guess is that the motors are much stronger so that I can hold larger cameras and therefore are not able to release for hand adjustment. This is a big workflow problem for me because...\n\n1. after every shot I normally till the camera forward with my hand to quickly review the footage and tilt it back into place. you cannot do this so you have to use the joystick which leads me to problem two...\n\n2. I have my joystick adjusted to move the camera extremely slow for some specialized shots that I often do. This means if I have the camera tilted up or down it takes forever to get it back to level using the joystick.\n\nAnother workflow problem I encountered is that when switching between the lock mode and the pan follow mode the motor does not go back to CENTER when you switch to pan follow mode. On the crane2 pressing the mode button and going into pan follow would instantly realign the camera back to forward facing center which was awesome because it allows you to quickly get set up for the next shot as you move around the room. On this new gimbal moving from lock mode into pan follow mode the camera stays exactly where it’s pointed relative to which direction you were standing. The workaround for this is to do your shot in lock mode then before you change directions move to pan follow mode and then you can walk to your next location with the camera staying basically in front of you. This is a small workflow issue that I can train my mind to work around. \n\nThe case!?!? What in the actual living Christ! It’s a cheap foam POS. A huge downgrade from the Crane2 case.\n\nSummary... \n\nThe big killer here for me is not being able to adjust the camera by hand which in a real estate shoot is an extremely valuable timesaver because we also need to have our joystick dial down very very slow.... or at least I do. \n\n\nSo the question for me is will the ease at which you can mount the camera vertically outweigh the inability to adjust the camera by hand? It’s tough because I really really really want the vertical shooting feature but that is something I will not use on a every shoot whereas adjusting the camera by hand is something I use after every clip. \n\nThe one saving grace work around maybe to rely more heavily on the ease at which you can adjust settings on the gimbal. If I figure out my preferred joystick settings I guess I could somewhat quickly go back-and-forth between them when needed and the majority of the time have the joystick set to move quickly so I can use it more effectively to adjust the camera after each shot. Not ideal though. \n\nHope this helps!

smart_display

August 30, 2020

@arri6025

I think the best feature of this is being able to switch between your tripod and gimbal fast. It may seem like a small feature, but it just makes your life 100 times easier! Everyone knows how annoying it is to balance your gimbal every time. (Is it time to switch from DJI to Zhiyun?!!)

smart_display

August 25, 2020

@BorderlineExplorer

Having that quick release is genius!! Been waiting for a gimbal to FINALLY defeat the rebalancing issue.\nEntry, done. R- I miss so many shots fiddling around rebalancing my gimbal getting our off road footage.

smart_display

August 25, 2020

Zhiyun Crane 2Schat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

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What users lovefavorite_border

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What users complain aboutheart_broken

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Who wins on what (similar price)

Beginner friendly

Balancing difficulty

Payload limits

Smooth stabilization

Lightweight

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Zhiyun Crane 2SFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression