Zhiyun Smooth 4From real comments

Verdict distilled from 44 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment24%
PROS 24%
CONS 76%

Rank based on 44 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You primarily shoot with a supported iPhone model
  • You want reliable subject tracking and pano/timelapse features
  • You want a well-priced gimbal with useful physical mode buttons

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You use a mid-range or non-flagship Android phone
  • You need reliable 4K60 video and accurate frame rates
  • You want hassle-free calibration and horizon leveling out of the box

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
DJI Pocket 2
Discreet, pocketable size
DJI Pocket 2
Discreet, pocketable size
2Mid
Zhiyun Crane 2S
Quick-release plate convenience
Zhiyun Crane 2S
Quick-release plate convenience
Best value
3Mid
Zhiyun Weebill 3S
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
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
4Premium
DJI RS 4 Pro
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
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
Beginner-friendly with guidanceBuilt-in lightSmooth motor performanceCamera record button issuesAuto-tune and setup failuresBalance and clamp mechanical problems
Zhiyun Weebill 3
Beginner-friendly with guidance
Built-in light
Smooth motor performance
Camera record button issues
Auto-tune and setup failures
Balance and clamp mechanical problems
6Budget
DJI Osmo Mobile 3
Easy To Use After TutorialsFoldable, Portable DesignGood Compatibility With iPhone LensesLimited Android CompatibilityInconsistent Active Track / Face TrackingSteep Learning Curve / No Manual
DJI Osmo Mobile 3
Easy To Use After Tutorials
Foldable, Portable Design
Good Compatibility With iPhone Lenses
Limited Android Compatibility
Inconsistent Active Track / Face Tracking
Steep Learning Curve / No Manual
7Mid
Zhiyun Weebill S
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
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
8Mid
Zhiyun Crane M3S
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
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
9Mid
Zhiyun Crane M3
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
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
10Mid
DJI RS 3
Lightweight and portable designImproved stabilization performanceAutomatic lock/unlock mechanismInconsistent Bluetooth camera controlDifficult tilt axis balancingMandatory app activation and software dependency
DJI RS 3
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
You are here
31Mid
Zhiyun Smooth 4
Strong core stabilizationWorks well with iPhoneEffective subject trackingPoor Android app compatibilityCalibration and horizon leveling problemsBattery life and charging issues
Zhiyun Smooth 4
Strong core stabilization
Works well with iPhone
Effective subject tracking
Poor Android app compatibility
Calibration and horizon leveling problems
Battery life and charging issues

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Stabilization and tracking impress many users, particularly on iPhone. Commenters describe the gimbal as amazing, love the stability alone, and highlight subject tracking that follows a person even unattended on a tripod. iPhone users report footage that works flawlessly, with useful pano and pull-focus features. Several call it a great value tool for learning video creation and say they would not regret buying it, even reselling well used.

Android compatibility is a widespread and severe weak point. Numerous Android users across Samsung, Huawei, Motorola, LG, Redmi, and Asus devices report the ZY Play app crashing, recording in slow motion, capping at 30fps or lower resolutions, and showing frame rates in the file that don't match what the app displayed (13-16fps instead of 30fps). Zoom, panorama, live features, and tracking often fail or work poorly, leading some to return the product entirely.

Calibration, mechanical reliability, and setup frustrate a notable subset of buyers. Multiple users struggle to complete the six-step calibration, get stuck on step one, or end up with a horizon that's permanently off by a degree or more. Others report random shaking, slow drifting/panning during recording, phones flipping forward, overheating motors, dead-on-arrival units, or gimbals breaking down after just a month of use, with support described as slow or unresponsive.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?