Zhiyun Smooth 5chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

A large number of users describe the gimbal losing face tracking, spinning uncontrollably, drifting off-axis in lock mode, or the bottom axis moving on its own, with several suspecting defective units.

@EcoRain80000

Tried the method but didnt work \nThe gimbal requiers EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) to mantain trully balanced look \nBut it makes no sense, because at that point why use the gimbal???\n\nOther video tests just confirmed the gimbal is no good with out EIS\nhttps://youtu.be/eG9yRDChsWM?t=517 \nI have my own video to prove it and see how other tutorial show the wobles before the EIS kicks in the Zhyun app and the the native camara app... \n\nSo its all a lie and false advertisement\nIts not acceptable\nIts not really stable... Not really \nNo like the old ones, like the Smooth 4\n\nIm disapointed and I really hate how no one talks about this.launch

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May 22, 2024

@conradk

Your video gives me hope. I know people have liked this product but I was not impressed by my 5S, it will randomly lose horizon or tracking and wander off like an impatient child. I was also not a fan of the app which I had difficulty setting up and eventually gave up on. I compare that with my other recent purchase, the Hohem Go, which was much less expensive, well performing and easy-to-use with no-need for an app. I will say though the magnetic light feature on the 5S is great - so hope that there is an app update, and maybe a firmware update in the future... but if not, it may be just a cool desktop tripod for me.launch

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February 2, 2023

@dicksonaraujo

I’m not sure if my 5s is defective but when I first turn it on and balance the phone after a few seconds, the gimbal gives up. I have to turn it off and turn it back on and redo the balancing, after this it works sometimes but once I put the gimbal on a flat surface (still with the phone attached) it suddenly “gives up” again. Anyone having the same or similar problem?launch

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February 1, 2023

@breanneroy9470

Hello! I'm new to gimbals and just got the Zhiyun Smooth 5 and followed your videos to set it all up. I am having issues with the lock mode working, my phone still is still moving when in this mode mostly the pan axis. Another thing I'm noticing is my footage still seems a bit shaky, I tried turning off my phones video stabilization feature but that didn't seem to make a difference and I have the phone balanced before turning it on. Any aggressions or ideas?launch

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January 31, 2023

Several users report the rotating dial randomly switching between focus and zoom control, sometimes losing manual focus entirely, or failing to properly control other camera modes.

@DanielECulbertson

I'm using the Smooth 5s with an Android Google Pixel 6 Pro, and the zoom/focus dial is driving me crazy.\n\nSometimes the dial only operates focus and not the zoom. Then at other times it will only operate the zoom and not the focus. When it decides to control the zoom, I cannot get it to switch back to controlling the focus.\n\nHow can I make sure that the dial ONLY changes the focus every single time???launch

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January 28, 2023

@RussellWatsonFMHL

Nice to see it here! A couple things to work out though. On the I13 pro-max lens choice is back or whichever front lens you selected from the App. Won't switch between wide, tele, or ultrawide. AND, the ISO won't go all the way down if you lock shutter at 1/60. Sometimes it will let you go as low as 35, other times it bottoms out at 45 , 53, or other number near the bottom.launch

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March 31, 2022

@OttoJulian_

QUICK UPDATES: The manual focus function doesn't work on the Cami App anymore. Not sure if this is what Zhiyun intended or not, but for now, the only way to use it is by using their new app called Stacam, which is a semi-professional app (almost like filmic pro) that will also support most of of the buttons from the gimbal. The app still needs some work in my opinion and some advanced features are behind a payed subscription. I recommend that you give this app a try, If you don't like it you can keep using the Cami app as usual. PLEASE let me know what you think or thought about STACAM. Thank you, and as always, I hope you have an amazing day!launch

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March 21, 2022

@FunkCitynet

Solid review, appreciate your info on Filmic Pro integration straight from the manufacturers and developers. It's a well designed product but the software/integration is weak right now. I found that even in ZY Cami, the zoom function works but the focus does not work on the wheel. Biggest improvements in my view - 1) motors are stronger and quieter 2) no obstruction of ultrawide lens by gimbal 3) no need for counterweights even when using Moment lenses and filters.launch

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November 30, 2021

Several buyers say the gimbal clamp or arm blocks access to the phone's charging/mic port on newer iPhones, complicating external microphone setups.

@EmperorBun

Really appreciating your gimbal videos as I am researching which one to buy for myself. I'm wondering about external microphone options with this and the DJI—it looks like the Zhiyun blocks access to the lightning port on newer iPhone models. Is there any way to get around that? Or would the OM be a better choice if I want to use a mic? Although I have heard it can't carry the load as well.launch

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September 23, 2023

@BlaqViper

While this is an absolutely gorgeous gimbal, a tweak for future version would be a design that allows port side access of the phone for plugging in accessories like receivers for wireless micslaunch

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November 13, 2022

@joelnkids

I have been using FILMiC Pro for a couple of years now. I purchased it when I had an iPhone xR and DJI OM2. I love the manual options. I recently upgraded to an iPhone 13 Pro Max and a Zhiyun Smooth 5. I purchased the Smooth 5 specifically because of the focus pull feature. I set it up and everything worked great until I connected it to an external mic. I lost all functional control of FILMiC Pro from the gimbal that I had before I connected the mic, including focus pull. I connected the mic to through the iPhone dongle and connected the dongle to a 90 degree adapter. one where you can use headphones and charge at the same time. it fit perfect on the end of the phone and had no balance issues, even with extra lenses. I tested it without the adapter, just the dongle and had the same results. I get mic input but no control from the gimbal. I can use an external recording device and add audio in post, which I will still do, but I like to have audio directly from the phone. just one less step. is there another way of getting audio to the phone or am I out of luck.launch

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April 6, 2022

@rapaent

Thank you for another awesome video!! This looks like a great gimbal compared to many others for example; DJI. I'm looking for a hybrid gimbal to handle both my iPhone 13 Pro Max and GoPro Hero10. The only two dislikes are the iPhone clamp which should have been made much flatter than the V pattern. After all, this gimbal leans toward the Pro's and Max's. The other downside, for me, is the lack of using an active cam such as my GoPro. Currently, I'm leaning towards the Feiyutech G6 Max. In regards to camera Apps, I'm leaning towards Filmic Pro and Beastcam. I'm always looking forward to your awesome video's in which I have learned an immense amount. I appreciate all your work in your presentations. Thanks 👍😊launch

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December 1, 2021

Both ZY Cami and StaCam require paid Prime memberships to unlock full functionality, which multiple users feel is unfair after already paying full price for the gimbal.

@efetack

This is a great tutorial. But I stopped in the middle, you explain really on point, it is just that I saw, both apps are requiring a monthly/yearly subsricption and the necessary switch between the apps for different functions is just way off what I was looking for. If it was one single fully functioning app I would consider the gimbal and buying the subs, but I want easiness in my takes and workflow so I guess I have to look for alternatives although I really like this gimbal. Looks like as it is not made for the iPhone somehow. ... anyway, thank you for your videos.launch

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November 26, 2023

@DanielECulbertson

Great video as always. \n\nGiven that the StaCam and ZY Cami apps require you to pay for prime membership in order to access all available features, would you recommend just paying for Filmic Pro instead and using it instead? \n\nI figure I'm already paying for Filmic Pro and I'm not sure I want to pay for Prime membership in these apps; my feeling is that if I have already paid $170 for a product, I should not have to pay the maker of that product even more to unlock features on the item I already paid for, but I realize that's an old-fashioned attitude these days. 🤔 Today everything is about subscriptions and microtransactions. 🫤launch

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January 31, 2023

@OfficialGundem

Just got this gimbal. Sometimes the joysticks works moving the position of the gimbal and sometimes it doesnt. Big issue is when I click mode I can only cycle between POV and L. The mode but hardly responds. I'm on android (S20 FE) and both stacam and cami app are horrible. On top of that they want you to pay membership fees for basic features. Really disappointed with the product and will probably go for a go pro now.launch

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July 17, 2022

Multiple owners report the phone sits a few degrees off-level even after standard calibration, with no in-app roll trim option; one architectural photographer returned a unit only to get another with the same problem.

@richiehatch

Hi ye. Great tips. I have the 5S and am having massive problems with keeping my phone horizontal. I have the gimbal about a month and everything I do the horizon is crooked by about 2 degrees. Normally this wouldn't matter too much but I'm an architectural photographer and need everything as straight as possible. I returned the first one that I bought and exchanged for a new one is is out by 3 degrees. Doing the calibration in ZY Cami does nothing. Zhiyun suggested running their own Zhiyun Gimbal Tools software but it also doesn't work. Have you any tips? Phone is the iPhone 13 Pro Max and is perfectly balance before Turing on!launch

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June 20, 2023

@Kain987

I own a 5S and it's pretty damn nice. But there's one thing I've noticed about it that you haven't really touched on in your videos (I've watched most of your comparison & tutorial videos about it before deciding to purchase 😅).\n\nMy S23 was crooked in the 5s... I.e. It sagged a bit to the left.\n\nThe autocalibration didn't do anything to fix it. There's surprisingly little information about this issue online.\n\nJust to be clear... it kept the gimbal arm, at the roll motor joint, perfectly level... but due to the weight of the phone, the camera side of it was about 2 degrees off horizontal.\n\nAs opposed to DJI gimbals which have a roll trim option in the app, Zhiyun doesn't offer this quick fix.\n\nAfter trying in vain to calibrate it according to the manual, I discovered that in the windows \"Calibration Upgrade Tool\", which can connect your PC to the gimbal over USB, and help you do a six side calibration, there's the option of applying roll trim. -2° fixed my issue.\n\nIt's disappointing that Zhiyun didn't add the option to apply roll trimming in the ZY Cami app, especially now that you can actually apply a firmware upgrade to the gimbal over Bluetooth, so obviously the required communication capability between the phone and the gimbal is there.launch

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June 20, 2023

Users cite iOS being capped near 1080p30, Android app compatibility lists topping out at old devices, and actual recorded frame rates not matching selected settings, causing sync issues.

@miketipton678

Great for iOS users just like DJI... they friggin limit the fps to 30 fps in 1080p??? wth??? Go to the Zhiyun list of devices in their PDF and it shows... hold on to your hats... ANDROID 7!! Yes these apps are sooo dated and will never work on anything in 60 fps since the Galaxy 8.... NONE of the new phones listed on their PDF are current, and none of their apps show any support for current model UWA camera options... what a joke! Here's the deal Zhiyun... give us just the option to use the app as a bluetooth control for the phone, and we can use our native phone camera apps that provide the most basic of 60fps settings options... WHO records in 1080P 30?? THIS SAME app design flaw has been ongoing since the Smooth 4 that I have read and Zhiyun has done NOTHING about it...\n\nThey all claim its a hardware issue, but goodness sake it's 2023 and they have listed phones on Android 7...The last listed late model phone is the S21..... S21 came out how long ago? And still NO remedy for these apps at alllaunch

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February 20, 2023

@wattage2007

Good video Simon. What about the frame rates on this app? With me, 60fps, results in a file of 50fps (but only sometimes, mostly it's just stuck on 24fps), slow motion doesn't work at all and none of the frame rates are exactly what they say they are. They're always 23.9fps or 29fps for example, which gives horrible sync issues with multicamera stuff. I just wish they would update this so it worked properly, I'd even consider the Prime version if they at least showed an interest in addressing the frame rate /slo-mo issues.launch

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March 4, 2022

Some users find the round motor housing blocks part of the phone screen, which is especially annoying during livestreaming or when trying to interact with the touchscreen.

@kenjackson4116

Hello i love your videos quite alot and very informative. Ahuh now that was the answer i was trying to search which is the motor.. the motor should be in front of you or behind the camera. That one was confusing because i seen videos showing that the wrong way. Oh though the negative about having the round motor part in front of you is that its actually blocking the actual view of the screen most of the times. So if your live streaming and walking a lot while live the actual motor might get on its way blocking the actual view of the screen because the motor is lifting up and down most of the times. It also feels as if the round motor is in the wrong way where the motor balance should face behind where the lens are because of what ive mention of the round motor blocking the view of the phone screen. \n\nAt 4:28 So pretty much i believe you thats how the camera should be faced but for me it seems as though the round part is blocking the phone screen... and can be very irritating and annoying specially when u have a live interactive chat with the live streaming on screen which can of course get on its way too and unable to touch the screen with your finger from time to time. I dont no :) I am thinking of buying this gimbal or should i rather wait for something new.launch

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April 24, 2023

@kristenflynn6519

Thank you for this great video - I look forward to checking out all of your videos.  \n\nCouple questions: I have been using Zhiyun Smooth 4 for several years with my iPhone X. Just got the iPhone 13 pro and I am seeing part of the gimbal in my shot when balanced with external mic - is this happening to anyone else?  \n\nSo I am considering the Smooth 5. Any estimate of when Filmic Pro will integrate? And from your video it looks like part of the gimbal obstructs the view screen - is this a problem?launch

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March 13, 2022

Owners report standby freezes requiring restarts and erratic battery percentage readings, with one unit needing a replacement due to charging issues.

@Brew_Tube

Hi Otto. I'm having a recurring problem trying to use this gimbal when filing for my YouTube channel where the gimbal goes in to stand-by mode, when it is perfectly balanced, all the mode lights flash and the the motors become unresponsive. I either need to turn the gimbal off and on again or press the MODE button repeatedly until it finally starts working. Also the motor will sometimes shudder rather to give smooth movements. I had to return the first one as it wasn't charging properly so maybe trying another gimbal is the answer after all?!\nAny advice would be appreciated.launch

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September 29, 2023

@planetwatts_visionn

I’m having issues with the gimbal not charging fully I had it on the charger for the time instructed and it’s still not holding the charge it only say 8 percent and if you turn on the gimbal with the charger pulled it it will flicker to 8percent to 135 percent which is strange this gimbal is brand new any suggestions I use the right power block for it ti charge it’s just not hold the chargelaunch

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August 22, 2022