Zhiyun Smooth Q Vs DJI Osmo Mobile 2 Best Gimbal Stabilizer in 2024

Have you noticed that your video always seems to turn out shaky, even if your smartphone has things like optical image stabilization (OIS) already built in? Manufacturers can improve camera and video quality all they want, but one area that they aren’t able to control is the precision of the human hand. No matter how hard you try, you just aren’t going to be able to achieve the quality of smoothness found in the cinema with your hands alone — you’re going to need some extra hardware for that, such as a video stabilizing gimbal.

With so many video stabilizing gimbals on the market, it can be difficult to find one that’s perfect for you and your smartphone. However, there are only a couple of gimbals that you should be looking at, as cheap options often aren’t able to handle the weight of some of the heavier smartphones, nor do they have the shortcuts and features you need right on the handle.

We’ve done much of that legwork for you, so we’re going to show you the pros and cons to two of the most popular video stabilizing gimbals on the market — the Zhiyun Smooth Q and the DJI Osmo Mobile 2. Follow along below, and you’ll quickly be able to find out which one of these is right for you!

 

DJI Osmo Mobile 2

First up on our list is the DJI Osmo Mobile 2. The DJI Osmo Mobile 2 is one of the best video stabilizing gimbals on the market, and for good reason. DJI is a prolific maker of camera drones, and they’ve actually packed the stabilization technology found in those drones in the Osmo Mobile 2 gimbal. With this type of technology, you’ll be able to get cinema-like stabilization in your videos without too much of a cost investment.

While you will get industry leading stabilization technology in the Osmo Mobile 2, you’ll also enjoy a handful of shortcuts to various camera functions right on the handle. You’ll be able to access things like start and stop video, shutter, time lapse, slow motion, live streaming, and auto tracking all with the press of a button on the Osmo Mobile 2.

The Osmo Mobile 2 is neat because it does operate off of Bluetooth. Connect your smartphone up to it over wireless technology, and you’ll be start taking advantage of all those shortcuts and electronic brushless motors that keep video stable. Of course, it does have its own independent battery, which is another element you need to remember so that you make sure that your gimbal is charged at all times.

The Osmo Mobile 2 is actually extremely versatile, as it can be used for all sorts of different applications. For example, it can be used with almost any smartphone — an iPhone X or Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus is no problem for it. On top of that, it does come with a camera adapter that allows you to hook up almost any GoPro Hero model to it, as well as the Xiaomi Yi and other cameras.

The DJI Osmo Mobile 2 will set you back a bit of money, but you won’t find better quality or video smoothness anywhere else. Not only that, but you won’t find a gimbal that’s as versatile as this one either.

Buy it now: Amazon

 

Zhiyun Smooth Q

The Zhiyun Smooth Q is another option you have for a video stabilizing gimbal; however, this one was designed by Zhiyun for those that are on a budget. You won’t get the high material quality found in the in the Osmo Mobile 2 or even in Zhiyun’s Smooth 4.

Still, the Smooth Q is another one that connects up to your phone by way of Bluetooth, so you will have to make sure it stays charged. It only has a couple of shortcuts that are right on the handle, such as start and stop recording, shutter, and a wheel for zooming in and out. Beyond that, anything else will have to be activated by touch on your smartphone within the Zhiyun app.

The Smooth Q really is a budget phone. It is versatile, but it appears that it’s most optimal for lighter weight smartphones. There’s actually been some reports of the Smooth Q completely failing with heavy phones like the Galaxy S8 Plus.

Buy it now: Amazon

Verdict

As you can see, you’re no doubt better off going with the DJI Osmo Mobile 2. The Smooth Q will get you by with a lighter phone, but the Osmo Mobile 2 is definitely better for the versatility and long term investment.