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May 03, 2023

ZHIYUN CRANE

ZHIYUN has announced the CRANE-M 3S and WEEBILL 3S gimbals. According to ZHIYUN,

ZHIYUN has announced the CRANE-M 3S and WEEBILL 3S gimbals. According to ZHIYUN, both gimbals were designed with portability, ease of use, creative control, and performance in mind.

While these gimbals look like pretty decent options, there seems to be a lack of innovation when it comes to gimbals in recent years. Maybe it is just me, but companies appear to be putting out new models that don't differ that much from previous versions.

The CRANE-M 3S is the successor to the CRANE M3 and it was created specifically for users who do Vlogging, travel videos, and live streaming. It weighs in at 705 g and it features a higher load-bearing capacity so that mainstream full-frame cameras and lens combos can be used.

What annoys me is that ZHIYUN doesn't list anywhere what the payload capacity of the CRANE-M3 S is. Above you can see what cameras they list as being compatible.

It can also be used with mobile phones, and action cameras. Its dimensions come in at 284.2 mm (w) x 74.5 mm (d) x 163.5 mm(h).

The gimbal features Bluetooth shutter functionality that enables wireless control of zoom and recording without the need for a cable connection.

The two-in-one quick-release system with plates for each camera model allows camera batteries to be changed without camera assembly or disassembly. According to ZHIYUN, once the gimbal is balanced, it won't require rebalancing again.

Power Delivery (PD) fast charging means that a full charge takes just two hours, and the maximum battery life is up to 7.5 hours.

The M 3S boasts a small built-in bi-color fill-light no bigger than a fingernail. Powered by ZHIYUN's own Lumen Amplifier technology, the modular light enables stepless/temperature adjustment and is claimed to emit up to 1,000 lux brightness. It is Kelvin color temperature adjustable between 2,700K-5,500K.

A 1.22" touchscreen features an all-new intuitive UI that offers easy adjustment of functions.

The ZHIYUN CRANE-M3 S is now available for $299 USD.

A CRANE-M3 S 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer Combo Kit is also available for $359 USD.

The ZHIYUN WEEBILL 3S weighs 1,054.8 g and has physical dimensions of 305 mm (w) x 210 mm (d) x 72.5 mm (h).

It is compatible with most DSLR and mirrorless cameras on the market as well as mainstream lenses.

Again, ZHIYUN doesn't list a simple payload capacity. Above you can see what cameras are compatible with the WEEBILL 3S.

The tenth-generation algorithms feature customizable following and smooth curves based on common shooting scenarios and operating habits.

The WEEBILL 3S is compatible with ZHIYUN TRANSMOUNT accessories and the ZY Play App, including: TransMount Follow Focus/Zoom Units; TransMount Image Transmission System; TransMount Transmitter/Receiver; MasterEye Visual Controller VC100 and the ZY Play App features.

An innovative Portrait Switch system allows the WEEBILL 3S to switch between the two modes on the quick-release module, saving time and without having to rebalance the gimbal.

The gimbal features a revised sling design. Sling mode 2.5 allows for left and right tilt as well as center-of-gravity adjustments to the gimbal handle for improved low-angle shots. You can attach the separately available Extendable Sling Grip to shoot in sling mode or two-handed grip mode. The 1/4″-20 thread at the bottom of the gimbal supports the included tripod accessory.

The hand grip allows for fine-tuning of the wrist angle with a single knob. The extendable sling grip can be adjusted to a two-handed grip mode and allows for left and right tilt adjustments to the direction of the gimbal handle as well as the grip center of gravity, allowing for low-angle and sling mode shooting.

The WEEBILL 3S takes two hours to fully charge using PD fast-charging and offers up to 11.5 hours of non-stop shooting.

Like the CRANE-M 3S, the WEEBILL 3S comes with a 1000 lux light.

The Bluetooth shutter control on the WEEBILL 3S allows you to wirelessly connect to most mainstream camera models and activate start/stop recording or trigger photo-taking.

The 0.96″ display screen has shortcuts for motion lapse, V mode, etc. The WEEBILL 3S's control wheel supports the adjustment of parameters, focus motors, and the gimbal axes.

The WEEBILL 3S is now available for $319 USD.

Matthew Allard is a multi-award-winning, ACS accredited freelance Director of Photography with over 30 years' of experience working in more than 50 countries around the world.He is the Editor of Newsshooter.com and has been writing on the site since 2010.Matthew has won 48 ACS Awards, including five prestigious Golden Tripods. In 2016 he won the Award for Best Cinematography at the 21st Asian Television Awards.Matthew is available to hire as a DP in Japan or for work anywhere else in the world.