Gimbals That Make Your Sony FX6 Footage Stand Out In 2024

I’ve been in the photography world long enough to know that the foundation of any clean and smooth footage is a top-tier gimbal with the best stabilization algorithm for reducing shakes and shudders. 

But what’s the best gimbal for Sony FX6? 

Is it the DJI RS 3 Pro? 

Read along to find out.

Best Gimbal for Sony FX6

DJI RS 3 Pro gimbal is the head of the line for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. One of the best selling points for this DJI is its capacity to support larger camera bodies and lenses like the Sony FX6 and additional models you can find on DJI’s website.

It features a 6.6lbs payload capacity roughly 50% greater than the other gimbals can support.

The DJI RS3 Pro uses the third-generation stabilization algorithm. It allows even sleeker shots than was previously possible on the RS 2 version. Its super smooth mode increases the torque delivered to the arm motors for an even more solid image.

The LiDAR-based focusing system is another distinctive feature I love about this gimbal. This technology uses a laser to measure distances that aid your camera in more effectively focusing on a subject in motion. This allows for exact focusing when you’re shooting action scenes with lots of movement. 

In my experience with the gimbal, I wasn’t worrying about focusing much because this feature does the part and gives you the perfect shot. The only downside is it drains the battery life faster.

Selecting which axes will pivot is made possible by a toggle switch that supports pan, tilt, and roll. It also comes with a companion DJI app that you can use to unlock either portrait mode, 3D roll 360, or any custom setting you want. Using the app, you can set the gimbal to better fit your movements by adjusting specific parameters or choosing from the different user profiles available.

In addition to a more extensive 1.8-inch exterior, the touchscreen now features an OLED color display. This was helpful when I was shooting outdoors on those bright sunny days.

The gimbal weighs a little bit more because it is larger than the other lines’ designs. Although the arms are made of carbon fiber, their weight is reasonable, considering the bigger cameras it was designed for. It would be best to keep this in mind, especially during lengthy shoots, because handling the loaded gimbal for an extended period is tiresome.

My second-best gimbal for the Sony FX6 is the hands-on DJI RS 3. The RS3 is one elegant and professional gimbal design with a metal chassis replete with knobs, dials, attachments, and red racing stripes.

The extra payload support, 1.8-inch color OLED touchscreen, quick switch for Pan, pan tilt, and FPV mode on the right handle, are just a few significant upgrades over the RSC 2. 

The slider for precise control of the camera positioning makes balancing the gimbal feels much simpler and quicker. Less friction in the gimbal hardware allows more instantaneous balancing adjustments to the gimbal arms. The strong gimbal arms and how much smaller and lighter they felt were the first things I noticed after unboxing.

When turning the gimbal on and off, the arms automatically activate, and you can use the manual locks on the axis.

The M button switches modes or can be designated to function as a stills shutter, and the front has a record button for video. You can use the joystick cornered to the side to control the gimbal’s actual movement.

The display facilitates navigating between settings and modes, such as 3D roll 360, panoramas, and portrait. You can also freely modify the following speed and stabilizer sensitivity. 

You get even more control over user profiles by pairing to the DJI Ronin mobile app, which enables you to navigate smartphone and Bluetooth-enabled camera features without operating the camera manually.

After calibrating correctly, I had no difficulty shooting in 3D roll 360 or portrait mode on this DJI RS3. However, I feel like the vertical mount might be more appropriate for the native layout.

Able to adapt to various camera bodies and shapes while maintaining silky smooth images, the RS3’s level of flexibility is astounding.

If you own any newer full-frame DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, the Zhiyun Weebill 3 might be the perfect full-size gimbal for you. The Weebill 3 weighs around 2.4 pounds. Its sturdy metal construction accounts for most of its weight, with only a few plastic switches.

What I love most about the Weebill models is how they’ve improved the simplicity of mounting and remounting cameras on their gimbals. Once your camera is mounted, you can easily and quickly adjust its position without effort. 

Each of the three axes moves smoothly and locks down promptly. I could swap out the cameras and lenses and rebalance everything in a couple of minutes. And if you’re shooting in the field, you’re set to shoot once you balance your camera.

The controls are intuitive to use and well-organized. For instance, you can pan and tilt rapidly using the joystick and quickly switch between the several pan, lock, and vortex modes with the mode button.

The Zhiyun Weebill 3 is pleased to have a built-in microphone. You attach your camera to the gimbal using the included 3.5mm to 3.5mm wire to use the microphone. The cardioid microphone has a noise cancellation capability that can reduce background noise and take up sound from the angle the camera is pointed. Despite the mic’s cardioid design, it provides better audio quality than the mics included in the bulk of cameras.

The Zhiyun Weebill 3 has a built-in light similar to the Crane series. The light does grow bright, and in low-light conditions, it can assist in reducing noise. Similar to the brightness level, you can adjust the temperature of the light between 2600K and 5400K. 

Additionally, the Zhiyun Weebill 3 has several color-changing filters attached to the light.

The improved wrist rest is the Zhiyun Weebill 3’s most noteworthy improvement, in my opinion. If you’ve ever used a gimbal, you know how fast the combined weight of the gimbal, camera, and lens can become overbearing. Fortunately, with this wrist rest, you can produce a wonderfully smooth film for a long time without getting as tired. 

I find it disappointing that only Panasonic, Sony, and Canon cameras are supported. Unless you possess one of these, you cannot remotely operate the camera using the gimbal or the ZY Play app. I’m hoping that a firmware upgrade will make this modification in the future.

The RS2 is another of my favorites for the Sony FX6. The 4.5 kg payload of the RS2 is a significant improvement compared to its predecessor. The RS2’s 1.4″ full-color LCD touchscreen has better improved functionality and stability. The RS2 has also managed to save weight and is lighter despite having more modern and new features and a higher payload.

For each axis, DJI has also introduced new covert lock switches. These are excellent for securing the gimbal and keeping your camera securely attached when turned off. Each lock switch has a solid feel to it and is simple to click into place.

Speaking of displays, the RS2 has a brand-new internal full-color touch panel that you can use to perform most gimbal adjustments without a linked smartphone. I like that it issues an alarm if you strain any of the motors or if one of the axes is locked.

The RS2 can track a target from any linked camera using the WIFI photo transmitter technology known as RavenEye. It tracks its target using either the built-in touch display or a different mobile device running the android/IOS-compatible Ronin App.

Above the trigger, this DJI has a new built-in front dial wheel that you can use to customize ISO, aperture, focus, and roll functions. This dial lets you control the gimbal with one hand while simultaneously adjusting any of these characteristics, depending on your camera and arrangement.

With its quick charging characteristics, the RS2 can be completely charged in under two hours and has a maximum battery life of 12 hours. From the previous model, this cuts the charging time by at least 40 minutes. The RS2 can increase its runtime by two hours with just a 15-minute rapid charge, which puts things into an even clearer perspective.

My last recommendation is the Weebill-S, a good option if you desire a portable gimbal for filming with a DSLR to improve the quality of your YouTubing.

With this Weebill-S, you get six shooting options: the traditional PF, F, and L, as well as POV, Vortex, and Go. I love this versatility that offers you many alternatives for whatever shooting session you have. 

Also, switching between these different modes is easier because of the buttons on the handle, including a toggle for PF and L, a trigger for Go, and a specific button for POV. This was absolutely helpful as I didn’t have to recycle through each mode individually.

The small display on the Weebill S is more stunning and provides access to the device’s functions. For each axis separately, you may change the motor power, follow speed, smoothness, dead banding, and more. You may also tweak all of this using the Zhiyun app on your phone.

Zhiyun estimates that the bundled rechargeable Li-ion batteries have a battery life of around 14 hours. Note that this will naturally differ depending on the weight of your camera and how well-balanced your shoot set-up is.

Removing the plate from the camera requires a bit more finesse, but removing the camera on and off the gimbal is painless and easy.

Overall, calibrating this gimbal is pretty straightforward, although some of the calibration points can be a touch stiff, making fine-tuning occasionally challenging. 

The build quality is excellent, and this seems solid and dependable enough to meet your needs.

Gimbals Buyer’s Guide: 4 Things To Look For

Performance

Try out a gimbal to see how it works before buying it. The performance of a gimbal is one of the most crucial aspects of its functioning since it affects how smoothly you can film. Additionally, ensure the gimbal has all the characteristics/specifications necessary to function correctly.

Axes 

Before making any purchases decide whether you want a 2-axis or 3-axis stabilization feature. The tilt and roll axes are stabilized by 2-axis and 3-axis gimbals, while 3-axis gimbals stabilize the pan axis. While both types of gimbals are handy in shot stabilization, I recommend getting a 3-axis gimbal if you can afford one because they offer far superior benefits.

Weight

The gimbal’s weight is another essential attribute to look for when buying a gimbal. Any gimbal you buy should be light enough for you to handle because whatever gimbal you decide on, you’ll need to carry it around while recording. 

And if it’s a handheld gimbal, you’ll need to be able to hold it steady long enough to get the footage you need without becoming weary. 

Don’t forget to account for the extra weight of your camera and other shooting gear altogether. So the lighter the gimbal, the better.

Versatility

As far as versatility is concerned, pick a gimbal that can accommodate various shooting techniques and accessories. A flexible/ versatile gimbal can efficiently attach to various equipment, such as gimbal vests, extension cables/poles, and tripods. Select a gimbal that can also support different camera models.

Conclusion

The DJI RS 3 Pro is a #1 solid shout for the Sony FX6. This strong stabilizer is specifically designed for professional videographers with a large camera and lens payload. It has impressive features, including a physical Mode, a knob to fine-tune the tilt balance, and the new, more giant OLED touchscreen, which is more visible and brighter than on earlier Ronin versions.

At number two, we have the DJI RS 3, which comes with an automatic axes lock system, a physical mode switch, and an extended battery life. Suppose you own heavy shooting gear; this gimbal will float, pan, and tilt your camera easily. Although it has a slight learning curve, you should be up and running after a couple of tries.

Lastly, the Zhiyun Weebill 3 is another excellent gimbal with handy features. I love its flip-out touch screen for easier control, although balancing this bad boy can be a nightmare if you’re new to the gimbal department.