A smooth tracking shot is hard to pull off when you're walking with a camera. Every step can show up in the footage, particularly when you're moving quickly or changing direction.
A camera stabiliser helps take those jolts out of your video. Motorised gimbals let you follow people, walk through a scene or film on the move without keeping the camera fixed in one spot.
What Does a Three-Axis Gimbal Actually Do?
A camera gimbal stabiliser uses three motors to keep the camera steady as you move. Each handles a different type of rotation:
- Pan: Left and right movement.
- Tilt: Up and down movement.
- Roll: Sideways tilt that makes the horizon lean.
Your camera's in-body stabilisation can handle small shakes. A gimbal is better suited to controlling the larger rotations that happen when you're walking or tracking someone.
Which Type of Stabiliser Do You Need?
Not every stabiliser is built for a full camera setup. Some are small enough to slip into a day bag, while others support heavier filming equipment.
Camera Gimbals
Made for mirrorless and DSLR cameras, these suit moving interviews, event coverage and video production.
Phone Gimbals
A handy option for travel, social videos and filming on your phone without carrying extra camera equipment.
Action Camera Gimbals
Designed for lightweight action cameras, these help when you're filming movement and want more control over the shot.
Mechanical Stabilisers and Shoulder Rigs
These don't use motors to correct movement. Shoulder rigs spread the camera's weight across your body, while mechanical stabilisers use balance and counterweights to smooth moving shots.
Getting the Weight and Balance Right
Check the gimbal's payload rating against the weight of your camera, lens and anything attached to them.
Leave room for a microphone or monitor rather than working at the weight limit. You'll also need to balance the camera before switching on the gimbal. Otherwise, the motors work harder than they should, which can cause vibration and drain the battery faster.
Shooting Modes and Everyday Controls
Most motorised gimbals give you a few ways to control how the camera moves:
- Follow mode: Turns smoothly with your movements.
- Lock mode: Keeps the camera pointing in one direction.
- POV mode: Lets the camera follow movement across multiple axes.
A joystick or control wheel lets you adjust framing without touching the camera. Some models also support focus motors and app controls. Check the advertised battery runtime and whether you can charge the gimbal while filming.
For fixed shots, tripods & supports may be more useful. Browse video accessories
for other filming equipment.
Why Buy Camera Stabilisers from digiDirect?
digiDirect carries stabilisers from recognised brands, with options ranging from compact phone gimbals to rigs for professional camera setups.
You'll find Australian stock with applicable warranty coverage, digiDirect's Price Match Guarantee and Click & Collect options depending on availability. For transport and storage, explore camera bags & cases.
FAQs
Do I still need a gimbal if my camera has in-body stabilisation?
In-body stabilisation helps reduce small handheld shakes. A gimbal gives you more control when walking, turning or following a moving subject. You can use both, although some combinations work better with certain stabilisation settings.
Why does my gimbal vibrate or make a buzzing noise?
The camera may be poorly balanced, or the motor settings may be too strong for its weight. Try rebalancing the setup and running motor calibration if your model supports it. If the noise continues, check for an obstruction or possible motor fault.
Can a gimbal be taken on a plane with its battery?
Most gimbals can travel by air, subject to lithium battery restrictions. Spare batteries usually need to go in cabin baggage, and capacity limits may apply. Check your airline's rules before packing.
Do gimbals work in windy conditions?
They do, but strong gusts can push against the camera and make stabilisation harder. Larger lenses and accessories catch more wind. A well-balanced setup helps, although very windy conditions can still affect your footage.
How should a gimbal be stored between shoots?
Remove the camera, switch off the gimbal and secure its axes before packing it away. Keep it in a dry place, preferably in a fitted case. If you're storing it for an extended period, follow the manufacturer's battery care instructions.
