I've only ever used single-axis, vlogger/TikToker-friendly smartphone "gimbals," so when I say I was not prepared for something this advanced, I'm not exaggerating.If you're a professional and already familiar with how these advanced gimbals work, my review probably won’t offer much. But if you're a beginner like me, just starting with professional gear—this is the review for you.The Crane 4 comes in a nice, minimalistic box, sealed with a unique tamper-proof seal (which gave me peace of mind). A sturdy storage/carrying case is included, which helps keep the gimbal safe from dust and damage. The case even has velcro straps to keep the main parts from moving around.Besides the gimbal and included accessories, I was surprised (and a bit frustrated) to find that the only paperwork in the box was a disclaimer/warning booklet and a short "quick start guide." No manual. The guide has a QR code for tutorials, but it led to a broken link on the manufacturer’s website.I had to search around the site and eventually turned to Google. At first, I ended up on the official channel—but it had outdated videos from 8 years ago. Eventually, I found the right tutorial: “ZHIYUN CRANE 4 Official Tutorial PART 1: Setup and Balance.” That’s the one you want to look for.The tutorial is presented by someone who clearly knows what they’re doing, and I appreciated having a hands-on walkthrough. I’m glad I didn’t try to figure things out on my own, because I learned that powering on the gimbal with all axes locked (which is how it ships) can damage the motors.As for usability—if you're not familiar with complex, pro-level gimbals (like me), this will feel complicated at first. It’s going to take me a while to really get the hang of it, and even longer to master.That said, I followed the tutorial and was able to get my camera set up, balanced, all axes unlocked, and even played around with basic functions. I’m photography-illiterate but consider myself tech-savvy, and it still took me a solid 45 minutes just to wrap my head around the basics.What I disliked:- The included instructions are minimal.- The tutorial was hard to find.- Much heavier than I expected (but I’ve only used beginner-level gimbals before).What I liked:- The gimbal feels extremely well-built. Anything that could be made of metal is made of smooth, high-quality metal.- The plastic components feel premium.- All the accessories I needed to get started were included.- The carrying case is well-designed and keeps everything organized.- I was able to get up and running at a basic level within an hour, which felt like a win for a total beginner.- There are tons of tutorials, tips, and tricks available on YouTube from talented videographers—so as long as I'm willing to put in the time, I know I can improve.Overall: This is a well-built gimbal that I believe will help me capture great footage—once I get better at using it. Right now, it’s way above my skill level, but it feels like something I can grow into with time and practice.

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This Crane 4 gimbal is solid using triple-axis brushless motors to stabilize footage even with heavy DSLRs and cine rigs mounted on the quick release plate. Whether its filming panoramas, timelapse, or in FPV running mode this gimbal is versatile enough to handle creative film making outdoors. Both gimbal and detachable tripod fits into a rugged hard case with water repellent zippers making it easier to lug around. There's also embedded Type C ports to drive PD power keeping cameras charged while filming or toggling controls.Setting up the load balance on the Crane 4 is a mix of manually sliding the arms to hold weight in neutral position then running sensor calibration. It smoothly and quietly stabilizes footage even walking on rough terrain outdoors. Joystick takes a bit of learning curve to practice swivel and pan alongside side tilt using jog dial. Sensitivity can be adjusted but touch screen can occasionally feel cumbersome to navigate because of its small 1.2" OLED screen. Grasping onto the handle of this gimbal feels comfortable but is on heavier end even without gear mounted, this is a drawback for ergonomics to consider.When it comes to versatility, having onboard fill flash is switchable on both color temperature and included a small diffuser to soften glow. Running power to DSLR from Type C PD and enabling flash does drain battery lasting merely 2 to 3 hours on a charge. Despite this this heavy duty gimbal has powerful motors and lets me stabilize heavier lenses and camera gear. Follow focus and automatic pan sensing are thoughtful touches but compatibility is better suited to mirrorless cameras. This gimbal also folds up flat into the hard case making it easier to carry with a comfortable padded handle. Overall its a solid piece of equipment for stabilizing footage, capturing panoramas, and film making outdoors.

I have been using this gimbal for awhile. I love how easy it is to switch from landscape to portrait mode. This is so useful for social media contents.With Bluetooth connectivity, it is super easy to connect it with my A7CII and balancing the gimbal isn't hard at all. The touchscreen is definitely a nice touch and the battery life is enough for me to use for the day!Overall, I'm super happy with this purchase!!😁

The Zhiyun Crane 4 is a game-changer for content creators. Its lightweight yet durable design, powerful stabilization, and intuitive controls make it perfect for professional shoots. The quick-release system and creative modes like vortex are super convenient, and the battery lasts all day. It handles heavy cameras with ease, delivering smooth, cinematic footage every time. Highly recommend for anyone serious about video production!