Become a TechRadar Insider
Handheld video adds gritty authenticity and offers the freedom to shoot on the move, but too much camera shake can leave your audience feeling queasy. Pocket gimbal cameras eliminate distracting jitters by ensuring the camera stays level and steady as you walk around.
Pocket gimbal cameras have come a long way from the earliest stabilization devices to the compact all-in-one motorized gimbals we know today.
Modern handheld camera gimbals can trace their lineage back to “Steadicams” – bulky stabilizers for professional camera rigs used to shoot blockbuster movies. They allowed camera crews to capture steady and smooth tracking shots which previously required bulky dollies and cranes.
Evolution of the pocket gimbal camera form factor
They were not defined by a single moment, brand or product, but rather shaped over years of experimentation in stabilization, integration and portability by several technology makers across a range of industries.
Rather than relying on passive counterweights, miniaturizing the concept required powered three-axis gimbals – with electric motors compensating in real-time as the camera tilts, pans and rolls.
The stable lens appears to defy gravity, hovering in place to produce silky smooth professional-looking footage on the go. It’s a technical magic that has become essential for today’s video makers.
Taking flight
Improving the quality of aerial drone footage was one of the earliest applications for compact powered gimbal cameras. They combined built-in accelerometers and gyroscopes with quiet and highly responsive brushless electric motors, to keep the camera perfectly level during flight.
Just like the Steadicam, the invention of drone gimbal cameras revolutionized cinematography by making it much easier and more affordable for camera crews to capture silky smooth aerial shots.
Pocket gimbal cameras evolved from attaching these stabilizing drone camera mounts to handheld grips. They still are based on the same basic concepts, honed by broad industry development.
The history of pocket gimbal cameras
Pioneers like Feiyu Tech adapted drone gimbals into early handheld mounts back in 2013. The Feiyu G3 is widely recognized as one of the earliest mass-produced two-axis brushless gimbals for GoPro action cameras, marking the beginning of the compact electronic stabilization era.
GoPro later got in on the action with the GoPro Karma Grip, a detachable three-axis gimbal system for action cameras.
DJI took the concept to the next level in 2015 with the Osmo range. The Osmo combined a motorized three-axis gimbal with a camera borrowed from the DJI Inspire 1 drone. The Osmo’s built-in smartphone mount allowed the addition of a screen to create a highly portable all-in-one device, setting the scene for modern pocket gimbal cameras.
Removu and Zhiyun were among the gadget makers who continued to hone this early three-module gimbal-screen-handle design, establishing a new category of devices delivering portability and stability without sacrificing image quality.
The original DJI Osmo Pocket, released in 2018, advanced the technology by shrinking down a stabilized three-axis mechanical gimbal and 4K camera into a pocket-sized body about the size of a chocolate bar.
The follow up DJI Osmo Pocket 2, also known as the DJI Pocket 2, supported a multifunctional handle and mini control stick to further refine the integrated gimbal-screen-handle design.
Since then a range of pocket gimbal camera makers have continued to push the boundaries by integrating more internal storage, multi-lens including telephoto and AI-based tracking.
At the same time, camera makers like Canon and Casio pioneered the concept of rotating screens, which swivel around so they can be viewed from in front of the lens. Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-M1 was one of the earliest mass-produced consumer devices featuring screen-rotation-based power control, with no dedicated power button.
Ordro and DJI later brought the concept of rotating screens to pocket gimbal cameras, improving the user experience and paving the way for a new generation of devices with detachable wireless screens.
It's no surprise that more brands are pushing forwards with innovation in this space, especially when they are in such demand. Today, new players like Insta360, Oppo, Vivo and Honor are competing to shape the future of the technology.
Insta360’s Luna paves the way forward
Today, with the explosion of streaming content and the ease of publishing onto platforms like YouTube, gimbal cameras have surged into mainstream popularity. This means more innovation and better products for content creators.
As competition thrives in the market, these cameras are being sought after by professionals and amateurs alike. Features are constantly being added, the value of owning one is increasing, and more choice is fantastic for consumers.
Among the newcomers in the pocket gimbal camera space, Insta360 aspires to be a game changer with its upcoming Luna vlogging camera. Co-engineered with Leica, the dual-lens Luna Ultra features 3x telephoto zoom.
The Insta360 Luna’s standout feature is a multi-function removable wireless screen, which doubles as a remote control. You simply press buttons on either side of the screen to release it from the camera body, so you can see the camera’s view remotely – complete with record, zoom and joystick controls.
The Luna also supports AI-powered subject tracking. Just double tap your intended subject on the screen and the camera will automatically adjust to keep them centered in the frame as they move about.
The removable screen even features a built-in microphone, so when you're working solo you can use the screen to remotely see yourself, compose the shot and then present to camera.
The Insta360 Luna is primed to challenge DJI’s Osmo range with its suite of advanced features and technologies, and could well set the new standard for these incredible devices. One thing is for sure, camera gimbals like the Insta360 Luna will silently work in the background to enable the creator's visions coming to life, and giving you a visual experience that looks remarkable and keeps even the most extreme action silky smooth.