Skip to main content

Zhiyun Crane V2 gimbal review

Zhiyun Crane V2 makes capturing buttery smooth video easier than ever

The Zhiyun Crane handheld, three-axis gimbal helps DSLR and mirrorless camera shooters create smooth, cinematic video by eliminating the shakiness of handheld filming. Ever since its debut in 2016, the Zhiyun Crane has been a popular gimbal with amateur and professional filmmakers alike because of its easy-to-use, one-handed operation, compact design, and sub-$1000 price ($649). However, Zhiyun Tech listened to user feedback over the past year and quietly introduced an updated version with some small but significant improvements. In our Zhiyun Crane V2 gimbal review, we look at the changes from the previous version and the features that made it so popular in the first place.

The camera footage that we captured with the Crane V2 was impressively steady, even for first-time users.

Recommended Videos

The Zhiyun Crane was one of the first gimbals for DSLR and mirrorless cameras that didn’t carry the bulk or expense of larger professional rigs like the Freefly Movi and DJI Ronin M, which remains the case for the second version. Like many gimbals, it employs self-balancing brushless motors along three axes (pan, tilt, and roll) to eliminate unwanted movement and stabilize video footage. Setting up the gimbal is as simple as attaching your camera to the mounting plate and balancing your camera to reduce stress on the motors; after that the gimbal handles the stabilization nearly effortlessly.

The gimbal body is made from machined aluminum alloy that is lightweight yet durable, making it travel friendly for filmmakers on the go. The original launched with two sets of lithium-ion batteries that allowed for a combined 12 hours of use, but the Crane V2 accomplishes the same run time with a single set of higher capacity batteries, so you can theoretically shoot all day on a single charge (you can purchase additional batteries for longer workflows, which cost about $30 each). Also new in the Crane V2 is the addition of a quick-release plate on the mounting platform, so you can quickly mount and dismount your camera from the gimbal. The Crane V2 now supports camera setups weighing up to 1,800 grams, or around 4 lbs, which is 50 percent more weight than the original Crane could handle. There is also a lens support bracket for use with larger camera lenses.

Zhiyun Crane V2 Review
Philip Chung/Digital Trends
Philip Chung/Digital Trends

While the weight of the gimbal with your camera installed might lead you to use two hands to carry it, the Crane V2 is designed for one-handed operation and the controls for the unit have been consolidated into 1-square-inch, so you can easily access all the buttons and four-way joystick with your thumb. The joystick controls pan, tilt, and roll of the camera for smooth moving and panorama shots, but you can also pair the Crane V2 with a smartphone over Bluetooth and control all its functions remotely via the mobile app (iOS and Android). The onboard shutter and zoom controls let you access camera functions without having to mess with the camera while the gimbal is operating. You do, however, need to purchase a camera control cable separately to use those functions, which are available for Sony and Panasonic cameras only.

The Crane V2 has the same three operation modes as the original, which includes a pan and follow mode, a locked mode, and a pan-and-tilt follow mode. One of the best features of the Crane V2 that remains unchanged is the use of tool-less adjustment thumb screws that let you balance the camera quickly and easily. During operation the motors are nearly silent and don’t interfere too much with captured camera audio. On the bottom of the gimbal is a 1/4-inch mounting hole so you can use it with a tripod or other mounting systems like a telescoping boom.

The camera footage that we captured with the Crane V2 was impressively steady, even for first-time users, although it does take some practice to end up with flawless gliding pans and follows. For DSLR and mirrorless camera users, the Crane V2 offers a relatively affordable way to take the next step in creating professional-looking, cinematic video. If you already have the original Zhiyun Crane, these changes probably aren’t enough to justify buying the newer version, but if this is your first gimbal, since the V2 is offered for the same list price of $649 there’s really no reason to pass on it. We even spotted it on sale recently for $100 less. Casual filmmakers or those on a budget who prefer shooting with a smartphone should checkout the Zhiyun Smooth-Q or the similarly named but unrelated Smove gimbals.

Philip Chung
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Philip is an industrial engineer who truly enjoys writing and exploring new tech products. He started writing reviews in 2010…
Capture all the action with the GoPro HERO12 Black — $150 off today at Amazon
The GoPro Hero 12 Black Creator Edition set up on a small tripod on the beach.

In the moment, when you're blasting over that jump on your dirt bike, catching that killer wave, or jumping off of whatever insane cliff you've found, you don't necessarily think about capturing it all. But one of the best ways to make that happen is to strap on an action cam, like a GoPro. You can capture all of the action, and it's relatively low-lift. You wear whatever unique mount is best for the situation and the camera does all the work. There's just one issue, action cameras can be expensive especially if you're on a budget. However, today, Amazon has the GoPro HERO12 Black for $150 off. That brings it down from its normal price of $400 to $250. You can use that extra money to grab an accessory and you're good to go. GoPro HERO12 Black captures it all in 5.3K or 4K so you can rewatch the glory over and over.

 
Why buy the GoPro HERO12 Black? To capture the action, that's why
An action camera like a GoPro makes it possible to capture the action, in full detail, no matter what you're doing. You don't even have to be doing crazy stunts either. A common misconception is that they're only useful for outdoor activities, but no they work for filming just about anything. Even if you're having a barbecue, or a birthday party, or want to see what your roaming cat sees throughout the day -- a GoPro is what you need.

Read more
NASA astronaut Don Pettit talks photography from the space station
NASA astronaut Don Pettit discussing his photography from aboard the ISS.

NASA ASTRONAUT DISCUSSES PHOTOGRAPHY IN SPACE WITH NASASPACEFLIGHT.COM

NASA astronaut Don Pettit arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) in September on his fourth orbital mission in 22 years. Besides working on various science projects on the space-based facility, Pettit is also known for his keen interest in photography, and he regularly shares his impressive efforts -- including rivers, clouds, star trails, and high-speed spacecraft -- on X and Instagram.

Read more
Target has great deals on the Fujifilm Instax cameras today
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 on a white background.

If regular camera deals look a little overwhelming or too expensive, you should check out what Target has to offer. Right now, there are some great deals on Fujifilm Instax cameras, which are perfect for those times you want to take some quick snaps and not worry about fancy settings. The deals include the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 and the Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 Instant Camera. Let’s take a look at both cameras and see which will suit you best. Each camera is a great gift for someone this holiday season, but it’s also a fun way of snapping anything you want during the festive period.
Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 Instant Camera -- $140 $150 7% off

For that instant retro look, check out the Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 Instant Camera. It takes 3 x 5 instant photos, so it’s good for shooting wide shots. Sure, it won't compete with the best DSLR cameras, but it's a fun way of taking some quick snaps. It has a rugged yet beautiful design, so it can handle a few more bumps than most cameras. It offers easy-to-use analog-style controls with a choice of three focus modes; these include normal, landscape, and macro when using the relevant and included close-up lens. It provides automatic exposure, flash control, and a self-timer with an LED countdown, so all the essentials are here. The Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 Instant Camera also has two viewfinder framing guides to assist in composing your image, and you can add a tripod mount if you want.

Read more