The Zhiyun Crane M3 (starting at A$639) is an attractive gimbal for creators who use lightweight interchangeable lens or fixed-lens compact cameras. It's a bit bigger than smartphone-only models like the DJI OM 5 ($239), but a full step down in size from the mid-tier Weebill 2 ($899). The Crane M3 makes a lot of sense if you use an APS-C or Micro Four Thirds camera and we especially like the convenience of its built-in light, but its touch screen is finicky and we had issues trying to balance our iPhone 13 in testing.
Whereas most gimbals sport a basic black finish (or a basic gray one in the case of the DJI OM series), the Crane M3 is a bit more fashion-forward: Black and red accents nicely complement its striking white exterior. At around 11.4 by 8.2 by 4.0 inches (HWD) and 1.5 pounds, it's not difficult to find a place for the M3 in your camera bag either, nor is it too heavy to handhold.
Zhiyun offers the Crane M3 in three different configurations. The basic kit ($369) includes the gimbal, cables, gel filters for the onboard light, and an EPP foam carrying case. The Combo Kit ($449) adds a phone clip and swaps the EPP case for a white leatherette satchel. The Pro Kit ($649) includes everything in the Combo package, plus a handheld microphone and an adapter to plug it into the gimbal.
I paired the Crane M3 with the Sony ZV-E10 and an iPhone 13 for testing. The stabilizer is the perfect size for smaller swappable lens cameras like the ZV-E10 and a good fit for upmarket compacts like the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III. Zhiyun lists some full-frame models in the camera compatibility list, but they balance only if you attach lightweight prime lenses. Zhiyun does not publish a maximum payload for the gimbal, but most of the compatible kits it lists come in under two pounds.
The size of your camera matters because of how gimbals work; for good results, you need to balance the camera's center of gravity along three axes. If you use a full-frame camera or a bulkier crop-sensor camera like the Fujifilm X-T4 or Panasonic GH6, you should step up to the bigger Zhiyun Weebill 2 or the Editors' Choice-winning DJI RSC 2; we haven't reviewed the new Weebill 3 or DJI RS 3 yet.
I had no trouble properly centering and balancing the slim Sony ZV-E10 on the Crane M3. I tried it with a few small lenses (the E 11mm, E 15mm, and E 10-20mm) and the gimbal kept the camera steady without any noticeable or audible strain on its powered motors. When I tried various camera moves, the M3 and ZV-E10 rolled Steadicam smooth video.
My experience with the iPhone 13 wasn't as positive. Despite my best efforts, I simply couldn't get the slim phone to balance along every axis. For the most part, the gimbal did a good job even though it was a little out of balance. But the motors struggled and stuttered when I tried certain types of camera moves, most noticeably when I transitioned from a high to low angle. If you are a full-time smartphone creator, a slimmer gimbal like the DJI OM 5 or Zhiyun Smooth 4 is a better match.
The M3's internal battery charges via a USB-C port. It's good for up to eight hours of runtime, though real-world results will vary depending on the camera weight and how well it balances, as well as your use of the M3's video light.
A single 1/4-inch thread handles an accessory mount, to which you can attach a high-quality monitor or smartphone. If you buy the Pro edition, you get an expansion port module; it has a second 1/4-inch thread and a storage compartment for the optional Bluetooth camera control module, as well as a 1/4-inch jack to plug in a mic.
The Crane M3 has a small touch-screen display and a few on-handle controls, but you need to use a compatible camera to take advantage of them. Many Sony models support USB-C control, but the ZV-E10 and slim full-frame a7C require a $25 Bluetooth add-on, as do recent models from Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Panasonic, and Sigma. You can still use them with the gimbal, but the Bluetooth add-on is a requirement to unlock the on-handle controls with those models.
USB control works with only select Sony models: the a7 II, a7 III, a7R II, a7R III, a7R IV, a7S II, a7S III, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600, HX90, RX100 V, RX100 VI, RX100 VII, and ZV-1. The compatibility list with the Bluetooth adapter is longer, but not entirely comprehensive. It doesn't include cameras from Olympus OM System at all, for example.
If you own a compatible camera (or buy the adapter), you can use the gimbal's front and side control wheels to adjust sundry settings, including shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. Pressing in on the side wheel controls the built-in video light. It's a handy feature for fill light, and we like that it has multiple brightness settings and an adjustable color temperature. I wanted a little more in the way of diffusion, though; the light can be harsh on your eyes in indoor settings and reflects clearly in eyeglasses in sunlight.
A small square touch screen lets you change settings, but the interface is kludgy. The main menu breaks down into four panes: Mode, Balance, Info, and Settings. Tapping any of them takes you to a longer text menu—straightforward enough. But the text is small enough that you can't always be sure which setting you selected. You also need to be deliberate with your swipe gestures to navigate as swipes often register as taps.
If you find the touch interface frustrating—I certainly did—you can also swap settings via the Zhiyun Play smartphone app (available for Android and iOS). The app supports remote control, so you can pan and make other camera moves from your smartphone. It's a good option, especially for scenarios in which you can't be near your camera.
The on-handle joystick is another option for making camera moves; it works well, but I was disappointed by some inflexibility with the controls. For instance, you can't set the y-axis for inverted operation. I bungled more than a few upward pans by naturally moving the stick downward. Other gimbals offer the ability to invert the y-axis control to accommodate those who might be used to that style of control from a video game, for instance.
Starting at $369, the Zhiyun Crane M3 has loads of budget appeal. And we like several aspects, including its on-camera video light, ability to balance properly sized cameras, and pleasing white-red-and-black color scheme (most photo accessories don't pay nearly as much attention to design aesthetics).
But we've got a few complaints, too. We love the convenience of on-handle controls, but the M3 only works with a handful of cameras via the included USB cables. For other models, you need to buy a $25 Bluetooth add-on module, which isn't included in any of the three gimbal kits, to unlock these controls. This limitation extends to popular vlogging cameras like the Canon EOS M50 Mark II, the Panasonic G100, and the Sony ZV-E10. Zhiyun really should have included the Bluetooth dongle in the kit. The inflexible controls are also annoying; you're simply out of luck if you prefer an inverted y-axis, for instance.
In light of these negatives, our recommendation here is narrow. If you own a camera that pairs well in terms of size, it supports USB or Bluetooth control, and you don't mind the y-axis control, the Crane M3 is worth a look. We currently recommend the DJI RSC 2 and Zhiyun Weebill 2 as alternatives; each is slightly bigger to better handle full-frame cameras and a larger array of lenses. We're working on reviews of their updated editions, the DJI RS 3 and Zhiyun Weebill 3.
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