ZHIYUN Crane 4 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer for DSLR and Mirrorless Camera

The Zhiyun CRANE 4 maintains the well-known form factor and lightweight design of its predecessors, while introducing new features for seamless portrait shooting, Bluetooth shutter control, and an extended grip to accommodate cameras with full-frame lenses.

Effortlessly manipulate the gimbal with 360° pan, 207° tilt, and 70° roll rotation using the convenient onboard controls. Balance indicator lights on each motor aid in achieving precise calibration.

The dual-layer quick release plates make it easy to switch between landscape and portrait-oriented shooting.

Navigate through settings effortlessly with the 1.22″ color touchscreen and take advantage of Bluetooth-powered wireless shutter control.

Adding to its capabilities, the CRANE 4 includes a built-in fill light with a 3200 lux output and adjustable color temperature.

 

Build and Ergonomics

While ZHIYUN’s CRANE series has always been known for its robust construction, past designs leaned toward a more industrial aesthetic, prioritizing function over finesse.

The latest iteration, taking inspiration from the WeeBill series, marks a significant shift. The Crane 4 now boasts an ergonomically refined design, departing from the all-metal construction of its predecessors.

Some elements, like the wrist rest and handle, still feel more like additions than integral parts of the gimbal, lacking the refined touch found in other areas.

Despite this, the overall design has evolved noticeably, aligning more closely with the aesthetics of the WeeBill series.

The comfortable grip, easily accessible controls, and sturdy build contribute to its visually appealing design.

Setting up the gimbal remains a process that demands a few minutes and benefits from practice and skill when it comes to balancing.

Once the camera is mounted and balanced, the powerful motors take charge, swiftly aligning everything before calibration.

ZHIYUN Crane 4 Specifications

Setup Experience with Canon EOS R5 C

During the setup, the ease with which the Canon EOS R5 C, a relatively large camera, could be balanced stood out.

The Crane 4 demonstrated its capability by quickly achieving balance, and subsequent tests revealed its power and speed in handling dynamic movements, even with the weight of this larger mirrorless camera.

App Integration and Control

The accompanying app enhances the gimbal’s capabilities, providing connectivity to various accessories and comprehensive control over the gimbal’s functions.

App pairing is straightforward, and once synchronized, direct gimbal control via the app becomes possible.

While some advanced features may require the transmission system, the app, out of the box, proves reliable and facilitates most video and still photography movements, including panoramic shots and smooth pans, with ease.

Enhanced Features for Seamless Filmmaking

The ZHIYUN Crane 4 introduces several notable upgrades that enhance its usability and versatility. A standout addition is the balance indicator lights on each motor, eliminating the guesswork during setup.

These lights serve as a helpful reminder, signaling any imbalance and streamlining the calibration process.

The quick-release module further enhances user-friendliness, facilitating smooth transitions between horizontal and vertical shots effortlessly.

Beyond its adaptability in camera orientation, the gimbal boasts an extendable sling grip perfectly aligned with the central axis.

Whether opting for a two-handed mode or utilizing the sling grip, the 1/4″ screw hole allows for personalized accessorization.

The redesigned wrist rest structure enhances comfort for extended shooting sessions, incorporating ergonomic design with a skin-friendly texture.

In the realm of lighting, the Crane 4 stands out with its built-in 10W fill light, eliminating the need for a separate lighting setup. This integrated feature includes a light cover to optimize shooting conditions.

The user interface is equally impressive, with customizable settings easily accessible through the intuitive front dial and trigger button, simplifying the creative process from ISO to aperture control.

The inclusion of Bluetooth shutter control, compatible with most mainstream cameras, adds to the gimbal’s usability.

A 1.22-inch touch control color screen supports various functional adjustments, contributing a modern and efficient touch to the device.

Attention to detail is evident in features such as the built-in magnetic wrench for quick disassembly and assembly, along with silicone protective covers on the shaft arm to reduce wear and tear.

Precision in focus is paramount, and the Crane 4 excels in this aspect. The built-in dual-follow focus interface pairs seamlessly with external servo focus controllers, ensuring highly accurate focusing.

The TransMount image transfer system enhances hardware capabilities, enabling remote monitoring and collaborative authoring.

With four 18650 batteries ensuring ample power for a day of intensive shooting, the PD fast charging capability allows for quick recharging without disrupting your workflow.

In summary, the ZHIYUN Crane 4 offers an impressive array of features, catering to the diverse needs of both amateur and professional videographers.

Performance

Setting up traditional single-handed gimbal stabilizers can be a daunting task, especially for those accustomed to older models.

Achieving the perfect balance with the camera and lens often involves the use of markers or tape, adding complexity to the process.

The Crane series, with its user-friendly design, has been a welcome departure from this hassle, simplifying the setup process.

The Crane 3 set the standard for easy balancing, showcasing powerful motors that allowed for less meticulous setup while still delivering impressive performance.

However, it’s crucial to highlight that the true potential of any gimbal, no matter how robust, is realized when the precise balance on all axes is achieved.

The Crane 4 follows the familiar balancing procedure, involving lens-up balance, tilt, roll, and yaw balance, followed by auto-calibration for a systems check.

The gimbal’s design streamlines this process, ensuring a straightforward and smooth experience.

A red warning light serves as an indicator in case of balance discrepancies, although such occurrences were rare during testing, acting as a prompt for necessary rebalancing to avoid mid-shot instability.

While landscape shooting remains predominant, the Crane 4 recognizes the growing importance of vertical orientation, especially for social media content.

The gimbal incorporates an easy clip system that facilitates quick transitions between horizontal and vertical setups, taking approximately a minute—significantly faster than many competitors.

The addition of the Sling system, essentially a handle, enhances the gimbal’s versatility, making it more comfortable to hold in various positions.

Though the design of both the Sling system and wrist rest may feel somewhat like an afterthought, they function effectively. These design nuances are primarily aesthetic and do not compromise their functionality.

A notable addition to the Crane series is the built-in 10W lamp, a substantial upgrade over its predecessor.

Equipped with a quality diffuser for soft lighting, the lamp features a dedicated control wheel on the grip’s side. Throughout testing, the lamp’s performance and user-friendly interface left a lasting impression.

The Crane 4 excels in advanced features, offering various gimbal modes, including FPV and Follow.

The fully integrated app allows remote gimbal control, and with additional hardware for video transmission and focus controls, you can monitor and control focus and zoom.

Bluetooth integration has witnessed significant improvements, expanding compatibility with a broader range of cameras.

For users with compatible cameras, the ability to start and stop recording and adjust ISO, aperture, and shutter speed enhances the overall control.

The compact screen on the grip proves invaluable for diving into settings, with most features easily accessible. The auto-calibrate function stands out as a frequently used and highly convenient feature.

The grip’s size and design contribute to making the Crane 4 the most comfortable single-handed gimbal stabilizer experienced by the reviewer.

The well-positioned joystick and seamless Bluetooth integration for recording control add to the overall comfort and ease of use.

Balancing a range of cameras during the test, including the Sony A7 III and IV, and the Canon EOS R5 C, proved to be a straightforward process.

Even with the bulk of the Canon EOS R5 C’s fan, the Sling grip and wrist rest played a pivotal role in ensuring easy handling, making extended usage comfortable.

In conclusion, the Crane 4 defies its compact size with robust motors and stabilizing effects, simplifying the process of capturing professional-looking footage.

Its expandable system sets it apart, offering video transmission, focus, and zoom motors, coupled with an unparalleled ease of use that is challenging to match.