ZHIYUN Weebill 3S Gimbal Stabilizer for DSLR and Mirrorless Camera

The Zhiyun WEEBILL-3 S Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer Combo, equipped with wireless shutter capabilities, enhanced fill light, and Sling Mode 2.5, elevates the features of its predecessor, making it an ideal choice for on-the-go shooting.

The combo kit includes an extendable sling grip set and backpack for convenient portability. The gimbal’s optimized sling structure and integrated fill light contribute to its lightweight and compact design.

Utilize the 0.96″ touchscreen to view settings, control your camera’s shutter via Bluetooth 5.0, and effortlessly toggle between modes or parameters using the various buttons.

Core Features of ZHIYUN Weebill 3S

Enhanced Sling Design and Adjustable Grip Set

Sling Mode 2.5 introduces left and right tilt options, allowing for center-of-gravity adjustments to enhance low-angle shots. The Extendable Sling Grip, attached using the base mount, provides flexibility for shooting in sling mode or a two-handed grip mode when aligned parallel to the gimbal handgrip. The wrist rest, now more comfortable, includes a fine-tuning knob. The gimbal’s base features a 1/4″-20 thread supporting the included tripod accessory.

Smooth Movement with Reliable Motors

An optimized 10th-generation stabilization algorithm ensures high movement quality while maintaining a compact and lightweight design. The motors facilitate 310° of tilting, 360° of panning, and 340° of rolling movements.

Upgraded Quick Release with Landscape/Portrait Switch

The camera quick-release plate integrates an intuitive landscape/portrait switch control, enabling seamless transitions between horizontal and vertical orientations for diverse social media content, from vlogs to TikToks.

Built-In Fill Light

• Peak brightness of 1000 lux
• Adjustable dual-color temperature from 2600 to 5500K
• CRI of 90 for natural color reproduction

Gimbal Controls

Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 technology allows remote camera shutter control via onboard buttons. Connect the included Canon, Sony, or Panasonic control cables for comprehensive control over both the gimbal and your mounted camera. The ZY Play smartphone app can be accessed through the gimbal’s 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi capabilities. The touchscreen, equipped with a flight joystick, toggles between shooting modes, while the trigger button and wheel control can be customized for quick access to preferred modes or adjustments.

Long-Lasting Battery Life

Two built-in 2600mAh batteries power the WEEBILL-3 for up to 11.5 hours. The single USB-C port supports 5V at 1A real-time charging to your camera or PD fast charging technology to the gimbal, achieving a complete recharge in just two hours.

ZHIYUN Weebill 3S Specifications

Build and Handling

The ZHIYUN WEEBILL 3S boasts exceptional craftsmanship, incorporating a design that seamlessly combines functionality with user comfort, employing a robust blend of metal, rubber, and high-grade plastic materials.

One of its standout features is the ergonomic design, particularly the sling grip that facilitates under-slung usage, significantly enhancing handling and comfort during prolonged use.

Complemented by a compact wrist rest, the overall design proves surprisingly adaptable and comfortable.

The control layout is intuitive, catering to users of all levels with a user-friendly interface.

Notably, the dual-function control wheel, conveniently positioned alongside the power and menu buttons, allows easy adjustment of the fill light’s brightness and color temperature.

While the need to re-clamp the base plate when switching between portrait and landscape modes is a minor drawback, the process, although not overly complex, mandates turning off the gimbal and rebalancing.

This may pose a slight inconvenience in fast-paced shooting scenarios.

A notable aspect of the gimbal, offering advanced features, is its accompanying app, providing access to more sophisticated settings like timelapse and panorama.

The inclusion of a locking axis, a feature becoming increasingly commonplace, adds a protective element during transportation, enhancing the gimbal’s durability.

For seamless storage and hassle-free transport, the gimbal is packaged in a pull-string sport-style bag, ensuring secure and organized mobility.

Performance

The ZHIYUN WEEBILL 3S exhibits remarkable performance across various shooting conditions, showcasing its versatility in practical use.

Throughout testing, I successfully balanced multiple cameras, including the Fujifilm X-T4 and Sony A7 III, while attempting to accommodate the Canon EOS R5 C proved challenging due to its weight, indicating a limit for the gimbal.

The overall stabilization of the gimbal proves impressive, effectively mitigating motion-related issues as you transition between modes.

Notably, the speed of the motors stands out, eliminating the typical handheld shake associated with footage.

While walking, the operator’s skill becomes a factor in preventing natural bobbing, but the three-axis stabilization is swift and flawless.

Despite automatic stabilization, the joystick provides a valuable tool for manual correction, contributing to the user-friendly experience.

The placement of the mode, record, and joystick controls within easy reach of the thumb enhances overall usability.

In instances where heavier lenses were employed, slight wobbling occurred during focal length adjustments.

While most instances were resolved through gimbal balancing, occasional readjustment was needed when the balance was not optimal.

The built-in fill light proves advantageous, particularly in low-light conditions. Its easy adjustability through the control wheel allows for seamless modification of brightness and color temperature.

While it may not replace dedicated external light sources in demanding scenarios, it serves well as a supplementary light source.

Battery performance stands out as another strong suit of the WEEBILL 3S. With no noticeable degradation over time, the gimbal’s 11.5-hour battery life caters to extended shooting sessions, catering to both professionals and enthusiasts.

It’s worth noting that even during prolonged use, with the maximum session lasting around six hours, the gimbal wasn’t continuously active.

Silent operation emerges as a significant advantage, eliminating potential noise interference during video recording.

The gimbal excels in both indoor and outdoor settings, with any issues often arising from the operator’s lapse in adopting proper gimbal walking techniques, leading to minor bobs in the footage.

The inclusion of special modes, such as motion timelapse and follow focus, accessible through the ZY Play app, adds an extra layer of versatility to the gimbal’s already commendable performance.

In summary, the ZHIYUN WEEBILL 3S delivers exceptional performance, meeting the expectations of a professional gimbal, particularly within the entry-level market segment.

Its reliability, versatility, and solid performance make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking to elevate their videography endeavors.

Closing Remarks

The ZHIYUN WEEBILL 3S proves to be an exceptional gimbal, particularly when you consider its commendable value proposition.

While it may not be a necessity for every videographer, its ability to deliver professional-grade stabilization in a compact, user-friendly design significantly enhances the quality of footage—making it a valuable addition to your equipment.

The gimbal’s advanced feature set, encompassing the built-in fill light, versatile shooting modes, and extended battery life, contributes substantially to an enhanced filming experience, providing newfound creative freedom.

Amidst a market flooded with various gimbals, the ZHIYUN WEEBILL 3S stands out, owing to its sturdy construction, accessible performance, and thoughtful design features.

This gimbal successfully strikes a balance between professional-grade features, affordability, and user-friendliness. It proves to be approachable and easy for beginners while offering solid performance for smaller cameras.

Its lightweight design, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness make it an attractive choice for both amateur and professional videographers.

Additionally, the availability of accessories elevates it from an excellent entry-level professional gimbal to a higher tier.