Thank you Zhiyun for sending us the combo kit to review!

We recently reviewed the Zhiyun Crane M3 Gimbal Stabilizer here.  The recently released Zhiyun Crane-M2S Gimbal Stabilizer offers many of the same features at a fraction of the cost, and overall weight! The purpose of a gimbal is to keep the camera steady while its supporting platform moves. Nobody wants to watch a video with jittery movement and this device will alleviate that problem (within reason). It supports multiple modes including:

Pan Follow – Tilt axis is locked
Lock – Ideal for focusing on one target object
Follow – Tilt and Pan Axis are enabled, great for top down shots
POV – Roll axis control, 45-degree angles on right and left side
GO – Increase the responsiveness of all of the axis
Vortex – 360-degree roll movement for barrel rolls!

Before purchasing this device, you’ll want to make sure your camera is supported. There are two lists to check. The compatibility list is to ensure that you can attach your camera to the device and the control list will let you know if you can use the gimbal buttons for activating functions on your camera. Camera control is nice, but not required. Phones and action cameras are supported but you’ll need additional mounting hardware to get them to work. The $349 combo kit bundle includes a cellphone mount and a stylish carrying bag. My phone with its protective case wouldn’t fit in the adapter. Removing the protective cover may be required to use the phone mount.

Once you have the gimbal and compatible camera in hand, it’s time to make sure that both are fully charged. An AC adapter isn’t included, but you can use any fast-charger with the included USB-C cable to have it fully charged in less than two hours. You can also charge your camera from the gimbal’s battery.

After the Crane-M2S is charged, you’ll want to update the firmware through the ZY Play app. Along with updating the gimbal, the app can remotely control and position it too. While the app is nice, it’s not required to use the gimbal.

Assembly of the Crane-M2S is pretty straightforward. Connecting the black tripod bottom is pretty easy by just screwing it in. You’ll want to mount your camera to the quick-release plate by adjusting the included thumbscrew. The quick-release has a black lock/unlocking button and a red release switch that you’ll need to activate to mount and unmount your camera. Once you get the hang of it, attaching and removing your camera will be done in a couple of seconds.