Features
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For smartphone. Mount for using a smartphone as a camera. Most often it is a kind of clamp, in which the body of the device is tightly clamped. Such clamps usually have a fairly wide range of adjustment for the width of the phone, which allows you to use this type of stabiliser with most modern smartphones, regardless of the diagonal. And some models can even work with compact digital cameras.
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For camera. Attachments designed for use with full-size cameras — SLR and mirrorless (MILC). Such cameras are quite large and have a thread mount for a tripod. All these features are taken into account in the design of the stabiliser.
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For action cameras. Stabilisers designed for action cameras — compact cameras used mainly for shooting dynamic scenes like sports, skiing, cycling, etc. Such devices, by definition, are designed for use in rather extreme activities, including surfing, skiing, paragliding, etc. However, the specific features of different stabilisers may be different, so before buying it's ok to clarify this matter separately.
Note that instead of the general name “for action camera”, the stabiliser specifications may contain the names of specific models of action cameras for which the device is designed.
Max. load
The maximum weight that the stabiliser is designed to carry.
This is the maximum weight of the camera with all accessories allowed for this model.
Rotation angle
The range of rotation angles supported by the steadicam.
In this case, it means turning the camera to the right or left, without tilting back and forth.
Tilt angle
The range of forward-backwards tilt angles relative to the vertical position supported by the stabiliser.
It can be written in different ways.
The simplest option is when one angle value is indicated in the characteristics. This may mean that the camera can deviate from the neutral position in both directions by the same angle, which is half the range.
Another option is used when the angles of tilt forward and backward are not the same. In such cases, the horizontal position of the camera on a vertical steadicam is taken as zero, the “-” sign indicates the maximum angle of camera deflection back, lens up, and the “+” sign — forward, lens down.
Max. controlled speed
The maximum controlled speed supported by the stabiliser is, in fact, the highest speed of rotation of the camera along one axis or another, provided by the device. This is the maximum rotation speed of the entire structure, at which the stabiliser automation can provide effective stabilisation along the corresponding axis (that is, keep the camera stationary).
This item is directly related to the purpose of the stabiliser — for shooting while hiking or cycling on flat terrain, a high stabilization speed is hardly necessary, but during surfing, acrobatic aerobatics and other similar activities, the “slow” stabiliser often turns out to be ineffective.
Shooting modes
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Time lapse. Shooting video in time lapse mode involves a very low frame rate (one frame every few seconds, or even minutes). In the completed video, the effect of fast movement is achieved (for example, the day from sunrise to sunset fits in just a few minutes). However, this is the general principle of time lapse; but the specific ways of its implementation may be different depending on the specific model of the stabiliser.
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Selfie mode. A separate mode for shooting selfies. This function can be implemented in different ways, depending on the purpose of the device. It is aimed at filming himself and the immediate environment of the operator.
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Sports mode. The mode is designed for high-quality shooting of dynamic scenes in motion. In sports mode, the stabiliser automatically compensates for frame deviations from the reference location, while the motor runs at the highest possible speed.
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Panorama. In this shooting mode, the camera attached to the device automatically rotates around its axis, taking a series of shots, from which the panoramic image is then “glued together”. Most often, this function involves the creation of horizontal panoramas. However, camera movement in the vertical plane can also be provided.
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Tracking mode. Automatic tracking of a
...certain object by pointing the camera so that the shooting target is constantly in the centre of the image, or at least in the frame. The subject for tracking is set by the stabiliser operator.
— Inversion mode. This mode allows you to turn the device upside down, retaining all its functions and camera position. It will come in handy when shooting from atypical angles (for example, from the ground).Battery model
Model of the battery used in the stabiliser. This information is not very important when choosing: if you wish, knowing the battery model, you can find detailed information about it. However, the key characteristics of the battery are usually given in general information about the stabiliser. Nevertheless, model information can be useful if you plan to purchase an additional battery, or if you already have a battery and you need to evaluate its compatibility with the device.
Capacity
The capacity of the battery used in the stabiliser.
In theory, a higher capacity allows you to work longer without recharging, but the battery life of the stabiliser also depends on its power consumption. So, only models with similar performance characteristics can be compared with each other according to this indicator; and when choosing, it is better to focus not on the capacity, but on the directly claimed battery life.
Connection
There are two main types of connection in modern stabilisers:
Wi-Fi(more precisely, Wi-Fi Direct — for direct communication between devices) and
Bluetooth. Despite the difference from a technical point of view, in this case, these standards are very similar. First, they are both wireless. Secondly, both are used for direct connection with devices installed on the stabiliser — smartphones, action cameras, etc. (for more details, see "Features"). Thirdly, the specific functions of such a connection may be different, they should be specified separately for each model. However, such functions usually include at least control over the recording process (start/pause video recording, capture photos). So the main selection criterion for this indicator is what technology the connected gadget supports — Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Separately, we note that there are stabilisers that support both standards at once — these are mainly expensive professional models for cameras (see "Features"), where Wi-Fi is used to transfer video to an external screen, and Bluetooth is used for basic remote control.
