{"id":2632,"date":"2017-04-11T15:23:16","date_gmt":"2017-04-11T15:23:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mdifilm.com\/2016\/?p=2632"},"modified":"2017-04-27T18:47:25","modified_gmt":"2017-04-27T18:47:25","slug":"gudsen-moza-air-vs-zhiyun-crane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mdifilm.com\/2024\/gudsen-moza-air-vs-zhiyun-crane\/","title":{"rendered":"Gudsen Moza Air vs Zhiyun Crane"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gudsen Moza Air vs Zhiyun Crane<\/strong><\/h2>\n

updated: 4\/27\/2017<\/p>\n

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We recently got our hands on two brand of similar products, both are DSLR\/Mirrorless based single handed gimbals. One is the Gudsen Moza Air<\/a><\/strong><\/span> (releasing April 18) and the other is the Zhiyun Crane<\/span><\/strong> <\/a>(released around May 2016).<\/span><\/p>\n

Moza Air 1.0.12 firmware (released 4\/13\/2017) made the gimbal movement’s much smoother to run and less diagonal when pan.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer<\/em><\/strong>: We have been using Gudsen products since their \u00a0first Moza gimbals back in early 2016 and have been impressed with their built and the features. We have been using their gimbals along with Came-TV\u2019s (started with Came-7000) and have enough knowledge on how to balance each.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

We have heard from many independent filmmakers saying that the two hand gimbals can get heavy, so there was a need to find some ways to ease the weight by adding a support system without getting fatigue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Single handed gimbals got really popular about a year and a half ago to cater that need, many versions came to attract filmmakers (PilotFly, Nebula, Came-TV Single, etc) after smartphone gimbals got popular. <\/span><\/p>\n

Having a 3-axis brushless gimbal doesn\u2019t mean your footage will be smooth, besides learning to balance it right, you also need to learn how to do the \u2018ninja walk\u2019 to reduce the walk motion that makes it bops (the up and down motion). For videos on \u2018how to balance a gimbal\u2019 or to learn about \u2018Ninja Walk\u2019 you can find tons of video by googling them on youtube. (Here are few: <\/span>https:\/\/youtu.be\/NBcaSYTGtQM<\/span><\/a> or this <\/span>https:\/\/youtu.be\/Gn5nhMVuRc0<\/span><\/a> or this: <\/span>https:\/\/youtu.be\/N8Lih55Crsc<\/span><\/a> \u00a0\u00a0or \u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/youtu.be\/NTZhu8QDa0M<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

Before we start going into the two single hand gimbals (Gudsen Moza Air<\/strong> and Zhiyun Crane<\/strong>), we used the following cameras and lenses: Panasonic GH5 and Panasonic GH4 with 12-35mm, 35-100mm, Sigma 30mm, Rokinon 35mm, Rokinon 16mm and Voigtlander 17.5mm; Sony A7s with 30mm and 70mm; Canon 70D with 18-135mm lens (this latter setup do not work with the Zhiyun Crane, but it does for the Moza Air)<\/span><\/p>\n

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Canon 70D on Moza Air. On the Zhiyun Crane, we managed to balance it but it wouldn’t work due to a lot of vibrations when turned on.<\/p><\/div>\n

Product Specifications (from their website)<\/b><\/h3>\n

Zhiyun Crane:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Priced at $649, designed primary for mirrorless cameras such as the Sony a7S and Panasonic GH4 or GH5. It allows up to 3.9lbs (with their latest update). Optional accessories includes the Dual Handle set ($99) and the remote controller unit ($35), the GH4 and Sony cables for stop\/start recording and focusing are sold separately at $25 each, your total would come about $833.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gudsen Moza Air:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Priced at $599, designed for mirrorless and DSLRs including the Canon 5d3\/5D4, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, etc. It allows up to 5.5lbs. What\u2019s included in the box are the Dual Handle set, Sony\/Panasonic GH4\/Canon control cable (allows you to stop\/start recording on gh4 and focus control with Canon and Sony cameras – Crane do not include Canon Cable as it\u2019s not capable for their weights). You will need to shell out $199 for their Wireless Thumb Controller, making your total to be $798<\/span><\/p>\n

Both gimbals can do 360 degrees rotation, and both can be controlled via their assistant apps (Gudsen Moza Air\u2019s Assistant App only available for IOS while the Zhiyun Crane is available on both IOS and Android devices, Zhiyun\u2019s latest app update somehow had crippled its usage a bit).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Both sells with a carrying case, USB cable (wish they both also should consider offering the USB to Power adapter), Lens Support, \u00bc\u201d screw and gimbal). They both also have additional items available for sale at their website. <\/span><\/p>\n

We are using a pre-production unit of Moza Air and have done 4 firmware updates so far, each update has improved its usability, and \u00a0helped make \u00a0the Air more intuitive. Gudsen listened and they have fixed many of the issues we have presented to them, which is a good thing. <\/span><\/p>\n

You can easily update your firmware with instructions from both companies, the Air we received came with a bad micro usb to usb cable, luckily we have plenty sitting around and got one that worked. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the Moza Air, when you update the firmware, make sure to also update\/upgrade the profiles as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Build<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n

The Zhiyun Crane is a bit longer than the Gudsen Moza Air (about an inch), and both felt extremely comfortable while gripping, the feel and look on both are extremely professional, we have several people holding them and felt that the Gudsen Moza Air would be their preferred choice due to its shorter handle that makes it feel more balanced.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both also have a \u00bc\u201d hold at bottom so you can attach it to a tripod or jib or any accessories, we have it attached to a tripod legs like the BeStableCam Tripod Monopod Stand Extend Extension Stick ($15.99) so we can put it down anywhere and be able to get it going (while still can it as part of the gimbal for balance\/steering). <\/span><\/p>\n

Specifications (basic info)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nZhiyun Crane<\/span><\/td>\nMoza Air<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gimbal Weight<\/span><\/td>\n2.09lbs \/ 0.95kgs<\/span><\/td>\n2.4lbs \/ 1.1kgs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Payload<\/span><\/td>\n3.9lbs \/ 1.8kbs<\/span><\/td>\n5.5lbs \/ 2.5kgs<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Supported Cameras<\/span><\/td>\na7s\/gh4\/gh5 (mirrorless)<\/span><\/td>\nCanon, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony, BMPCC, BMCC<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bluetooth<\/span><\/td>\n4<\/span><\/td>\n4<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery<\/span><\/td>\n18650 x 2 (my package came with 2 sets)<\/span><\/td>\n26350 x 3 (my pre-production unit came with 4)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery Life<\/span><\/td>\n6 hrs – 12 hrs<\/span><\/td>\n6 hrs – 8hrs (pending on camera\/weight) <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Battery Charging<\/span><\/td>\n3 hrs<\/span><\/td>\n5 hrs (I had to get another charger to charge the 3rd battery, but the new charger can accmodate 3 batteries)<\/em><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Apps<\/span><\/td>\niOS\/Android<\/span><\/td>\niOS<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What’s in box:<\/span><\/td>\ngimbal, battery case, charger, batteries, usb cable, lens support<\/span><\/td>\ngimbal, hand grip, batteries, charger, dual handle set, lens support, usb cable, control cable for Sony A7, Canon DSLR, GH4, Carry case<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

NOTE: Tested both during April 8-9 action sequence shoot, both gimbals lasted the whole 8hours battery life and it was still going strong, suffice to say you probably don’t need another set of batteries. You can click on pictures to enlarge them.<\/p>\n

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Performance<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n

We tested these gimbals with cameras\/lenses combinations mentioned earlier, while we are not expert in the proper walking of these gimbals, we can get it running within 1-3 mins time spent in setup and balancing it as these are tool-less design. <\/span><\/p>\n

Crane setup was simpler, you adjust\/balance the camera\/lens on it and once it is balanced, it just worked. <\/span><\/p>\n

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On the Moza Air, an extra step you need to do via iOS app or the thumb controller after camera\/lens is balanced.<\/p><\/div>\n

For Moza Air, because of the different camera\/lens setup are supported, you may need to via app or the optional thumb controller, to choose the type of camera\/lens configuration for optimal setup. During our test, we tend to forget to set the proper profile but still can run without an issue (sometimes if you have set for a heavier camera\/lens combo, your Moza Air will vibrate, if that happens, just<\/span><\/p>\n

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Zhiyun Crane<\/p><\/div>\n

change the profile\/lens setting appropriately). <\/span><\/p>\n

We learned that you also may need to calibrate the gyro and acc after upgrading the firmware on either gimbal. For Moza Air, you also need to update the profiles to make sure it has the latest information, or it may not work as desired. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Zhiyun Crane has a gold plated button for on\/off and a up and down button for zoom\/focus control, we personally do not like the on\/off button as it is placed to the side and when gripping it, it can accidently touch and turn off the gimbal.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Moza Air<\/p><\/div>\n

The Moza Air only have an on\/off button right below the joystick (which is actually have better feel than the Zhiyun Crane). You also can use the on\/off button to start\/stop recording with a Gh4\/GH5, Sony or Canon DSLRs connected via micro-usb cable to the camera (included). Zhiyun Crane requires a mini-usb cable (buy separately).<\/span><\/p>\n

The base plate for both are fairly simple, a 1\/4 \u201c screw to attach the camera, which made it an annoyance when you have to switch from tripod to gimbal or back. We tried a few quick release systems and can only recommend the Smallrig\u00ae Standard Manfrotto Dovetail Clamp for SmallRig 1280,1460,1647 and 501PL Plates<\/a> or any of the smaller arca swiss type. Personally we prefer the SmallRig since our tripods are all 501PL type (Benro and Manfrotto)<\/span><\/p>\n

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App usage:<\/b><\/p>\n

Both gimbals allow the user to connect your phone (iOS or Android for Crane. Moza Air – Android version coming later) helps control the gimbal from a distance, or do some basic balancing and speed adjustments. <\/span><\/p>\n

With the app, you can pan\/tilt and re-center the gimbal with the touch. Moza Air also included a cool feature where you can set motion timelapse to move the Moza Air per predefined motion and it would do so automatically, see the video below, this is great for photographers or videographers that wishes to do some timelapse with it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a comparison of how the iOS Assistant App screens looks like side by side (for more advance setting adjustment, use your computer and connect it to either gimbals)<\/span><\/p>\n

Moza Air:<\/p>\n

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Zhiyun Crane: (They got two apps, one is \u00a0this “camera app). It was a bit hard to find the info)<\/p>\n

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And here’s Zhiyun’s OTHER APP: (this one has more setting options)<\/p>\n

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Remote Controllers:<\/b><\/p>\n

Both gimbals sell a wireless remote controller at an additional cost. Zhiyun\u2019s remote control (the new version) seems simpler, where as the Gudsen\u2019s Moza Air has more feature. With either, you can control pan, tilt, etc. while the Moza Air can also do camera\/lens profile settings and some basic adjustment to the gimbal\u2019s smoothness.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Moza Air Thumb Controller<\/p><\/div>\n

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Zhiyun current controller<\/p><\/div>\n

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Zhiyun new controller that supposed to be released in March 2017<\/p><\/div>\n

Moza Air’s Thumb Controller got a lot of features: you can start\/stop recording, adjust the pan\/tilt speed, set camera profile\/lens weight, control focus (with Canon cameras right now) and many others. Do you really need it? Maybe not, but if you want to free your phone from gimbal, maybe you should consider it. Check out this video:<\/p>\n