I initially bought the DJI OM4 ... not super happy with the magnet setup but had barely started with it when SmoothQ4 was released. When a friend expressed interest in buying the DJI from me, I looked at SmoothQ4 and Smooth5 ... watching ALL of the recent comparison videos. I bought the SmoothQ4 which I am still learning (darn day job!). BUT last week the Smooth5 was on a lightning sale (Amazon) for same price as Q4 so now have both, but I have not yet unboxed the Smooth5. I think/hope that they will both be useful as you expressed the strengths of each. Even though I have not unboxed the Smooth5, I have watched your balancing video and I really believe that most issues people are expressing have to do with not, you know "reading the manual" :) ... or watching a tutorial. As you noted, more flexibility, more options = a bit more complexity in setup and use. Thanks yet again for a great discussion and if anyone reading has not watched your Q4/Parkour videos, I highly recommend!!! Both the final video and the video that includes you with the gimbal doing the filming. Fascinating PLUS instructional as to filming options.
@@gilbertgk I kept both, although I have still not unboxed the Q5 🙁 ... I like the Q4 for the built in selfie stick but I have a small tripod with extension that will work with Q5. I have an iPhone 14 Pro (not Max) and in a lightweight silicone case the Q4 handles it, but just ... sometimes it seems confused but I am such a newbie it might be me. I'm keeping the Q5 for the payload.
I ordered the q4. This will be my first stabilizer I hope I would have made the right choice. I saw on android that the app has some problems I hope that with my pixel 4 it will be okay.
Smooth 5 broke on me within weeks… proper balancing, transport, storage everything. I think their app compatibility is to blame honestly I was using Smart Mode in the ZyCami app and it made some really jerky movements on the pan axis. Definitely lower build quality to DJI
Pro tip, just get a cheap $15-$30 carbon fiber extension pole for your gimbal. I use an aluminium tripod on the bottom for balance. This way you get a lot more workable range/options and the carbon fiber poles are super light and sturdy. The difference between the smooth Q4 and smooth 5 is only €20 where I live, that's a no-brainer. Also being able to attach a field recorder or something else to the body of the gimbal makes a big difference.
Excellent review and comparison. You’ve got a new subscriber 👍🏻👍🏻. Jus one question: does the smooth 5 got also the vertical shooting? Or only horizontal ? Thx
@@smartphonefilmmakingpro thx for the quick reply and I’ve just seen your video about the vertical mode. I was disappointed about the DJI om5 and definitely I’ll get the zhiyun smooth 5. More pro, supports heavier phones and nd filters. I prefer to sacrifice the magnetic clamp and fast connection from the DJI. Cheers and I wish you and your family an excellent week
finally. thanks for this. i recently started enjoying using my smooth 5. it can be frustrating, especially in portrait mode, but i guess it's a learning curve. Any tips on how to use my smooth 5 to record better portrait videos? it just seems like the gimbal is better set up for landscape recording. i might be wrong tho.
This is most interesting. But what I cannot find anywhere is whether the bulges of the motors and/or phone holder can be seen using the Ultra Wide lens on the phone. This is a problem on the DJI OM5; is it a problem on this stabilizer? And if using the app, does it change the IMG_ numbering native to the iPhone like the DJI OM5 does?
@Charles Ham @jun eric ancheta It doesn't work well with it. Fully charged it will "break over" and fault out and need powered off and back on. It doesn't have enough power to stabilize the S22 Ultra. However the Smooth 5 is smoother in its movement than the Power vision. And I like the layout. But it doesn't pair well with Android.
Could you pls tell how much do your iphone 13 pro with lenses weigh? I am considering buying the Smmoth 5S to replace the Q4 because the Q4 cannot take my ihpone 14pro with lenses (355g - too heavy).
Using primarily indoors and on a tripod, if you wanted better sound than the iPhone built in mic by using an external mic and yet without any post production adjustment, is this possible. The Smooth 5 would probably be the better option due to added weight capability and balance adjusting, but is this still possible to use an external mic for better sound ?
Hi, I saw both of your videos Q3 vs Q4 and this one Q4 vs Q5. I understood in your first video that Q3 was a better deal for a beginner (like me with an iphone 13) . Your first video is more than one year ago and I am unsure what would be your advice now? Once again, for a complete beginner, Is Q3 an outdated model that would not be worth buying or still quite sufficient with an easier learning curve?
depends on how much the q3 still is these days, but I think you can get that really cheap and it's still a great and easy to use gimbal.. gear does not matter as much as your skills
I do not know what to choose. My MOZA MINI S ESSENTIAL is already old and I am looking for something new for my holiday filming and amateur videos. I shoot videos with the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 pro and Poco x3 pro. Which Gimbal Should I Choose? Will you help? Or maybe people watching your channel will help? What did you choose? Regards
First, thanks for all your test and comparison videos, but on this one, you are not helping us to choose😅. Which one is best with a note 20 ultra and will support having a phone with case? For travelling, Q4 seems to be easier and convenient to quick shoot, isn´t it? thank you👌
The tilt range in the Q4 is really horrible. I have an iPhone 13 pro with a case for this, no accessories beyond that, and it struggled to hold my phone and the footage was quite wobbly. I would not recommend the Q4 at all.
I full well know that Zhiyun gears their firmware to work better with iOS on the Smooth 4... do the Smooth 5 and Q4 address this? Does DJI integrate better with Android?
I have a question. I'm a DJI OM4 owner and I'm so disappointed because when I pan the gimbal down from eye level the gimbal can't stay horizontal, it soon tilts down as well (and I want it to stay horizontal - in the same way as bitter Gimbals do) So, is the Zhiyun better in that category?
@@smartphonefilmmakingpro with additonal smooth 5 combo for additonal lighting .Thats why i am asking IF iphone mini is worse than pro i read something about no widescreen camera .
I would never zoom on a smartphone as you are zooming in just digitally.. and thats why you are loosing quality. So to be honest, I don‘t know, I have never used the zoom
Hi, does active tracking work in Q4 using only the trigger without using ZY Cami app? I'm wondering how this function would work with android device using built-in camera app.
Hello dear sir I'm your regular viewer lots of love❤️ from nepal 🇳🇵 i have 1 question ( which gimble is best and more options available for iphone 13pro max main camera?) Thank you 🙏🙏🙏❤️
Hi, Smooth Q4 and Smooth 5 are good choices for iPhone 13 pro max. If you want to use the gimbal for daily vlog, you can choose Smooth Q4. If you want to use the gimbal for professional video, I advise you select Smooth 5.
Most enjoyable, using DJI OM5 at moment but having moved from Huawei to Samsung S22 Ultra no sign that DJI are making it compatible no 4K shooting. Q4 looks rather nice can you suggest where I can get list of compatible phones, their web is poor
Hi, Alan. Please refer to this compatibility list : zhiyun-website-shenzhen.oss-cn-shenzhen.aliyuncs.com/instruction/20220526/1653557862023-HQdzdnps.pdf
@@zhiyunsupportglobal706 Hi there, I’m about to do travel vlogs with my iPhone 12 Pro Max therefore which gimbal would you recommend for me to get? Smooth 4 or smooth 5?
I don't like the Zhiyun Smooth 5 because there's no option of vertical mode with the joystick and the Zhiyun Q4 doesn't have 360 rotation I need these Two option with using of iPhone 13 Pro Max what is your suggestion ?
I initially bought the DJI OM4 ... not super happy with the magnet setup but had barely started with it when SmoothQ4 was released. When a friend expressed interest in buying the DJI from me, I looked at SmoothQ4 and Smooth5 ... watching ALL of the recent comparison videos. I bought the SmoothQ4 which I am still learning (darn day job!). BUT last week the Smooth5 was on a lightning sale (Amazon) for same price as Q4 so now have both, but I have not yet unboxed the Smooth5. I think/hope that they will both be useful as you expressed the strengths of each.
Even though I have not unboxed the Smooth5, I have watched your balancing video and I really believe that most issues people are expressing have to do with not, you know "reading the manual" :) ... or watching a tutorial. As you noted, more flexibility, more options = a bit more complexity in setup and use.
Thanks yet again for a great discussion and if anyone reading has not watched your Q4/Parkour videos, I highly recommend!!! Both the final video and the video that includes you with the gimbal doing the filming. Fascinating PLUS instructional as to filming options.
I wish you lots of fun with both of them and I thank you for your very kind words!
Which one have you decided to keep? I have the smooth q4 worried a bit about the payload.
@@gilbertgk I kept both, although I have still not unboxed the Q5 🙁 ... I like the Q4 for the built in selfie stick but I have a small tripod with extension that will work with Q5. I have an iPhone 14 Pro (not Max) and in a lightweight silicone case the Q4 handles it, but just ... sometimes it seems confused but I am such a newbie it might be me. I'm keeping the Q5 for the payload.
@theroadhome I like the q4 for the extension and it'd like $100 cad cheaper than Smooth 5.
I ordered the q4. This will be my first stabilizer I hope I would have made the right choice.
I saw on android that the app has some problems I hope that with my pixel 4 it will be okay.
Hey, I just purchased the Smooth 4 myself and have a pixel 6 pro. are there any issues with Android now that you've gotten a chance to use?
Very good. I had the q3 for two weeks. The tilt range wasn't enough for me. Is the tilt range different on the q4?
Smooth 5 broke on me within weeks… proper balancing, transport, storage everything. I think their app compatibility is to blame honestly I was using Smart Mode in the ZyCami app and it made some really jerky movements on the pan axis. Definitely lower build quality to DJI
same
Really? I though was better build than DJI plastic. What have you done afterwards?
Just the kind of review I was looking for
super glad it helped :)
Hi there, I’m about to do travel vlogs with my iPhone 12 Pro Max therefore which gimbal would you recommend for me to get? Smooth 4 or smooth 5?
definitely smooth 5 - that's a much better gimbal
@@smartphonefilmmakingpro thank brother 👍
How about using external microphone in the mobile? Are both ok? watching from Nepal..
Q4 or 5 which one is best for iphone 15 plus?
Pro tip, just get a cheap $15-$30 carbon fiber extension pole for your gimbal. I use an aluminium tripod on the bottom for balance. This way you get a lot more workable range/options and the carbon fiber poles are super light and sturdy. The difference between the smooth Q4 and smooth 5 is only €20 where I live, that's a no-brainer. Also being able to attach a field recorder or something else to the body of the gimbal makes a big difference.
Thanks for the tip!
Excellent review and comparison. You’ve got a new subscriber 👍🏻👍🏻. Jus one question: does the smooth 5 got also the vertical shooting? Or only horizontal ? Thx
Thanks for the kind words! It works in both ways, I actually have a video about this on the channel as I have gotten this question often.
@@smartphonefilmmakingpro thx for the quick reply and I’ve just seen your video about the vertical mode. I was disappointed about the DJI om5 and definitely I’ll get the zhiyun smooth 5. More pro, supports heavier phones and nd filters. I prefer to sacrifice the magnetic clamp and fast connection from the DJI. Cheers and I wish you and your family an excellent week
What is that external lens you have on your phone in the beginning of the video?
can you do with both 360 grad? or whats the limits
With the smooth 5 you can
finally. thanks for this.
i recently started enjoying using my smooth 5. it can be frustrating, especially in portrait mode, but i guess it's a learning curve.
Any tips on how to use my smooth 5 to record better portrait videos? it just seems like the gimbal is better set up for landscape recording. i might be wrong tho.
Why? What are your problems with it?
Can these gimbals be used with an action camera?
No, but zhiyun crane M series can be used with action camera
can both do 360 deg rotation.. and can you charge your phone in Q4?
Only the smooth 5 can
Thank you very much , you are telling me what I want to know.
Great :)
This is most interesting. But what I cannot find anywhere is whether the bulges of the motors and/or phone holder can be seen using the Ultra Wide lens on the phone. This is a problem on the DJI OM5; is it a problem on this stabilizer? And if using the app, does it change the IMG_ numbering native to the iPhone like the DJI OM5 does?
No thats not an issue with any of these - i don‘t know, I don‘t use the app. I am mostly using filmic pro
Thanks for the info man!
Will the Smooth Q4 fit in a case made for the Smooth Q3?
Why does no one compare this to the Powervision S1? And does the Q4 or Smooth 5 work with the S22 ULTRA?
Plus 1 here
Good question
@Charles Ham @jun eric ancheta It doesn't work well with it. Fully charged it will "break over" and fault out and need powered off and back on. It doesn't have enough power to stabilize the S22 Ultra. However the Smooth 5 is smoother in its movement than the Power vision. And I like the layout. But it doesn't pair well with Android.
Thank for comparison
Could you pls tell how much do your iphone 13 pro with lenses weigh? I am considering buying the Smmoth 5S to replace the Q4 because the Q4 cannot take my ihpone 14pro with lenses (355g - too heavy).
Which one would you recommend the dgi om5 or the smooth q 4
There‘s a video on my channel comparing these two
Does smooth QR have usb port to charge your phone?
Using primarily indoors and on a tripod, if you wanted better sound than the iPhone built in mic by using an external mic and yet without any post production adjustment, is this possible. The Smooth 5 would probably be the better option due to added weight capability and balance adjusting, but is this still possible to use an external mic for better sound ?
Great review. Very helpful!
Hi, I saw both of your videos Q3 vs Q4 and this one Q4 vs Q5. I understood in your first video that Q3 was a better deal for a beginner (like me with an iphone 13) . Your first video is more than one year ago and I am unsure what would be your advice now? Once again, for a complete beginner, Is Q3 an outdated model that would not be worth buying or still quite sufficient with an easier learning curve?
depends on how much the q3 still is these days, but I think you can get that really cheap and it's still a great and easy to use gimbal.. gear does not matter as much as your skills
@@smartphonefilmmakingpro Thank U very much, in my country (Vietnam) it is around $70
I do not know what to choose. My MOZA MINI S ESSENTIAL is already old and I am looking for something new for my holiday filming and amateur videos. I shoot videos with the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 pro and Poco x3 pro. Which Gimbal Should I Choose? Will you help? Or maybe people watching your channel will help? What did you choose? Regards
What about with a Z Fold 4?
Not support installation.
First, thanks for all your test and comparison videos, but on this one, you are not helping us to choose😅. Which one is best with a note 20 ultra and will support having a phone with case? For travelling, Q4 seems to be easier and convenient to quick shoot, isn´t it? thank you👌
I cannot decide what‘s better for everyone - for some its the smooth 5 for others the q4 - just check your needs and then watch the categories again
Great comparison 👍
thanks!
filmic pro supports smooth q3.. does it already support smooth q4? if you select q3 in filmic will it recognize q4?
I believe it does now.
@@Dgtothepoint yup happy with the update!
thx you🙌🏼
The tilt range in the Q4 is really horrible. I have an iPhone 13 pro with a case for this, no accessories beyond that, and it struggled to hold my phone and the footage was quite wobbly. I would not recommend the Q4 at all.
Try using it without a case.. gimbals are not meant to be used with cases
are the lights on both swappable?
yep
I full well know that Zhiyun gears their firmware to work better with iOS on the Smooth 4... do the Smooth 5 and Q4 address this? Does DJI integrate better with Android?
I have a question. I'm a DJI OM4 owner and I'm so disappointed because when I pan the gimbal down from eye level the gimbal can't stay horizontal, it soon tilts down as well (and I want it to stay horizontal - in the same way as bitter Gimbals do)
So, is the Zhiyun better in that category?
Absolutely
Hi, is it ok for an iPhone 12 Pro Max with cover ? Thank U
i don't think the q4 can handle this - smooth 5 maybe
Just question .You as owner of iphone i want to know which model 12 is good for low light recording long videos using 4k60 with hdr ?
Smartphones are generally not really good in low light situations - more important than which phone is that u use the standard lens
@@smartphonefilmmakingpro with additonal smooth 5 combo for additonal lighting .Thats why i am asking IF iphone mini is worse than pro i read something about no widescreen camera .
Do you know if Zhiyun is coming out with a newer smooth Q series, after the smooth Q4? Have any inside info?
no sorry, but the q4 is pretty new, was released this summer
Will either of these support an s22 ultra? My current gimball can't even hold it up straight :/
Smooth Q4 and Smooth 5 can support Samsung S22 Ultra.
I am wondering how smooth is the zoom on the Q4 comparing to the Smooth 5
I would never zoom on a smartphone as you are zooming in just digitally.. and thats why you are loosing quality. So to be honest, I don‘t know, I have never used the zoom
On the pixel it switches to the telephoto lens so there's no loss in quality
Hi, does active tracking work in Q4 using only the trigger without using ZY Cami app? I'm wondering how this function would work with android device using built-in camera app.
no - this only works with their app
@@smartphonefilmmakingpro :((( what a pity... I assume that on Zhiyun Smooth 5 it doesn't work as well, does it?
@@szczyps some gimbals have external detectors, check for them like feiyu, hohem gimbals
Hello dear sir I'm your regular viewer lots of love❤️ from nepal 🇳🇵 i have 1 question ( which gimble is best and more options available for iphone 13pro max main camera?) Thank you 🙏🙏🙏❤️
Hi, Smooth Q4 and Smooth 5 are good choices for iPhone 13 pro max. If you want to use the gimbal for daily vlog, you can choose Smooth Q4. If you want to use the gimbal for professional video, I advise you select Smooth 5.
@@zhiyunsupportglobal706 what about a Samsung 20 fe?
@@modenasolone None of them have this phone in their compatibility list, but they can carry this phone. :)
Most enjoyable, using DJI OM5 at moment but having moved from Huawei to Samsung S22 Ultra no sign that DJI are making it compatible no 4K shooting. Q4 looks rather nice can you suggest where I can get list of compatible phones, their web is poor
Hi, Alan. Please refer to this compatibility list : zhiyun-website-shenzhen.oss-cn-shenzhen.aliyuncs.com/instruction/20220526/1653557862023-HQdzdnps.pdf
@@zhiyunsupportglobal706 Hi there, I’m about to do travel vlogs with my iPhone 12 Pro Max therefore which gimbal would you recommend for me to get? Smooth 4 or smooth 5?
@@yohanperera21 Hi Yohan. For iphone 12 pro max, I would recommend Smooth 5 because it can carry large phones and achieve more angles for filming.
I don't like the Zhiyun Smooth 5 because there's no option of vertical mode with the joystick and the Zhiyun Q4 doesn't have 360 rotation I need these Two option with using of iPhone 13 Pro Max what is your suggestion ?
If you need both features I am afraid you need to buy both 😅😅 switching from horizontal to vertical only takes a few seconds with the smooth 5
Just curious, how often do you use barrel roll?
@@rossishima almost never - sometimes for specific shots - not on day to day bases
Why doesn’t smooth 4 come in black? White gets dirty way too easily 🤔
U gotta ask zhiyun for their design choices ;)
@@smartphonefilmmakingpro I might just send them an email.
Zhiyun Smooth 5 doesn't work without OIS, EIS or AIS. let me know.
??
@@smartphonefilmmakingpro Check Please.
🤍🌹
Terrible review.
Would can I make better?