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.
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.
Max. phone diagonal
The maximum diagonal of the phone that can be installed on this stabiliser.
This parameter is more relevant for models for various purposes, not only for those that were originally designed for smartphones. Here we note that the maximum diagonal is a rather approximate parameter: models with the same screen size may have different actual dimensions.
Max. phone width
The maximum size of the phone that can be installed in the stabiliser mount.
Battery life
The maximum length of time the device will work before it needs its battery to be recharged. It is worth considering that the manufacturer indicates the maximum time, which does not correspond to real indicators due to the conditions and intensity of use.
Power bank function
The ability of stabiliser to work steadicam in
power bank mode — an external battery for various portable devices. It allows the device to share its energy with the phone, and the recording is not yet over.
