Zhiyun has announced a compact, affordable, lightweight, gimbal to add to its lineup of Cranes. The company’s targets for the new Zhiyun Crane-M2 are travel photographers and vloggers. The small 3-axis gimbal is designed to enable shooters to capture the smoothest possible pictures whether they are using a smartphone, compact camera or action cam.
Zhiyun’s new handheld stabilizer is compatible with multiple devices and fits users of all levels. It features a more user-friendly quick setup system, a smart lock design, and six creative operation modes. The Zhiyun Crane-M2 easily goes anywhere and offers endless possibilities to make everyone a true filmmaker.
Not long before Zhiyun announced its Crane-M2 compact crane addition, DJI unveiled its lightest new member to their Ronin series. The Ronin-SC is like a miniature version of DJI’s Ronin-S, but the Crane-2 seems to take the miniaturization a bit further.
Even though the M2 crane and the Ronin-SC both fit the “compact” description, they have different targets. The Ronin is made to serve mirrorless ILCs such as the Canon EOS R or Sony a7 cameras. The Crane-M2, on the other hand, is designed to serve much smaller cameras.
Features and Specifications of Zhiyun Crane-M2
The Zhiyun Crane-M2 is a 3-axis stabilizer with a maximum payload of 720g (which is approximately 1.59lbs as confirmed by Zhiyun). This means that it may not be able to hold many of the mirrorless cameras available. Not even lightweight options like the Sony a6400 stand a chance with that weight limit once you mount a lens on it.
The Zhiyun M2 stabilizer better serves those who wish to capture memorable experiences with compact cameras. For example, the popular RX100 series from Sony or a smartphone will do great with the Zhiyun Crane-M2.
Zhiyun’s new compact gimbal promises to deliver excellent performance that rivals any other compact gimbal on the market. You can easily zoom in or out on a distant photo subject with a single push of the slider on the side of the handle.
Coming very light and compact at only 500g, the Crane-M2 features an OLED display which offers a quick read of your settings. It boasts seven hours of battery life for each full charge and comes with USB-C charging to ensure longer runtime when out in the field.
It uses built-in WiFi and Bluetooth which facilitates remote control of your camera from the gimbal handle. You simply have to get the ZY Play smartphone app with which to pair the phone and gimbal.
Zhiyun Crane M2 Features a Variety of Shooting Modes
The M2 features a variety of shooting modes offering an immersive experience like never before. PF Mode is a favorite of travelers. In this mode, the camera pans as the gimbal is turned left and right. It’s a must-have for hyperlapse shots.
Full-Range POV Mode allows 360-degree synchronous movement on all three axes, while Vortex Mode allows you to take 360-degree barrel shots in all dimensions.
There’s F-Mode in which the camera turns with movement of the handle. This enables you to shoot whatever direction you choose. L-Mode, on the other hand, locks the camera’s direction so that you don’t mistakenly miss a shot in any situation.
Furthermore, the Zhiyun Crane-M2 features a locking pin that allows the locking of all three axes from a single thumbscrew. It features a newly designed and enhanced quick release plate which ensures that you can simply attach your camera and keep it balanced.
Availability and Pricing
Zhiyun has announced the Crane-M2 with a $269 price tag. At this rate, the new Crane-M2 3-axis gimbal stabilizer is a great choice for use with smartphones, compact cameras, and action cams.
