Even ultra-budget smartphones already know how to record video in a resolution of 1080 pixels (1920 × 1080), and the flagships of recent years are shot in 4K (4096 × 3072). The output is a movie with a good picture, high sharpness and the correct white balance. The only thing that phones often lack is stabilization. Dear devices are equipped with digital or optical stabilization, and the most premium ones have both. But even the Samsung Galaxy S8 cannot boast of perfectly stabilized video.
Twitches make it difficult to get professional-grade materials. However, even at home viewing, looking at how the picture jumps is rather unpleasant.
There are several ways to achieve smoothness. The best result is shown by special stabilizers for the smartphone.
The purpose of the stabilizer for the phone (steadicam)
No matter how perfect the gadget’s stabilization system is, an even image will never work. While walking, running, the device, mounted on a selfie stick or held in hands, will be subjected to sharp horizontal and vertical shifts, so the video will turn jerky. Even the most technologically advanced four-axis stabilization, supplemented by electronic, poorly neutralizes jerks when moving to the side.
Sometimes the opposite effect is observed - due to strong shaking, electronic processing is involved too actively, and as a result the video will be “jelly”.
Electronic stabilizers
They will allow you to achieve excellent shooting quality on any device. The gadget is a kind of monopod, but with a movable latch for the smartphone. Previously, they were used only in the field of professional video recording, for example, when shooting movies or television shows. Now they have fallen in price and are available to all enthusiasts chasing the quality of video content.
Principle of operation
The mechanics of the action of any stabilizer is based on an advanced system of interaction between sensors and motors. Sensors track the direction of movement so that the steadic adjusts and always keeps the device in a horizontal or vertical position.
The technology is surprisingly effective, sharp movements do not create shaking. Such a compact device is easy to take with you on the road or travel, so that later at home you can enjoy beautiful videos.
Steadicam choice
Thanks to Chinese manufacturers, the price of a stabilizer for a smartphone has dropped a lot in recent years. Companies in China have always been famous for their products, but earlier only two companies were engaged in the creation of steadicams in China, but now there are much more. Competition among manufacturers is growing, the price is falling even lower, the number of available models is increasing.
This trend is beneficial for users, but the question of how to choose a good stabilizer for your smartphone is more acute. After all, there are cheap, but not too high-quality models, along with goods from well-known manufacturers that have long established themselves and have experience and technology.
The more axles, the better
You need to choose only a three-axis stabilizer for your smartphone. Despite the low price of a two-axis, it is not recommended for purchase, because it copes with its task an order of magnitude worse. Moreover, the cost of a three-axis gadget will only decrease over time, due to the refusal of most companies to produce obsolete and technologically advanced models.
You should look for a stabilizer with a capacious battery
This is a very important criterion. Some models are able to "live" on one charge for 3 hours, others - up to 9 hours. Certain people do not require high autonomy, as they will not be used often. And travelers will appreciate precisely the “long-playing” electronic stabilizer for the smartphone, which not only will work almost all day, but also serves as an external battery for the phone.
Also important is the type of battery and the method of charging it. Steadicams with non-removable and removable drives that are inserted into the handle are common. The built-in ones support charging via USB, their capacity is greater, and it is they themselves who can charge the smartphone. Interchangeable are less energy efficient and not so practical, because they have to be removed and placed in a device connected to an outlet.
The type of phone mount is important
A modern stabilizer for a smartphone can fix a phone of almost any mass and size, from the small iPhone SE to the Xiaomi Mi Max 2 phablet. The only difference is how it will deal with stabilization afterwards. After all, the weight and shape of the phones vary greatly. In this regard, it is necessary to look for prototypes, which come with a set of tools for calibrating the stabilizer. Although this is not always necessary, sometimes it’s enough to manually configure it.
More Modes - More Features
The evolution of technology has allowed creators to add support for several operating modes to inexpensive 3-axis stabilizers for a smartphone. The list of the most popular includes:
- object tracking (face recognition);
- slow turn in the direction of movement of the handle;
- motion timelapse (taking pictures from several angles and then combining them into a small clip);
- remote control;
- panorama (smooth movement of the camera in a circle).
Little things are more important than they seem
Attention to small details distinguishes good manufacturers from bad ones. Products of companies that took care of accessories and software are better and more convenient. Additional pleasant components include, for example, a proprietary application. It makes it possible to effectively use the stabilizer for a smartphone, easily switch modes.
Travelers come in handy with branded cases and other accessories that fit perfectly with the steadic.
Prices for the smartphone’s camera stabilizer are not very low right now, although they will fall over time. But now it’s already possible to choose a good gadget - easy to operate and with a normal lock - even for little money. It will help to shoot high-quality videos without unpleasant jitter.