Zhiyun Smooth Q3

Zhiyun Smooth Q3 – Compact three-axis gimbal with 180° rotatable fill light and smart templates

The Zhiyun Smooth Q3 is an enhanced three-axis gimbal designed for filmmakers and content creators who want a compact, lightweight tool with expanded creative features. It combines a new compact design, improved controls and enhanced lighting to simplify shooting while offering more creative options. At the same time, it is offered at a highly competitive price.

Compact design and improved portability

Zhiyun redesigned the Smooth Q3 to be smaller and more compact than previous models. Despite the reduced size, the gimbal can handle a bigger payload than the Q2. In fact, the Smooth Q3 is 20% lighter while still supporting a larger payload than the previous model.

Because of this compact, lightweight design, you can carry the Smooth Q3 more easily for on-the-go shoots and single-hand operation.

Smartphone compatibility and adjustable holder

The gimbal works with most premium smartphones available on the market, including phones with a bumper case attached. The adjustable phone holder extends to a maximum width of 90 mm, so you can secure a wide range of devices without guessing fit.

Controls and user experience

Zhiyun updated the button layout for more intuitive, single-hand control. For example, you can triple tap the trigger to switch quickly between portrait and landscape modes. This improved layout streamlines common operations and helps you get shots faster.

Additionally, the gimbal supports ultra-wide-angle shooting, which makes capturing vast landscapes and low-angle shots easier and more reliable.

Integrated fill light and quick adjustments

On the top of the gimbal you will find a 180° rotatable fill light with a touch button. The light provides extra illumination for your videos and can be set to three different strength levels. This lets you adapt lighting quickly without adding separate gear.

Creative templates and editing workflow

The Smooth Q3 includes 17 built-in SmartMode templates to speed up creation of frequently shot video styles. Moreover, the ZY Cami Editor lets users customise those templates by adding music, special effects and filters. As a result, you can produce polished clips faster and with consistent styling.

Advanced shooting features

The gimbal adds several smart shooting tools to expand creative possibilities. These include gesture control, SmartFollow 3.0 object tracking, an instant Dolly Zoom, and MagicClone Pano. MagicClone Pano is operated by a single-press trigger button to mark the target and activate smart following.

ZY Prime subscription and remote control

Zhiyun also offers ZY Prime, a subscription service. Members gain access to more features such as additional shooting templates and the ZY Remo remote control feature. ZY Remo allows a second device to control the smartphone mounted on the gimbal, enabling remote operation and collaborative shooting.

Key specifications

FAQ

Question: Will the Smooth Q3 fit my phone if it has a bumper case?
Answer: Yes. The Smooth Q3 is compatible with most premium smartphones on the market, including those with a bumper case. The adjustable holder expands to a maximum width of 90 mm to accommodate many devices.

Question: How do I switch between portrait and landscape modes?
Answer: You can switch quickly by triple tapping the trigger. This intuitive control makes swapping orientations fast and reliable during a shoot.

Question: What does the built-in light do and how do I control it?
Answer: There is a 180° rotatable fill light on the top of the gimbal. You control it with a touch button and choose between three different light strength settings to add extra illumination when needed.

Question: What creative tools are included for making videos faster?
Answer: The Smooth Q3 includes 17 SmartMode templates built in. Additionally, the ZY Cami Editor lets you customise templates with music, special effects and filters to speed up editing and ensure consistent results.

Question: What advanced shooting features are available for tracking and special effects?
Answer: The gimbal offers gesture control, SmartFollow 3.0 object tracking, an instant Dolly Zoom, and MagicClone Pano. MagicClone Pano uses a single press of the trigger to mark a target and activate smart following for panorama-style effects.

Question: What is ZY Prime and what does it add?
Answer: ZY Prime is a subscription that unlocks additional features such as more shooting templates and the ZY Remo remote control feature, which enables a second device to control the smartphone mounted on the gimbal.