ZHIYUN has announced the WEEBILL 3, a new gimbal for hybrid mirrorless cameras. It incorporates a new, updated SLING 2.0 design for improved ergonomics, a built-in microphone and fill light as well as an inbuilt battery.

The SLING 2.0 system incorporates three important ergonomic upgrades: a restructured L-shape handle that’s more stable when self-standing, a new wrist rest, and a repositioned, extendable sling grip, which is claimed to provide more support to your wrist by shifting the weight onto your arm. This extra support is said to help reduce fatigue, allowing operators to use the gimbal for extended periods of time. By moving the sling grip to the bottom of the gimbal, it provides better stability and shake-prevention when shooting at low angles.

The grip includes thumb buttons, a mini control stick for movement, plus a finger trigger and wheel that can be customized according to preferences of shooting modes and action parameters.

The WEEBILL 3 weighs 2.4 lb / 1.1 kg. What is strange is that I couldn’t find any information on what the payload capacity is. This is something you need to know.

The WEEBILL 3 includes a built-in microphone and 1000 lumen fill light.

The microphone provides forward-focused cardioid recording, and it features noise-canceling functionality. The fill light offers color temperature adjustment.

Just how useful either of these features is on a gimbal is up for debate.

ZHIYUN offers a comprehensive ecosystem of TransMount accessories to extend the WEEBILL 3’s functionality. Combining the WEEBILL 3 with TransMount Image Transmitter and MasterEye Visual Controller VC100 allows directors to monitor the shot via wireless image transmission, and apply parameter adjustment, such as focus and zoom, via remote control. Other accessories include ZHIYUN’s Follow Focus/Zoom units and its ZY Play App.

Compared to the previous version, the WEEBILL 3 utilizes a large 7,800mAh internal battery, which now provides up to 21-hours of use. With support for PD fast charging (0-100% in 2 hours) and pass-through charging of attached cameras (5V/1A).

ZHIYUN’s latest quick-release system includes a dual quick-release plate with an embedded magnetic wrench. The camera requires balancing just once, then it can be repeatedly mounted and secured easily, fast and conveniently without needing to rebalance.

The ZHIYUN WEEBILL 3 is now available for $449 USD, or with a combo that includes a backpack, wrist rest, and extendable sling grip for $529 USD.

While this looks like a solid offering there is nothing that jumps out and I don’t see anything in the way of innovation. While DJI has introduced wireless transmission systems, LiDAR capabilities and a very large range of accessories ZHIYUN seem to be stuck making the same type of gimbals over and over again.

Matthew Allard is a multi-award-winning, ACS accredited freelance Director of Photography with 30 years' experience working in more than 50 countries around the world. He is the Editor of Newsshooter.com and has been writing on the site since 2010. Matthew has won 43 ACS Awards, including four prestigious Golden Tripods. In 2016 he won the Award for Best Cinematography at the 21st Asian Television Awards. Matthew is available to hire as a DP in Japan or for work anywhere else in the world.

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