Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI Review: A “Smart” Gimble That Requires Patience and Practice to Master

Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI

I saw the $219 (or currently $249 on Amazon) Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI and thought it would be useful for the myriad sensory input and experience machinations that erupt from San Diego Comic-Con. However, when my daughter Alyssa and I attempted to use it during the Con, we found it was not convenient or adaptive to the video we intended to take. When we wanted to use it, it required an update, and when we employed tracking, it didn’t track. When we wanted to shoot horizontally, it took too much time to flip and rebalance the camera. There may be good uses for the Smooth 5S AI, but shooting on demand in chaotic environments isn’t one of them, at least for now.

While the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI is a feature-rich smartphone gimbal designed to elevate mobile videography with advanced stabilization and intelligent tracking capabilities, it requires patience and I think, some additional software engineering to deliver on its promise.

After removing the AI module, however, it became a serviceable manual gimble. Interestingly, we crossed paths with another Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI as we wandered to the show floor. She also removed the AI module and found the gimble useful as a less intelligent video capture compansion.

Zhiyun has attempted to engineer a product that upscales the capabilities of videographers, but it appears they still need a few refinements to deliver on their promise, and their owners need the patience to master their new accessory.

What we like

Though there is room for improvement, the advanced AI tracking system of the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI stands out for its detachable sensor, allowing users to achieve precise subject tracking without being tied to specific camera apps. This flexibility ensures creators can work seamlessly with their preferred native applications while still leveraging cutting-edge tracking capabilities.

Low-light shooting is significantly enhanced by the built-in fill light, which delivers up to 680 lux of peak illuminance. This feature helps ensure subjects are well-lit even in dim environments, reducing the need for additional lighting equipment and making the gimbal a more versatile tool for diverse filming scenarios.

The robust 3-axis stabilization system guarantees smooth and steady footage, effectively managing vibrations and movements. It supports smartphones weighing up to 300g, accommodating a wide range of devices and making it a reliable option for content creators to avoid using heavier setups.

With its intuitive control panel, the gimbal offers an array of tactile buttons and a responsive joystick, making real-time adjustments during shooting easy and efficient. This thoughtful design streamlines operation, enabling users to focus on capturing their vision without being bogged down by technical distractions.

Battery life is another strong point, with the device offering up to 26 hours in standby mode and approximately 7 hours of operation with the fill light and AI tracker active. This extended performance ensures that creators can shoot uninterrupted for extended sessions, whether on location or in the studio.

What could be improved

The absence of a quick-release mechanism for mounting smartphones adds unnecessary complexity to the setup process, requiring users to spend more time adjusting and securing their devices compared to other gimbals that offer more streamlined mounting solutions.

The non-foldable design of the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI limits its portability, making it bulkier to carry around, especially for creators who need a compact and lightweight gimbal for travel or on-the-go shooting.

The Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI relies on two companion apps, ZY Cami and StaCam, which offer features like fine-tuned gimbal controls, shooting modes, and editing options. However, user feedback highlights several problematic aspects of these apps. The interfaces are often described as overly complex and not user-friendly, hindering quick navigation and setup during shoots. Sometimes, they don’t completely connect during the same session, updating firmware but failing to connect to the gimble for control.

In addition, translation inaccuracies in the app’s menus and instructions create further challenges for non-native users. Some have reported issues with app stability, such as crashes and lag, particularly when paired with certain smartphones. These concerns, while not deal-breakers for all users, can detract from the overall experience and may require updates to enhance usability and reliability.

Switching between portrait and landscape shooting modes requires manual adjustments, a drawback that reduces efficiency during shoots. This lack of automatic orientation shifting can be inconvenient, especially for creators who frequently switch formats for different content needs. 

The reason for not being able to switch between portrait and landscape lies with the gimbal’s manual counterbalancing process. Once the phone is removed and replaced, it needs to be rebalanced. This becomes time-consuming and more challenging when flat surfaces or even personal space are hard to find on the go in places like aComic-Con or another large conference.

The packaging looked good to start, with an all-cardboard exterior, not wrapped in plastic. Unfortunately, inside, the blister pack, gimble wrapping and all the other plastic in the box was not marked as recyclable. As always, in these situations, I recommend that Zhiyun hire a sustainable packaging engineer to make their boxes as innovative as their products.

Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI: The bottom line

The Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI offers a suite of advanced features, including AI tracking and integrated lighting, enhancing the mobile videography experience. While it boasts robust stabilization and comprehensive controls, considerations regarding its portability, app usability, the effectiveness of its AI feature, and the need for manual adjustments, each time a phone is mounted may influence user preference based on specific needs and shooting styles.

Zhiyun provided the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI for review. Images courtesy of Zhiyun unless otherwise noted.

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