Freefly is among the leading brands when it comes to camera stabilization. Unfortunately, their products are for professional use with prices regular folks simply can’t afford. But for the first time, the company is delving into the consumer market with the Freefly Movi. Their newest gimbal is compatible with smartphones, and it’s marketed specifically to you.
Movi is actually a whole line of high-end camera stabilization systems by Freefly. Using that same name for their smartphone gimbal gives the impression it brings pro-level results as well. So what does it have to offer that competitors like DJI and Zhiyun don’t have?
First, the design looks different. Its handle is beside the mount and not below it. I suppose the idea is to make it easier to handle with two hands. Because of how they built it, you can also set it safely on a surface without toppling. That means you don’t have to use a tripod all the time if you’re not holding it. Nevertheless, the Movi also has a 1/4-inch thread in case you need to install it on a tripod.
Coupled with the Movi App, this gimbal can work wonders. Freefly calls it “your cinema robot” because it can replicate filmmaking tricks automatically. With the app, you can easily execute timelapse, hyperlapse, and orbit shots with little to no practice. It also features the Echo Mode where Movi remembers your start frame and end frame to let you record the same scene repeatedly with precision.
If Sean Baker is planning to create a sequel to Tangerine (a full-length movie shot using three iPhone 5s), this could be the gimbal for him. Unfortunately, you can’t use the Freefly Movi if you’re an Android user. Even worse, Freefly doesn’t have any plans to expand their product compatibility beyond iOS. So that means you have to either use the DJI Osmo or switch to iPhone if you badly want to use this smartphone gimbal.
The Freefly Movi is available to pre-order now for $299. You can also find out more about it on their website.
[via digitaltrends, Freefly]
