How Much Does a Stabilizer Cost?

How Much Does a Stabilizer Cost? Stabilizers are important to the production process as they help to maintain balance and stability for the cameraman during shoots that bring the camera throughout a scene.

Stabilizing the camera helps to prevent unwanted movements and wiggles or bumps from producing unsightly interruptions in the viewport. Camera shake is a big deal, and it’s a true sign of an amatuer film, but not all filmmakers have camera stabilizers when they are starting out, mainly due to cost. How much does a stabilizer cost, though?

Camera stabilizers have costs that range based on the type of unit being used and various other elements. Small handled cameras can use stabilizers that harness to the user’s body. Larger rigs will require more advanced stabilization systems. Stabilizers can range in price from under $50 to over $1000.

Considerations when Purchasing a Stabilizer

Purchasing a camera stabilizer requires you to think closely about the equipment that you already have and the goals you have in mind. A gimbal must work with your camera, so keep in mind that not all gimbal stabilizers are compatible with all cameras. Many have weight load limitations and others have special requirements.

Consider the following before you purchase a gimbal stabilizer:

• Weight of the camera. Stabilizers may provide secure function for various camera weights.
• Balance provisions of the stabilizer. Some provide more balance than others.
• Battery needs. You don’t want a cheap battery that’s going to die during your production.
• Price factors. You can easily spend thousands, but there are affordable gimbal options out there.

Top Gimbal Stabilizers by Price

Some of the best gimbal stabilizers can be found for a relatively low cost depending on what you’re looking for. Below is a look at some of the most popular current stabilizers on the market and their associated costs:

Ivation Pro Steady DSLR Rig System – $50

A stabilizer that is under $50 is hard to pass up. Keep in mind that this is versatile but it’s also bulky and may not be ideal for travel. This stabilizer weighs 3 pounds and provides an advanced reduction in camera shaking and offers easy adjusting to reduce strain on hands.

FlyCam HD-3000 Camera Stabilizer – Under $200

This stabilizer is less than $200 and provides quality stabilization with a three-axis plate which allows you to adjust the pan and tilt without having to actually touch the camera. Stabilizers like this provide professional quality stabilization for larger camera users. This stabilizer weighs 9 pounds so it’s not ideal for pocket travel.

DJI Ronin-M 3 Axis Gimbal Stabilizer – Under $1000

This gimbal stabilizer is priced a bit more in line with other professional quality equipment but the high-tech features make it well worth the investment. It weighs just five pounds and provides support for medium to larger cameras with a weight up to 8 pounds. 3 operation modes allow you to seamless switch from one to the other with a single button.

As you can see a stabilizer can cost anywhere from under $100 to over $1,000 depending on the features and the style as well as various other factors. Before you go out and purchase a stabilizer