Zhiyun Smooth 5s vs. Hohem iSteady M6 – Choosing the Perfect and Affordable Companion in 2023
A stable and affordable phone gimbal is a must-have if you enjoy taking less blurred fantastic videos and capturing excellent pictures with phones. The phone gimbal improves the quality of your photos and videos and adds much interest and creativity to your content. Today, I’ll pick up these two Zhiyun phone gimbals and check their weakness and advantages to help you make the right decision.
Before diving into the details of these two phone gimbals, we need to check their specials and features.
| Features | Zhiyun Smooth 5s | Hohem isteady M6 |
| Size | 1.97 x 13.78 x 1.18 inches | 11.81 x 6.69 x 2.36 inches |
| Payload Range | 150-300g | 400 g |
| Weight | 625g | 551 g (with battery) |
| Color | Grey, White | Black |
| Number of Axes | Orthogonal 3-Axis Structure | 3-Axis (Pitch (Tilt), Roll, Yaw (Pan)) |
| Fill Light | Magnetic fill lights+Built-in fill light | Magnetic fill light integrated with an AI vision sensor, |
| Landscape / Portrait Switch | Support | Support |
| Vortex Mode | Support | Support |
| Mobile App Compatible | Android & iOS | Android & iOS |
| Battery Capacity | 2600mAh | 2600 mAh / 19.24 Wh |
| Battery Runtime | up to 24 hours of runtime on a charge | Up to 18 hours (With the gimbal fully balanced) |
| Price | $169.00 | $159 |
| Rotation Range | Yaw (Pan): -180 to 180° Pitch (Tilt): -90 to 170° Roll: -50 to 50° | Mechanical Range Yaw (Pan): 360° Unlimited Roll: 335° Pitch (Tilt): 335° |
Reasons to Buy Hohem isteady M6 vs Zhiyun Smooth 5s
Hohem iSteady M6 Gimbal Stabilizer for Smartphone, 3-Axis Cell Phone
| Features | Hohem isteady M6 vs Zhiyun Smooth 5s | Advantages |
| Payload Range | 150-300g vs 400 g | Good for stability |
| Price | $159 vs 169 | Affordable |
| Weight | 551 g (with battery) vs 651g | More lightweight |
| Mini Screen | Yes vs No | Easy to control |
| AI Vision Sensor | Yes vs No | Easy to track subjects |
When considering the payload range, the Zhiyun Smooth 5s weighs 150-300g, while the Hohem iSteady supports up to 400g. If you often capture daily life photos and videos using your phone, both gimbals are highly recommended. However, if you often vlog with additional microphone attachments or use extra phone lenses for photography, it is important to consider the payload capacity. The Hohem iSteady M6 is superior due to its heavier payload range.
The Hohem iSteady M6 weighs 551g, 100g lighter than the Zhiyun Smooth 5s, resulting in a more compact size. In practice, both gimbals are designed to be lightweight and portable, allowing for fit in bags or pockets quickly. For those who prioritize a lightweight design, the Hohem iSteady M6 is the recommended choice. The Hohem iSteady M6 starts at $159, while the Zhiyun Smooth 5s is priced at $169. The Hohem iSteady M6 offers a cost-effective option if you have a limited budget.
The Zhiyun Smooth 5s features a well-designed layout with well-placed buttons that allow users to easily access functions such as zooming in or out and adjusting settings. Each button serves a specific purpose and is designed to be user-friendly. On the other hand, the Hohem iSteady M6 is equipped with a compact and intuitive screen that enables users to accomplish their tasks effectively. When utilizing zooming functions, the screen provides a clear and noticeable indication of the changes made, allowing users to know the adjustments quickly.
The Hohem iSteady M6’s AI Vision Sensor is an intriguing and remarkable feature. It allows for real-time tracking of your movements, enhancing the overall stability and smoothness of the footage. Additionally, this feature provides the added convenience of having an instant fill light at your disposal whenever required, ensuring optimal lighting conditions for your shots. These capabilities make the Hohem iSteady M6 a compelling choice for capturing high-quality and well-lit videos.
Reasons to Buy Zhiyun Smooth 5s vs Hohem isteady M6
Zhiyun Smooth 5S Gimbal Stabilizer for iPhone 14 Pro Max Plus 13 12 X Xs Xr 8 Android Smartphone
| Features | Zhiyun Smooth 5s vs Hohem isteady M6 | Advantages |
| Battery Runtime | Up to 24 hours vs Up to 18 hours | Long battery life |
| Big side wheel | Yes vs no | Convenient control |
When considering battery life, the Zhiyun Smooth 5s boasts a capacity of 2600mAh, providing up to 24 hours of runtime. On the other hand, the Hohem iSteady M6 offers up to 18 hours of battery life. Therefore, the Hohem iSteady M6 has a slightly shorter battery life than the Zhiyun Smooth 5s.
The Zhiyun Smooth 5s has a large side wheel and a convenient control mechanism. This wheel allows users to adjust settings, such as zooming in or out, smoothly and precisely.
Common Features of Zhiyun Smooth 5s and Hohem isteady M6
| Features | Zhiyun Smooth 5s | Hohem isteady M6 |
| Number of Axes | 3-Axis Structure | 3-Axis Structure |
| Fill Light | Magnetic fill lights+Built-in fill light | Magnetic fill lights+Built-in fill light |
The three-axis stabilization is a vital feature stabilising the gimbal’s tilt, roll, and yaw movement. This functionality offers users an effective means to capture impressive videos and achieve outstanding image quality. Both phone gimbals boast a fantastic and robust three-axis stabilization system, ensuring smooth and steady movement with remarkable effectiveness.
The Zhiyun Smooth 5s and the Hohem iSteady M6 come with a fill light feature, an exciting addition to these phone gimbals. This compact fill light enhances the shooting experience and offers users more creative possibilities.
For individuals who engage in live streaming, the fill light feature provides a delightful lighting experience that can significantly enhance the overall quality and appearance of the stream. Whether you’re capturing videos or taking photos, having a convenient fill light significantly improves lighting conditions and allows for greater creativity in content creation.
Conclusion
If you’re passionate about creating videos and capturing photos with your phone while seeking steady and excellent results, both the Zhiyun Smooth 5s and Hohem iSteady M6 are excellent choices that can significantly enhance your content creation without breaking the bank.
By combining dedicated apps, robust three-axis structures, and electric motors, these smartphone gimbals enable you to achieve stable footage and images while keeping your arms and hands-free for added convenience. They offer a range of creative possibilities throughout your content creation process.
However, if you’re looking to save money to purchase additional gimbal accessories, the Hohem iSteady M6 is a great option. It is compact, portable, and priced at an affordable $159. Moreover, it excels in subject tracking capabilities with its newly added sensor.
