Smartphones have become powerful tools for capturing and sharing videos, but even with all the OIS and EIS smarts that modern smartphones come with, stabilisation is something everyone needs to contend with. To solve this, many smartphone filmmakers (of which there are quite a lot) rely on gimbals, which are devices that stabilize the camera and allow smooth and cinematic movements. The IZI Go-X, retailing at Rs.6,499, is one such gimbal that found its way into the Digit test labs and we tried our hand at it.
The IZI Go-X gimbal is a 3-axis handheld stabilizer that can hold any smartphone within a thickness range of 55mm to 90mm. It has a foldable and compact design that makes it easy to carry (even pocket actually) and store. It has an OLED display that shows the battery level and the gimbal mode, as well as a focus wheel placed ergonomically that can control the zoom and focus of the smartphone camera. Moreover, it has a wireless charging pad that can power up the smartphone while using the gimbal (pretty smart if we say so but only compatible with smartphones with wireless charging facility), and a LED fill light for low-light scenarios.
The IZI Go- X gimbal has several features that make it a smart and versatile device for smartphone videography. Some of these features are:
AI Smart Tracking: The gimbal can automatically track and follow objects or faces. This feature is useful for vlogging, live streaming, or capturing dynamic scenes without losing focus or stability.
Gesture Control: The gimbal can recognize hand gestures and perform actions accordingly. For example, showing a V sign can trigger the shutter, while showing a palm can start or stop recording. This feature is convenient for taking selfies or group photos without touching the phone or the gimbal.
Shot Guide: The gimbal can provide suggestions and tips for shooting professional-looking videos based on different scenarios and genres. This can be accessed from the IZI Go App. For example, it can show how to create a time-lapse, a panorama, or a Hitchcock effect.
So does this relative newcomer dethrone a giant of the gimbal industry? Well, yes and no. Let me explain. The IZI Go- X does come in at a very tempting price point. Coming in at just Rs.6,499, the Go-X undercuts the latest from DJI’s stables by over half. For someone wanting to give smartphone videography a shot, the IZI Go-X is good option to consider. But for folks who are more serious about their videography and have already been using thor DJI systems for a long time might want to stick to their known quantity as DJI’s build is legendary and they have a better customer service in case something ever does go wrong.
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Email Ali Akbar Merchant
