Zhiyun Crane 4 Gimbal New Features (IBC 2023)

During IBC 2023 Zhiyun displayed some of its new lights but also its most recent gimbal – the Zhiyun Crane 4 includes several interesting features unique only to it.

Zhiyun Crane 4 new features

The Crane is Zhiyun’s oldest gimbal series (we first tested the Crane Ver 2 back in 2017) and it is currently also the most advanced and capable gimbal system in Zhiyun’s arsenal.

The most recent iteration of the series – the Zhiyun Crane 4 is very similar externally to the WEEBILL 3S that the company released a few months before (and that we are currently testing). Despite the superficial similarity, the new Crane is a completely different “animal” with new features and higher capabilities.

During IBC this year we had a chance to talk to Frank Fang, Zhiyun’s global marketing director. The most important difference between the Crane 4 and the WEEBILL 3S is the payload which is significantly larger as well as the ability to work with much larger cameras (up to around FX6 size) and front-heavy lenses (something which can be problematic for the WEEBILL 3S).

It is quite a bit lighter than the Crane 3S but more than 1.5x heavier compared to the WEEBILL 3S. On the plus side, it has a much brighter front LED (with a mini diffuser), it can change more easily between horizontal and vertical shooting positions, a larger main monitor with touch, and a handle and palm rest.

One feature we really liked and that did not get enough attention in our view is the axis balance LED. Basically on each axis of the arm, there are round LEDs. using colors you can tell if the axis is balanced and if not how you should change the position so it will be balanced – this feature should find its way to any gimbal.

On the front, the gimbal has two USB-C ports for powering not one but two follow-focus motors if you require one.

Another important update (not mentioned in this video) is charging. The Crange 4 can charge via USB-C PD at under 2 hours which is pretty impressive and provides up to 12 hours of official use time.

Pricing and availability

The Zhiyun Crane 4 combo kit is already available for $750.

Make sure not to miss any of our IBC 2023 videos and articles on our special show coverage page.

Special thanks to our sponsors for IBC 2023: SmallRig, Ulanzi, Hollyland, Godox, Zhiyun.

Iddo Genuth

Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.