The five best camera gimbals

An essential bit of kit for smoother video and better selfies, says photographer James Abbott

-  James Abbott

DJI OM 5 

£139, dji.com

Small, lightweight and pocket-sized, the DJI OM 5 is a three-axis phone gimbal featuring a unique detachable magnetic phone clamp, allowing you to attach and detach your phone quickly and easily. Meanwhile, a 215mm telescopic arm makes the gimbal longer to provide greater distance between you and your phone, which is ideal for vlogging and selfies.

The companion DJI Mimo app provides functionality and control for both photos and videos, along with useful tutorials. The controls are well-positioned and responsive, while the powerful motors do a great job of keeping your phone steady.

The OM 5 comes with a storage bag, wrist strap and a small tripod that can be used to stand the gimbal independently. The OM 5 also includes Active Track 4.0 for following moving subjects, which can be used when the gimbal is handheld or mounted on its mini tripod.

Zhiyun Smooth 5 Combo

£209, store.zhiyun-tech.com

A professional-level phone gimbal may seem strange, but these days many people capture videos for work, pleasure and social media using their smartphone. So a high-spec three-axis gimbal like the Zhiyun Smooth 5 Combo is the perfect choice if you're looking for advanced functionality.