The Best Gimbal For Panasonic GX8 Cameras!

So our regular readers will probably know, over the last few weeks we have been posting various articles going over what we feel are the best gimbals for the most popular DSLR and mirrorless cameras on the market right now and today is no different. This time we are going to be talking a look at what we feel is the best gimbal for Panasonic GX8 cameras currently available on the market right now.

As you probably know, two excellent quality gimbals in the Zhiyun Weebill Lab and DJI Ronin SC have been released recently that are perfect for your Panasonic GX8. In fact, the Weebill Lab is our favourite gimbal stabilizer on the market right now for the mirrorless camera and lightweight DSLR camera weight class and it is a very popular choice with the videography community.

Additionally, as your Panasonic GX8 is only around 1.07 pounds of payload weight plus whatever camera accessories you mount on it during use, there are plenty of handheld gimbals that can easily support its weight. Due to this, we are actually going to be focusing on three different gimbals that all have their own specific niche where they are dominant for your GX8.

As usual, we have our comparison table below that goes over the key features for all three of these gimbals in a quick and easy to read format. This helps any of our readers who are in a rush take a quick look at our recommendations and how they measure up with each other. Below that, we have a full break down of all three of our recommended gimbals for your Panasonic GX8 for those who like as much information as possible on their products.

Comparison Table

Last update on 2023-11-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Zhiyun Weebill Lab

First up, we have the Zhiyun Weebill Lab that is our primary gimbal recommendation for a Panasonic GX8 camera due to it offering outstanding performance, one of the best build qualities going, a great design, some solid gimbal modes, and a very fair price tag. We would recommend that the vast majority of our readers seriously consider the Weebill Lab as their gimbal of choice as it is a great general purpose and travel gimbal all in one.

Its small, lightweight compact design has essentially set the bar for all other gimbals in the mirrorless camera weight class. We feel that competing brands are going to struggle to knock the Weebill Lab off the top spot if they aren’t able to reduce the size and weight of their products for their next generation gimbals. In addition to this though, the Weebill Lab actually offers an increase in performance due to its new high torque gimbal motors too!

When gimbal brands try to put an emphasis on a small frame with a light weight the performance and quality of image stabilization that the gimbal provides usually takes a hit. This is not the case with the Weebill Lab and it really is easy to see why it is so popular within the videography community and has quickly earned an excellent reputation for itself since release.

Performance And Functionality

As we mentioned earlier, the Panasonic GX8 camera body only comes in at just over one pound of payload weight and the 6.6 pound maximum load capacity of the Weebill Lab ensures that the gimbal can support even the heaviest of GX8 setups without issue. Additionally, the high torque gimbal motors that we mentioned earlier ensure optimal performance even at the higher ends of the gimbals load capacity too.

At the time of writing, the 6.6-pound load capacity of the Weebill Lab is the highest of all gimbals designed for use with mirrorless cameras and lightweight DSLRs. Due you have products like the DJI Ronin S for heavier DSLR setups but that can add hundreds of dollars to the price tag. The Weebill Lab is a great way to future proof yourself for any future upgrades in both cameras and camera accessories.

When it comes to battery life, the gimbal can support up to ten hours of juice with each charge of its battery and although this may not seem like much when compared to its predecessor, there is good reason. The trend of videographers taking high capacity power banks on their jobs to recharge their gear as and when required is becoming more and more popular and only shows signs of becoming increasingly popular as time goes on.

Due to this, the vast majority of gimbal brands worth their salt have decided to put a lower priority on maximum battery life. Although ten hours is still solid and will likely be plenty for most videographers between being able to plug their gear into a power outlet, there are better uses for the size and weight that higher capacity gimbal batteries need.

For example, there is no way that the Weebill Lab could be as light and small as it is while also having the power in its gimbal motors if it has a larger battery. As a ten-hour maximum battery life is still solid, we much rather have the improved levels of image stabilization to help improve image quality and just use the power bank we use to charge our camera to charge our gimbal too if needed.

If you are one of our regular readers, there is a good chance that you have likley seen the YouTube video that we have embedded above before. We share it with our readers pretty much any time we talk about the Weebill Lab as we feel that it is an excellent example of what this great little 3 axis gimbal is able to provide for your Panasonic GX8.

As you can see, the gimbal makes light work of the cameras payload and offers some excellent levels of image stabilization for the user. If you are doing any type of paid videography work then ensuring that your clients get the best quality possible is a top priority and the Weebill Lab helps you achieve this.

As you would expect from a modern Zhiyun gimbal, the Weebill Lab has all of the latest gimbal modes and technology making your life as easy as possible. The intelligent object tracking system on the Zhiyun range blows the competition out the water and they really have done an excellent job with it. Additionally, both the manual and point of view gimbal modes are excellent for capturing that natural-looking image stabilization that was previously restricted to manual camera stabilizers too.

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User Interface And Control System

Now, if you are looking to purchase your very first gimbal and have never used a stabilizer before, the control interface on in the image above may look a little intimidating but rest assured, it is very easy to use. The image above also shows the smartphone mount on the gimbal too and although not essential, it is definatley worth picking up if you know you will be using the intelligent object tracking system as it makes your life so much easier.

The control interface on the Weebill Lab is based around the tried and tested joystick, LCD panel, and button system that has been refined over the last few years. This system is very easy to use allowing first-time gimbal owners to learn it very quickly while also offering quick and easy advanced customization for advanced level videographers too. This ensures that if you are new to using a gimbal, the Weebill Lab will allow you to customize its performance to what your Panasonic GX8 needs as needed.

In all fairness though, the default gimbal config that the Weebill Lab comes shipped with is great for lightweight cameras like the Panasonic GX8 anyway so we doubt you will really need to customize it anyway. The joystick and buttons on the gimbal are all very responsive and easy to use while the LCD panel is clear and easy to see in low light too.

The Smartphone App

Now, if you have been involved in the gimbal community for a few years then you may already know that the Zhiyun smartphone app was essentially a joke prior to the release of the Zhiyun Crane 3 and Zhiyun Weebill Lab. Due to both of their new flagship gimbals for the DSLR and mirrorless camera weight classes get additional functionality via the app like the intelligent object tracking system so Zhiyun totally overhauled it.

Thankfully, they have done a great job and all of the previous connectivity issues the app had seem to be fixed. Additionally, the app has received a facelift making it much easier to navigate, especially if you are new to using it. Considering that the app is free to download, it is a solid gimbal accessory that is well worth downloading to your smartphone in our opinion.

As we mentioned, it makes the intelligent object tracking system much easier to set up while also offering some additional wireless remote control functionality too. On top of this, the quick and easy access to your gimbal settings via the app lets you make tweaks within seconds rather than minutes. If you are on a long session with a client, this can actually add up to saving you a surprising amount of time over the course of a day’s work.

Build Quality And Design

If you have seen any of the official marketing or independent reviews of the Zhiyun Weebill Lab then one of the first things that they mention is the brand new design of the gimbal. Although it has the traditional handheld gimbal design, you are able to quickly and easily detach the handle and switch the gimbal to underslung mode as shown in the image above. This adds a quick, easy, and comfortable way for you to capture some low angle video footage with your Panasonic GX8 without having to purchase any additional accessories.

Now, some people don’t like this feature and if you fall into this bracket then you can simply use the Weebill Lab in regular handheld mode with your Panasonic GX8 if you choose. On the flip side of this though, most people do love the ease of the underslung mode and many people who previously said they weren’t a fan of it seem to have been won over after using it and giving it a fair chance.

The actual build quality of the gimbal stabilizer is excellent too. Zhiyun has chosen the lightest possible materials that are also as tough and robust as possible to ensure that the gimbal is perfect for both travel vloggers and travel videographers. You can easily add it to your luggage due to its small size and its lightweight ensures that it won’t take much of your luggage allowance for flights. The robust nature of the gimbal is also excellent as it ensures that it can take plenty of knocks during use or while in transit without breaking too.

Our Verdict

We are massive fans of the Zhiyun Weebill Lab and definatley feel that it is the undisputed best gimbal for Panasonic GX8 cameras when you factor in its price, size, weight, and performance. It is not surprising that the gimbal is so popular amongst the community either and that it has earned so many excellent reviews from videographers all over the world.

We are confident that the Weebill Lab will make an excellent addition to your collection of camera accessories and that you will be able to improve the image quality that you are able to capture with your Panasonic GX8 due to its excellent image stabilization. All in all, Zhiyun really have done an excellent job with the gimbal and we can see why the various products from their mirrorless camera range have been the dominant products in the weight class for almost a decade now.

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The Zhiyun Crane Plus

Now, this next gimbal for Panasonic GX8 cameras is actually the predecessor to the  Zhiyun Weebill Labcovered above but we still think that it has its place. As Zhiyun directly designed the Weebill Lab to replace the Zhiyun Crane Plus, they gave a price reduction to the Crane Plus to help keep it competitive within the mirrorless camera gimbal space. Due to this, it now serves as a more budget-friendly gimbal stabilizer that is ideal for your GX8.

Additionally, even though the Crane Plus is from the previous generation of gimbals, it can still hold its own against this current generation of gimbals from most competing brands. Outside of DJI, Zhiyun, and to some extent Moza, the Crane Plus is a better option for your GX8 than the latest gimbals from brands like Evo and Feiyutech as well as the smaller gimbal brands too.

The Crane Plus is well established within the community and has managed to rightfully earn itself an excellent reputation within the community that is steadily growing too. Although the Weebill Lab and DJI Ronin SC do offer better levels of image stabilization and performance, if you are on a tight budget then the Zhiyun Crane Plus is an excellent option and should definatley be considered.

Performance And Functionality

The Crane Plus shares a fair amount of technology with the newer Weebill Lab so even though it is a slightly older gimbal, it can still hold its own due to being ahead of its time when initially released. The Crane Plus offers a maximum load capacity of 5.5 pounds meaning that the 1.07-pound weight of your Panasonic GX8 in addition to the vast majority of camera accessories too.

Being an older gimbal, the Crane Plus was initially designed and tested prior to the trend of videographers using high capacity power banks to top up the power of their devices on the go. Due to this, a much higher priority was put on the maximum battery life potential of the gimbal and it can offer you a massive eighteen hours of power per charge!

At the time of writing, this is the best battery life per charge you can get out of a gimbal. If you don’t like the idea of having to pick up a power bank then the Crane Plus can be a solid option if you want the longest possible battery life. If you are into your travel vlogging or travel videography and may not have access to power for days at a time, the eighteen hours of power can really come in handy.

We are big fans of the clips in the video embedded above as it does a great job of showing off exactly what the Zhiyun Crane Plus is able to provide for your Panasonic GX8. The image stabilization is smooth and it makes light work of camera payloads at the upper limit of its load capacity without issue.

The Crane Plus offers almost as many gimbal modes as the Weebill Lab so is able to help make your life easier depending on the niches that you are working on. The point of view mode is particularly good and offers a quicker and easier way for you to get some natural looking stabilization for your Panasonic GX8 camera.

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User Interface And Control System

Now, if you are a professional level videographer, chances are that you will be better off using the Zhiyun Weebill Lab covered above as the control interface on the Zhiyun Crane Plus is pretty limited when it comes to advanced customization. That said though, the default gimbal config is solid, especially for a camera as light as your Panasonic GX8.

If you are new to using gimbals and this is your first gimbal purchase then the interface system on the Crane Plus is ideal. The simplicity of it ensures that you can pretty much take it out the box and use it instantly while learning as you go. It is so simple and Zhiyun has done an excellent job with the system on the Crane Plus for new gimbal users.

The buttons and joystick on the gimbal are all very responsive and ensure that you have maximum control over the gimbal even if you are recording in wet or cold weather. We have lost count of the number of great gimbals on the market that have issues with joystick sensitivity in cold weather but thankfully, this is not an issue with the Crane Plus.

Build Quality And Design

The vast majority of handheld gimbals over the last three to five years have all followed the same design and the Crane Plus is no different. Realistically, only the Zhiyun Crane 3 and Zhiyun Weebill Lab have broken this design and even then, this has only been in the last few months. Due to this, we would say the Crane Plus can hold its own when it comes to design, it doesn’t pull ahead or fall behind of the pack, it just holds its own.

The build quality of the gimbal is solid and it is very tough but on the flipside of this, it is pretty large and heavy too. This may cause an issue if you are going to be traveling with the gimbal on a regular basis and will have strict baggage weight restrictions. If this is the case then the Weebill Lab is the better option by far as it is perfect for travel.

Our Verdict

We feel that the Zhiyun Crane Plus is the best budget gimbal for Panasonic GX8 cameras on the market right now by a large margin and doubt that this is going to change any time soon. It can definatley help to improve the image quality of your video footage and does a great job of providing you with some very smooth looking video footage.

If you are on a strict budget or are more of a hobbyist videographer and don’t want to spend much on your gimbal for your Panasonic GX8 then the Crane Plus is definatley worth your consideration. You can also read a number of third-party reviews of the gimbal that offer a great insight into its performance if you have time too.

The DJI Ronin SC

The final gimbal for Panasonic GX8 cameras that we are going to be covering is the DJI Ronin SC and in all fairness to DJI, you could easily make the argument that the Ronin SC is the best handeld gimbal stabilizer on the market for your GX8. In our opinion, it does have an ever so slightly better build quality and level of image stabilization than the Zhiyun Weebill Lab but the question is, is these small improvements worth $100-$150 extra?

Well, only you can decide that as you know your budget and the type of videography work that you will be doing with your Panasonic GX8. In our opinion, the difference is so small that we rather have the additional cash in our pocket to put to use elsewhere and that is why we feel that the Weebill Lab is the better option.

That said, the Ronin SC is the DJI flagship in the mirrorless camera weight class and its big brother, the DJI Ronin S absolutely dominates the DSLR gimbal space. Although the Ronin SC has only been on the market for a few months at the time of writing, it is quickly establishing itself as a popular option with a great reputation amongst the community.

Performance And Functionality

One of the main downsides of the Ronin SC in our opinion is its 4.4-pound maximum load capacity. Although your Panasonic GX8 is only around the 1.07-pound mark and the gimbal will likely be able to support it, heavier rigs may have problems. If you are seriously considering adding the DJI Ronin SC to your collection of Panasonic GX8 camera accessories, we would strongly recommend that you check the weight of your GX8 camera rig. Ensure that it is under the 4.4-pound maximum load capacity mark for the gimbal and ideally the 3.52-pound mark for optimal performance from the gimbal.

When it comes to battery life, the Ronin SC is able to provide you with up to eleven hours of battery with each full charge and again, you are able to top the gimbal up with a USB power bank in your downtime to extend this further if required. The gimbal also comes with the DJI quick charge technology as standard allowing you to recharge it back to full in just over two hours.

The video above shows off exactly what the DJI Ronin SC is able to offer your Panasonic GX8 and as you can see, the levels of image stabilization from this 3 axis gimbal is excellent. Like we said, it is marginally better than the Zhiyun Weebill Lab but we just feel that the price tag of the Weebill Lab pushes it ahead of the Ronin SC.

Additionally, the Ronin SC supports a large number of gimbal modes that are popular within the videography community. You are able to use these to help improve the video footage that you are capturing on your videography sessions and add that extra level to it to make your footage stand out. Again, the DJI manual mode offers some great natural stabilization too and it is just as good as the Zhiyun manual mode too.

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User Interface And Control System

The user control system on the Ronin SC is extremely simple as seen in the image above meaning that you will easily be able to get to grips with the gimbal with zero prior experience. If you are looking to purchase your very first gimbal then the Ronin SC and the Zhiyun Crane Plus are definatley the easier gimbals to get to grips with from our list.

One advantage that the Ronin SC does have over the Crane Plus is that if you are a more advanced videographer, the manual control system offers much better-advanced customization of the gimbal. With the Crane Plus, you have to use the smartphone app to get access to the key gimbal settings and easily tweak them to what you want to use.

Build Quality And Design

There are a whole bunch of similarities between the Ronin SC and the Crane Plus as they both follow a very similar design principle for handheld gimbals. Unfortunately, there is no native way to quickly and easily switch to underslung mode on the Ronin SC meaning that the Weebill Lab pulls away even further. Although underslung mode may not seem like much, it really is a solid feature that uses a surprising amount of time.

As we mentioned earlier in the article, the build quality of the Ronin SC is slightly better than the Weebill Lab and the Crane Plus but we just don’t feel that the slight improvement is worth the additional cost. The Ronin SC is also pretty large and pretty heavy when compared to the Weebill Lab too. If you know you will be traveling by air with your gear on a regular basis this may go against it too.

Our Verdict

Although we definatley feel that the DJI Ronin SC has its place on our list of best gimbals for Panasonic GX8 cameras, we feel that the Zhiyun Weebill Lab is the better option for most people. We know that there are a number of videographers who are DJI loyalists who will always purchase the DJI option but in reality, you get a very similar gimbal in the Zhiyun Weebill Lab that is not only cheaper, but also has advantages over the Ronin SC in maximum load capacity and underslung mode.