Zhiyun Smooth Q5 Ultra review: a smart gimbal that rivals the best from DJI

The Zhiyun Smooth Q5 Ultra is a 3-axis gimbal with a compact, foldable design that is incredibly portable. It boasts advanced stabilization, AI tracking, voice control, a detachable remote, and more. For the price, it's quite staggering how rich the feature set is.

This type of gimbal is an ideal solution for solo creators who need to be able to accommodate multiple setups. Its ability to flip between portrait and landscape modes also makes it a perfect fit for social media creators who crave versatility.

The Smooth Q5 Ultra competes admirably for a place in our guide to the best smartphone gimbals, with direct competition coming from the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro and DJI Osmo Mobile 7P. Zhiyun's offering features some innovative accessories and a fill light, which help to set it apart.

Zhiyun Smooth Q5 Ultra: Specifications

Zhiyun Smooth Q5 Ultra: Price

The Zhiyun Smooth Q5 Ultra is available for $99.99 / £84.99. If you'd like the combo kit that includes the AI tracking module and wireless remote control, then that costs $119.99 / £99.99. Alternatives include the DJI Osmo Mobile 7P for $129.99 / £118.50 and the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro for $159.99 / £145. Each device offers a similar set of specs, with the Smooth Q5 Ultra proving to be the best budget-friendly option.

Zhiyun Smooth Q5 Ultra: Design & Handling

Having unboxed the gimbal, AI tracker, and remote control, I was fully up and running in around ten minutes. Everything shipped fully charged, and all I had to do was clip my phone in, attach the AI tracker, and pair it with my phone, and I was away. It could not have been easier.

The gimbal itself has a primary construction of plastic, which contributes to the overall lightweight design, weighing approximately 390g / 13.8oz. Holding it, even for long periods of time, didn't result in any arm, wrist, or hand strain, and for that I was grateful. It's marketed as a compact gimbal, and even though it's foldable, unfortunately, it's not small enough to fit comfortably in a pocket.

The design includes an ergonomic grip for comfortable single-handed operation, and the exterior boasts a matt white finish that is both scratch and stain-resistant. I have no concerns that it'll stay looking new for a long time to come.

At the top of the handle is a color display that keeps the user updated on the current state of the gimbal. This includes the amount of battery left, whether it's connected via Bluetooth, if the AI tracking is enabled, and a host of other indicators.

The clamp that holds the mobile phone is sturdy and strong, so strong that I nearly trapped my fingers in it while removing my phone. Take this as a positive rather than a potential health hazard. Zhiyun has also included an abundance of rubber grips inside the clamp to ensure your phone stays scratch-free.

At the bottom of the gimbal is a 1/4-20 screw mount that enables the attachment of a tripod or similar compatible accessories. There is a small tripod included in the kit, which is ideal for positioning the gimbal on a tabletop or even on the floor. There's also a 215mm extension pole built into the center of the gimbal. You wouldn't immediately know it's there, but if you push on the top of the handle, it'll begin to extend. This was super useful for capturing more arty, unusual shots.

A final feature that is worth mentioning is the inclusion of a fill light on the back of the gimbal. Using it will significantly reduce the battery life, but it is a handy little addition, especially for creators who want a lightweight run-and-gun setup.

The gimbal has a companion app called the ZY Cami App, which includes more intelligent tracking, an editor, and a slew of other additional features. It's not required, though, with the gimbal functioning fine with any mobile phone's default camera app.

Further to the core gimbal, the combo kit of the Smooth Q5 Ultra includes a detachable remote and an AI tracking camera. The remote allows for long-distance control, including the ability to hit record. The tracking camera attaches underneath the clamp mechanism and includes an indicator light that keeps you updated on its status.

Zhiyun Smooth Q5 Ultra: Performance

Overall, I was very impressed with the performance of the gimbal. As mentioned, it was very easy to set up, and I was quickly able to crack on with capturing photos and videos. The 3-axis operation was reliable and predictable 99% of the time, although there were a few occasions where it seemed to drift a little from what I expected. At that point, I was grateful for the ability to recenter the gimbal head with the quick press of a button.

Operating the gimbal was straightforward, and even my ten-year-old, who has no prior experience using a device like this, was able to quickly yield predictable results. The button and dial placement also meant that it was possible to change settings while operating the gimbal.

The AI tracker was able to track my face with no difficulty and yielded smooth results every single time. This tracker is able to pick up gesture controls such as an okay sign that enables tracking, double thumbs up to toggle between portrait and landscape orientations, as well as a peace sign to take photos or start filming. Unfortunately, the sensors' ability to recognise these gestures was so hit and miss that I wasn't able to use them predictably.

The small and handy remote control allows for operation up to 10m away from the gimbal. It works seamlessly and includes the ability to control the gimbal's orientation as well as start/stop recording. With the remote switched on, it's also possible to control the gimbal with voice commands. It was responsive and much more reliable than gesture commands. One change I would like to see in this feature would be a move away from direct commands towards an AI model that lets you use more natural language to get the same results.

In terms of battery life, the gimbal lasts up to 13.5 hours, although this is reduced to 5.5 hours with AI tracking enabled and the fill light turned on. This is just about sufficient for a full day's filming, and you can always turn the fill light off between shots. It only takes two hours to recharge, although it's not a removable battery, so you might find it hard to operate the gimbal while you're charging.

Zhiyun Smooth Q5 Ultra: Verdict

The Zhiyun Smooth Q5 Ultra is a lightweight gimbal that is quick to set up and generally reliable in its operation. With AI tracking and a detachable remote, the device offers several innovative features that elevate the user experience. I wasn't enamored by the gesture commands, but that aside, I found the gimbal to be reliable, predictable, and overall a joy to use.

Alternatives

DJI Osmo Mobile 7P

A premium phone gimbal with a slew of advanced features aimed at content creators. It's not the cheapest option, but it is one of the best.

Insta360 Flow 2 Pro

An AI-powered phone gimbal that excels in tracking even in situations where you'd expect it to lose tracking. It's compact, portable, and a pro at enabling videographers to create dynamic content.