> I'm torn between the DJI RS 3 and the Zhiyun Crane 4. I was in your shoes last summer shooting a marathon wedding weekend. Honestly, if youre rocking the a7IV with that heavy 24-70mm GM, payload stability is the big one. I started with the DJI RS 3 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer and while those auto-locks are a total lifesaver when youre running around, it felt a bit strained with that heavy glass. I eventually grabbed the Zhiyun Crane 4 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal and Ive been super satisfied with how it handles. It manages the torque of the GM lens much better without the motors vibrating. The balance indicator lights are actually really helpful during quick swaps too. If you can find a deal on a DJI RS 3 Pro 10lb Payload Gimbal, that is the real winner for Sony Bluetooth support, but the Crane 4 is a better heavy lifter for your budget.

Just saw this post and had to jump in because I went through the exact same thing with my a7IV last winter. I was doing a series of indoor events and my arms were shaking like crazy trying to hold that 24-70mm GM steady for more than ten minutes. Honestly, the weight distribution on that specific lens is the real killer, not just the total weight. I ended up going with the DJI RS 3 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer and it really smoothed out my workflow. The native bluetooth shutter support is a total game changer because you dont have to mess with those annoying control cables that always snag when youre trying to balance the tilt axis.

• Motor torque: The RS 3 handles front-heavy glass way better than the older ones because the software is tuned specifically for these mirrorless bodies.
• Physical locks: Those auto-locking axes save so much time when you're moving between wedding venues, no more floppy gimbal arms in the car.
• Software: The DJI Ronin app is super stable and lets you calibrate the stiffness based on that heavy GM lens. If you find the standard version a bit cramped for that lens, keep an eye out for a deal on the DJI RS 3 Pro 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer too. It has longer carbon fiber arms which makes balancing the 24-70mm a lot easier, especially if you leave the lens hood on. Another sleeper pick if you want to save cash is the FeiyuTech SCORP 2 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer which has a built-in AI tracker, though the DJI integration with Sony's focus system is usually a bit more seamless in my experience.

Like someone mentioned, that 24-70mm GM is a total brick. I tried running a lighter setup at a corporate gala last year and it was honestly a disaster. The motors started vibrating like crazy after two hours because the balance shifted slightly when I zoomed in... it was so frustrating. Unfortunately, most standard gimbals just cant handle the torque required when youre fully zoomed out to 70mm. I really regret not getting something with a higher overhead from the jump.

• DJI RS 3 Pro 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer for those longer arms and extra motor strength
• Zhiyun Weebill 3S Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer which handles the weight better than the base DJI models Seriously, dont skimp on the payload capacity. That Sony glass is super front-heavy and it will burn out weaker motors before the reception even starts. I learned that the hard way and had to finish my last wedding handheld anyway.