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Zhiyun WEEBILL 3S vs WEEBILL 3 | Which One to Get?

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Today I'll be talking about the Zhiyun Weebill 3S and the main differences between this gimbal and the Weebill 3.

Bluetooth Shutter Control

The first difference is that the Weebill 3S now has a Bluetooth shutter Control Function so you can connect your camera to the gimbal via Bluetooth so you can use the gimbals record button to start and stop recording as well as take photos this may sound like a minor thing but in actual practice it comes in very handy.

New Quick Release System

Another difference is that the quick release system has been changed or slightly modified. You get an arca swiss plate with threads at the bottom and also a Manfrotto long plate. So you can use whichever plate you like depending on your workflow and your other accessories. The new quick release system also allows you to shoot in vertical mode. Simple slide out the entire camera and plate receiver and slide it back in via the vertical mount.

Sling Module

The other major difference too is an improved sling mode system this new sling mode comes in a quick release sort of format which allows you to quickly detach it from the gimbal or you can just leave it on the entire time when you first get the Weebill 3s, you get this little plate which is the quick release plate that is going to go in here with this modular sling grip so all you need to do in the beginning when you first get your gimbal use a hex key it just permanently attach this plate to the bottom of your gimbal. You can use the gimbal without the sling mode attachment and attach your tripod directly to it for a more bare bones look.

There is also a new wrist rest that feels a bit more comfortable and it has its own know to quickly adjust its tilt. The sling grip can be extended like in the Weebill 3 but you can also now move it left or right or even all the way to the front for a two-handed grip on your gimbal.

No More Magnetic Screw and Mic

On the Weebill 3 we had a magnetic screw that came in very handy to attach your camera to the gimbal’s plate. This has now disappeared on the Weebill 3 due to the upgraded horizontal/vertical shooting system.

Zhiyun has also removed the built-in mic that was on the Weebill 3. My guess is that people didn’t really use it so they opted to just keep it out altogether.

Battery Life

The Weebill 3S has a battery life of about 11.5 hours which is really good but about half of the capacity of what the Weebill 3 had which was a 21 hour battery life. Even though battery life is significantly shorter compared to its predecessor, 11.5 hours is still very impressive.

Versions

There are two versions of this gimbal, the Standard version which only includes the gimbal and the mini tripod, and the Combo version which also includes the sling module and a backpack.

Which One Should You Get?

Overall the Weebill 3S is a slightly improved version of the Weebill 3. There are a few things that makes this gimbal a bit better than the previous one but it is similar enough that it might not be worth the upgrade if you already have the Weebill 3. However, if you are currently in the market for a gimbal in this size, the Weebill 3S is a very strong competitor for all its features and its price.

Thank you for reading through this blog post. I hope you found this information helpful and until next time!