ZHIYUN (commonly styled as Zhiyun) is a Chinese imaging-technology company best known for manufacturing motorized camera and smartphone gimbals (stabilizers). While the brand built its initial reputation on handheld stabilization technology, it has since expanded into a broader ecosystem that includes filmmaking lights, image-transmission equipment, and creator accessories. The company serves a wide range of users, from professional film and television production studios to independent creators, vloggers, and general consumers.

The parent entity is Guilin Zhishen Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Chinese: 桂林智神信息技术股份有限公司), headquartered in Guilin, Guangxi, China. Established in June 2015, the company maintains operations and branches in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and the United States.

Founding and Early Years

ZHIYUN was founded in 2015 by Yilun Liao, an amateur photographer who sought to address the limitations of existing stabilizer technology. Dissatisfied with the bulky and inconvenient stabilizers available at the time, Liao aimed to develop a lighter and more practical gimbal 1. The corporate entity, Guilin Zhishen Information Technology Co., Ltd., was established in Guilin, Guangxi.

In its early phase, the company focused exclusively on electronic gimbals for cameras and smartphones. In March 2016, ZHIYUN introduced its CRANE series, marking the beginning of its most recognizable product family. Later that year, the company presented the CRANE and SMOOTH 2 models at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, signaling its entry into the international consumer-gimbal market 2.

Expansion and Diversification

Around 2020, ZHIYUN began expanding beyond pure stabilization hardware. The company launched the TransMount product ecosystem, designed to integrate cameras and stabilizers more efficiently through image transmission technology. This period also saw an aggressive push into lighting solutions, establishing ZHIYUN as a comprehensive creator-equipment brand rather than solely a gimbal manufacturer.

By 2026, the company’s portfolio had grown significantly, encompassing multiple generations of gimbals, professional LED lighting systems, and various imaging accessories.

ZHIYUN organizes its offerings into several distinct families, each targeting specific user needs and equipment types.

CRANE Series

The CRANE family represents ZHIYUN’s platform for professional camera gimbals. These devices are primarily designed for interchangeable-lens cameras, mirrorless systems, DSLRs, and larger cinema setups.

• CRANE 2: Released in 2017, this model was notable for integrating follow-focus functionality directly into the handheld stabilizer concept, which ZHIYUN described as a benchmark for professional gimbals.
• CRANE 3 LAB: Introduced in 2018, this model featured the distinctive “Sling Mode” ergonomic design, allowing operators to hold the camera in a lower, more comfortable position compared to conventional vertical handles.
• CRANE 3S: A later iteration that adopted a modular approach to accommodate heavier camera configurations.
• CRANE 4: The current flagship in this line, positioned for DSLR and cinema-camera users, incorporating features such as integrated fill light 3.

WEEBILL Series

The WEEBILL series emphasizes compactness, portability, and low weight while maintaining compatibility with professional cameras. Unlike traditional large-format gimbals, WEEBILL products focus on ergonomic operation and reduced physical footprint.

• WEEBILL LAB: Launched in 2018 alongside the CRANE 3 LAB, this model utilized Sling Mode and easy-detach designs to advance what ZHIYUN termed the “3.0 Era” of professional three-axis gimbals.
• Evolution: The line subsequently evolved through models including WEEBILL-S, WEEBILL 2, WEEBILL 3, WEEBILL 3S, and WEEBILL 3E. The current catalog positions WEEBILL as a lightweight creator gimbal line.

SMOOTH Series

Recognizing the growing market for mobile content creation, ZHIYUN developed the SMOOTH family specifically for smartphones. These products target vloggers, social media creators, travelers, and casual filmmakers.

• SMOOTH-Q: One of ZHIYUN’s major consumer successes, identified by the company as the best-selling mobile-phone gimbal in 2017 4.
• SMOOTH 4: Released in 2018, this model provided smartphone users with physical controls for functions like focus and zoom, effectively turning phones into more capable filmmaking tools.
• Current Models: The modern lineup includes the SMOOTH-Q4, SMOOTH-Q5 Ultra, SMOOTH 5S, and SMOOTH 5S AI. Recent iterations increasingly incorporate AI tracking, built-in lighting, and other smartphone-oriented creator functions 5.

Lighting Families: MOLUS and FIVERAY

ZHIYUN operates two primary lighting lines to complement its stabilization hardware:

• MOLUS: Focuses on compact, high-output LED lighting for filmmaking, photography, livestreaming, and studio production. Products range from portable units like the MOLUS X60 and X100 to higher-powered COB fixtures such as the G200 and G300.
• FIVERAY: Emphasizes portability and creator-friendly form factors. Examples include the FIVERAY M20, M40, M60 Ultra, V60, and F100, competing in the market for portable LED lighting used by photographers and content creators.

CINEPEER Ecosystem

The CINEPEER brand covers accessible creator equipment, bridging the gap between professional gear and entry-level tools. This family includes smartphone gimbals, camera gimbals, portable LED lights, and accessories. Notable products listed in the official store include the CINEPEER SMOOTH 5E and CINEPEER CRANE 4E.

ZHIYUN’s core technical expertise lies in electronic stabilization, combining brushless motors, gyroscopes, sensors, and control algorithms to compensate for operator movement. Many of its gimbals feature camera-control capabilities, allowing users to adjust recording, focus, zoom, shutter speed, and ISO directly from the stabilizer handle. The company states that it develops key technologies internally, including control algorithms, motors, structural components, and software.

Additionally, ZHIYUN reports having helped lead the drafting of China’s first industry standard for stabilizers, titled “Photography Gimbal,” and maintains an R&D organization focused on stabilization technologies, motor control, and wireless image transmission.

A recurring theme in ZHIYUN’s product design is the combination of professional capability with smaller, easier-to-use hardware. The brand emphasizes ergonomics and portability, aiming to reduce the technical barriers between an idea and finished visual content. ZHIYUN describes creativity and innovation as central elements of its brand philosophy 6.

The company’s products have received recognition from several international design awards, including iF Design Awards, Red Dot Awards, Good Design Awards, CES Innovation Awards, and China Red Star Design Awards. For instance, both the WEEBILL 2 and WEEBILL 3 models have won iF Design Awards.

ZHIYUN occupies a significant position in the global gimbal market, often cited alongside DJI as a major player in camera and smartphone stabilization. While there is overlap in their product categories, ZHIYUN has cultivated a strong identity around ergonomic mechanical design, compact professional systems, and creator-oriented filmmaking equipment. The company positions itself as a pioneer in the gimbal market, serving everyone from film professionals to general consumers.

Its competitive strategy involves addressing a broad customer base, including:

• Professional Filmmakers: Via high-end CRANE and WEEBILL products.
• Independent Creators: Through compact, portable stabilization systems.
• Smartphone Users: Via the SMOOTH line for mobile video production.
• Photographers and Livestreamers: Using MOLUS and FIVERAY lighting solutions.

ZHIYUN’s current official messaging centers on empowering creators. Its stated mission is “To Fuel Every Creator’s Passion with Technically Advanced Products,” with a vision of “Created in China Sparks Imaginations Worldwide.” The brand slogan is “To Inspire Extraordinary Imagination”. This positioning reflects a shift from being purely an engineering firm to presenting itself as a creative-tool company, where technology facilitates the filmmaking process so creators can focus on artistic results.

As of 2026, ZHIYUN continues to develop its ecosystem, offering a diverse catalog that ranges from professional camera gimbals to AI-enhanced smartphone stabilizers and portable lighting 7.

1. ZHIYUN Celebrates Crane Series 5th Anniversary
2. ZHIYUN Official Store | Phone Gimbals | Camera Gimbals Stabilizers – ZHIYUN Store
3. iF Design – ZHIYUN
4. Guilin Zhishen Information Technology Co., Ltd.（ZHIYUN）との 国内総代理店契約締結のお知らせ
5. 智云稳定器ZHIYUN品牌简介
6. Home Page
7. Zhiyun-Tech