ZHIYUN, also stylised 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 various creator accessories. The parent entity, Guilin Zhishen Information Technology Co., Ltd. (桂林智神信息技术股份有限公司), was established in June 2015 and maintains operations in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and the United States.

ZHIYUN was founded in 2015 by Yilun Liao in Guilin, Guangxi. According to company history, Liao was an amateur photographer dissatisfied with the bulky and inconvenient stabilizers available at the time, which motivated him to develop lighter and more practical gimbal solutions 1.

Early Development (2015–2016)

The company began by focusing exclusively on electronic gimbals for cameras and smartphones. In March 2016, ZHIYUN introduced its flagship CRANE series. Later that year, the company presented the CRANE and SMOOTH 2 models at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, marking a significant entry into the international consumer-gimbal market 2. This launch laid the foundation for what would become ZHIYUN’s most recognizable product family.

Expansion Beyond Stabilization (2020–Present)

Around 2020, ZHIYUN began diversifying beyond gimbals into image transmission and broader filmmaking equipment. The introduction of the TransMount ecosystem allowed cameras and stabilizers to integrate more efficiently. Subsequently, the company expanded aggressively into the lighting sector, making illumination a major component of its current portfolio. As of 2026, ZHIYUN continues to develop AI-driven smartphone stabilization, portable lighting, and integrated creator ecosystems.

ZHIYUN’s product architecture is organised into distinct families targeting different user segments, from professional cinematographers to casual mobile creators.

CRANE Series

The CRANE family serves as ZHIYUN’s platform for professional camera gimbals, designed for interchangeable-lens cameras, mirrorless systems, DSLRs, and larger cinema setups.

• CRANE 2 (2017): Notable for integrating follow-focus functionality directly into the handheld stabilizer concept.
• CRANE 3 LAB (2018): Introduced the distinctive “Sling Mode” ergonomic design, allowing operators to hold the camera in a lower, more comfortable position.
• CRANE 4: The current iteration features integrated fill light and is positioned for DSLR and cinema-camera users 3.

WEEBILL Series

The WEEBILL line emphasizes compactness, portability, and low weight while maintaining compatibility with professional cameras. Unlike traditional large gimbals, WEEBILL devices utilize an underslung configuration for easier operation.

• WEEBILL LAB (2018): Launched alongside the CRANE 3 LAB, this model helped push professional three-axis gimbals toward a new era of ergonomics.
• Recent Models: The lineup has evolved through products like the WEEBILL-S, WEEBILL 2, WEEBILL 3, WEEBILL 3S, and WEEBILL 3E, continuing to position the series as lightweight creator tools.

SMOOTH Series

Recognising the potential of the mobile market, ZHIYUN developed the SMOOTH family specifically for smartphones. This strategic move broadened their target audience to include vloggers, social media creators, travelers, and everyday users.

• SMOOTH-Q: A major consumer success, cited as a top-selling mobile-phone gimbal in 2017 4.
• SMOOTH 4 (2018): Introduced physical controls for focus and zoom, effectively turning smartphones into more camera-like filming systems.
• Current Lineup: Modern iterations such as the SMOOTH-Q4, SMOOTH-Q5 Ultra, SMOOTH 5S, and SMOOTH 5S AI increasingly incorporate AI tracking, built-in lighting, and smartphone-oriented creator functions 5.

Lighting Solutions: MOLUS and FIVERAY

ZHIYUN operates two distinct lighting brands to address different needs within content creation.

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

CINEPEER

The CINEPEER brand covers accessible creator equipment, including smartphone and camera gimbals, portable LED lights, and accessories. This segmentation allows ZHIYUN to offer products aimed at individuals entering content creation, such as the CINEPEER SMOOTH 5E and CINEPEER CRANE 4E.

ZHIYUN’s core technical expertise lies in electronic stabilization. Their gimbals combine brushless motors, gyroscopes, sensors, and proprietary control algorithms to compensate for operator movement, ensuring stable footage during walking or panning shots. Many models support direct communication with compatible cameras to control parameters such as recording, focus, zoom, shutter speed, and ISO.

The company states that it develops key technologies internally, including control algorithms, motors, structural components, and software. ZHIYUN also claims involvement in drafting China’s first industry standard for stabilizers, titled “Photography Gimbal,” and maintains an R&D organization focused on stabilization technologies.

A recurring theme in ZHIYUN’s design philosophy is the combination of professional capability with smaller, easier-to-use hardware. This is evident in innovations like the Sling Mode on the CRANE and WEEBILL series, which reduce the physical footprint and improve ergonomics without sacrificing performance.

ZHIYUN has cultivated an unusually broad customer base for a filmmaking-equipment manufacturer, serving professional filmmakers, independent studios, YouTubers, and general consumers. Historically, its primary competitor in the camera and smartphone stabilization space has been DJI. However, ZHIYUN has distinguished itself through a strong identity in ergonomic mechanical design and compact professional systems.

The brand’s efforts have received recognition from several international design and technology awards, including:

• iF Design Awards
• Red Dot Awards
• Good Design Awards
• CES Innovation Awards
• China Red Star Design Awards

For instance, both the WEEBILL 2 and WEEBILL 3 have won iF Design Awards. Currently, the official store presents a catalog ranging from professional camera gimbals to smartphone stabilizers and portable LED lighting 7.

ZHIYUN positions itself not merely as an engineering firm but as a creative-tool company. Its stated mission is to fuel every creator’s passion with technically advanced products, underpinned by a vision of creating globally recognized innovation from China. The brand slogan, “To Inspire Extraordinary Imagination,” reflects its focus on reducing the technical barriers between an idea and finished visual content 6.

In summary, ZHIYUN has evolved from a specialist electronic-gimbal manufacturer founded in 2015 into a comprehensive filmmaking and creator-equipment brand, offering a wide array of tools intended to make video production smoother, more controlled, and accessible to a diverse global audience.

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