Hey! Quick question before I steer you one way or the other: do you *need* camera control (start/stop recording, focus, etc.) from the gimbal, or are you totally fine hitting record on the X-T5 and just stabilizing the move?

Reason I ask (and why I’m a little disappointed lol): Fuji gimbal compatibility can be… unfortunately hit-or-miss. I’ve had issues with “supported” setups not actually giving reliable record control, which can change the value equation a lot.

Pure stabilization/value wise, the DJI RS 3 Mini Gimbal Stabilizer is still the best bang for $300–$370 and should handle the 18-55 easily. With the 16-80 it’s doable, but balance gets tight and you may need the plate pushed way back.

If you *do* want more headroom and don’t mind buying used, a used DJI RS 3 Gimbal Stabilizer often lands around $400–$500 and feels less “on the edge” with heavier zooms.

What’s your typical total payload (lens + mic/light), and are you okay buying used/refurb to stretch budget?

Building on what was said about "For your situation, I’d suggest the DJI RS 3 Mini...", +1 — it’s kind of the sweet spot for an X-T5 travel setup.

**Option A: DJI RS 3 Mini Gimbal Stabilizer (≈$300–$370)**
- **Pros:** Light, quick to balance, plenty stable for walking + gentle pans. With the 18-55 it’s basically effortless. Also the vertical mode is handy if you ever do Shorts/Reels.
- **Cons:** With the 16-80 (especially extended), you’re closer to the “feel” limit. It’ll still work, but you’ll notice more motor effort and you’ll want the camera as close to center as possible.

**Option B: DJI RS 3 Gimbal Stabilizer (often ≈$400–$550 on sale)**
- **Pros:** More headroom/torque, better if you might add heavier glass later. Balance is less finicky and you’ll get fewer micro-jitters when you start/stop walking.
- **Cons:** Bigger/heavier to carry all day. For pure travel, that matters.

**Option C: Zhiyun CRANE M3S Gimbal Stabilizer (≈$300–$400)**
- **Pros:** Compact, good feature set, solid value.
- **Cons:** IMO balancing can be a bit more “tune-y” and the overall ecosystem/apps aren’t as smooth as DJI.

Practical tip: whichever you pick, set X-T5 IBIS to a normal mode (avoid the super “boost” feel for walking), and shoot 1/60-ish for natural motion blur—gimbal footage looks way less robotic.

If you’re mostly 18-55 with occasional 16-80, I’d stick with the RS 3 Mini. If the 16-80 is your main lens, I’d lean RS 3 for the extra torque/headroom. Hope this helps!

This ^

Just saw this thread and honestly I was so nervous when I started out with my Fujifilm X-T5! I was basically terrified of the motors burning out or the camera just falling off. I spent weeks researching before I felt safe enough to actually mount my gear. Here is what I did to make sure everything stayed safe:

• I actually practiced balancing my camera on a DIY rig made of PVC pipes first! It sounds crazy but it really helped me understand how that weight shifts when you zoom in on the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR.
• Check out the gimbal calibration groups on Facebook or YouTube. Those people are absolute lifesavers when it comes to fine-tuning the motor strength so you dont overwork the system.
• I always use a tiny piece of gaffer tape on the mounting plate now to mark the perfect spot for each lens I use, like the Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS. It takes a bit more time but the peace of mind is amazing! I love knowing my gear is totally secure while Im walking around. Seriously, taking it slow at first is the way to go!

Building on the earlier suggestion, I would suggest you be careful with the 16-80mm on smaller rigs. Since that lens extends physically, the balance shifts every time you change focal lengths, which can really stress the motors. Before I give a full recommendation, are you planning to use an external monitor or a mic on top of the X-T5? That extra height really affects the clearance on the tilt axis. If you want something robust, you might want to consider the Feiyu SCORP 2 Gimbal Stabilizer. While DJI has better app support, Feiyu often provides better physical ergonomics for walking shots with their integrated handle. Another option is the Moza AirCross 3 Gimbal Stabilizer which is quite versatile for travel and handles the weight of the X-T5 well. Quick tip: always calibrate the motors through the app after you think you have it balanced. It helps with the micro-jitters that Fuji sensors sometimes pick up. Just be sure to balance with the lens cap off and the screen in the position youll actually be using.

For your situation, I’d suggest the DJI RS 3 Mini Gimbal Stabilizer (usually ~$300–$370). I’m using it with my X-T5 for travel stuff and it’s honestly been the easiest to live with—light enough for walking shots, but still stable with the 18-55. The 16-80 is doable too, just takes a bit more careful balancing and you’ll feel the weight after a while.

If you want a bit more “headroom” for the heavier lens and smoother pans, the Zhiyun Crane 3S Gimbal Stabilizer is overkill, but the Zhiyun Weebill 3 Gimbal Stabilizer is a solid mid option around $400–$500 and feels more confident with heavier setups.

Quick tip: use a small Arca plate and mark your balance points with tape… saved me a ton of time. Hope this helps!