Feiyu G6 GoPro Gimbal – Worth the upgrade? (Full Review)

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Feiyutech has been leading the way in the gimbal market for years and they make great gimbals for everything from smartphones to DSLRs.

For GoPros and other action cameras, the Feiyu G5 was a leading model. Now, Feiyu has put out an updated version of this great gimbal with even better stabilization and other user-friendly features. The Feiyu G6 has a lot to offer even the casual videographer but it can also take truly pro-quality cinematic footage- here is our review.

G6 VS G5: What’s New

The Feiyu G5 set a new bar for gimbals but the G6 raises that bar even higher. The G6 has all of the same features that made the G5 so successful like a splash-proof body, excellent rotation with smooth motion, and a durable, high-quality build.

Small OLED Display & Ergonomic changes

Among the improvements is the addition of a miniature OLED screen that displays mode and battery level. The G6 also has a sliding arm and an improved button layout.

There is no risk of the gimbal’s arms getting in the way of the shot at certain angles like with the G5, thanks to a new design with a better arm placement.

You also don’t have to worry about the gimbal blocking the screen.

Better Compatibility

One of the biggest improvements over the G5 is that it’s compatible with more cameras.

There’s no complicated weight balancing system and there is a removable mounting tool that helps many different cameras fit. You can also buy special mounts for unusually sized cameras and even for smartphones.

The algorithm has been updated and the torque motor is smoother and more efficient. Finally, there is a new app interface for the G6, one that is intuitive and easier to use.

Stabilization Modes

All of the modes you’d expect to see with a high-quality gimbal are part of the G6, along with some bonus modes.

As a 3-axis gimbal, you get a max tilting range of 360°, a max rolling range of 320°, and a max panning range of 360°.

The motion is incredibly smooth, thanks to the larger higher-torque motor. It has a tilting speed of 2°/s – 75°/s and a panning speed of 3°/s – 150°/s. Even at the faster speeds, the anti-shake performance will result in footage that is smooth, stable, and of cinematic quality.

There aren’t any of the vibrations or loud motor noises like you’ll get with some gimbals.

1. The Lock Mode, the camera stays locked pointing in a certain direction, even as you move the gimbal all around.
2. In the Pan Following Mode, the gimbal follows your horizontal movement while stabilizing the other axes.
3. With the Selfie Mode, the gimbal rotates 180° to face you. From there, you can use one of the normal modes. In addition, there is a rocker for controlling the horizontal tilt of the camera. Rather than having a dedicated mode for Tilt, this rocker is actually quite easy to use and something that you will get used to quite quickly. A joystick control lets you adjust the camera’s position at any point, no matter what mode you are in.
4. Trail Timelapse Mode that lets you set random nodes within the bounds of designated starting and ending positions to create a beautiful motion timelapse.
5. The G6 can also help you get some great panoramic shots with the Panorama Mode.

No matter what mode you are using, you can expect superior stabilization and liquid smoothness. The updated algorithms from the G5 really do lead to a noticeable improvement in overall stabilization.

Battery Life & Ease of Use

With a high-capacity 5000mAh battery, the Feiyu G6 provides up to 12 hours of runtime. This allows you to do some extended shooting without an interruption to charge the batter.

You can also use the gimbal’s battery to charge your camera, even while shooting. However, when charging the camera during use, the G6’s battery life will only last around 5 hours.

In addition to having great battery life, this gimbal is also extremely easy to use. It’s surprisingly simple to mount your camera and there’s no need for complex balancing maneuvers with weights.

Navigating between modes is simple, usually requiring just 1-3 taps to the main button. You can also use the smartphone app to control the gimbal. This includes changing the settings, setting the mode, and even adjusting the position of the camera on the gimbal itself.

Compatibility

One of the best things about this gimbal is the improvements made from the G5 that makes it more widely compatible with different cameras.

You can use this for just about any action camera out there. It’s a perfect match for the GoPro HERO 6 and HERO 5 but it will also work for other action cameras of a similar size and shape.

These include the HERO4, HERO3+, HERO3, Yi 4K, and AEE. For the Sony RXO, an action camera with a different size and shape, you can purchase a separate mount to make it fit.

This gimbal is even compatible with smartphones but you do need to buy a special mobile support tool.

The Feiyu app isn’t necessary for using the gimbal but it can add some definite value as it can expand the creative possibilities of how you use the gimbal. This app is available for both iOS and Android and features a dual working mode with both WiFi and Bluetooth.

Unfortunately, the app’s functionality is really only ideally suited for the GoPro HERO 6 or 5 and the Sony RX0. The app won’t work as well or as fully when using it with a different model of action camera.

The G6 has threaded mounts on both the side and the bottom of the handle. This lets you attach the gimbal to a tripod or an extension pole, for example. You can also attach any accessories, like an external microphone or a light.

These mounts are 1/4-inch threaded mounts so they will be compatible with any accessory that works with that size mount, which is just about all of them.

Customer Reviews & Scores

The Feiyu G5 has been one of the most well-reviewed gimbals for a while.

There’s no reason to think that the G6 won’t soon surpass the G5 in good reviews just like it has in overall performance.

The Feiyu G6 just hit the market quite recently so there aren’t yet any reviews on Amazon but vloggers are already singing the praises for this gimbal on YouTube. The Hybrid Shooter describes the G6 by saying that it has “excellent build quality, very good handling, and the best controls out of all action camera gimbals.” – full video review below

He also points out that it’s nice that it is angled in a way that doesn’t block the screen like you see with a lot of gimbals.

His main point of caution is that some motor noise will be picked up if you are using your camera’s microphone just because of how close the microphone would be to the motor.

The G6 does have a nice thread mount on the side of the handle perfect for attaching an external microphone. This will prevent motor noise from ruining your footage.

Is it worth your money?

The Feiyu G6 isn’t cheap but it is definitely one of the best – if not the very best – gimbal for GoPros and other action cameras on the market right now.

The build quality is quite high and the performance is superb. It has intuitive, easy-to-use controls, and some seriously incredible battery life. If you do a lot of filming around water, this is definitely a great gimbal for you because it is waterproof.

If you’re looking for a gimbal that will work with both your GoPro and your smartphone, the G6 might be your best bet. That said, you will need to purchase the special mobile mount in order to use it with your smartphone.

If the Sony RXO is your main rig, it’s unfortunate that you do have to buy a special mount for that separately as well, but it is nice that you have the option.

A good GoPro gimbal is never going to be cheap but the Feiyu G6 has a lot of value to back up that price. If you want a reliable action camera gimbal, especially one that is waterproof, has great battery life, and is easy to use, then the Feiyu G6 is absolutely worth your money.

Have you used any of the Feiyu GoPro gimbals? What did you think? For the money, the Feiyu G6 is the gimbal to beat.

Are you thinking of buying a G6? Let me know in the comments! Do you have any questions about this gimbal that this review didn’t cover? Feel free to ask in the comments and I’ll try to give you an answer.