Taking steady pictures or recording steady videos with a DSLR camera may be a bit hard. As you know DSLR cameras are the heaviest cameras considering their weight.
It is important to know that weight is not the only thing that makes them harder to stabilize.
DSLR cameras own mirrors, and when in use there happens a “mirror slap” which makes the mirror move up and down. That’s why DSLR cameras are a little bit difficult to be stable when in use.
However, in order to use a DSLR camera in the most stable way, you can use a stabilizer! Even though some stabilizers come at a very high price, there are some of them that you can find for under $100!
In this article, you will find the best DSLR stabilizer under $100, because always the price tag is important. All the picks are simply reviewed s that you can have a clearer idea when choosing one of them.
A Quick Look at My Favorite DSLR Stabilizers Under $100
Key Takeaways
- DSLR cameras are not the most stable cameras you can find but stabilizers will ease your job in many ways.
- The most affordable stabilizer that you can get for your DSLR camera is Roxant Pro.
- The main feature that you should check out on a stabilizer is its compatibility with the camera that you own, and that way, you can choose the best one.
- If you are a videographer, let me present to you the Neewer Stabilizer, which is one of the msot used for videography.
Image | Product | Features | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Best For Sports | 8.6 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best For Most People | 8.6 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best For Video | 8.5 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Handheld | 8.8 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Budget | 8.6 | Check Price On Amazon |
Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the stabilizers!
The Top Five Best DSLR Stabilizers Under $100
5. Zeadio Handle Grip – Best For Sports
What I Like
- Lightweight and Portable
- Super-Versatile
- Greatly Stable
What I Don’t Like
The first product on the list is a very simple one and yet again a surprisingly amazing camera stabilizer! It is important to mention that this Zeadio stabilizer is the cheapest one when compared with the other ones mentioned above.
The measurements of this stabilizer are 10 x 8.39 x 3.7 inches and it is super lightweight weighing only 12.1 ounces. The capability of handling weight goes up to 13.22 pounds, without causing any problem.
Being lightweight, the stabilizer has a great portability feature, so that you can take it with you wherever you go.
When it comes to its compatibility, this stabilizer is the most versatile one since it works with all types of cameras, plus you can also use it with a camcorder. Its handle is fully made of cushion NBR so that you won’t feel bothered when using it.
The best thing that this stabilizer provides is stability, and it delivers to you an ability to shoot at very low angles. It is one of the most used stabilizers during extreme sports such as skating, surfing, snowboarding, and also hunting.
Why should you buy it?
If you really need a stabilizer that would work properly with your DSLR camera, but still the price may be too harsh, as said at the beginning this stabilizer is one of the cheapest ones that you can ever find. It is a great friend based on its portability ability, and it really helps you shoot stable pictures and videos.
4. SUTEFOTO S40 Handheld Stabilizer – Best For Most People
What I Like
- Quick-Releasable Plate
- Works with Action Cameras
- 360° Movements
What I Don’t Like
Moving on, here is the second product on the list, the Sutefoto S40 stabilizer, and I would like to mention that this one has great value for the money. It is in a middle range of a price tag.
The full body of this stabilizer measures 12.4 x 9 x 4.6 inches and it weighs about 4.85 pounds. Even though it owns that weight, you should consider the fact of not using cameras that weigh more than 3.3 pounds.
In order to put your camera in this stabilizer, it allows you to use the quick-release plate that it has, and once the screws are securely tightened, the camera doesn’t move, or even worse falls off. You don’t have to worry at all.
Since it is a handheld stabilizer, it owns an anti-skid handle, which is very secure and soft at the same time. It won’t make your hands sweat either!
The stability of the Sutefoto S40 is immersive! It delivers a smooth and stable shooting, while it allows you to move the camera 360 degrees freely and easily.
Why should you buy it?
As mentioned, this stabilizer is a great one when it comes to stability, and that’s why we are using it! It can work properly with different cameras, especially DSLR ones, even though some people may find the 3.3 pounds weight limit a little bit annoying.
3. Neewer Stabilizer – Best For Video
What I Like
- Robust Built
- Bubble Level Included
- 360° Rotation
- Tripod Head
What I Don’t Like
- Pricey for Some
Writing an article about camera accessories and not mentioning Neewer ones, is a little bit weird. This stabilizer is among the strongest ones all over the market. Why is it the strongest, though?
This stabilizer owns a very strong body because it is fully made of metal! It is a lifetime stabilizer that can be used wherever and whenever you want. Its measurements are 11.4 x 10.1 x 3 inches and it weighs 3.4 pounds and has a weight limit of up to 30 pounds.
Just as in tripods, this stabilizer owns a quick-release plate in order to put cameras on. Besides that, the stabilizer also has a bubble level which would definitely help you while balancing the camera.
Even though it is a little bit heavy, this Neewer stabilizer can be used in an omnidirectional way since it allows movements or rotation on up to 360 degrees. Once you use it with your camera, you will notice that it helps you capture very smooth videos and pictures as well since shake is not obvious in any way.
Why should you buy it?
I know that the heavyweight of this stabilizer may bother some people, but it is the stabilizer’s only drawback. As seen, it can handle a great amount of weight, so that means that it can be used with different types of cameras. It is not the lightest but it still is the strongest one among others.
2. RALENO Handheld Stabilizer – Best Handheld
What I Like
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Super-Stable
- Works With Camcorders
- Great for Beginners
What I Don’t Like
- Only 6lbs Load Capacity
The next stabilizer that appears in this article is the Raleno one! It is a great purchase and besides that, it is one of the most used stabilizers by beginners.
The Raleno stabilizer weighs 5.29 pounds and its full-body measures 16.3 x 7.9 x 5.3 inches. A speciality about its height is that it can be fully adjusted, it can go up and down depending on the way you want to use it. As a whole, it is made of aluminium alloy and the weight limit that it can handle is 6.6 pounds.
Even though it owns a quick-release plate like the ones mentioned above, on this one that plate differs a little bit since it is adjustable! What you can do with the plate is to use it in both directions, vertically and horizontally, and it uses laser precision. Laser precision is a system of aerial navigation in which the rotation is sensed by measuring the frequency shift of laser light.
This stabilizer is fully made to reduce the shake that may occur while you are shooting, especially in videos. It is known as a great stabilizer if you are a videographer that shoots weddings and travel videos.
Why should you buy it?
Besides being known as a handheld stabilizer, Raleno is also known as a steadicam and it is used, as mentioned above, by beginners. In case you are a beginner in the world of videography, then this could be one of the best choices.
1. Roxant Pro – Best Budget
What I Like
- Affordable
- Versatile Usage
- Comfortable Grip Handle
What I Don’t Like
- Bit Complicated To Set Up
The last but not least, the amazing best overall stabilizer, Roxant Pro! Besides being a wonderful one, it is super cheap, based on the features.
What I would like to mention firstly about this stabilizer is its compatibility! It is one of the best stabilizers for almost anything you need! It can work with DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, GoPro action cameras, and even smartphones. What do we need more? It is an all-in-one stabilizer.
The design of this stabilizer totally differs from the ones mentioned above, it has an interesting look but still, it is very strong and steady based on its build. The measurements of Roxant Pro are 13.39 x 2.24 x 8.07 inches and the weight is 2.4 pounds. All those people that have used, or are using this stabilizer say that it is a perfect one for DSLR cameras.
The handle of this stabilizer includes a non-slip material, so that when in use you will notice that it won’t move in any way.
You can mount your camera by using the plate, that is found on top of it, and tightening the screws that are placed on there. Once it is fully tightened, you can easily work with it.
The stability works perfectly fine. When using this stabilizer during video recordings, your videos will be brought super sharp, smooth, and fully shake-free.
Why should you buy it?
What I would like to add more is that this stabilizer is one of the most famous worldwide. Plus, just imagine, it is in a list of budget stabilizers, under $100. It brings everything you need from a stabilizer.
FAQ about the best DSLR Stabilizer under $100
What is a camera stabilizer?
Just as the name supplies, a camera stabilizer is a tool or a camera accessory that would help you during pictures and videos as well. With a stabilizer, your pictures or videos will be delivered sharper, because it helps you fully reduce blur because of shakiness. Another thing that a stabilizer can do, is to help you with long exposure photography, especially during night photography, of course, if you have just chosen the best camera for night photography and it is a DSLR one.
Is a stabilizer the same as a gimbal?
This question or these names (gimbal + stabilizer) can be a little bit confusing when it comes to beginners in the world of photography. Even though some people use them as the same thing there are some other things that distinguish them. Gimbals are motorized; meaning they include motors that help you move the camera whereas normal or simple stabilizers don’t use motors and you are in full control of them. However, a gimbal is a type of stabilizer.
Do I need a stabilizer?
This is not a fact nor an order that must definitely be accomplished! Using a stabilizer as said above would help you while recording or taking pictures, but still, if you feel like you don’t need one and think that you are capable of holding on and not shaking the camera, then you are more than free to not buy a stabilizer.
Do professionals use stabilizers?
A stabilizer is the favourite camera accessory that professionals in the world of photography and video makers use. So yes, stabilizers are used by professionals and they are considered as professional tools or accessories as well.
Buying Guide
You already know now what stabilizers are used for and which ones are the best DSLR stabilizers under $100. What you don’t know until now, is what are the things that you should consider when choosing one of them! Let me tell you:
Price
The price is the most important factor that plays an enormous role when it comes to everything that a person is about to buy! It is important with stabilizers as well. Since I wrote this article based on a price tag, it can be easier for you.
Compatibility
In the market nowadays can be found many stabilizers and an important thing that you should know regarding this is that not all stabilizers work with any DSLR camera. Before you choose one of them, you may want to consider checking deeper information about a particular stabilizer if it fits your DSLR camera.
Build Quality
What can you do with a stabilizer that can be broken easily? It is nothing better when you have in your hands a stronger and steadier stabilizer. That would also tell how much can a stabilizer last.
Weight
Stabilizers are basically things that should be held in your hands! If a stabilizer is a heavy one, then it can not do the work properly and how it should be done. Try to choose a stabilizer that has a lighter weight so that it doesn’t tire you while you are using it.
Balance
Since the balance of a stabilizer is the overriding thing, you should definitely consider the fact of finding one that has more balance and can do the job properly.
Final Thoughts
To find the best DSLR stabilizer under $100 may sound like an easy thing to do but let me tell you that it is quite hard! In order to choose and make a list of these ones, I had to deal with many other stabilizers that have a prince range above 200$. However, I was able to choose some of the best ones!
I really hope that this article will help you choose the best DSLR stabilizer under $100!
Further Reading
Stabilizers are important camera accessories that you may definitely need. However, if you are not a fan of stabilizers, but you are more into gimbals, which as mentioned above have a difference when it comes to motors, you can check out the best gimbals for Canon 70D, best gimbals for Fujifilm X-T3, or in case you own a Sony a6400 camera you can check out the best gimbal for Sony a6400.
I would also like to mention that since stabilizers are mostly used during videography, I have some choices for you if you are struggling to find a camera that would bring the best of your videos, check the best budget cinema cameras.
Wedding Photographer
From nature to urban landscapes, my camera is my tool for expressing my creativity and telling stories through my lens.