ZHIYUN CINEPEER WEEBILL 3E review 

At first glance, the ZHIYUN CINEPEER WEEBILL 3E looks like a completely new model within the Weebill series, featuring a white main build with black gimbal axes, an attractive white grip, and a black tripod. However, upon closer inspection, you can see the similarities between this and the 3S. Features such as the fill light area are covered, and the vertical mount does not have a USB Type-C port, which is present in the Weebill 3S.

Essentially, the WEEBILL 3E is a stripped-down version of the Weebill 3S, rebranded under the Cinepeer line to provide a more affordable entry into using these impressive stabilisers. The build quality is superb, with the usual tripod, main body, and axis arms needing to be assembled before use. Balancing the camera only takes a couple of minutes.

One of the standout features of the WEEBILL 3E is its native support for both landscape and portrait orientation. This can be achieved in two ways: by rotating the axis arms for quick portrait shooting, which is somewhat limited in movement, or by undoing the base clamp and rotating the camera from landscape to portrait on the base plate. This allows for a full range of motion with the gimbal in portrait orientation, which is a clever design.

Unlike previous Weebill models, the CINEPEER WEEBILL 3E is stripped down even in terms of packaging. Instead of the more elaborate packaging of the other models, it comes in a semi-hard foam case containing the gimbal and two USB cables, keeping it simple.

The ZHIYUN CINEPEER WEEBILL 3E is extremely well-made and designed with a blend of high-quality plastic and metal. Unlike other models, which are all black, this one features a white and black colour scheme, giving it a distinct and appealing aesthetic.

As with other Weebill models, there is an option to add a sling grip. This is an optional extra that needs to be purchased separately, but as seen with the Weebill 3S, adding the sling grip makes the gimbal much more comfortable for prolonged use.

The grip layout is familiar, with the power button and menu on the right-hand side where your thumb rests. You also have the options selection dial there. Directly in front, there’s the main screen displaying all options and settings. Just to the left of the screen is the thumb joystick, perfectly positioned for manual control over the gimbal’s movements. Below that, there’s the record button, which, when the camera is connected via USB-C, enables you to start and stop recording. Next to the record button is the M button (mode button), which lets you quickly switch through the different modes accessible on this gimbal.

Ultimately, this single-handed gimbal stabiliser is one of the lightest on the market in relation to its load capacity. The size and weight will mean that it will easily slip into your backpack, be ready for use whenever needed, and handle some of the highest resolution and advanced mirrorless cameras available today with ease. This makes it a really interesting option for those who don’t need a built-in fill light but still want a high-quality, versatile gimbal stabiliser.

When it comes to features, the ZHIYUN CINEPEER WEEBILL 3E retains many elements from the WEEBILL 3S while streamlining certain aspects. Although it lacks the fill light and USB-C port for a focus motor found in the 3S, the WEEBILL 3E still boasts a decent feature set.

The first notable feature is its ultralight weight of just 990g and compact dimensions of 361 x 121 x 265 mm. This makes it easy to fit into your backpack and handle, especially with smaller cameras like the Sony ZV-E10 Mark II, offering a lightweight yet powerful vlogging setup.

Setting up the gimbal is straightforward, thanks to its Bluetooth shutter wireless control, which eliminates the need for cables. For Sony cameras, simply activate Bluetooth in the camera settings to establish a connection. Alternatively, a plug-and-play connection via USB-C allows for easy control of recording functions.

The integrated 0.96-inch LED display is simple but effective, allowing you to see and adjust gimbal settings on the go. Additionally, the ZY Play app offers further interaction and remote control capabilities.

The rotary button, customisable on the 3S for focus pulling, can be configured for tilt or roll adjustments on the 3E. The standard trigger button allows for quick camera flips from horizontal to reverse or front-facing positions, which can be customised to your preference.

While the sling grip is an optional extra for $139, it is a worthwhile addition for extended use, providing comfort and better control.

One of the WEEBILL 3E’s standout features is its ability to switch the camera orientation from landscape to portrait quickly. This can be done by rotating the axis arms or using a native portrait switch, allowing for full-range movement in portrait orientation.

The gimbal’s battery performance is impressive. The 2600mAh battery takes around 2 hours and 46 minutes to charge after fully charging the PD. This enables up to 16 hours of operating time per charge, with a quick charge option of two hours, ensuring you can shoot all day without power concerns.

Considering its price, the WEEBILL 3E offers a comprehensive range of features, even without the fill light and focus puller options. This makes it a highly impressive and valuable tool for videographers and content creators.

Setting up the ZHIYUN CINEPEER WEEBILL 3E is straightforward and as user-friendly as gimbals go. The initial step involves charging the gimbal using a USB Type-C charger, which takes about two hours for a full charge. Once charged, the next step is to set up and balance the camera. First, attach the tripod to the bottom of the gimbal with a few twists and set it on a flat surface.

Mounting the camera involves attaching a base plate to the bottom of the camera and then sliding the camera into the gimbal arm. You can then use the two levers underneath to adjust the camera’s position. Although the positioning of these levers can be a bit confusing at first, with one for sliding the camera left or right and the other for moving backwards and forwards, the process becomes intuitive with practice. Balancing the camera involves unlocking and adjusting each axis arm (roll, tilt, and pan) one at a time. The entire balancing process typically takes 2 to 3 minutes once you’ve had some practice, if that, although it might take up to 10 minutes the first time.

Another nice feature is the ability to connect the gimbal to your camera using the ZY Play app via Bluetooth or with a USB Type-C cable. The app connection is very straightforward: select the CINEPEER WEEBILL 3E in the app and click connect. Within a few seconds, you’ll be in the simple control interface. Alternatively, the USB connection is also easy, allowing you to start and stop recording without the need for an app.

When using the gimbal, its small, lightweight nature is immediately apparent. It works incredibly well with cameras like the Sony Alpha 7 IV, providing nicely stabilised footage. The gimbal’s responsiveness and stability are impressive, and it compensates smoothly for movements, ensuring a professional look. The small LCD screen, while not overly detailed, provides enough information to check and adjust settings as needed.

The joystick on the gimbal handle is well-positioned for thumb control, although it can be a bit of a reach. This is where the optional sling grip comes into play, making the joystick more comfortable to use. Even without the sling grip, the joystick allows for small corrections to the camera’s position, enhancing the overall control.

The lack of a fill light and the ability to mount a focus motor are omissions, but they don’t detract significantly from the gimbal’s performance. As an entry-level stabiliser, it offers excellent value, providing high-quality stabilisation at a budget-friendly price. If you need advanced features like a fill light, you can always add one of ZHIYUN’s accessories. For focusing, you’ll need to rely on your camera’s autofocus system, which is typically sufficient for most situations.

Overall, the performance of the ZHIYUN CINEPEER WEEBILL 3E is exceptional for its size and price. At around £250 ($250), it offers professional-grade stabilisation, making it a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to enhance their video production quality.

Presently, there are a huge number of single-handed gimbal stabilisers on the market, and most of them are now pretty good. The slightly DIY look that many initially sported has long since gone, with product designers being called in and really refining the design and usability of these devices.

Gimbals’ design and weight have also rapidly improved, as has their load capacity. The ZHIYUN CINEPEER WEEBILL 3E is a perfect example of this progress. It’s small and compact yet able to cope with relatively large mirrorless cameras like the Sony Alpha 7 IV without any issues. It provides all the basic operations you need in a small and easy-to-use package.

Some aspects of the WEEBILL 3E have been removed compared to more expensive models, such as the fill light and the ability to connect a focus motor. However, these omissions are justified by the lower price. If you need these features, you can always opt for the slightly more expensive models in the WEEBILL range. For most people just getting into using a gimbal, this model will absolutely do the job. More importantly, for any institution looking for a cheap and effective stabilisation solution, the WEEBILL 3E is going to stand up to its use by students, making it a perfect choice.