Ever seen a Godzilla Gimbal fight a Monster Gimbal? In this post, I am going to explore the top 5 powers and abilities of the Feiyutech AK4500 over the AK4000.
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Let’s jump into it.
Just when I am getting the hang of my Feiyu AK4000 DSLR Monster Gimbal, the AK4500 Godzilla comes along… barely 8 months later.
- AK4500 release date – April 2019
- AK4000 release date – September 2018
Should I upgrade? Why did they create AK4500? Is there a big difference?
Make sure to stick around till the end because I will also share with you a link to download the “10 Ways to Use a Camera Gimbal Like a Pro”.
So here are the top 5 big features and benefits the Feiyu AK4500 have over the AK4000.
1. Side Handle
The notable big difference is the extra side handle for you hold the gimbal firmly with 2 hands.
Right now, with the AK4000, I have to hold one single bar with 2 hands. Not very ergonomic.
2. Remote Control
That extra side handle is also a motion-sensing remote control. Something like a Nintendo Wii control. You can move the pan tilt motors wirelessly by moving the remote.
I see myself using this in a seminar shoot where I set up the gimbal as a motorized pan-tilt head on a tripod.
3. 4.6kg Payload
The AK4000 can handle up to 4kg. The AK4500 can handle 600g more… for cameras like the Canon 5DMarkIV, Canon 1D X Mark II, Canon 5D MarkIII, Canon 6D MarkII, Canon 1D X Mark II, Panasonic GH5, Panasonic GH5S, Sony α9. Sony α7R2, Sony α6500, Sony α7R3. Nikon D500, and Nikon D7500.
That’s why the AK4500 is the Godzilla – The King of Monsters.
4. Portrait Mode
Portrait or vertical video is a thing now, especially for IGTV and TikTok. With one click we can switch from landscape mode to portrait mode.
I thought I will only do this on my smartphone gimbal. Now it’s also possible on a big gimbal.
5. Quick Install
The AK4500 has a separate layer at the base plate so that we can remove the camera quickly and put it back without having to re-balance it again.
This is one big feature that I love, especially when I shoot events, where I need to quickly switch to handheld without the gimbal.
Upgrade Worthy?
So those are the 5 big differences the Feiyu AK4500 have over the AK4000. Side Handle, Remote Control, 4.6kg Payload, Portrait Mode, and Quick Install.
Is it worth the upgrade from my AK4000? Probably not.
Now that you know about the latest DSLR Camera Gimbal, you may like to know about the “10 Ways to Use a Camera Gimbal Like a Pro”.
Reply to this post and I will send you the download link.
Check out my Feiyu AK4000 Reviews and Tutorials → https://www.videolane.com/feiyu-ak4000/
See you in the next one!
Adrian Lee
VIDEOLANE.COM
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Do you know if the Ak4500 will power a camera. Trying to figure out if it will be able to power my BMPCC4k, and if so, why cable would I need to get?
I understand the Feiyu AK4500 does not power the camera… Only controls the camera.
Do you know what the compatibility is with the Lumix FZ2500. Feiyutech specs on their site don’t show compatibility with any Panasonic cameras… is this possible? Given the experience you’ve had with AK4000+FZ2500, is it fair to assume the AK4500 will work in the same way?
It is not compatible with the FZ2500.
Interesting – from what I have read there doesn’t seem to be major differnces in sw/firmware between the AK4000 and AK4500. Given your video on getting the FZ2500 working with the AK4000, do you think it would it be possible to get the camera working in the same way on the AK4500? Or are there actually changes to the sw of the AK4500 that would constrain FZ2500 functionality even more?
The ak4000 doesn’t work with the fz2500 completely. Only the shutter button control works and the focus follow. There is a lot more controls for other cameras models. Based on the ak4500 sales page, it supports about the same cameras as the ak4000, which does not include the fz2500.