Thinkware Snap-G Gimbal Palms-On Overview

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Thinkware Snap-G Gimbal Overview Abstract

Overview Abstract

The Thinkware Snap-G gimbal is an all-in-one answer for aspiring content material creators who don’t have a full suite of videography gear. With its small handheld type issue and a mess of 4k video and photograph customization choices, it has all the pieces you’ll have to get began with video creation.

Professionals

Quite a lot of superior video modes to select from

4k video at 60fps in a small package deal

Interface is user-friendly and the touchscreen is responsive

All-in-one package deal for these in search of a laidback videography answer

Commonplace ¼” M4 thread helps you to mount it to a motorbike / ebike as an motion cam

Cons

Gimbal swivel doesn’t lock when turned off

Handheld grip could also be a bit quick for these with bigger arms

4.1

Common, With Drawbacks

Overview Abstract

  • Priced at $449, the Snap-G comes with a powerful quantity of video customization at your fingertips.
  • The Snap-G can take 12MP images and 4k movies at 60 FPS in a wide range of modes similar to huge, linear, and slender.
  • It comes with video seize options similar to sluggish movement, timelapse, and tremendous night time imaginative and prescient (SNV). Tremendous cool!
  • 2000 mAh battery affords loads of life and as much as 2 hours of recording time.
  • Finest used as a videography system because the huge lens tends to distort photograph photographs.

About Thinkware

Thinkware is located in Korea and is well-known for its manufacturing of progressive dashcams. After reviewing their M1 motorbike dashcam, we partnered with them to evaluation their not too long ago launched Snap-G gimbal digicam, the primary providing of their line of motion cameras.

Snap-G {Hardware} Specs

For an entire spec listing, go to the Thinkware Snap-G product web page.

Normal

  • LCD Display screen: 2″ IPS (with Capacitive Contact)
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth succesful
  • Constructed-in speaker and microphone port
  • Weight: 178.0 g (0.39 lb)

Digital camera

  • Sensor Measurement: 1/2.3″ CMOS / 12.3MP
  • Lens: FOV: 133.9° (diagonally) / F2.6
  • Most Picture Measurement: 4,506 x 3,040
  • Picture File Format and Ratio: JPEG, RAW (16:9 / 4:3 / 1:1)
  • Picture Modes: Picture, Panorama
  • Video Mode:  Video, Time Lapse, Hyperlapse, Gradual Movement, Dynamic Movement Recording, SNV Mode
  • Monitoring Mode: FACE ID Auto Monitoring, AI Monitoring, Face Monitoring, Lively Monitoring

Video Decision [PAL and NTSC]

  • (PAL) 4K @50, 25, 24 fps and (NTSC) 4K @60, 30, 24 fps
  • (PAL) 2.7K @50, 25, 24 fps and (NTSC) 2.7K @60, 30, 24 fps
  • (PAL) 1080P @100, 50, 25, 24fps and (NTSC) 1080P @120, 60, 30, 24fps
  • Video File Format: MOV, MP4

Battery

  • Kind: Detachable 2000 mAh lithium-ion
  • Charging Time: 180 min
  • Working Time: 120 min (FHD @30fps with LCD off)

Snap-G Field Contents

  • Thinkware Snap-G gimbal digicam
  • Detachable battery
  • USB-C charging cable
  • Storage bag
  • Wrist strap
  • Consumer guide

Design and Options

Front screen of the Thinkware Snap-G

The Snap-G gimbal includes a 2” IPS touchscreen and is designed to be held with a single hand. On the again facet is a thumb joystick for digicam motion, the Mode/Energy button, and the document button. A canopy and a push launch button provides you entry to the detachable lithium-ion battery.

Removed battery cover on Thinkware Snap-G
On the entrance finish of the gimbal is the set off which lets you toggle a wide range of capabilities that we’ll converse to in a while.

Being a single-handed system, I did discover that the deal with was a tad small. The contouring of the system itself is triangular and whereas it was nonetheless pretty comfy to carry, I believe it might be extra ergonomic.

The Snap-G gimbal has a clear matte black aesthetic and is skilled wanting, one thing that I respect each time I decide it up. Storage-wise, it might accommodate as much as a 512gb micro-SD card supplying you with loads of room for hi-res video. You’ll be capable of slot in as much as 2 hours of recording time if you happen to keep on with FHD (aka 1920x1080p).

General, the gimbal itself has a snug heft coming in at 178g / (0.39lb) and is straightforward to carry and unsurprisingly, heavy on the highest the place the digicam and gyro sensor are contained. The bottom can stand to be a bit wider in addition to I used to be consistently attempting to determine one of the best ways to set the gimbal down, so do your self a favour and get a mini-tripod.

Thinkware Snap-G on a tripod
I’d be fascinated by seeing how a barely longer deal with and form would fare as I really feel it might make the gimbal simpler to carry. That stated, the package deal did include a wrist strap which I extremely recommend you utilize.

Holding the gimbal with wrist strap on

Consumer Interface

Diving into the person interface, the primary display will default to the mode you final used (photograph or video). The principle menu tree provides you the next choices relying on which method you swipe:

Menu options and settings
Credit score: Thinkware Consumer Information

 

The two” LCD touchscreen may be very conscious of navigation and the choices are principally intuitive. Within the settings menu, it provides you choices similar to:

  • Wifi
  • System Settings
  • Display screen Brightness
  • Sound On/Off
  • Gimbal Settings (Velocity, Sensitivity, Calibration, and so on)

Settings menu on the LCD screen

I received’t go into the entire totally different settings as a result of there’s an excessive amount of to listing. Thinkware provides you full management over your photograph/video expertise and makes it extraordinarily simple to be taught for any newcomer in content material creation.

You possibly can simply spend hours enjoying with all of the totally different settings for the reason that Snap-G takes video as much as 4k and 60 FPS in numerous modes (see the Video High quality part the place we dive into all of the modes).

Picture Options and High quality

Images

The Snap-G permits customers to take commonplace 12-megapixel images (~4000×3000 decision). Images may be set to a ratio of 16:9, 4:3, or 1:1 in JPEG or RAW format. You can even maintain Publicity and White stability settings on auto, or make guide changes.

Helmet photos taken in various aspect ratios
Side ratios: 1:1 high left, 4:3 high proper, 6:19 backside

In November, I had the chance to take the Snap-G to Africa the place my spouse and I had a safari tour deliberate. Under are the images with none color correction.

Outdoor photo of African safari

Whereas it does take first rate images, there’s an apparent distortion on the edges as a result of wideness of the lens which may also be fastened in software program throughout photograph correction. With images, there is no such thing as a technique to change the FOV from Extensive to Linear or Slim, so all images may have the fisheye impact.

Outdoor photo of a lion taken with the gimbal camera

Fisheye lens effect in an outdoor photo
You possibly can see the fisheye lens impact clearly on this photograph.

Images are clear below brilliant daylight, however the auto publicity settings could have some bother with brightness when the surroundings is a little more complicated such because the under panorama shot of the Ngorongoro Crater under.

Landscape photo of the Ngorongoro Crater
The gimbal had bother with balancing the brightness ranges on this panorama shot as a result of shadows.

 

With the ability to take images with the Snap-G isn’t a foul factor however the gimbal additionally wants time to regulate and stabilize earlier than you possibly can lastly snap that photograph. I commend Thinkware for the trouble however would defer to the common smartphone for primary pictures.

Panorama Mode

Panorama mode is attention-grabbing as a result of the Snap-G provides you many totally different choices:

  • 180 diploma
  • 360 diploma
  • 3×3 panorama

For a 180-degree photograph, the Snap-G will take 3 images at roughly 3-second intervals which was method too lengthy for me to carry nonetheless by hand. Double that if you happen to picked the 360-degree and triple that if you happen to take a 3×3.

Admittedly, I didn’t take too many panorama images. Because the Snap-G is primarily a handheld software, the panorama photographs will probably not align completely until you mount the gimbal to a tripod.

Fortunately, the Snap-G App will allow you to edit and sew collectively panoramic images. The app mechanically detects panoramic photograph information and places them collectively. Outcomes fluctuate and sometimes I’d get some images that weren’t completely lined up.

Generally the app would additionally acknowledge that panoramic images are poor high quality and be unable to sew them collectively.

180-degree panoramic photo
A 180-degree panoramic photograph stitched collectively utilizing the Snap-G app. Handheld photograph.

 

3 by 3 panoramic photo stitched together using Snap-G app
3×3 panoramic photograph stitched collectively. Taken utilizing a tripod.

For panoramic images on the Snap-G, I’d wholeheartedly agree {that a} tripod mount is an absolute necessity.

Video Options and High quality

The Snap-G makes use of a 3-axis stabilization system to maintain issues regular if you’re recording video. It’s a normal setup that you just see on many different gimbal choices.

Video

Common video may be shot in these numerous configurations:

  • 1080p at 24, 30, 60, and 120 FPS
  • 2.7K at 24, 30, and 60 FPS
  • 4K at 24, 30, and 60 FPS
  • 3 angles can be found: huge, linear, and slender.

In case you don’t just like the fisheye lens distortion in your video, change the settings to linear and slender.

The gimbal does an important job of recording video easily. Throughout our safari, the Land Cruiser traversed gravel and grime paths which the Snap-G compensates for simply. And belief me, a few of these roads had been downright rocky with the car 3-wheeling it at occasions.

Actually, the M4 1/2-inch thread is the usual dimension that may mean you can connect it to a wide range of mounts whether or not they’re tripods or the handlebar of your favourite motorbike/ebike/escooter for video recording.

M4 1/4" thread on bottom of the gimbal

With video mode, there are a number of capabilities that may optimize your Snap-G expertise. Holding down the set off will lock on to scene and maintain it in body. A double faucet of the set off will recenter the digicam. Lastly, a triple faucet of the set off will toggle between entrance/selfie mode. John Wick can be proud.

Trigger and speaker on the front of the gimbal
To zoom in for recording, press the set off and maintain up on the joystick. Holding it down will zoom out. Simple peasy.

AI and Face Monitoring Modes

AI and Face Monitoring may be toggled by ready for a white rectangle to point out up after which tapping on the display for the software program to lock on in a yellow field. Face monitoring works effectively and is conscious of motion as soon as locked in however AI monitoring on numerous objects similar to vehicles and my canines appeared to be hit-or-miss. Generally it might acknowledge the thing and typically it might not register.

Face Tracking enabled on the gimbal camera
It’s price mentioning that many of those quirks are topic to firmware and in future updates, we might see these software program points be resolved.

Dynamic Movement Recording

For individuals who need to get a bit extra technical with their videography, you should utilize Dynamic Movement Recording which helps you to customise and add as much as to 4 recording factors with a timer. This characteristic is implausible for individuals who need to do handsfree recording or have the gimbal recording over a size of house throughout a timelapse seize, much like a motorized slider.

The truth that Thinkware has offered customers with an important number of changes on a user-friendly interface locations the gimbal as a particularly versatile product.

Gradual Movement

In case you set the Snap-G in 1080p recording mode, Gradual Movement seize is obtainable to shoot video at 4x sluggish pace. The place this recording characteristic may be helpful is if you’re wanting so as to add cinematic results to a video similar to closeups of a tire spinning.

If 4x pace is a bit sluggish in your tastes, you possibly can pace it up throughout modifying or decelerate common footage.

Under is an instance of a Gradual Movement recording of the corals waving in flowing water inside my reef tank. Gradual movement is mesmerizing and an attention-grabbing operate I discover myself utilizing in amusing methods.

Timelapse / Hyperlapse

Timelapses and Hyperlapse let customers compress a prolonged video right into a considerably shorter video. Consider it as watching a video at tremendous excessive pace. Each modes do the identical however are utilized in barely totally different settings.

Straight from the person guide:

Various video modes on the Snap-G gimbal

I had loads of enjoyable testing out timelapses on topics like my residence reef tank and recording the underwater exercise with fish swimming round whereas corals open and shut.

From a content material creation perspective, it’s positively a characteristic that customers will discover useful in bringing their video creations to the following stage.

You possibly can document a 3-hour motorbike cruise and match it right into a 5-minute video. In case you’re making a restore or altering out a fairing in your sportbike, it might showcase progress in a fast method. Tons of content material is now created with that in thoughts. We’ve all seen these motorbike restoration timelapses.

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I dig that this characteristic is built-in as all video recordings may be exported simply by way of USB-C.

Tremendous Evening Imaginative and prescient

SNV mode is Thinkware’s proprietary mode for low-light recording. It should optimize the settings and decrease the recording to fifteen FPS. The video nonetheless finally ends up being a bit grainier so don’t anticipate this to provide high-resolution movies.

SNV know-how can be carried out in Thinkware’s bevy of automotive dashcams.

Sound

The Snap-G has a 3.5mm audio jack proper subsequent to the document button the place you possibly can plug in a mic. The system itself additionally has audio system so you possibly can not less than confirm that the recording has audio.

3.5mm audio jack on the side of the Snap-G
The built-in audio high quality was not as clear as an exterior microphone however they hardly ever are. So if clear audio output is essential to your finish product, make sure to contemplate that when recording.

Content material Creation

To offer you an concept of how simple it was for a beginner like myself to create content material with the Snap-G gimbal, I met Jared on a weekend afternoon to take some easy B-roll photographs in his motorbike storage.

In case you’re a content material creator, you’ll already know the significance of planning your photographs forward of time which we utterly uncared for to do; no storyboarding, no blueprints. We simply rolled with it.

After taking about 4-5 photographs and chatting method longer about his love for the KTM Tremendous Duke G in his storage, I set residence to assemble my beginner B-roll with a free on-line video modifying software like Canva.

Screenshot of the video editing process on Canva

The video modifying course of adopted these steps general:

  1. Add all your movies right into a gallery.
  2. Select the footage you’d like to make use of and splice them right into a single reel.
  3. Add audio, video results, transitions, and credit as required.
  4. Export your ultimate file.
  5. Pat your self on the again and make a fair higher video subsequent time.

I ended up utilizing 3 of the 5 photographs we took and perused royalty-free web sites for an audio monitor, added in some easy fade transitions and that was it.

That’s the great thing about the Snap-G gimbal. I discovered it extraordinarily simple to make use of and with follow and a few setting changes like gimbal sensitivity and pan pace, you possibly can finetune it to take away the shaking that was evident in our pattern video.

It’s on no account any indication of the numerous quantity of effort that video content material creation entails, however showcases how approachable Thinkware has made its product when mixed with different accessible video instruments that yow will discover on-line.

Wi-Fi Mode and Snap-G App

As I stated, there’s a lot to say in regards to the Snap-G however I’ve to make a point out of Wi-Fi mode. Thinkware has a Snap-G app accessible on iTunes and Google Play retailer. You allow the wi-fi on the gimbal itself and as soon as the pairing is completed in your smartphone, you possibly can hyperlink the system within the Snap-G app.

What does it do, you ask? It means that you can management the gimbal remotely in a reside view! The app additionally permits entry to the entire digicam settings and recording modes.

Screenshot of the mobile phone app interface
You can even edit images, sew collectively your panoramas and add them on to a social media account.

What I Like About The Snap-G

The most important energy of the Snap-G is the unimaginable menu of modes and changes which might be accessible to its person.

 

  • 4K stabilized video? Examine.
  • Varied capturing modes? Examine.
  • Capability to attach an exterior mic? Examine.
  • 0.39lb weight so I can carry all of it day? Examine.
  • An app that syncs with the built-in wifi? Examine

At a $349.99 USD worth level, it’s priced competitively contemplating that many smartphone gimbals such because the Osmo Cell 3 are available between the $150 to $200 mark, and it’s essential to connect your smartphone them.

Different pocket gimbals similar to the favored DJI Pocket 2 can be found however the Snap-G is a critical contender that packs a critical punch in a small package deal whether or not you’re simply seeking to make some vlogs of your favourite pastime, some POV motorbike movies, or some plain ol’ beautiful hyperlapse videography.

There may be a lot enjoyable bundled into the Snap-G that I’ll be utilizing it a lot for any future content material creation to return.

What I’d Change About The Snap-G

A much bigger deal with and higher contouring can be a welcome design addition as there have been occasions when the gimbal didn’t sit effectively in my hand. As a one-handed system, it’s essential that the system is comfy and safe to carry. The Snap-G isn’t egregiously small however having ergonomic grips that make it comfortable to carry can be good to see. Not a giant deal, however price mentioning.

Thinkware Snap-G gimbal on counter

A bigger base or physique would even be good to see as it’ll enable those that don’t have a tripod to set it down with out the digicam rolling about.

The ultimate design characteristic that I’d personally like is for the gimbal to lock when not in use. It flops round. It’s essentially the most essential a part of the system. It have to be protected.

Professionals

  • Quite a lot of superior video modes to select from
  • 4k video at 60fps in a small package deal
  • Interface is user-friendly and the touchscreen is responsive
  • All-in-one package deal for these in search of a laidback videography answer
  • Commonplace ¼” M4 thread helps you to mount it to a motorbike / ebike as an motion cam

Cons

  • Gimbal swivel doesn’t lock when turned off
  • Handheld grip could also be a bit quick for these with bigger arms

Necessary Hyperlinks / The place to Purchase

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