When it comes to a small, lighter weight gimbal we look straight to the Beholder MS1 from Ikan. Overall, it’s a simple, reasonably priced, easy to use well-built piece of kit.
The gimbal is a compact, aluminum build and weighs in at just over a pound. It is solid without being overbearing. The details in the design are well thought out as well. The wires are located behind foam in the pathways and easily accessible, however they aren’t exposed. We love this attention to detail. 
The plate on which the camera rests has rubberized resistance pads to help the camera from moving or sliding during operation. There is also an adapter that allows you to expand the number of lens and camera combinations
All in, the build is great because while it is solidly built with metal, it remains light enough to use for an extended period of time.
Next we are going to talk about the use and operation of the gimbal, which you can sum up it one word: simple. You simply balance it in your hand, turn it on, and away you go.
One of the great things about the MS1 is the joystick which allows you to pan and tilt the camera on the fly without a second operator.
The downside is the batteries. Not so much the battery life itself but the amount of time it takes to charge them. It takes roughly 5 hours to completely charge them. However, you can easily purchase a second set of these batteries to use while the others are charging.
All together, the MS1 is easy to operate and produces great cinematic results. With its built-in 5-way joystick control it gives you the ability to have complete command over pan/tilt and mode choice. It also gives you the choice to select from “Follow,” “Lock,” and lets you adjust Pan-and-Tilt. With these features this gimbal will take your cinematography to the next level!
The Beholder MS1 is top-notch when it comes to gimbal capability and its price point is relatively low at $599.99. We think that you will be pleased with the results you achieve, especially at this price level.
More Information on the Ikan Beholder MS1 Gimbal:
Features
- Simple to Operate
- Light Weight Durable Construction
- Works with the A7S, GH4 and BMPCC and More
- Equipped with 3 Axis Gyro Stabilized Brushless Motors to Balance Most Mirrorless Cameras
- Lithium Battery Powered- Low Maintenance, Eco-Friendly
- Illuminated ON-OFF Switch/Battery Indicator
- 1/4″-20 Tripod Mount Socket
The Beholder Gimbal MS1 is a 3-axis handheld camera stabilizer designed for point & shoot and mirrorless cameras to achieve smooth, stable footage. The Beholder uses brushless gimbal motors to stabilize movement on tilt-and-roll axes and provide incredibly smooth image capture while shooting handheld, while walking, or in any situation in which the camera is moving. The MS1 can support up to 1.9 pounds (860 grams) of camera. The gimbal’s ¼” – 20 thread mount at the bottom of the handle is perfect for attaching an articulating monitor arm for monitoring / recording (e.g., a small monitor or smartphone), or for mounting the MS1 to a monopod, tripod or slider. A USB port on the handle can be used to power a small LED light or your smartphone. Included with the stabilizer is a quick-release balance plate, an offset camera mount, a USB power supply for charging, and a travel case.
The Beholder Gimbal is perfect for point & shoot and mirrorless cameras such as the Sony a7S, RX-100, Alpha and NEX series, Panasonic GH4, Samsung NX500, and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera.
The USB port on the handle can be used to charge or power your smartphone, GoPro camera or other USB-powered devices. This is convenient if your camera has a Wi-Fi “Live” Mode and you send the signal to your smartphone.
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