Steadicam
A mechanical stabilising system that isolates the camera from the operator's movement using a counterweighted arm and vest.
Measured in
kg
In depth
Invented in the 1970s, it works by inertia rather than motors: the camera is mounted on a sled whose mass is distributed to resist sudden movement, connected to a vest through a spring-loaded isolating arm. It requires considerable operator skill, and it retains an organic quality of movement that motorised gimbals do not reproduce.
Examples in practice
A single continuous shot follows a character through several rooms with a subtle human quality no gimbal duplicates.