<p>A steadicam is one solution, but there are others.  You could use a slider dolly, camera crane, jib, shoulder mount, or fluid head tripod, depending on the movement you want.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-03-15T21:38:46.890Z
also, wheelchairs make good, cheap, DIY dolly substitutes.
Jason Conrad
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-03-14T02:57:50.983Z
2013-03-14T02:57:50.983Z
Jason Conrad
<p>You want something like a <a href="http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=steadicam&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8" rel="nofollow">Steadicam</a>.</p>

<p>The idea is to add weight to the camera assembly so that it is stabilized by an increase of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_of_inertia" rel="nofollow">moment of inertia</a>. For larger rigs, the entire thing might be supported by the cameraperson's body on a harness.</p>

<p>For smaller applications, the mount point of the camera is right above where you grip the assembly, and the pivot point is at the top of this grip. Then, a rigid strut extends from the mount point to below the grip, and weight is added at the bottom of this strut so that the center of gravity of the entire assembly (camera included) is at the pivot point.</p>

<p><a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/B005PYZG6E" rel="nofollow">This</a> is an example of something like this that you can purchase, but if you're on a tight budget you might even be able to <a href="http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=diy+steadicam&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8" rel="nofollow">make something yourself</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-07T18:34:18.490Z
To nitpick, it's actually not so much stabilised by gravity as by moment of inertia.
leftaroundabout
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-08T05:30:23.700Z
@leftaroundabout Aha, thanks! [Moment of inertia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_of_inertia)
NReilingh
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-06T05:40:43.723Z
2013-03-18T11:25:02.173Z
2013-03-18T11:25:02.173Z
NReilingh
<p>I have a small camera and this is the first time I'm filming anything that is serious. I'm wonder if there is a cheap way I can smoothly shoot footage in a room while moving without a camera dolly.</p>

<camera><stabilisation>
how can I smoothly move a camera without a dolly?
Alarick mueller
# how can I smoothly move a camera without a dolly?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-07-06)

I have a small camera and this is the first time I'm filming anything that is serious. I'm wonder if there is a cheap way I can smoothly shoot footage in a room while moving without a camera dolly.

**Tags:** camera, stabilisation


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2012-07-06. Score: 11 | Accepted answer

You want something like a [Steadicam](http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=steadicam&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8).

The idea is to add weight to the camera assembly so that it is stabilized by an increase of [moment of inertia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_of_inertia). For larger rigs, the entire thing might be supported by the cameraperson's body on a harness.

For smaller applications, the mount point of the camera is right above where you grip the assembly, and the pivot point is at the top of this grip. Then, a rigid strut extends from the mount point to below the grip, and weight is added at the bottom of this strut so that the center of gravity of the entire assembly (camera included) is at the pivot point.

[This](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/B005PYZG6E) is an example of something like this that you can purchase, but if you're on a tight budget you might even be able to [make something yourself](http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=diy+steadicam&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8).

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: To nitpick, it's actually not so much stabilised by gravity as by moment of inertia.  
> **username_2**: @username_3 Aha, thanks! [Moment of inertia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_of_inertia)  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2013-03-14. Score: 3

A steadicam is one solution, but there are others. You could use a slider dolly, camera crane, jib, shoulder mount, or fluid head tripod, depending on the movement you want.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: also, wheelchairs make good, cheap, DIY dolly substitutes.  

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