Sliders come in all shapes and sizes. Here’s a short-list of purpose-built sliders to help you find the right slider for your needs.

While it would be nice, no slider is perfect for every situation– different sliders are better-suited to different purposes. This guide distills a mountain of research and testing into a concise list of sliders, each of which are optimized for a particular job.

Whether you travel frequently, shoot in the great outdoors, or need a slider that follows your commands down to the millimeter, there is a slider for you in the list below.

The Globe-Trotter: Edelkrone SliderPlus Medium

Frequent travelers need gear that packs up small and doesn’t way a ton. At only 17 inches long, Edelkrone’s SliderPlus Medium easily fits in a backpack, but still manages to provide 24 inches of camera travel.

The SliderPlus features an innovative dual-rail design that allows this slider to remain compact without sacrificing on slider distance. This combination makes the SliderPlus uniquely ideal for travelers who need to carry all of their gear on their back, but don’t want to be limited to short slider movements.

Here’s a video of the SliderPlus in action by Resolve Film:

The Outdoorsman: Cinevate Duzi

Shooting outdoors can be unpredictable, which is why you need a solid slider that is simple to maintain in the field.

Cinevate’s Duzi slider seems like it was make specifically for the nature shooter who spends most of their time outdoors. The Duzi is built like a tank and its straightforward construction means that you don’t have to jump through a lot of hoops just to make an adjustment to the slider in the field.

One of the Duzi’s biggest benefits is its rod-based track. Instead of using a solid rail, the Duzi is wide open between the rods. This allows debris to fall right through rather than getting trapped, which makes inspecting the track and bearings dead simple.

Perhaps the Duzi’s only downside is the lack of all-terrain legs, which would definitely be handy when you need to set up a shot on an uneven surface (thanks, nature). The Duzi can be used with a single tripod or a pair of light stands, but if you need to shoot from the ground, you can pick up a set of all-terrain legs as an optional add-on.

Here’s a video of the Duzi in action by Cinevate:

The Chameleon: iFootage Shark S1

iFootage’s Shark S1 slider can transform to meet the needs of a variety of shooting situations.

By default, the Shark slider is a relatively compact slider that delivers over 25 inches of camera travel. However, when a shot calls for a longer camera movement, you can use the Shark’s track extensions to nearly double the slider’s travel to over 47 inches.

The Shark slider is also capable of very smooth moves. Whereas some sliders may require multiple takes (especially for ultra-slow movements), the Shark’s belt-driven carriage employs a counterweight to deliver smooth and consistent movement from start to finish.

However, be aware that there are some potential hurdles if you require support for the Shark slider. For one, it looks like the slider would need to be shipped to China for repairs. The language gap could also be an obstacle– when I inquired about the Shark’s warranty, they simply replied,

“Sorry we are not interested in it.”

Here’s a video of the Shark slider in action by Ton van de Merwe:

The Weekend Warrior: Kamerar S-23 MKII

If slider shots are your bread and butter, then choosing the cream of the crop is a no-brainer. However, if you only need a slider shot from time to time, you might be looking for a slider that will get the job done without breaking the bank.

While Kamerar’s S-23 MKII may not feature the bomb-proof build or extendable tracks of higher-priced sliders, it does include several features that make it an interesting option for shooters who are just starting out or who don’t need a slider all day, every day.

First, the S-23 MKII features tie-down points on the carriage and a pulley at each end of its track. This allows you to use a counterweight for smooth and controlled vertical or diagonal slides.

In addition to a central mounting point and all-terrain legs, the entire track is Arca-Swiss compatible. This means that you can mount the track directly on quick-release tripod clamps, allowing for a secure hold and quick setup without having to turn a single screw.

The S-23 MKII’s bearings may not be as large or robust as those on a heavy-duty slider, but they should provide reasonably smooth slides as long as you don’t overload the carriage.

Here’s a video of the S-23 MKII in action by Purple Porcupine Media:

The Control Freak: Kessler Stealth Traveler + Second Shooter (3-Axis)

Kessler makes sliders for all levels of production, all the way up to fully-loaded cinema cameras. However, for smaller cameras like the Panasonic GH4, the Stealth Traveler delivers the goods.

The Stealth features a belt-driven carriage with adjustable drag control. This allows for smooth and controlled camera movements even at very slow speeds.

Here’s a video of the Stealth in action by Julian van Dieken:

In addition, the Stealth is fully compatible with Kessler’s Second Shooter motion control system. When attached to the Stealth, the Second Shooter provides programmable control over the slider’s carriage as well as control over the pan and tilt axes of the camera.

With a motion control system like the Second Shooter, the camera’s movement is smooth and repeatable in all 3 axes, making it ideal for shots with complex blocking, visual effects shots, and even time-lapse photography.

Here’s an overview of the Second Shooter by Kessler:

The Multi-Tool: ProMediaGear PMG-DUO

Most sliders have a straight track, so if you want to keep a subject centered in the frame, you need to use a fluid head to pan the camera simultaneously while it slides across the track. This is certainly doable, but complex moves like this require practice and you may need multiple takes before you get a keeper.

ProMediaGear’s PMG-DUO aims to simplify the process with a curved track. Now all you have to do is position the slider in relation to the subject and the curved track will keep the camera pointed at the subject throughout the entire movement.

As its name implies, the PMG-DUO also has another trick up it’s sleeve. Flip the slider over and you also have straight track for standard sliding movements.

Here’s a video of the PMG-DUO in action:

A Slider for Every Need

Choosing a slider is more than just getting the one with the best price, coolest features, or a specific brand name. Sliders are designed with different purposes in mind, so choosing the right slider means you need to consider how you will be using it.

For example, being compact and lightweight is essential for frequent travelers, so Edelkrone’s SliderPlus Medium is a good fit.

On the other hand, the standard rail of most sliders can trap debris that can affect a slider’s performance, whereas the Cinevate Duzi’s open-air rod-based track makes it a good option for nature shooters.

Take a good look at what you’ll be using a slider for and you’ll end up making a much better decision when you buy a slider.

Future guides and reviews in this series will dig even deeper into the best sliders for different types of production such as travel, documentary, corporate, and narrative filmmaking. Sign up for updates below to be notified automatically when these resources are available.

Related

• Panasonic GH4
• Edelkrone SliderPlus v2 (Medium)
• Cinevate Duzi Slider (All-Terrain Legs)
• iFootage Shark S1
• Kamerar S-23 MKII
• Kessler Stealth Traveler
• Kessler Second Shooter (3-Axis)
• ProMedia Gear PMG-DUO (24″)

Stabilizing the Panasonic GH4

• Stabilization Options: Introduction & Overview

3-Axis Gimbals

• 3-Axis Brushless Gimbals: The Definitive Guide
• Five 3-Axis Brushless Gimbals for the Panasonic GH4
• Review: Varavon Birdycam 2
  • Part 1: Features & Functionality
  • Part 2: Setup & Performance

Sliders

• Stay on Track: Using Sliders with the Panasonic GH4
• 10 Things You Should Know Before Buying a Slider for the Panasonic GH4
• 6 Purpose-Built Sliders for the Panasonic GH4
• Cinevate Duzi Slider Review: Solid, Compact, Smooth

More Panasonic GH4 Guides

• Why You Should Be Excited About the Panasonic GH4
• Lenses for the Panasonic GH4 — Awesome glass for an awesome camera.
• Memory Cards for the Panasonic GH4 — Get the right memory cards for HD and 4K.
• Configuring the Panasonic GH4 for Video Production — Set the GH4 up for filmmaking.
• Rigging the Panasonic GH4 — Cages, Rigs, Components, Gear, and Reviews.
• Stabilizing the Panasonic GH4 — Tripods, Monopods, Sliders, 3-Axis Gimbals, etc.
• Maximizing the Panasonic GH4’s Audio Performance — Sound matters.
• Powering the Panasonic GH4 — Keep the GH4 shooting all day.
• Should you buy the YAGH for the Panasonic GH4?
• 6 Reasons Why DSLR Shooters Love the Panasonic GH4