Syrp Genie Mini II Announced – Next Generation Pocket-Sized Motion Control Head

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by Jakub HanJune 25^th, 2019

Syrp Genie Mini II has just been announced. The new generation of the pocket-sized camera motion controller further enhances functionality of the first Genie Mini. The new Genie Mini II has the ability to create keyframed movement and multi-row panorama. It is also compatible with upcoming feature releases that will include new features.

Genie Mini II. Source: Syrp

Syrp, company based in New Zealand, has been an innovator in the field of camera motion systems for many years. Most filmmakers will have heard of or even used some of their products. They recently got accquired by Vitec imaging solutions, which is now taking care of their products’ distribution, but the founders are still running the company and developing products, still in New Zealand.

It has already been four years since the introduction of the first Genie Mini. This year at NAB Syrp announced their new Genie II app, which controls basically all Syrp products. Now the company announced its new Syrp Genie Mini II. What are the features of this new pocket-sized camera motion control head?

Syrp Genie Mini II

Genie Mini II basic kit and Pan-Tilt kit with two devices. Source: Syrp

Genie Mini II is Syrp’s smallest motion camera control device. Despite its compact size, it can carry up to 8.8 lbs (4kg) of payload for panning and up to 6.6 lbs (3kg) of payload for tilting (centered). These specs along with the dimensions of the Genie Mini II remained the same as with the first Genie Mini. What also stays the same is the maximum speed of 11º per second. In terms of the design of the device, only minor changes were made.

Genie Mini II Pan-tilt kit for multi-row panoramas. Source: Syrp

What is new with the Genie Mini II when compared to the first generation? There is now Bluetooth 4.2 (the first generation was 4.0) which provides a more reliable and faster connection including the ability to set 10 keyframes rather than 5 and the ability to shoot 5 rows of multi-row panorama instead of 2. It will also enable additional app features, which will come later with free firmware updates. The Genie Mini II now also offers WiFi connectivity and an USB-C port (instead of micro USB).

Genie Mini II is compatible with the latest Syrp Genie 2 App and includes a more advanced keyframing setup mode in addition to “simple setup”. This enables shooting more complex motion control movements by adjusting the speed and path of movement to be completely custom.

Genie Mini II with the Genie II App. Source: Syrp

Multi-row Panorama works when combining two Genie Mini II’s with the Pan Tilt Bracket. It allows creating high resolution ‘gigapixel’ and 360 VR images. A trigger option for move-shoot-move time-lapse is also included.

The only trade-off I see with the new Genie Mini II as opposed to the first generation is the battery life. For time-lapse it is now shorter – 15 hours (was 24 hours with the first generation). That is most likely because of increased power draw of the new Bluetooth standard and WiFi connectivity. When shooting video, the claimed battery life is actually better with 6 hours (was 5 hours with the first generation).

Genie Mini II animation. Source: Syrp

The Genie Mini II will be selling for around $249 US. It is, of course, compatible with the rest of the Syrp product family, like the original Genie Mini, Genie II Linear, Product Turntable,  or Slingshot.

What do you think of the new Syrp Genie Mini II? Do you use the original Genie Mini or other devices from Syrp? How do you like their products? Let us know in the comments below.