It's been 10 years since DJI introduced the Ronin series of cameras and stabilization accessories, and the company is marking the occasion with two new gimbals, aimed at both independent video creators and professional studios.
The DJI RS 4 is the smaller of the two gimbals. It weighs 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) and is capable of supporting camera systems weighing up to 6.6 lbs (3 kg), just like its predecessor, the RS 3. Some improvements over the previous model include upgraded axis locks that provide improved stability when shooting vertically. A new joystick mode switch for jumping between joystick controls to zoom or stabilize, and an additional 8.5mm on the tilt axis gives it more room to accommodate camera accessories.
The OLED touchscreen also has an automatic screen lock that prevents accidental touches from messing up the settings and conserves battery power. It comes with the same quick-release BG21 battery grip as the RS 3, which supports 18W fast charging and has a runtime of up to 12 hours, reaching a full charge in about 2.5 hours. If you need more juice (and can handle holding the gimbal longer), the RS 4 also supports DJI's new $149 RS BG70 high-capacity battery grip, which increases runtime to 29.5 hours.
The RS 4 also carries existing features such as Bluetooth control to trigger remote recording, a fine-tuning knob for making fine adjustments to the tilt axis, and support for various shooting modes, including panorama, track and FPV.
If you're a studio working with larger camera systems, there's also the new DJI RS 4 Pro to consider. The big new feature is lidar focusing with 76,800 range points, compared to 43,200 range points on the RS 3 Pro, and a maximum focusing distance to a human subject of 20 meters – almost three times the previous limit of seven metres. The RS 4 Pro also includes dual focus and zoom motors, supporting simultaneous controls for focus (via the front dial) and zoom (via the joystick).
There's also a new Car Mount mode available that improves stability when shooting on shaky vehicles. The DJI RS 4 Pro still comes with the same BG30 battery grip that offers up to 12 hours of playback time but also supports the new high-capacity RS BG70 grip if you need to extend battery life.
The RS 4 Pro weighs 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg), and as with the previous RS 3 Pro model, payload capacity is 10 lbs (4.5 kg). It also features the same gimbal locking upgrades and auto-locking OLED touchscreen as the standard RS 4 gimbal. DJI says motor torque has been increased by 20 percent to maintain tracking accuracy and responsiveness when using heavier camera systems.
The DJI RS 4 and RS 4 Pro cameras will be available today starting at $549 and $869, respectively. A combo pack is also available for each that provides some additional accessories, such as the Focus Pro Motor, Focus Pro Motor Rod Mount Kit, and Focus Gear Strip. This bundle is priced at US$719 for the DJI RS 4 and US$1099 for the RS 4 Pro. You can find out more details about DJI's new products on the company's website.
“Typical beer trailblazer. Hipster-friendly web buff. Certified alcohol fanatic. Internetaholic. Infuriatingly humble zombie lover.”