The DJI RS 4 ($549) is a modest update to our favorite gimbal for mirrorless cameras, the RS 3. The revised model costs the same as the last one and provides equally effective stabilization for smooth, Steadicam-like handheld video. Its minor upgrades, including vertical video support without the need for additional accessories and larger, Teflon-coated aluminum arms, simply improve the operating experience. If you work with high-end equipment and especially bulky lenses, the pricier RS 4 Pro ($869) can handle more weight. But the RS 4’s 6.6-pound payload capacity and capable feature set are more than sufficient for most creators, so it earns our Editors’ Choice award for powered gimbals. Useful Design ImprovementsThe RS 4’s measurements vary depending on how you configure and position it. Folded down for storage and without the battery grip attached, it comes in at 9.7 by 10.0 by 2.9 inches (HWD) and 2.4 pounds. It’s just a bit heavier than the 2.2-pound RS 3. When the RS 4 is set up and ready to run, it reaches 14.6 by 7.4 by 7.5 inches and weighs 3.1 pounds. It’s quite a bit heftier in use than the $369, 1.8-pound RS 3 Mini, though that’s a necessary trade-off to support bulkier cameras. The Mini gimbal can handle just a 4.4-pound payload and is too small to use with some lenses, whereas the RS 4 can balance up to 6.6 pounds and easily accommodate most wide- and standard-angle full-frame zooms. Although these are all one-handed gimbals, DJI’s Ronin series also includes several two-handed models, such as the Ronin 2, for Hollywood-level productions.
The BG21 battery doubles as the handgrip (Credit: Jim Fisher)
The RS 4 has a few different parts that break down for storage, including the BG21 Grip, which serves as the bottom part of the handle and houses the battery. It provides up to 12 hours of power and recharges via a USB-C port. Expect to get a bit less battery life in practice, since the rating is based on the gimbal operating from a tripod, not handheld. You can swap the battery without tools, though a spare costs $79. DJI also sells the BG70 Grip for $149. This larger handle provides up to 29.5 hours per charge. Both the standard and extended batteries include a standard tripod socket on the bottom. Meanwhile, the RS 4 includes a removable plastic tripod foot, so you can set it down on a flat surface and give your arms a rest.
The RS 4 comes with many small parts that might intimidate creators unfamiliar with gimbals. Dive into the online manual (you don’t get a printed version in the box) for detailed information and complete setup instructions. Reading the manual is essential if you haven’t used a gimbal before.
Creators who have experience with stabilizers should be more at home and are sure to appreciate some of the finer design details of the RS 4. For one, the setup is largely tool-free—I had to use a flathead screwdriver only to attach the quick-release plate to a camera. I’m also a fan of the camera support plate’s geared design. It moves back and forth with a thumbscrew, meaning it’s not difficult to position the camera so that its center of gravity lines up with the gimbal. A printed scale ensures you can note the correct positions for different camera and lens combinations.
Printed scales allow you to note and record the balance positions for different camera and lens positions (Credit: Jim Fisher)
The other arms don’t have thumbscrews but slide into place more readily than with the RS 3. The aluminum construction carries over from the previous generation. The arms are a little larger to support bigger, front-heavy kits. They also get a Teflon coating, which helps reduce friction when you slide them into position and makes balancing easier overall. The auto-locking function from the RS 3 remains: The gimbal closes down and locks when you turn it off and returns automatically to its ready-to-use, unlocked status when you power it back on. If you prefer the old-fashioned method of individually locking and unlocking each arm yourself, that’s still an option in the menu.
It’s easier to set balance thanks to a camera plate with gears and thumbscrew adjustment (Credit: Jim Fisher)
The older RS 3 supports vertical video but requires you to buy an extra accessory to mount your camera for 9:16 recording. The RS 4 drops that requirement. You simply need to adjust the mounting plate to set up for vertical video stabilization. Doing so doesn’t require tools or take long, so creators who tend to mix both horizontal and vertical video into the same session are in for an easier time.Supports Most Mirrorless Cameras and LensesYour choice of camera and lens plays a part in just how easy it is to get the gimbal up and running. The 6.6-pound payload is somewhat misleading, as it’s not the only factor to consider. The center of gravity and overall size of your kit is just as important.
The RS 4 handles cameras like the Lumix S5 with accessories attached (Credit: Jim Fisher)
I tried the RS 4 with a few different setups. It had no problem with the Lumix S5 and 20-60mm zoom, a pair that’s decently small as far as full-frame goes and something the RS 3 Mini can handle. I also had good luck with the Canon EOS R5 and the 15-35mm F2.8 L, which is about as big a lens as you should use with the gimbal. I tried the larger, bulkier Nikon Z 8 with the 135mm F1.8 Plena lens, too. Again, the RS 4 worked well, but the Z8’s viewfinder just barely clears the roll motor since you have to position it far back on the plate to realize proper balance.In short, the RS 4 can handle a midsize zoom or prime on standard full-frame cameras like the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, Nikon Z 6 II, Lumix S5 II, or Sony a7 IV. If you plan to use bigger cameras like the Canon EOS R3 or Nikon Z 9, heavier lenses like the Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM, or accessories such as a matte box or ND filters, I recommend upgrading to the RS 4 Pro. Going in the other direction, creators who use an APS-C, small full-frame (think the Sony a7C II), or Micro Four Thirds body can get away with the RS 3 Mini. In those instances, the reasons to step up to the RS 4 are more about fit and finish—the Mini doesn’t include the useful geared balance plate, for example, or work with as many accessories.
The RS 4 Pro (left) is available if you use cameras and lenses that are too big for the RS 4 (right) to handle (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Packages and Accessory SupportDJI sells the RS 4 with all the necessary accessories for $549 or with a few useful add-ons as the RS 4 Combo for $719. The basic edition includes the gimbal, a battery handle, mounting plates, a tripod foot, and USB-C cables for charging and connecting to the camera.
The Briefcase handle is useful for recording from low angles (Credit: Jim Fisher)
The Combo adds a Briefcase Handle, Focus Pro Motor, and a zippered carrying case. The Briefcase Handle slots into one of the RS 4’s two NATO expansion ports (one powered) and makes it far easier to hold the gimbal close to the ground, a plus for low-angle shots. The Focus Pro Motor works with a set of gears (included) to drive focus on lenses via the on-handle control wheel. Don’t discount the utility of the case. The RS 4 has a lot of components, and the case’s pockets make it easier to keep everything in one place. Even so, the Combo costs $170 more than the basic edition, so you should only spend the money if you need these add-ons. The Briefcase Handle ($59) and Focus Pro Motor ($149) are available separately. And although the carrying case is exclusive to the Combo, I expect third-party manufacturers to fill that gap. Pgytech sells a custom-molded case for the RS 3 at $44.95, as an example.
The Focus Pro Motor lets you drive manual focus lenses using the gimbal’s front control wheel (Credit: Jim Fisher)
The RS 4 works with many of the same accessories as the RS 3, including the Briefcase Handle and Focus Pro. It also supports the Ronin Transmitter ($159), which beams video to the Ronin smartphone companion app (available for Android and iOS) for a live, remote view from the camera. It adds support for the otherwise unavailable Active Track feature, which locks onto a single subject and moves the gimbal to follow it in the frame. It’s a useful tool for solo creators who want to add some movement to present-to-camera vlogs, as well as for documentary and reality filmmaking.Compared with others in the series, the RS 3 Mini works with the Briefcase Handle but doesn’t support these other add-ons. The RS 4 Pro works with even more, including a LiDAR-based module that cleverly adds autofocus support to manual lenses. I go into more detail in my review of the RS 4 Pro, but accessory support is something to consider before you buy.App Setup and ControlsAlthough the RS 4 puts all the necessary controls on its handle, it still requires the Ronin smartphone app for activation and setup. If you’re working in a production environment and need to get a newly unboxed gimbal up and running quickly, this step can add some stress to the situation. To be fair, however, DJI allows you to power up and use the RS 4 up to five times without going through the setup process. Independent creators aren’t likely to run up against this scenario, of course.
The RS 4 has an on-device touch screen and controls (Credit: JIm Fisher)
The activation process is more about selling an extended warranty, DJI Care Refresh ($55 for one year, $89 for two years). Care Refresh is far more comprehensive than the included 1-year warranty, so you might find it worthwhile. It covers repair costs related to water and collision damage and allows for up to two replacements at a reduced cost in the event you total the gimbal. A subscription also gets you free shipping for repairs and replacements, with a promised three-day turnaround time. It sounds like a better deal if you use the gimbal for paid work or risky shots.
The control wheel and front button are located at the front of the pistol-style grip (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Once you’re through the nag screen, the app is more useful. You can load new firmware, set up user profiles, and access wireless video transmission via the optional Transmitter accessory. You can also fine-tune the motion response and run a balance test here.
The Ronin app allows you to fine-tune the gimbal response, among other things (Credit: DJI)
Of course, it’s totally possible to use the RS 4 without the app. The gimbal itself includes a square 1.8-inch OLED touch screen that duplicates many of the app’s features and shows the device status. A thumb stick nearby lets you pan and tilt or zoom in and out if you’re using a power zoom lens. Its pistol grip has a control wheel that sets the roll for Dutch angle shots, controls manual focus with the motor, or changes the camera settings. Pressing its integrated button twice centers the gimbal. There are two side switches, too. One swaps the thumb stick mode between gimbal control and power zoom, while the other switches the stabilization mode between Pan Follow (PF), Pan Tilt Follow (PTF), and First Person View (FPV). Finally, there are three buttons: M (for taking a still photo) and record buttons are next to the screen, while a power button is on the right side. Note that the M and record buttons work only when you connect the camera to the gimbal via USB-C.Exceptionally Smooth StabilizationAs for stabilization, the RS 4 performs superbly. It eliminates jumps and jitters from handheld video and gives recordings a smooth, floating look. It’s an ideal tool for creators working without a camera operator, as it puts pan, tilt, and roll moves, focus pulls, and camera exposure and recording functions under your finger.
(Credit: Jim Fisher)
Powered gimbal stabilization goes well beyond what interchangeable lens cameras provide for video recording. Even those with both IBIS and lens stabilization tend to show wobble when you record handheld footage while you walk around. Anecdotally, I struggle to record stable footage without a gimbal, but the RS 4 allows me to get shots as stable as those from Garrett Brown in The Shining and Rocky without too much effort. In short, my testing proves how effectively the stabilizer works.A Fantastic Midsize Gimbal Gets Even BetterVideographers, vloggers, and cinematographers who employ powered stabilization have long looked to the Ronin series as the gold standard. The RS 4 lives up to that reputation and more. It’s just as adept at keeping a camera system steady as the RS 3 and comes with a handful of quality-of-life improvements to the design. It might not be worth an upgrade if you already use an RS 3, but if you have an older edition without a geared mounting plate and auto-locking arms, want to move up from the RS 3 Mini, or are simply ready to buy your first gimbal, the RS 4 is the one to get. It’s nearly perfect for video enthusiasts and vloggers due to its combination of price, size, and features, so it earns our Editors’ Choice award. The RS 4 Pro is equally worthwhile if you have a large camera or often use bulky lenses, but it isn’t worth the extra cost otherwise.
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