This professional-grade gimbal unleashed my inner filmmaker with an invaluable feature

ZDNET’s key findings

• He DJI RS4 Pro The gimbal is now available on Amazon for $1099. It is also available on Black and white photography and the DJI Store.
• The RS4 Pro has a weight limit capable of supporting even bulky cinema cameras, makes balancing the camera a breeze, and achieves silky smooth footage.
• The RS4 Pro doesn’t have true pan lock, making it difficult to achieve more complicated shots.

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Years ago I bought one DJI Ronin Gimbal and I thought it would be the piece of equipment I needed to take my filming efforts to the next level. Unfortunately, it suffered from several issues and ended up collecting dust.

However, with a big project on the horizon, I needed a reliable stabilizer that would actually work for me. I was hesitant to make another purchase, but I took a chance and went with the DJI RS4 Pro.

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Wow, I’m glad I did. The difference between the Ronin and the RS4 Pro is abysmal. The RS4 Pro is not. perfect (I’ll expand on this shortly), but it’s as close as you can get without spending tens of thousands of dollars. For filmmakers and content creators looking to get silky smooth shots and get really creative with their efforts, this stabilizer is a must-have.

Before I get into my experience, let’s talk about the specs.

See on Amazon

DJI RS4 Pro Gimbal Technical Specifications

• Weight capacity up to 10 lbs
• OLED touch screen with auto lock
• Second generation native vertical shooting
• Automated axis locks
• Supports wireless transmitter and LIDAR
• Battery: 1950mAh at 15.4V for 13 hours run time on full charge
• Mode switching via joystick or Bluetooth
• Teflon coated shafts
• Controlled rotation speed: horizontal/vertical/360 degree rotating movement
• Mechanical range: 360 degree continuous rotation, pan from -95 degree to +240 degree, tilt from -112 degree to +214 degree
• Operating frequency: 2.400-2.4835 GHz
• Operating Temperature: -4 degrees F to 113 degrees F
• Dimensions: Folded: 271 × 283 × 75 mm (L × W × H, excluding camera, grip and tripod/extended grip) / Unfolded: 416 × 223 × 202 mm (L × W × H, height includes grip and excludes tripod/extended grip)
• Connections: Bluetooth 5.1 and USB-C (charging port)
• App availability: Android (8.0 and above) and iOS (11.0 and above).
• Cost: $1,099 on Amazon (for the combo that includes the Focus Pro Motor and more)

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My experience

The first thing that impressed me was its balance. Of all the gimbals I’ve used, the DJI RS4 Pro was the easiest to balance. Even with a payload pushing the limits, I was able to balance my ZCAM E2 F6 in about two minutes. It really is a lot easier.

Balancing the DJI RS4 Pro is so easy that I don’t hesitate to change lenses or settings. With my old Ronin, I was always hesitant to make changes, simply because of the challenges the balancing process posed. What was once a huge frustration has become a simple task.

Please note that it is absolutely crucial that you balance the stabilizer properly, otherwise you risk damaging the motors. So, take the time to do it right and make sure to run the balance tests and auto-tuning (which can be initiated from the stabilizer itself or from the app).

Once I had the balance taken care of, I set out to see how the RS4 Pro performed in the field. It didn’t take long for me to lose any remaining regrets about having purchased it – this piece of equipment is truly a game-changer. With very little practice, I was able to get some really smooth footage.

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After some more practice, I was even able to pull off a successful orbital shot. Getting shots like that without a gimbal would be nearly impossible, but this is just the tip of the iceberg of what the RS4 Pro can allow you to do.

However, it’s worth noting that due to the increased payload capacity, you may end up with a very heavy gimbal. The RS4 Pro weighs just 0.27 pounds, but when you attach a heavy camera and lens, plus a LiDAR system (like mine), focus motors, batteries, and anything else you need for your shots, the weight can get pretty heavy.

For example, after taking two photos with all the gear mentioned above, my arms were a wreck. I have a vest and arm set that I can attach the gimbal to, which makes it much easier to carry and maneuver, but I wanted this test to be with just the gimbal.

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With that in mind, understand that your arms will be going through it if you’re carrying gear, and you’ll probably want to invest in a couple of side handles, such as the Neewer Dual GripNot only will the handles keep your arms from getting tired, but they will also allow you to control the equipment more easily.

The warning

Overall, the RS4 Pro is a masterpiece of technology. But there is one issue I have with it and that is the panning lock. To achieve the fantastic orbiting shot, you really need to be able to lock the pan axis on the gimbal, and that’s not exactly possible with the RS4 Pro.

Although it says it has a lock (when you hold down the shutter release), it doesn’t actually lock the pan axis in place. Instead, it keeps the camera pointing in the same direction no matter how you turn the gimbal. That doesn’t help much with orbital shooting.

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To achieve the shot with the RS4 Pro, you need to focus on the subject and, as you start to walk around it, slowly move the joystick in the opposite direction. It’s probably the most difficult type of shot I’ve achieved to date, but it’s certainly worth the effort. In future firmware updates, DJI should consider adding a true pan-lock feature so that shots like that aren’t so difficult to achieve.

ZDNET’s buying advice

Even with that caveat, the DJI RS4 Pro It’s a must-have accessory for anyone looking to improve their filmmaking ability and doesn’t want to spend over $10,000 on gear. With a payload that can handle even cinema cameras and greatly simplified balancing, this stabilizer is hard to beat.

The $1,000 price tag may deter some creators, but if you’re serious about improving your camera work, this beaut will get the job done.