The DJI RS 4 Mini is light-weight and good, providing a sequence of useful options for content material creators to seize smoother footage.
Professionals
- Good monitoring options
- Simple setup course of
- Strong battery life
- New modes for content material creators
Cons
- Clever Monitoring Module prices extra
DJI has been constructing high-end gimbals for cellular {and professional} photographers for a while now. Whereas the DJI Osmo sequence will get a lot of the eye, it’s the Ronin sequence of stabilizers that may actually add some versatility to your setup — and even show helpful for cellular customers who merely need smoother footage. The DJI RS 4 Mini is the most recent within the sequence, serving as a less expensive different to the RS 4 and RS 4 Professional whereas nonetheless retaining superior options and even debuting some new ones.
However the DJI RS 4 Mini does nonetheless, in a method, go up in opposition to the likes of the also-new DJI Osmo Cell 7 Professional, which is a lighter possibility constructed particularly for cellular customers. And, that’s to not point out the truth that it has to compete with the higher-end RS 4 fashions for professionals. So, what makes the DJI RS 4 Mini so particular, and who precisely is it for?
DJI RS 4 Mini specs
| Weight | 2 lbs |
| Max payload | 4.4 lbs |
| Show | 1.4-inch shade LCD |
| Battery | 13 hours |
| Ports | NATO, USB-C (charging) |
| Worth | $369 (base), $459 (combo) |
DJI RS 4 Mini assessment: Design
The aim of the DJI RS 4 Mini is to offer skilled stabilization in a package deal that’s just a little extra budget-friendly and far lighter in weight. Certainly, the RS 4 Mini is fairly mild in comparison with different professional-level gimbals. Whereas professionals might want one thing extra superior, that doesn’t imply that the RS 4 Mini doesn’t have a spot in a professional arsenal — although, to be truthful, it’s clear that the gimbal is focused particularly at content material creators who need just a little extra from their setup.
By way of numbers, the gimbal is available in at round two kilos, which could appear to be loads, however it’s really fairly a bit lighter than the opposite RS 4 fashions, just like the RS 4 and RS 4 Professional.
Like with different skilled gimbals, you’ll should get the settings of the gimbal dialed into your digital camera earlier than you get began. The method of doing so is comparatively easy, and the gimbal affords a sequence of each detailed and extra main changes that may make it easier to get issues completely set. It additionally has a fine-tuning knob that can make it easier to completely steadiness the alignment of the digital camera.
One notable addition to the RS4 Mini over earlier DJI gimbals is improved gimbal stabilization that gives higher help for creators who wish to movie vertically. The stabilization is DJI’s 4th-generation stabilization tech, and it’s constructed to steadiness the digital camera in each horizontal and vertical modes. In different phrases, whether or not you’re filming for YouTube or TikTok, you have to be set.
On the primary deal with of the gimbal will be discovered a 1.4-inch full-color show with a sequence of controls round it that will let you management your photographs. There’s a joystick for each zoom and gimbal management, together with a set off on the again and a scroll wheel that you need to use together with your pointer. All of the controls are comparatively easy to entry, and the buttons and switches all really feel tactile and durable. That’s useful for on-the-go management.
In direction of the highest of the gimbal is the place you’ll connect among the best new options within the type of the Clever Monitoring Module. It’s a small digital camera that magnetically attaches to the gimbal and is used along with your digital camera and the built-in software program to trace objects for a extra simplified filming course of. We’ll get into what it does just a little later, however the module is comparatively refined, but a massively useful function for individuals who need just a little extra assist in maintaining their topics within the shot.
Be aware, we’re reviewing the DJI RS 4 Mini Creator Combo, which comes with the Clever Monitoring Module and a briefcase deal with, together with a telephone mount for the gimbal. The RS 4 Combo consists of all the things besides the telephone holder, whereas the bottom package deal does away with the Clever Monitoring Module and the briefcase deal with. All packages include a mini tripod, which is useful.
DJI RS 4 Mini assessment: Options
There are many similarities between the RS 4 Mini and the opposite RS 4 fashions, although. Notably, the gimbal nonetheless affords automated options that make it very simple to stand up and working inside a couple of seconds. The gimbal mechanically folds up when powered off and unfolds when powered on. So whilst you’ll want a couple of minutes to first set it up together with your digital camera, as soon as that’s achieved, you’ll be able to depart the settings roughly in place and get capturing comparatively shortly. It’s a neat function, and whereas it would make you just a little nervous in case your digital camera occurs to be hooked up, it labored safely whereas I used to be testing it.
There are another useful modes and options too. There’s a gimbal lock function that retains the digital camera in a set place irrespective of how you progress the gimbal, and there are a sequence of gimbal modes to select from.
The ActiveTrack function can critically turn out to be useful too — although it’s not with out limitations. The function is basically set as much as solely observe human topics, which signifies that it’s not as helpful for somebody like me, who largely shoots merchandise. That stated, when you do wish to shoot human topics, for instance whereas strolling, it might assist will let you movie higher footage by taking a few of the multitasking out of the equation.
There are additionally computerized gestures that you may to regulate monitoring and capturing. For instance, you need to use gestures to regulate the composition of your shot and to start out and cease monitoring.
The gimbal has a 13-hour battery life, which is strong. The battery isn’t detachable, so when you’re planning on an extended capturing session, ensure you cost up earlier than you begin.
The gimbal is appropriate with an enormous vary of various digital camera fashions, and I examined it with my Fujifilm X-T3. Sadly, the X-T3 doesn’t enable for zoom management utilizing the gimbal — nonetheless it does help issues like zooming, pulling focus, auto focus, and extra.
DJI RS 4 Mini assessment: App and software program
The DJI RS4 Mini works with the DJI Ronin app, plus you’ll work together with the software program constructed into the gimbal. Frankly, you don’t essentially have to make use of the app all that a lot. It permits you to register your gimbal, and it affords entry to some settings, however most of these settings will be accessed on the gimbal itself. The principle factor that you may’t do on the gimbal itself is replace the firmware, so the app can nonetheless turn out to be useful when you want to take action.
Maybe extra necessary is the software program constructed into the gimbal, which is comparatively easy to make use of. On the primary interface, you’ll be able to entry steadiness settings and run a calibration for the gimbal. You can even tweak monitoring speeds — between sluggish, medium, and quick — in both of use two modes: clean and responsive. From that display screen, swiping proper will convey you to the ActiveTrack settings, whereas swiping up offers you joystick velocity and smoothness settings. Swiping down will convey you to fast settings like Bluetooth, audio, and a button to dive into the total settings menu, which incorporates issues like computerized locking, the power to disable selfie mode, and extra.
Once more, the software program is straightforward to make use of, and when you get arrange with the settings you want, you probably gained’t have to work together with all of it that a lot besides to see the battery standing, which is all the time on the display screen.
Conclusions
The DJI RS 4 Mini bridges the hole between skilled gimbals and people created for content material creators. Content material creators on the lookout for a smoother capturing expertise with some computerized options will love issues like ActiveTrack and the Clever Monitoring Module. Whereas it’s in all probability overkill for creators who solely use their telephones, those that need smoother footage from their mirrorless cameras can’t do significantly better than the DJI RS 4 Mini with out upgrading to a costlier DJI Ronin mannequin. And, even professionals who need one thing light-weight will love what’s on provide right here.
The competitors
The most important competitors for the RS 4 Mini comes from the opposite fashions within the RS 4 lineup. The RS 4 Mini would be the least expensive within the sequence, however it isn’t essentially the worst. It’s constructed to be light-weight, and it helps a decrease payload, however when you don’t want it for issues like full-size cinema cameras, that shouldn’t matter. Should you’re shopping for a gimbal for a mirrorless digital camera, for instance, the DJI RS 4 Mini ought to be greater than sufficient gimbal in your wants.
Ought to I purchase the DJI RS 4 Mini?
Sure. It’s a wonderful light-weight gimbal for content material creators.
