Learn extra at:
The DJI RS 4 Mini is light-weight and good, providing a sequence of useful options for content material creators to seize smoother footage.
Execs
- Good monitoring options
- Straightforward 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 cell {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 cell customers who merely need smoother footage. The DJI RS 4 Mini is the most recent within the sequence, serving as a less expensive various 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 approach, go up towards the likes of the also-new DJI Osmo Cellular 7 Professional, which is a lighter possibility constructed particularly for cell 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) |
| Value | $369 (base), $459 (combo) |
DJI RS 4 Mini assessment: Design
The purpose of the DJI RS 4 Mini is to offer skilled stabilization in a bundle that’s slightly extra budget-friendly and far lighter in weight. Certainly, the RS 4 Mini is fairly gentle 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 honest, it’s clear that the gimbal is focused particularly at content material creators who need slightly extra from their setup.
By way of numbers, the gimbal is available in at round two kilos, which could appear to be so much, nevertheless 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 digicam earlier than you get began. The method of doing so is comparatively easy, and the gimbal gives a sequence of each detailed and extra main changes that may show you how to get issues completely set. It additionally has a fine-tuning knob that may show you how to completely stability the alignment of the digicam.
One notable addition to the RS4 Mini over earlier DJI gimbals is improved gimbal stabilization that gives higher assist for creators who need to movie vertically. The stabilization is DJI’s 4th-generation stabilization tech, and it’s constructed to stability the digicam in each horizontal and vertical modes. In different phrases, whether or not you’re filming for YouTube or TikTok, try to be set.
On the principle deal with of the gimbal could be discovered a 1.4-inch full-color show with a sequence of controls round it that can help you management your pictures. 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 the direction of the highest of the gimbal is the place you’ll connect probably the greatest new options within the type of the Clever Monitoring Module. It’s a small digicam that magnetically attaches to the gimbal and is used along side your digicam and the built-in software program to trace objects for a extra simplified filming course of. We’ll get into what it does slightly later, however the module is comparatively refined, but a massively useful function for individuals who need slightly extra assist in maintaining their topics within the shot.
Observe, 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 every part besides the telephone holder, whereas the bottom bundle 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 gives automated options that make it very straightforward to rise up and working inside a number of seconds. The gimbal routinely folds up when powered off and unfolds when powered on. So when you’ll want a couple of minutes to first set it up together with your digicam, as soon as that’s accomplished, you possibly can depart the settings kind of in place and get capturing comparatively rapidly. It’s a neat function, and whereas it’d make you slightly nervous in case your digicam occurs to be connected, it labored safely whereas I used to be testing it.
There are another helpful modes and options too. There’s a gimbal lock function that retains the digicam 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 severely come in useful too — although it’s not with out limitations. The function is admittedly set as much as solely monitor human topics, which signifies that it’s not as helpful for somebody like me, who principally shoots merchandise. That mentioned, for those who do need to shoot human topics, for instance whereas strolling, it might assist can help you movie higher footage by taking among the multitasking out of the equation.
There are additionally automated 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 begin and cease monitoring.
The gimbal has a 13-hour battery life, which is stable. The battery isn’t detachable, so for those who’re planning on an extended capturing session, be sure you cost up earlier than you begin.
The gimbal is suitable with an enormous vary of various digicam fashions, and I examined it with my Fujifilm X-T3. Sadly, the X-T3 doesn’t enable for zoom management utilizing the gimbal — nevertheless it does assist 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 gives entry to some settings, however most of these settings could be accessed on the gimbal itself. The primary factor that you may’t do on the gimbal itself is replace the firmware, so the app can nonetheless come in useful for those who want to take action.
Maybe extra essential is the software program constructed into the gimbal, which is comparatively easy to make use of. On the principle interface, you possibly can entry stability settings and run a calibration for the gimbal. You too can tweak monitoring speeds — between sluggish, medium, and quick — in both of use two modes: easy and responsive. From that display, swiping proper will deliver you to the ActiveTrack settings, whereas swiping up will provide you with joystick pace and smoothness settings. Swiping down will deliver you to fast settings like Bluetooth, audio, and a button to dive into the total settings menu, which incorporates issues like automated locking, the flexibility 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 must work together with all of it that a lot besides to see the battery standing, which is all the time on the display.
Conclusions
The DJI RS 4 Mini bridges the hole between skilled gimbals and people created for content material creators. Content material creators in search of a smoother capturing expertise with some automated options will love issues like ActiveTrack and the Clever Monitoring Module. Whereas it’s most likely overkill for creators who completely 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 supply 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 will be the least expensive within the sequence, nevertheless it isn’t essentially the worst. It’s constructed to be light-weight, and it helps a decrease payload, however for those who don’t want it for issues like full-size cinema cameras, that shouldn’t matter. When you’re shopping for a gimbal for a mirrorless digicam, for instance, the DJI RS 4 Mini must be greater than sufficient gimbal in your wants.
Ought to I purchase the DJI RS 4 Mini?
Sure. It’s a superb light-weight gimbal for content material creators.
