DJI RS 4 - Everything You Need to Know

In the world of videography, capturing silky-smooth, cinematic footage is the ultimate goal. Achieving that professional look often comes down to the quality of your stabilization. That's where the DJI RS 4 comes in, a powerful 3-axis gimbal designed to elevate your creative projects. Here at BIKMAN TECH, we're diving deep into this impressive piece of filmmaking tech. This comprehensive guide will explore every key feature, design enhancement, and performance upgrade to help you decide if the DJI RS 4 is the right tool for your camera setup.

Check best deals

1. A Game-Changer for Content Creators: 2nd-Gen Native Vertical Shooting

In an era dominated by vertical content for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, efficiency is key. DJI has clearly been listening. The DJI RS 4 introduces a redesigned horizontal gimbal plate that enables 2nd-generation native vertical shooting. This means you can switch from horizontal to vertical filming faster and more easily than ever before. There's no need for extra accessories or workarounds. You simply detach the horizontal plate and secure it in the vertical position, allowing for a seamless transition that keeps your workflow moving. It's a massive improvement for creators who need to produce content for various aspect ratios on the fly.

2. Silky Smooth by Design: Build Quality and Ergonomics

Handling a gimbal for hours requires a design that is both robust and user-friendly. The DJI RS 4 excels with several key enhancements. All three axes now feature a Teflon™ coating, which significantly reduces friction. We found this makes balancing the gimbal a noticeably smoother and more precise process. Even with heavy camera and lens combinations, you can achieve perfect balance with minimal effort. This small detail translates to saved time on set and less frustration during setup.

Furthermore, the tilt axis has been extended by 8.5 mm. This might not sound like much, but it creates more balancing space, making the gimbal compatible with a wider range of mainstream mirrorless cameras and lenses. It also allows for the addition of accessories like ND filters without compromising balance or performance. It’s a thoughtful upgrade that adds to the gimbal's overall versatility.

3. Automated and Secure: 2nd-Gen Axis Locks

Getting your shot quickly is crucial, and the DJI RS 4 streamlines the setup and pack-down process with its 2nd-generation automated axis locks. When the gimbal is powered off, the axes automatically lock into place, making it safe and convenient to transport. When you power it on, they unlock and expand, ready for action in seconds. These new locks have been engineered with smaller gaps when locked, which helps to further reduce gimbal shake and ensure your equipment is held securely.

4. Power and Precision: Stabilization Performance

At its core, a gimbal is all about stabilization, and the DJI RS 4 is built on the foundation of the 4th-Generation RS Stabilization Algorithm. This advanced algorithm has been comprehensively optimized for different use cases. It strikes an excellent balance between the strength of the stabilization and the tactile feel of natural camera movement. Whether you're executing fast-paced action shots or slow, deliberate pans, the gimbal provides superior stability and a natural-feeling response, giving your footage that polished, professional edge. With a lightweight design, it can carry a payload of up to 3 kg (6.6 lbs), making it a perfect match for most mirrorless camera setups.

5. Intuitive Control at Your Fingertips

The DJI RS 4 makes operation incredibly intuitive. It features an OLED full-color touchscreen with a new auto-lock function. The screen displays the current gimbal and joystick modes and then dims and locks after a few seconds of inactivity. This is a fantastic quality-of-life feature that prevents accidental touches from changing your settings mid-shot. You can also now quickly switch the joystick's function to control either gimbal movement or lens zoom with a simple toggle, giving you more direct control over your shot composition.

6. Go Wireless with Bluetooth Control

Cables can often get in the way, but the DJI RS 4 embraces a wireless workflow. Using Dual-Mode Bluetooth technology, you can pair the gimbal with your camera for wireless shutter and lens zoom control. Once paired, the connection is remembered, so the gimbal automatically reconnects to your camera on subsequent uses. This allows you to control key camera functions directly from the record button on the gimbal, simplifying your setup and allowing for more freedom of movement.

7. Uninterrupted Creativity: Power and Battery Life

There's nothing worse than a dead battery interrupting a creative flow. The standard battery grip for the DJI RS 4 provides an impressive runtime of up to 12 hours. For those who have marathon shooting days, DJI offers the new BG70 High-Capacity Battery Grip (sold separately). This powerhouse extends the runtime to a staggering 29.5 hours. It's also equipped with a USB-C port at the bottom that can supply up to 18 watts of power to your camera or accessories, turning your gimbal into a mobile power hub.

8. Expand Your Toolkit: The DJI PRO Ecosystem

The DJI RS 4 isn't just a standalone product; it's a gateway to the wider DJI PRO ecosystem. It includes an RSA communication port, which allows for the connection of various accessories. Most notably, it supports the new DJI Focus Pro Motor. By integrating with the Focus Pro system, you can achieve smooth, precise lens control for both focus and zoom, unlocking more advanced cinematic techniques. This compatibility ensures that the gimbal can grow with you as your filmmaking needs become more complex.

9. Technical Specifications at a Glance

For the tech-savvy, here’s a quick breakdown of the essential specifications of the DJI RS 4.

10. Pros and Cons Summary

To help you make an informed decision, we've summarized the key strengths and potential considerations of the DJI RS 4.

Pros 👍

• Fast Native Vertical Shooting: A huge time-saver for social media content creators.
• Smoother Balancing: Teflon™-coated axes make setup easier and more precise.
• Excellent Stabilization: The 4th-gen algorithm delivers professional, cinematic results.
• Long Battery Life: Especially with the optional BG70 High-Capacity grip.
• Intuitive Controls: The auto-lock touchscreen and joystick switch enhance usability.
• Lightweight and Powerful: A 3 kg (6.6 lbs) payload in a relatively compact form factor.

Cons 👎

• Payload Limit: While great for mirrorless, it may not support heavy cinema camera rigs.
• Ecosystem Integration: To unlock its full potential (like lens control), additional accessories are needed.

Final Thoughts: The Smart Stabilizer for Modern Creators

The DJI RS 4 is more than just an incremental update; it's a highly refined tool that directly addresses the needs of today's videographers and content creators. With its focus on efficiency through features like native vertical shooting and smoother balancing, it removes friction from the creative process. Its powerful stabilization, robust build, and intelligent controls make it a reliable partner for capturing stunning footage.

This gimbal is perfectly suited for solo filmmakers, small production crews, and content creators who need a versatile, powerful, and easy-to-use stabilizer for mirrorless cameras. If you're looking to streamline your workflow and elevate the quality of your video content, the DJI RS 4 is a compelling choice. For the best deals, be sure to check online from your favorite retailers.

From all of us at BIKMAN TECH, we hope this guide has been helpful! Do you have any questions about the DJI RS 4? Drop them in the comments below, and don't forget to share this post with fellow creators! 🎬

Check best deals