If you have been holding off buying a gimbal and have a mid – level to top range mirrorless or dSLR, then read this.
DJI today launched DJI RS 5, an all-new, lightweight commercial camera gimbal they say brings videographers “new levels of flexibility, creativity, and control for their work.”
I’ve been privileged to have had one to play with for a few weeks now, and with either my Fujifilm X-S10, I have to say it is bloody impressive to say the least.
They’re right.
Enhanced Intelligent Tracking and Stable Maneuvers
For starters, first introduced with the RS 4 Mini, the RS Intelligent Tracking Module has been updated with several major features. For example, the new RS Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Module allows you to frame live footage and track any subject right from the gimbal’s touchscreen.
The new module also provides the ability to track objects other than people, such as vehicles, pets, or any object, and can maintain locked focus on a human subject up to 10 metres away, simplifying the process of shooting a scene with a crowded environment.
If the subject leaves the frame, the module can easily reacquire them, ensuring efficiency during a shoot. The module can be installed magnetically, without the need for an adapter or other accessories, making operation quick and convenient. Any videographer, regardless of experience level, can now effortlessly achieve complicated camera movements, such as surround shots, reverse tracking, or single-person fixed-camera tracking.
DJI RS 5 features the 5th generation RS Stabilisation Algorithm, improving peak motor torque by 50%. This ensures greater stability in fast-moving scenes, such as when a videographer captures footage while walking or running, or when the camera undergoes extreme movements or switches angles quickly. It also offers significantly improved stability when shooting vertically.
Weighing just 1.46kg with the battery grip and quick-release plates, RS 5’s compact body can carry a payload of up to 3kg and is capable of carrying a wide range of mainstream mirrorless cameras and lens combinations. It also switches to vertical shooting without needing extra accessories, ensuring flexibility and ease for a wide range of videographer needs.
The RS 5’s new Electronic Briefcase Handle makes it possible to capture intriguing camera angles from above or below the subject, while offering electronic control of the footage. Its comfortable grip and easy-to-reach joystick or button controls allow for one-hand operation, while its smooth transitions reduce wrist fatigue.
Additionally, the all-new on-screen Z-Axis Indicator suggests how the videographer should adjust their gait and pace to reduce image shake, helping to achieve steadier and more professional shots.
For longer shoots, RS 5 can be fully charged in just one hour2,3, a 60% improvement in charging efficiency compared to RS 4. The standard battery delivers 14 hours2 of power to ensure it lasts during long days on set. For even more power, the new BG70 High-Capacity Battery Grip extends RS 5’s runtime to 30 hours2, reducing downtime and lost hours waiting for more power.
DJI has also expanded camera compatibility for wireless control, with RS 5’s Bluetooth shutter now supporting Panasonic and Fujifilm cameras, in addition to previously supported cameras from Sony, Canon, and Nikon.
The new fully-adjustable, fine-tuning knobs with Teflon interlayers on each axis arm enable precise balancing when installing a camera. The DJI RS 5 delivers a smooth and efficient levelling experience, even with heavier professional imaging equipment.
I’ll have a full review and a video review on line in the coming days.