DJI RS 4 review: a gimbal that takes the stress out of keeping a DSLR stabilized

Capture tripod-steady shots without a tripod and smooth tracking shots without laying tracks!

DJI RS 4
(Image: © George Cairns)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The DJI RS 4 is a solid workhorse, effortlessly enabling you to glide up to 3kg of camera and lens combinations through professionally smooth tracks, tilts, cranes, and pans through a long shooting day. You can also mount it on its mini-tripod and use the customizable joystick to perform smooth pans and tilts at precise speeds. Highly recommended if you want to make professional moves with your mirrorless camera.

Pros

  • +

    Great battery performance

  • +

    Auto locking and unlocking axes

  • +

    Improved balancing experience

  • +

    Carries heavy payload

  • +

    Physical mode buttons

Cons

  • -

    Expensive

  • -

    Becomes unbalanced over time

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

The DJI RS 4 is a three-axis stabilizer that automatically tilts, pans, and rolls the mounted camera to keep it moving smoothly and level. You can also set the gimbal to follow your hand movements so that it pans and tilts smoothly between subjects. Stabilisers (or gimbals) come is a wide range of sizes (and prices). The DJI RS 4 fits into the pro section of the gimbal range (rather than the smartphone gimbal section). 

The DJI RS4 was released in April 2024 alongside its more expensive and higher-specced sibling - the DJI RS4 Pro. For more professional gimbal purchase recommendations check out guide to the best gimbals for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Weight: 1.4 kg (3.0 lbs)
Dimensions: 370×191×189 mm
Payload: 3 kg (6.6 lbs)
Tilting Angle: -112° to +214°
Rolling Angle: -95° to +240°
Panning Angle: 360°
Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
Display: 1.8″ OLED full-color touchscreen
Swipe to scroll horizontally
FeaturesTouch sensitive OLED screen plus physical mode buttons and dial for tactile control★★★★☆
DesignAuto locking and unlocking on axes with easier to balance teflon coating.★★★★☆
PerformanceBattery life enables long shoot, though balanced slipped over time.★★★☆☆
ValueExpensive when compared to similarly specced gimbals★★★☆☆
DJI RS 4 Pro

DJI RS 4 Pro

If your payload is more than 3 Kg then you may have to pay more to go pro, as the DJI RS 4 Pro can handle up to 4.5 kg (10 lbs). It also supports more of DJI’s gadgets, such as the DJI Focus Pro LiDAR which works with the DJI Focus Pro Motor to autofocus your gimbal-mounted camera’s manual lens.

Feiyu Scorp 2 

Feiyu Scorp 2 

If you’re on a budget but still need to maneuver a mirrorless camera, the Feiyu Scorp 2 will do the job. I used it to carry a Sony A7 MkIII plus lens, which weighed just under 1.5 kg—the same payload weight as I tested the DJI RS 4 with. Despite being far cheaper than the DJI RS 4, the Feiyu Scorp 2 boasts a built-in AI sensor that can tilt and pan your camera to follow your every move.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

George Cairns

George has been freelancing as a photo fixing and creative tutorial writer since 2002, working for award winning titles such as Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N-Photo and Practical Photoshop. He's expert in communicating the ins and outs of Photoshop and Lightroom, as well as producing video production tutorials on Final Cut Pro and iMovie for magazines such as iCreate and Mac Format. He also produces regular and exclusive Photoshop CC tutorials for his YouTube channel.