The attachment of the camera to the gimbal highlights the first interesting innovation of the gimbal design with the usual clamp on the lower part of the tilt axis that enables you to mount the camera horizontally. But, then take a look at the vertical of the tilt arm, and you see the ability to shift the mount so that the camera can be mounted vertically, ready for TikTok and other social media channels. The RS3 Pro can also be used with the 4D Hand Grips, Master Wheels and Force Pro for gimbal and focus control. Added support for zoom control using front dial for Sony FX3, A7S3, A7C, A7M3, A7M4, A7R3, A7R4, A9 II, ZV-1, A6400 and A6600 cameras when connecting the gimbal via Bluetooth. Once the camera balance has been found, a cable can be plugged into the camera’s USB-C port and directly into the side of the gimbal. The shutter can easily be activated from the direct control button on the grip.

Ultimately this is a good tool at a very appealing price, and if only the balancing process could be a little more precise it’d earn that 5th star.The next feature worth noting is the wireless connectivity to compatible cameras. For most modern cameras like the Canon R7, you can connect through the BlueTooth wireless link to activate the shutter, meaning that no wires are required. You can go a step further for Sony users if you have a compatible lens, where you can control the lenses zoom with the front dial on the gimbal. This makes using and balancing the RS 3 easier than many other single-handed gimbal stabilisers. While the small RavenEye is an ideal solution for most, DJI has also added Pro-Grade video transmission and monitoring compatibility. The DJI RS3 Pro is equipped with DJI O3 Pro video transmission technology. This enables video transmission to a distance of up to 6km and full compatibility with the High-Bright Remote Monitor that was launched alongside the Ronin 4D. This monitor supports 1080p/60fps live feed to multiple receivers. What’s interesting is that DJI sees the huge potential of the RS3 Pro, so have given it the same access to the High-Bright Remote Monitor and control units. This means that you could mount the Ronin RS3 Pro on an exterior car rig and remotely control the unit from inside the car with full control over the gimbal and camera.

A big new addition to the Ronin RS3 is the LiDAR focus technology. This optional module sits on top of the camera’s hot shoe and plugs into the DJI Focus Motor (Also optional) and RS3 Pro. Once plugged in and calibrated, it then creates a fast AF system for manual Cine lenses. As each lens needs to be calibrated before use, DJI has ensured that up to three lens preset profiles can be stored. Added photo capture, video recording, camera settings, autofocus, and focus pull support for Panasonic Lumix S5 II cameras with supported L-mount lens using a Multi-Camera Control Cable (USB-C). To use autofocus on the Panasonic Lumix S5 II, half press the camera control button on the gimbal.

Can the Ronin stabilizers shrink to suit mirrorless cameras and keep delivering the goods?

As with previous Ronin’s, the main gimbal is only part of the story. As a stand-alone product, it’s good, adds the optional accessories, and the Ronin RS3 Pro transforms into an essential filmmaking tool that can be used on any production size. Looking at the features of the Ronin RS3 Pro and the first thing you notice is the enhancements in design. The longer carbon arms and large touch screen OLED make mounting the camera and navigating settings that much easier. Fewer wires with Bluetooth shutter control Build and overall quality is excellent, and once charged and powered on, balancing initially takes a little time to master. The small amounts of movement require patience as each axis is balanced, and despite the powerful motors, it’s still best to perfect the balance from the outset. The DJI RS 3 Mini is DJI’s latest release in the company’s range of single-handed gimbal stabiliser, and its compact form makes it a welcome addition to the line. At launch, due to that size reduction, it instantly goes head to head with the formidable ZHIYUN WEEBILL 3, so it needs to impress from the outset. The issue with compact, single-handed gimbal stabilisers is they can often outshine their larger siblings. The ZHIYUN Weebill 3 is a great gimbal with plenty of scope for upgrades and, at the same price, is also a direct competitor to the RS 3 Mini.

If this is your first (or you’re coming up from the Osmo Mobile 6 or DJI Mini 3 drone), then you need to brace for a slower process (switching from portrait to vertical is definitely not as easy as pressing a button). Getting used to all the options might take a while, too, but they’re easily reset and the menu is intuitive (more so than many mirrorless cameras!) Please select the corresponding camera control cable according to your camera model. Plug one end of the cable to the shutter control port on the camera and plug the other end into the RSS camera control port on DJI RS 3 Mini. Staying with the axis and the carbon arms, these have been extended slightly to enable the mounting of some of the new midweight professional cameras, such as the Sony FX6 and Canon EOS C70. For a gimbal of this size to take the weight of either of these cameras is impressive. While I don’t have access to either of these cameras, a Canon C100 MKII comfortably sat on the DJI Ronin RS3 Pro without issue and with plenty of clearance. Then there’s the camera compatibility. Being able to take the larger cameras is extremely useful, and now that I’m about to change from the Sony PXW FS7 to a Canon EOS 5R C this gimbal will provide all the performance I need and in a very small form.Update the firmware for the DJI Ronin Image Transmitter using the DJI Ronin app by connecting the Image Transmitter via Wi-Fi. Do not disconnect the DJI Ronin app and DJI Ronin Image Transmitter during the update process. Regarding control, the small 1.4-inch screen might be smaller than the 1.8-inch screen on the other two models, but it is still more than sufficient for guiding you through the options and settings.