About this deal
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 camera’s OLED is clear and used as a straightforward gimbal, with the camera mounted high above the rear arm. Even dropping the camera down to ground level, there’s enough arm clearance to pull out the screen so you can see what’s happening. The only time seeing the screen becomes difficult is when using the 3D Roll 360.
Then there’s the usual design consideration for the micro tripod; like an after thought, this still bolts to the base, and while it could be argued that it’s optional, it’s not; you need it for the initial balancing and installation of the camera, so couldn’t it be a neat integral part? The performance of the Ronin RS3 Pro in isolation is excellent. Other manufacturers don’t, as yet, match the build quality; the fact that it will equally easily balance a Sony A7 III or Sony FX6 without issue means plenty of scope for all levels. Note: When one power port serves as an input port, the other becomes an output port, or vice versa. Two plugs can’t be input power at the same time. The RS3 Pro is all about saving effort for the filmmakers; in use, it’s there to assist and make difficult shots easy, as well as having wide camera compatibility. To that end, DJI has extended the carbon fibre arms to give more space to the mounted cameras. This means that professional bodies and lenses such as the Sony FX6 and Canon C70 with 24-70mm f/2.8 lens can now be fitted. The payload limit is still 4.5kg which is quite substantial.
RS3 PRO
Due to the huge variety of uses, I can only imagine the product designers and electrical engineers at DJI sweating over what seems like an impossible task. Setting up the DJI RS3 Pro at the base level is easy; plug it in balance, and you’re ready to go. At the next level, plug in the RavenEye, hook in a mobile phone, and you have wireless video transmission, all very clever; then you have the HighBright Control screen, and so on. Imaging modes such as panoramic and timelapse, along with a few others, can be accessed and, with the automatic shutter release, are all simple enough to use, with the App taking control of most of the difficult features.
Taking just the base Ronin RS3 Pro into consideration in this review and it is incredible, with solid support for all mirrorless and DSLR cameras suited to filmmaking. In use, the RS3 Pro is fast to react and offers plenty of onboard adjustments and features. However, it really starts to shine once the accessories are attached, and while most accessories can wait there are two that you should consider purchasing at the outset; the RavenEye and Focus motor. In the test, the Bluetooth connection between the camera and the gimbal worked well, with the record button on the gimbal robustly connecting with the function on the camera as if they were connected by cable.Due to the camera and gimbal size, there is far more of a feeling of oneness between the two devices. While I have been using either the 24-70mm or fixed focal length lenses, you can see how beneficial this rig would be with the Sony motorised zoom lenses. Then there’s the weight; once loaded, the Ronin RS3 Pro, while small, isn’t as lightweight as some of its competition. Attaching the optional side arm does help to add to the comfort, but again compared to the wrist supports and grip design of some other gimbals, the RS3 isn’t quite there. Gimbal-shot video is much more in evidence these days, and making it possible without adding too much weight or size is a great achievement. We can see real appeal for most professionals –an ideal second camera choice for weddings, for example.
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. 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.For some cameras that are BlueTooth enabled, the Ronin RS3 Pro now has BlueTooth connectivity. At launch, this works with a series of Canon cameras, and the compatibility list will inevitably expand at speed to cover most cameras with BlueTooth. The DJI RS3 Pro, however, is a very different device from most other gimbals on the market. Sure, it has accessories that enable wireless video transmission and control, but it’s part of an eco-system with the DJI RS3 Pro at the core. Pro level stabilisation at an affordable price
In the past, it was important to remove the lens cap to optimise the weight distribution. However, I’ve noticed that this is no longer highlighted in the balancing instructions, and with the power of the motors these days, I feel happier leaving it in place until the gimbal is powered on. Lifting the relatively compact gimbal and while still relatively light compared with some larger gimbals, it’s not as light as the likes of the WeeBill 3. Using the App opens up some of the more advanced features; these are generally accessible through the grip but easier to understand through the larger interface of your mobile screen. 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. One of the instantly notable features in the new larger 1.8 OLED full-colour screen. This is 28% larger than the one on the RS2 and allows you to switch settings, with the optional RavenEye plugged in, you can also get a live view stream.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. If DJI RS 3 has a camera attached and is powered on while updating the firmware, make sure to protect the camera and lens as the motors will power off during the update.