DJI RS 5 Review – A Decade of Ronin Evolution Culminates in the Most Capable Single-Operator Gimbal Yet

by Nino LeitnerMarch 9^th, 2026

Subscribe to Reviews - Accessories

The DJI Ronin series has quietly revolutionized how we capture motion over the past decade, earning both an Engineering Emmy and an Oscar for Scientific and Technical Achievement along the way. Now, the RS 5 arrives with touchscreen tracking, 50% more motor torque, and ergonomic refinements that make it the most capable single-operator gimbal DJI has ever produced.

Editorial note: This video is a paid collaboration with DJI, for the first time for us. DJI has hired us because they recognize our long experience using their gimbals, to give an overview of the Ronin ecosystem and how far we’ve come with the technology. They have given us complete freedom in the editorial content of the review and had no editorial influence in the content of the video and this article.

When DJI released the original Ronin back in 2014, it was both a revelation and a beast. That first gimbal weighed over four kilograms without a camera, and mounting a RED Epic or ARRI Alexa Mini meant you were looking at a system that demanded serious physical endurance. But it worked, and for the first time, independent filmmakers could achieve stabilized shots that previously required expensive Steadicam rigs and highly trained operators.

How far we’ve come

The DJI RS 5 represents the culmination of ten years of engineering refinement, and to appreciate what it offers, it helps to understand the journey that brought us here. Each generation of Ronin has built upon its predecessor, addressing real-world limitations while expanding creative possibilities for filmmakers working with small crews or completely alone.

The Ronin-M arrived in 2015 at half the weight of the original, designed specifically for the lighter mirrorless cameras that were beginning to transform the industry. Then the Ronin 2 in 2017 went in the opposite direction with a 13.6 kilogram payload capacity and carbon fiber construction, built for full cinema rigs (apologies, in the video I mention it was released in 2016). The Ronin-S in 2018 introduced single-handed operation for the first time, becoming an instant favorite among solo operators using cameras like the Sony a7S series. The RS 2 brought carbon fiber construction to the single-handed form factor, the RS 3 gave us automated axis locks, and the RS 4 refined the balancing system with Teflon coatings.

This evolution has not gone unnoticed by the industry. In September 2024, the Television Academy awarded the DJI Ronin series an Engineering Emmy, citing shows like Ted Lasso, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Squid Game as productions that benefited from this technology. Then in April 2025, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored the Ronin 2 with an Oscar for Scientific and Technical Achievement, recognizing DJI engineers Su Tie, Bei Shimeng, and Zhao Yanchong for their work on the gimbal’s stabilization software, electrical engineering, and mechanical design. That puts the Ronin series in the same company as the Steadicam and the Technocrane, tools that have fundamentally changed how movies are made.

The outlier: Ronin 4D and what it teaches us

Before diving into the RS 5, we need to acknowledge the outlier in the Ronin family: the Ronin 4D, which we reviewed back when it launched in 2021. While the RS series refines the gimbal as an accessory you mount a camera to, the Ronin 4D asked a different question entirely. What if the gimbal was the camera?

The 4D integrates a full-frame Zenmuse X9 cinema camera with a 4-axis gimbal directly into the sensor block. That fourth axis is critical: traditional 3-axis gimbals stabilize pan, tilt, and roll, but they cannot do anything about the vertical bobbing from your footsteps. The Ronin 4D’s active Z-axis arm, combined with downward-facing sensors, actively smooths out that walking motion, essentially eliminating the need for the so-called ninja walk in many scenarios.

The Ronin 4D has been adopted at the highest levels of production. Cinematographer Rob Hardy used the Ronin 4D for approximately 70% of Civil War, pursuing that visceral, war-journalism feel that is handheld and immediate but without amateurish shake. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel used it for complex one-take sequences on busy New York streets where laying dolly track was impossible. Most recently, Netflix’s Emmy and Golden Globe-winning drama series Adolescence relied entirely on the Ronin 4D for its continuous takes, each lasting as long as an entire episode.

The 4D represents DJI’s willingness to completely reimagine what stabilization can be. It is a specific tool for specific workflows. But it proves that DJI is not just iterating on a formula; they are willing to take risks. The RS 5 takes a different path, focusing on making the traditional gimbal form factor as intelligent and capable as possible.

Unboxing and physical design

DJI sent us the RS 5 Pro Combo, which includes several key accessories beyond the base gimbal. In the box, we have the RS 5 gimbal itself with its refined aluminum alloy construction, the BG33 battery grip that snaps on magnetically, the new Electronic Briefcase Handle (a significant upgrade we will get to shortly), the RS Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Module (the big story here), the quick-open tripod, dual-layer quick-release plates that work with both Arca-Swiss and Manfrotto systems, and a comprehensive set of cables for camera control.

Picking it up, the RS 5 feels refined. At approximately 1.19 kilograms for the gimbal head and 1.46 kg with the battery grip and quick-release plates, it is remarkably light for what it can do. The tested payload is 3 kilograms, which covers mainstream mirrorless setups like a Sony FX3 with a 24-70mm f/2.8, a Canon R5 Mark II with similar glass, or a Nikon Z6 III.

The axis arms feature what is arguably the most meaningful ergonomic upgrade in the RS 5: fully adjustable fine-tuning knobs on all three axes. This is a significant change from the RS 4, which offered a fine-tuning knob on the tilt axis only, leaving the pan and roll axes dependent on the standard slide-and-clamp approach. On the RS 5, each axis now has its own dedicated knob that uses a leadscrew mechanism, converting the rotational movement of the knob into precise linear translation of the axis arm. This means you can dial in balance with millimeter-level precision on every axis, not just front-to-back.

The second half of this equation is the Teflon interlayers. Where the RS 4 used a Teflon surface coating on the axis arms to reduce friction, the RS 5 goes further with Teflon material layered between the sliding contact surfaces themselves. The practical difference is immediately noticeable: the arms glide with consistent, low-friction resistance throughout the entire range of travel, eliminating the stick-slip behavior that plagues many gimbals where static friction is higher than dynamic friction, causing the arm to jump past the balance point when you finally overcome the initial resistance. With the RS 5, you apply force to the knob and the arm responds proportionally, so you can creep up to the balance point rather than overshooting it.

For anyone who has balanced a heavier mirrorless setup (say, a Sony FX3 with a 24-70mm zoom and an external monitor) on an older Ronin, the improvement is tangible. What used to be a process of loosening, nudging, overshooting, nudging back, and retightening becomes a smooth, predictable dial-in. On set, particularly during fast turnarounds when swapping between lenses of different weights, this translates directly into time saved and frustration eliminated. The touchscreen is carried over from previous generations, responsive and bright, but now with an important new capability tied to the tracking module.

On the grip, we have the familiar joystick, trigger, M button, front dial for focus control, and the camera control button. The physical gimbal mode switch lets you quickly toggle between PF, PTF, and FPV modes, and FPV mode can now be customized to 3D Roll 360 or a custom configuration.

The game changer: RS Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Module

The most significant advancement in the RS 5 is the RS Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Module. Previous Ronin gimbals offered tracking through various methods, including smartphone-based systems like RavenEye or the LiDAR range finder for autofocus. But they all had limitations. The smartphone approach introduced latency, required additional setup, and added complexity to what should be a streamlined workflow.

This new module attaches magnetically and communicates directly with the gimbal’s processor. The key innovation is that it displays the live camera feed directly on the RS 5’s touchscreen. You can draw a box around any subject (a person, a vehicle, a pet, or literally any object) directly on the gimbal screen, and the RS 5 will track it. No phone required. No additional app. Just tap and track.

For human subjects, the effective tracking range is up to 10 meters, and the system includes intelligent re-acquisition. If your subject walks behind an obstacle and re-emerges within two seconds, the RS 5 recognizes them and resumes tracking automatically. Vehicle tracking is designed for situations where the vehicle body is less than 30% occluded, making it well-suited for following cars or bikes through urban environments. Gesture control is also onboard for hands-free subject selection.

In real-world testing through busy Vienna streets, the tracking performed impressively well. Selecting a subject on the touchscreen and following them through crowds, the RS 5 maintained lock even as other people crossed between us. When the subject momentarily disappeared behind obstacles, the system re-acquired them reliably. This is the kind of shot that would traditionally require a dedicated focus puller and possibly a Steadicam operator. With the RS 5, you can do it alone.

Raw power: 50% more torque and 5th-gen stabilization

The second major advancement is raw power. DJI claims the RS 5 delivers 50% more peak motor torque compared to the RS 4. That is not a subtle improvement; it is a generational leap.

Higher torque means the motors can resist sudden movements more effectively. It gives the gimbal what engineers call stiffness, the ability to hold your composition even when you are running, changing direction quickly, or fighting wind. This is powered by the 5th-generation RS Stabilization Algorithm, which is specifically optimized for three challenging scenarios: fast walking and running, vertical shooting, and low-angle briefcase mode.

There is also a new visual tool to help improve your technique: the Z-Axis Indicator. It provides real-time feedback on your vertical stability, essentially coaching you to refine your walking technique for steadier shots. While it will not magically fix poor walking technique, it does make vertical shake immediately visible and harder to ignore.

Workflow accelerators

Anyone who has used older gimbals knows the ritual: unlock the axes, balance, power on, shoot, power off, manually lock each axis for transport, repeat. It is tedious, and in fast-paced shooting environments, every second counts.

The RS 5’s second-generation automated axis locks change that completely. Press and hold power, and the gimbal automatically unlocks all three axes and is ready to shoot in seconds. Power off, and they lock automatically. You can configure this behavior on the touchscreen, choosing between Recenter and Lock, Fold and Lock, or no automatic movement. The locks can also be operated manually if you prefer. For documentary work, wedding videography, or any run-and-gun scenario, this is a genuine workflow accelerator.

The new Electronic Briefcase Handle is more than just an ergonomic accessory. Unlike passive briefcase grips, this handle includes a joystick and buttons that give you full gimbal and camera control. You can adjust your composition, start and stop recording, and maintain creative control while working in positions that would be awkward or impossible with the main grip. Low angles become effortless, allowing you to walk forward with your arm extended naturally at your side rather than fighting the gimbal or craning your neck to see the screen.

Battery improvements

Battery anxiety is real for gimbal operators, and the RS 5 addresses this with meaningful improvements to both capacity and charging speed. The standard BG33 battery grip delivers approximately 14 hours of standby time, a 15% improvement over the previous generation. More importantly, you can fully charge it in just one hour using a 65-watt PD charger, which is 60% faster than before.

For even more endurance (say, for a full day of documentary shooting), the optional BG70 High-Capacity Battery Grip extends runtime to approximately 30 hours with 45W PD fast charging. That is enough for most multi-day shoots without needing to think about power. The USB-C port supports up to 60-watt charging input, so you are not limited to proprietary chargers.

The broader ecosystem

The RS 5 is designed to work as part of a broader Ronin ecosystem that DJI has been building for years. Pair it with the Focus Pro Motor system, and you can control both focus and zoom from the gimbal, with the front dial handling focus and the joystick controlling zoom. For solo operators using manual cinema lenses, this is transformative.

Connect the SDR Transmission system, and you get robust long-range monitoring, remote gimbal control, and Force Mobile functionality, all communicating over a dedicated radio link rather than congested Wi-Fi. The RS 5 also expands Bluetooth shutter support to include specific Panasonic and FUJIFILM cameras in addition to Sony, Canon, and Nikon. Wireless start/stop, zoom control, and even Sony’s Clear Image Zoom are available without cables.

For those who want to go deeper, DJI maintains an open RS SDK that lets third-party developers create custom functions and integrations.

Who is this for?

The RS 5 is clearly designed for content creators, independent filmmakers, and small production teams who need professional stabilization without dedicated camera operators or focus pullers. The 3 kg payload means heavier cinema rigs will still need the RS 3 Pro or RS 4 Pro, and the Enhanced Tracking Module is a separate purchase in the base kit.

The RS 5 is available in several configurations. The base gimbal with the BG33 battery grip, quick-release plates, lens-fastening support, and quick-open tripod (without the Intelligent Tracking module) starts at around $436. The Combo version, which includes the same components plus the RS Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Module and the Electronic Briefcase Handle, comes in at approximately $550. Pricing may vary by region.

The verdict

So does the RS 5 deserve to carry the Ronin legacy? After spending time with it in real-world conditions, yes. The Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Module is not just an incremental improvement; it genuinely changes what is possible for a single operator. The increased motor torque provides confidence in challenging conditions. The automated axis locks and fine-tuning knobs make setup faster than ever.

A decade ago, this technology was a novelty. Today, it has earned an Oscar and an Emmy. With the RS 5, DJI is not just maintaining that standard; they are pushing it forward. For filmmakers who make money with their gear, the RS 5 looks like the kind of upgrade that quietly pays for itself while making your shoots less frustrating.

Have you been using the RS 4 or earlier Ronin gimbals? Does the touchscreen tracking module tempt you to upgrade, or is the 3 kg payload a limitation for your work? We would love to hear what you think in the comments below.

Thanks to our collaborators Tamás Kiss (camera operator video shots outdoors), Florian Milz (studio shots and studio b-roll) and Luciano Orlievsky (video editor) in the making of this video.