DJI RS 4 Mini review

The DJI RS 4 Mini is a lightweight gimbal stabiliser that has been designed for smaller DSLR and mirrorless cameras as well as smartphones. It has a quick rotation that will take you from landscape to portrait in a matter of seconds.

The RS 4 Mini follows on from the superb RS 3 Mini, and while the two gimbals remain very similar with comparable payloads and features, the RS 4 Mini takes into consideration a lot of the advancements in technology that have arrived since the previous model’s launch.

Most notably, there are now automatic locks that enable you to quickly set up and pack down the gimbal before and after use, and there are a few other tweaks to the balancing, such as the fine-tuning control knob, that make setting up the camera easier than ever.

There’s also a boost in battery life, which is nice to see, but more notably, the charge time is vastly improved. If the gimbal does run down or you forget to charge it before a shoot, you don’t have to worry too much, as the charge times are faster.

While the payload and general responsiveness remain much the same as the RS 3 Mini, there is a major boost in performance thanks to the new intelligent tracking module that clips into the top axis and essentially enables you to do advanced tracking without using the Mimo app. The way this works is very similar to what we have recently seen with the launch of the DJI Osmo 7P but doesn’t go as far as that module in incorporating a built-in LED light or full compatibility with the DJI Mic Mini or DJI Mic 2 setup.

Ultimately, the RS 4 Mini is a more up-to-date and refined version of the RS 3 Mini that will appeal to many videographers. It’s an ideal option for someone looking for a larger single-handed gimbal stabiliser than the DJI Osmo 7P that can cope with compact mirrorless cameras as well as smartphones.

The DJI RS 4 Mini is once again a really nice compact single-handed gimbal stabiliser, but on closer inspection compared to the old RS 3, there have been a whole series of advancements and updates. Once again, the build quality is absolutely superb, and there’s the introduction of a few auto-locking features that make it faster to set up and pack down during use.

One of the most striking differences is the update to the colour scheme, which now goes for the typical DJI off-white. This gives the new DJI RS 4 Mini a really premium look, with plastic mixed with that brushed-down aluminium that gives it a real feeling of quality and design.

Looking over the gimbal, it all seems pretty straightforward, and one of the big physical changes here is that there’s now a really good solid attachment for the handle, which enables you to more comfortably hold, position, and angle the gimbal in use. This will be a massive advantage for anyone who used the RS 3, which, while easy to handle, could have benefitted from something like this to make it that much easier to negotiate. Otherwise, when you look at the grip and handle of the new gimbal, it all looks much the same. We’ve got that really nice large 1.4-inch touchscreen LCD with all of the details, a nice joystick, and everything is easily accessible with your thumb.

On the front of the gimbal, you also have the focus wheel, which is really nicely positioned and can be adjusted with your index finger. For certain cameras, this will give you focus control as well as zoom control. You also have the trigger, which you can custom program, or it’s assigned to flip the gimbal orientation by default.
When it comes to the size and weight, folded in it measures 236 x 64 x 316 mm, and unfolded 175 x 182 x 338 mm, weighing 890 g.

Overall, when I take a look at the RS 3 Mini compared with the latest version, I have to say that the colour scheme firstly gives the new gimbal a much more professional and aesthetic look. The addition of the NATO port, so that you can add a handle, vastly improves the handling of the gimbal, and the addition of the AI tracking camera will also make a huge difference to the potential use and professional look of the video that you capture with this latest RS 4 Mini model.

So, taking a quick run through some of the features, the first thing is the second-generation automated axis locks, which enable faster setup and packing down. Essentially, when you power on the gimbal, those locks unlock automatically without you having to search around the gimbal. Then, when you pack it down for safe transport, power down the gimbal, and those locks will automatically engage. This is a feature I really like, and I’ve seen it on plenty of other gimbals, so to see it here in the little RS 4 Mini is definitely a welcome addition.

The other big addition here is the intelligent tracking module. This clips on and off the main axis and sits just above the camera in use. It’s really easy to use and follows along the same lines as other AI cameras we’ve seen, enabling gesture control. Essentially, raise your palm to the camera when it’s all switched on, and the gimbal will start to track you. Then raise your palm again, and it will stop. Obviously, there are a few more commands than that.

Another big feature is the introduction of the NATO port on the side. This physical addition just increases the functionality of the gimbal by allowing you to attach the briefcase handle. Again, this is a simple physical addition to the gimbal but enables far better grip and handling of the device. It’s something that we see on larger gimbals, and even though this is a smaller and far more lightweight model, it’s incredible just how much the addition of a unit like this can improve the handling of the device.

One of the features DJI is keen to point out is the new Teflon-enhanced balancing, which enables smoother adjustment. This is something that’s really welcome, and while some metal gimbals, such as the DJI RS 4 Mini, are generally quite easy to adjust out of the box, some of the carbon gimbals do take a little bit of time to ease up. To be honest, with all of the gimbals I’ve used—and I’ve used many over the years, especially the DJI RS, which was initially extremely stiff when it came to adjustments—over time they do loosen up and become quite fluid. So, I think this is just something that enables the gimbal to be easier to adjust from the outset.

Another feature is the new series of quick-release magnetic mounts for accessories. As time goes on, I’ll take a look at these and see how well those magnetic mounts work in reality.

And of course, the other feature that we have to mention is the payload, which stays exactly the same as the DJI RS 3 Mini. So, the major enhancements here are the advanced AI tracking camera, the NATO ports that enable you to attach the briefcase handle, and, of course, a boost in battery longevity.

The DJI RS 3 Mini is one of my favourite gimbals—small, lightweight, and if there’s any quick work that I need to do with one of the smaller cameras that I use on tutorials, then it’s a great option. It’s got plenty of functions and features, but recently it’s been superseded by the likes of the Hohem MT2, mainly due to that intelligent AI tracking module that works so incredibly well on that model of gimbal.

What’s more, after we’ve now seen the DJI Osmo 7P, which was launched at roughly the same time as this latest DJI RS 4, and of course the absolutely superb Osmo Pocket, the RS 4 Mini launches into a very competitive and niche sector.

That essentially means that with its fourth-generation algorithm for smooth stabilisation, the addition of the briefcase handle, and the AI camera, it really needed to take a huge leap up in use and quality.
Sure enough, when it comes to aesthetics, I have to say it’s one of the best, if not the best-looking, single-handed gimbal stabilisers on the market at present. I just love the way that matte grey finish looks, and it mirrors the rest of the DJI drone range. Delving into the actual setup and balancing of cameras, when it comes to smartphones, that’s pretty quick and easy to do, and these days DJI has worked on the algorithm to a point where you don’t get that horrible swing around that you used to get, which used to try to break your arm in the process of setting up. With this gimbal, it’s pretty straightforward, and after most people have done it once or twice, it’s not too difficult to do.

When it comes to mounting small mirrorless cameras such as the Nikon Z50, it’s equally easy, and with most cameras of that small compact mirrorless type, you shouldn’t have too much trouble setting it up. However, when it comes to larger cameras like the Sony A7 IV that I’ve been using for this test, when that’s coupled with a larger lens, like the 24-70mm, that really is putting a little bit too much strain on the motors. Though if you do very, very carefully balance it, you might just get away with it.

However, coupled with the Sony 35mm f/1.4, the camera and lens strike a perfect balance with the RS 4 Mini, and it doesn’t take long to link it all in so that you can take complete control over the camera with the gimbal itself. You can connect through Bluetooth or utilise the USB Type-C. What I really like here is the fact that it’s all very quick and intuitive to use, although you will need to add a focus puller in order to adjust focus with this particular model. While the focus motor is mentioned in the instructions, I can’t confirm much more than this at present, but I will give this a go with the motor that I have and update the review in the next few days.
In use, the RS 4 Mini is extremely responsive and manages to stabilise the video footage really well, especially considering its small size. What I really liked was the speed of setup, with those auto-locks just making the whole process that much easier. When it comes to really everyday use, as I really like lightweight single-handed gimbal stabilisers, there really is little to fault.

However, there are two major updates that really make this a superb upgrade from the DJI RS 3 Mini. Those are, firstly, the NATO port, which enables you to add the briefcase handle. This just instantly makes the handling of the gimbal that much easier and also enables you to take a little bit more of the weight off your arms by spreading it across both rather than just one. While this is a purely physical addition to the gimbal, it makes a huge difference, and anyone who uses the DJI RS 3 Mini will definitely find this new addition a huge advantage.

The other big advantage is the tracking camera, which, like the Osmo 7P that features the integrated LED and compatibility with the DJI Mic Mini, works with hand gestures in much the same way. Realistically, what this means when I’m filming is that you can follow your subject, and the gimbal will keep up nice and easily, and you don’t have to look at your app in order to draw the boxes around the AI tracking. You can literally use just the gimbal without the need to access the app in any way, shape, or form.

So, when it comes to performance, the DJI RS 4 Mini is a world apart from the DJI RS 3 Mini, and whilst they hold the same load capacity, when it comes to just those two features, it makes a massive difference to the use of this gimbal, making it a really worthwhile upgrade from the older model.

After using the RS 4 Mini, I was really impressed with the performance, and I just wanted to backtrack and go and have a look at the RS 3 Mini to see what the real differences were. The first thing that I noticed was that the quality of the stabilisation with the new algorithm was just that much better, and it did seem to handle the larger camera a bit better than the older model.

When it comes to the additional battery life and charging, I have to say I didn’t really notice that much difference. The battery life of the RS 3 Mini was already pretty good, and on a day’s shoot, I never really had to top it up. So, with the RS 4 Mini having a 30% increase in battery, I have to say I didn’t notice that in any way, shape, or form. The fact that they charge faster—well, it’s normally charged at the end of the day anyway, so again, I didn’t really notice. This is something worth noting on paper, but in real-world tests, it didn’t really have much bearing.

On the axis locks and switching, this all seemed to work well, and the second-generation automated axis locks worked exceptionally well and made setup and packing up that much easier, so I liked that a lot. It also features the third-generation native vertical switch for faster transitions. Again, this seemed to work really well, and it’s a nice addition.

When it comes to build and handling, they’re both pretty much on par, but that fine-tuning knob does make it easier to adjust the balance, so that’s very welcome. I really like that. The new responsive mode—well, yes, that does seem to react a little bit faster, but to be honest, only marginally so, and I thought the RS 3 Mini was already very good.

As I’ve already mentioned, one of the big things here is the new briefcase handle, and this just makes it far easier to handle than previous generations, so a massive plus point, which really does separate the RS 4 Mini from the RS 3 Mini.

When I first used the RS 3 Mini, I was migrating from the DJI RS 3 Pro, and it is quite a leap. You have to really think about the balance of the lens that you’re using with the body, and obviously, it’s a little bit more sensitive in use than those larger models.

However, in use, you do get used to the difference in balancing and sensitivity, and for general use, commercial video, and small productions, the little RS 3 Mini is just a great gimbal to take with you. It might not have all those features that the larger models have, but it still provides you with functions and features to make it a worthwhile addition to your kit.

However, now we have the DJI RS 4 Mini, and with the addition of that briefcase handle and the AI tracking camera, it actually makes this a far more worthwhile addition. It will help you to shoot professional-level and quality footage far more easily than the previous generation, and in fact, it’ll even help you to do that more easily than some of the larger gimbals out there.

I was already quite a big fan of the Hohem MT2 due to the fact that it was just so easy to use with its AI tracking cameras, and now that DJI have started to include these cameras on their models as well, it does make a huge difference to the functionality and usability.

If you’re in with the DJI ecosystem, then the RS 4 Mini makes sense. It’s a brilliant single-handed gimbal stabiliser for smaller mirrorless cameras. In this review, I have mainly used the Sony A7 IV with the 35mm f/1.4.

The DJI RS 4 Mini won’t suit everybody. If you’re a solo shooter using one of the small mirrorless cameras or if you use a small mirrorless camera and sometimes a mobile phone, then this makes a perfect option. If you already own the DJI RS 3 Mini, then again, with the enhancement of the briefcase handle and that small AI camera, it again makes a valued upgrade.

However, if you are using anything larger, and even if you’re using the Sony A7 IV with a smaller lens, it might still be worth considering one of the larger gimbals, as you are pushing this gimbal to its absolute limits. Although it can handle it in most situations, if you do start to move more quickly, then you will find the payload of your camera and lens will start to push it.

Overall, however, this is a massive upgrade from the RS 3 Mini, and with those two new features on top of all the smaller features, it makes it a really worthwhile first single-handed gimbal stabiliser or an ideal solution for anyone upgrading from a smartphone gimbal or an older lightweight option.