GEAR MINI TESTS
Shure’s unique wireless stereo mic system, a Samsung SSD, Hobolite’s funky Iris LED, a Datacolor colour meter and more hit the testing floor
WORDS ADAM DUCKWORTH
DJI RS 4 MINI COMBO £419/$459 store.dji.com
When we tested the DJI RS 4 Pro gimbal we said it was the best, most feature-packed gimbal that doesn’t break the bank, and works as long as your camera payload is 4.5kg/9.9lb or less. And we still stand by that. But if you use a lighter mirrorless camera set-up, don’t want to spend as much and yearn for a gimbal that’s lighter and more compact than DJI now offers, this could be the perfect stabiliser for you. It’s the RS 4 Mini, which handles a payload of up to 2kg/ 4.4lb and, in the Combo kit, costs just £419/$459; less than half the price of the RS 4 Pro kit and around two-thirds the weight. It’s also been designed to pack up flatter than any other DJI gimbal, to make it easier to store and carry around in a bag. Of course, it doesn’t come with all the high-tech spec of the RS 4 Pro, such as the Raven Eye wireless transmitter that beams the video signal to a remote monitor. But it does have a trick that the Pro doesn’t; the RS Intelligent Tracking Module, which enables hands-free subject tracking. This uses the same magnetic attachment system as older DJI action cameras, and the module clips right next to the camera. A red light shows it’s powered up and taking power from the main gimbal battery. When the subject in
the frame raises a hand, or the front trigger button is pressed, the gimbal locks on to the subject and the red light turns green. The RS 4 Mini then automatically tracks them as they move around the frame, even briefly out of it and back in again or when other people cross in front. You can reframe the shot using the gimbal controls too, or set the menu to keep the subject right in the centre. The RS4 Mini keeps tracking your subject wherever they go. It’s a great feature and works incredibly; you can adjust settings like speed, but only for people up to ten metres away, so sadly this is no use for cars, bikes or animals. If you’re a solo vlogger, you can put the gimbal on a tripod or solid surface and walk around talking to the camera, with the green light letting you know the camera is following you around the frame. Of course, the gimbal can be fitted with a smartphone instead of a camera if that’s important to you, with the new smartphone holder included. The Intelligent Tracking Module comes in the Combo kit but not with the stand-alone gimbal, which is a bargain at £339/$369. The kit is worth the extra money as it also buys you a separate, second handle which makes it far easier to use with low angles. The RS 4 Mini Briefcase
GRIPPING STUFF The
SPECIFICATIONS
rear handle is an improved ergonomic design, which allows for more creative shots
Axes: Three Max load capacity: 2kg/4.4lb Battery: 3100mAh Runtime: 13 hours Charging time: Two hours Display: Fixed touchscreen OLED Modes: Pan-follow, pan-and- tilt follow, FPV, 3D roll 360 and custom mode Connectivity: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.1, 2x USB-C, Android and iOS app Dimensions (wxhxl): Folded 64x316x236mm/2.5x12.4x9.3in Weight: 890g/2lb
“You can put the gimbal on a tripod or solid surface and walk around talking to the camera, with the green light letting you know the camera is following you”
68
PRO MOVIEMAKER
Powered by FlippingBook