DJI RONIN 4D
GAME CHANGER
GENERATION Z HEAD-TURNER The latest breed of independent filmmaker should take a serious look at this unique, four-axis camera-cum-stabiliser
WORDS ADAM DUCKWORTH
T here is only one camera on the market that has a four-axis stabilisation system for Steadicam-like, silky-smooth moves. That turns manual-focus cine primes into full autofocus lenses, thanks to a laser rangefinder system. And can shift itself to track moving subjects, and record ProRes Raw files internally to memory cards. Only one that has a built-in video transmission system, so you can control all settings frommiles away. And there is a single cinema camera that comes with a choice of lens mounts, including the popular Sony E-mount – that allows you to change the full-frame, dual ISO sensor module from 6K to 8K. Incredibly, for such a huge list of technologically advanced firsts, these are all in a single camera – the new DJI Ronin 4D. It’s the sort of lateral thinking that could only come from this company, unhindered by the decades-old views and established practices of traditional camera manufacturers. You only have to look at the menu system that has all the pro features and settings you’d want, but is set up in a logical way – rather than a litany of subfolders to trawl through to make changes. It’s DJI’s experience in making consumer drones and gimbals that has led to this way of considering what a high-level cinema camera is, and how simple it should be to control.
and 4K/120fps; we tested this version. The forthcoming Zenmuse X9-8K goes to 8K/75fps, and this camera ‘unit’ can be retro-fitted to the Ronin 4D. The 6K combo is £5999/$7199; while the 8K version is £9499/$11,499, but comes with more accessories, including a 1TB SSD drive. Both record internally in H.264, ProRes or ProRes Raw, in D-Log, Rec.709 or HLG. And the image quality is stunning, with very natural colours, around 14 stops of dynamic range, and low noise – thanks to dual native ISO of 800/5000 on the 6K camera, and 800/4000 on the 8K. Before anyone gets to even think of the camera and codecs, it’s the unusual form factor that is the most striking component. Instead of the unit being held by a separate three- axis gimbal, there is a very obvious carbon-fibre arm that protrudes from the front of the boxy main unit. This adds the fourth-axis – or Z-axis – of stabilisation. Where three-axis gimbals control pan, tilt and roll, the Z-axis of vertical motion is not stabilised. So, when walking or running, or traversing steps, the camera still bobs up and down. Real Steadicams can offer this fourth-axis control, but the DJI has it built-in using drone technology. A vision of versatility Downward and forward sensors are included, a built-in accelerometer to measure movement in every direction, and a barometer to monitor air pressure changes while the camera moves. These advanced electronics, combined with the mechanical arm, produce an incredibly smooth stabiliser. You can walk or run with it, and it records impossibly smooth
SPECIFICATIONS Price: £5999/$7199 Sensor size: 35mm full-frame 6K CMOS Formats: ProRes RawHQ, Raw, 422HQ, 422. H.264 4:2:0 10-bit. To CFexpress: 6K 23.97/24/25/29.97/30fps. C4K and 2K 23.976/24/25/29.97/ 30/48/50/59.94/60/72/96/100/ 120fps. To USB-C SSD: C4K and belowonly, 23.976/24/25/ 29.97/30/48/50/59.94/60fps. All formats work onDJI ProSSD. Gamma: D-Log, Rec.709, HLG ISO range: 250-12,800. Dual native ISO 800/5000 Dynamic range: 14+ stops Autofocus: LiDAR AF and AutomatedManual Focus, Active Track Pro Lensmount: DJI DL, Sony E, LeicaM Battery: DJI TB50 NDfilters: Built-in nine stops Screen: 5.5in, 1920x1080 1000-nit touchscreen Controls: Peaking, zebras, false colour, histogram Audio: 3.5mmstereomic input Output: 3.5mmstereo output jack, USB-C 3.1, HDMI-A Storage: DJI ProSSD 1TB, CFexpress 2.0 Type B, USB-C SSD MaximumZ-axis payload: 2000g/4.41lb Overall dimensions (wxhxd): 309x290x277mm/ 12.2x11.4x10.9in
Censor selection Rather than just upping the
resolution and allowing users to record Raw if they add on a third- party recorder, the DJI Ronin 4D comes with a choice of camera sensor units. The Zenmuse X9-6K camera supports up to 6K/60fps
DISRUPTIVE TECH If ever there was a camera that changed the face of filmmaking technology, it’s the DJI Ronin 4D
Weight: 4.67kg/10.3lb excluding lens and card
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