DJI RS 4 review: £399 stabilisation with smarter vertical shooting

Is the DJI RS 4 worth buying? Yes — at £399.00, the RS 4 looks well judged for solo creators who need a 3-axis gimbal with native vertical shooting, 3kg payload support, and a more capable accessory ecosystem than cheaper alternatives. It also sits at an all-time low price of £399.00, which makes it easier to justify than many launch-price gimbals.

First impressions: a gimbal built for faster solo work

The DJI RS 4 is aimed at creators who want to move quickly between handheld shooting styles without fighting the rig. The headline feature is 2nd-gen native vertical shooting, which is a practical upgrade for short-form video and social content because it lets you switch to vertical capture more efficiently than older workarounds. DJI also includes the BG21 battery grip, quick-release plate, and extended grip/tripod, so the kit is set up for solo use rather than requiring immediate extra purchases.

The first thing that stands out is that DJI has focused on workflow, not just raw stabilisation. The horizontal plate design is meant to make content creation more efficient, while the joystick mode switch lets you quickly move between PF, PTF, and FPV modes. For creators shooting fast-moving scenes, that kind of control matters more than a long spec sheet.

How good is the vertical shooting implementation?

Native vertical shooting is one of the strongest reasons to consider the RS 4. DJI says the new horizontal plate is designed for efficient vertical switching, and that is important because a lot of gimbals still treat portrait orientation as an afterthought. If you regularly shoot Reels, Shorts, TikTok, or vertical client deliverables, being able to set up for that format with less friction saves time on every shoot.

This is also where the RS 4 feels more modern than older stabilisers. Vertical shooting is no longer a niche feature; it is a core workflow requirement for many mirrorless users. The RS 4’s approach is better suited to that reality than a gimbal that makes portrait orientation awkward or slower to balance.

Is the balancing and handling actually easier?

Yes, the Teflon-coated axis arms are a meaningful usability upgrade because they reduce friction and should make balancing smoother and more precise. Balancing a gimbal is one of the least glamorous parts of video work, but it affects everything from setup time to how confidently you can swap lenses or adjust camera position. DJI’s use of Teflon on all three axes suggests the RS 4 is trying to reduce that daily annoyance.

The 3kg payload capacity is another important point. That is enough for many DSLR and mirrorless setups, and the extended tilt axis adds 8.5 mm over the previous generation, which gives more room for balancing larger or front-heavy camera/lens combinations. For creators using compact zooms, primes, or moderately built-up mirrorless rigs, that extra room is useful. It will not replace a heavier-duty rig for larger cinema builds, but that is not what this product is for.

How flexible is the control system?

The joystick mode switch is a smart touch because it lets you change between PF, PTF, and FPV modes quickly. That matters when you are moving between locked-off movement, more responsive follow, and more immersive camera motion. DJI also mentions FPV mode with 3D roll-style movement, which expands the creative range without making the gimbal feel overly complicated.

The RSA communication port is another sign that the RS 4 is designed as part of a wider ecosystem rather than as a standalone stabiliser. If you plan to build out your rig with additional accessories, that port gives you more room to grow. For solo cinematographers, that is valuable because the gimbal can remain the centre of the setup as your needs expand.

Is the battery system strong enough for real shoots?

With the included BG21 battery grip, the RS 4 is positioned as a practical all-day tool, and DJI says the optional BG70 High-Capacity Battery Grip can extend runtime from 12 hours to 29.5 hours. That is a big jump, although the BG70 is sold separately, so the headline endurance figure should not be treated as standard out of the box. The included setup is still designed for efficient solo creation, but heavy users should factor in the extra grip if they need longer runtimes.

That said, the battery story is more about flexibility than a single number. The RS 4 is clearly built to support longer shooting days, but the real advantage is that the system can scale if your workflow demands it.

Is the build quality worth the price?

At £399.00, the RS 4 feels sensibly priced for a DJI gimbal with native vertical shooting and a 3kg payload limit. It is not cheap, but it is also not asking premium-money-for-the-sake-of-it premium money. The all-time-low price of £399.00 makes the current offer especially attractive because there is no sign of inflation relative to its recorded pricing history.

The 4.4/5 rating from 579 reviews also suggests that buyers generally feel the hardware delivers on its core job. In a category where a poor balance or awkward control layout can ruin the experience, that level of approval matters.

How does the DJI RS 4 compare to the RS 4 Mini and Ronin-SC?

The RS 4 sits between the more affordable RS 4 Mini and the older Ronin-SC in a way that makes sense for serious mirrorless users. The RS 4 Mini costs £339.00 and also has a 4.4★ rating, but its 2kg payload capacity is lower, so the RS 4 is the better fit if your camera and lens setup is heavier or you want more headroom. The RS 4 Mini Combo is priced at £419.00 with the same 4.4★ rating, which makes the full RS 4 at £399.00 a more interesting middle ground if you want more capability without jumping to a higher-priced bundle.

Compared with the DJI Ronin-SC at £549.99 and a 4.3★ rating, the RS 4 is the more modern and better-value option on the information provided here. The RS 4 offers 3kg payload support, native vertical shooting, and an upgraded accessory ecosystem, while the Ronin-SC is limited to up to 2kg. For most Canon, Sony, Panasonic, Nikon, and Fujifilm mirrorless users, the RS 4 is the more relevant pick.

Who should avoid it?

The RS 4 is not the right buy if your camera setup is very light and you only need basic stabilisation, because the RS 4 Mini at £339.00 may be enough. It is also not ideal if you need to support rigs heavier than 3kg, because that payload ceiling is a real limit. And if you do not care about vertical video, accessory expansion, or faster mode switching, much of what makes the RS 4 appealing will be wasted on you.

What are the real-world trade-offs?

The biggest warning is that the best battery life figure depends on the separately sold BG70 grip, not the standard kit. Another limitation is that the product data provided does not include every detail about camera-specific compatibility, so buyers should still check their exact body and lens combination before committing. Finally, the RS 4’s strengths are concentrated in workflow and ecosystem rather than sheer brute-force payload, so cinema users with larger builds may outgrow it.

Final verdict

The DJI RS 4 is worth buying if you want a well-priced, modern gimbal for mirrorless or DSLR work, especially if native vertical shooting is part of your workflow. At £399.00 and with a 4.4/5 rating from 579 reviews, it looks like a strong buy for solo creators who value speed, flexibility, and a 3kg payload limit.

If you only need a lightweight stabiliser, the RS 4 Mini may be enough; if you need more than 3kg payload support, you should look elsewhere.