After successfully conquering the Aerial Photography and Cinematography space and becoming a leading manufacturer in accessories for filmmakers, DJI has taken a plunge into the actual world of film-making with the launch of their first (and the world’s first) 4 axis stabilize cinema camera; the Ronin 4D.
The Ronin 4D features a four-axis stabilization system, LiDAR focusing, and a video transmission and control system integrated into a single unit and is aimed at professional filmmakers with the hope that it can make high-end productions more efficient and impressive camera movements possible and convenient and from the reviews and first impression video, it seems that DJI knocked the ball right out of the park.
The camera features a full-frame sensor set up in two variations with one capable of shooting 8K video at 85fps and the other capable of 6K video at 45fps. When you crop the sensor to a super 35mm format then you get increased fps action. The camera also shoots in ProRes Raw and Apple ProRes with a promise of 14 stops of dynamic range. It has a 9 stop in-built ND filter system and Native Dual Gain ISO at ISO 800 and ISO 4000 which implies that the cinema will perform amazing low light situations. In all the Ronin 4D was a well-thought-out and executed cinema camera system and opens the door to the possibilities of what is possible with cinema cameras and what the future holds.
The Ronin 4D is an integration of all of DJI’s best innovations all fitted into one camera body. It features gimbal technology that they perfected with their line of Ronin gimbals and with sensors underneath the camera and in front of the camera, the new Ronin is able to judge the distance between the camera, the ground and the subject and compensate with the exact gimbal movement so you have the smoothest possible footage, the LiDar system is an improved version of the one found on the RS2 and offers auto focus to manual focus lenses and with the LiDar laser system means that the focus isn’t affected by low light and will deliver spot on focus in all situations and the wireless transmitter/controller means that even when you have someone else holding the camera, you can still get the shots and angles you want so you don’t compromise on any of the details you have in mind.
The Ronin 4D is an amazing piece of hardware and starting at $7,200 (2,953,440 Nigerian Naira), it is a piece that solo filmmakers or small scale film crew would find efficient in their hardware collection. Click here to here more about the new Ronin 4D on the DJI website and click below for a review and breakdown by YouTuber Matti Haapoja.
