DJI’s Ronin series of gimbals for DSLR, mirrorless, and compact cinema cameras changed how creators in Hollywood and beyond tell stories.
Full disclosure: This sponsored article is brought to you by DJI.
DJI’s recent release of the RS 4 Mini is the latest in a long line of gimbals for professional and prosumer video creators. It provides top-of-the-line stabilization in a small and budget-friendly package. PetaPixel recently covered the release of the RS 4 Mini, and it’s safe to presume it will be as well-received as the rest of the gimbals in the line.
The Ronin brand has come a long way since the original DJI Ronin was released in 2014, releasing numerous generations of gimbals and even the full-fledged Ronin 4D Cinema Camera in the decade since — all while cementing a legacy of award-winning innovation that has influenced how our entertainment is made.
The Evolution of the Ronin
DJI began developing sensor stabilization initially as a way to address shaky aerial footage. In 2011, the company launched the Zenmuse Z15 — a first-of-its-kind solution for mounting a DSLR to a drone for aerial photography. Naturally, the Z15 found it was way into the hands of cinematographers who began widely using it, and DJI started to explore additional uses for its image stabilizer.
Enter the original DJI Ronin. It was a simple idea that led to a groundbreaking advancement in cinematography: what if we swapped out a drone for a human? The original Ronin, released in 2014, was a two-handed gimbal that utilized the stabilizing advancements made with the Zenmuse, allowing operators to mount a cinema camera on a three-axis gimbal. A year later, in 2015, the Ronin-M released — a smaller version designed for DSLR and Mirrorless cameras, followed by the Ronin-MX.
The impact of the Ronin was felt immediately. Creators were able to find new places to put the camera, creating dynamic shots for a much lower price than larger legacy options on the market. A filmmaker could streamline a shoot thanks to the high degree of stability the Ronin provided.
DJI continued development on the Ronin system, seeking to provide a complete solution for efficient and mobile shooting. The Ronin 2 was released in 2017, delivering a considerable step up from the first-generation Ronin.
Beyond three-axis stabilization, the Ronin 2 had an integrated power system to power the camera and provide image transmission. Additionally, DJI added wireless control tools like the Master Wheels and Force Pro units, which enabled the Ronin 2 to function as a wireless gimbal head.
The versatility of the Ronin 2 opened up a wide variety of applications. So much so that major Hollywood (and Bollywood) films and big-budget streaming television shows began using it.
It’s a pretty extensive list too. Films like Creed II, Bird Box, and Star Trek Beyond, as well as shows like The Mandalorian, Magnum P.I., Scorpion, Yellowstone, and even American Ninja Warrior all found use for the Ronin 2 on their sets. It’s reminiscent of the kind of technological advancement that occurred when full-frame DSLR video entered the scene, radically affecting visual storytelling from the smallest one-man-band creators all the way up to the largest producers in entertainment.
Compact, Single-Handed Stabilizers
After the widespread success of the Ronin 2, DJI began to address the needs of more independent creators. While the Ronin 2’s two-handed design proved effective for many situations, DJI’s work on a single-hand model sought to bring industry-level stabilizer technology to a more accessible market for indie and internet creators.
The Ronin-S released in 2018, allowing smaller cameras to be operated with a single hand grip. However, due to the weight distribution, it proved quite heavy for long shoots. DJI quickly followed up with the RS 2 and RSC 2 in 2020, which integrated carbon fiber into the design and better distributed the weight.
After multiple iterations, including the RS 3, RS 3 Pro, and RS 3 Mini–this year’s RS 4 Mini continues a legacy of providing industry-grade technology to content creators of all types. The DJI Ronin brand is synonymous with this philosophy, so much so that using the phrase “Ronin” on a film set immediately references a camera stabilizer of any type.
Industry Recognition and Beyond
A decade after the release of the original DJI, Ronin took the industry by storm, leading to countless studio features and television shows using the technology; it’s fair to think DJI deserves to be recognized for its contributions to image-making. Thankfully, the leading academies of film and television agree.
In 2024, the Television Academy awarded DJI an Engineering, Science & Technology Emmy Award for its contributions to television creation thanks to the three-axis stabilization technology pioneered by Ronin.
“Receiving this Emmy Award is an extraordinary honor considering this year marks the 10th anniversary of the DJI Ronin series launch. For the past decade, we have been at the forefront of the industry, delivering smooth, reliable, and high-quality footage for filmmakers around the world,” said Paul Pan, Senior Product Line Manager at DJI.
And this year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences followed suit. The DJI team, Su Tie, Bei Shimen, and Zhao Yanchong, were recognized with an Academy Award for Technical Achievement for the Ronin 2 system. The Academy cited the DJI Ronin 2’s broad adoption across the industry as a key merit for the award.
The Ronin series has no plans to slow down anytime soon. With the evolution of the Ronin 4D camera system, alongside continuing advances in image stabilization technology, DJI has cemented itself as a leader in imaging technology — as well as a go-to choice for filmmakers and storytellers of all types.
Full disclosure: This sponsored article is brought to you by DJI.
Image credits: Photographs by DJI
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