Staying with the axis and the carbon arms, these have been extended slightly to enable the mounting of some of the new midweight professional cameras, such as the Sony FX6 and Canon EOS C70. For a gimbal of this size to take the weight of either of these cameras is impressive. While I don’t have access to either of these cameras, a Canon C100 MKII comfortably sat on the DJI Ronin RS3 Pro without issue and with plenty of clearance.

You can use the touchscreen to switch between modes such as PF (Pan Follow), PTF (Pan Tilt Follow) and FPV (where the gimbal rolls as well as pans and tilts). It can be a bit of a fiddle to change modes on a touchscreen while you’re operating the gimbal, so the RS 3 Pro has new gimbal Mode Switch that lets you toggle between modes in a more ergonomic and tactile way. A Bluetooth shutter button enables you to start/stop recording on compatible cameras without the need for a cable. Most gimbal grips attach beneath the mounted camera so that it can be held upright and moved around with ease. To afford more creative flexibility, the DJI Briefcase Handle (2022) attaches above the mounted camera, so users can hold their gimbal from above. This makes it easier for your camera to get closer to the ground and achieve some impressive low-angle shots. How does the focus motor work?Remote possibilities are expanded tenfold with the extensive list of compatible products designed for use with the DJI RS 3 Pro. Included in this list are the DJI High-Bright Remote Monitor, the DJI Video Transmitter, and the DJI LiDAR Range Finder. Whilst the Transmission combo uses the latest O3 Pro video transmission technology to provide an incredible 20,000-foot range for a 1080p/60fps H.264 live feed, the Focus Motor and LiDAR Range Finder work together to provide cinematic autofocus capabilities. What’s in the box? The DJI RS 3 Pro enters the higher end of the R series, designed for videographers and professional crews. The DJI RS 3 is better suited to solo creators and independent crews. As a result, the RS 3 Pro benefits from compatibility with DJI’s ecosystem of industry-leading accessories, making this the ideal option for those wanting improved production coordination with the option to expand their kit. Has the RS 3 Pro improved from the RS 2? The camera’s OLED is clear and used as a straightforward gimbal, with the camera mounted high above the rear arm. Even dropping the camera down to ground level, there’s enough arm clearance to pull out the screen so you can see what’s happening. The only time seeing the screen becomes difficult is when using the 3D Roll 360. The DJI LiDAR Range Finder (RS) uses Ronin 4D’s acclaimed LiDAR focusing technology. Compared with conventional focusing technology, the LiDAR focusing system does not need to rely on the surface texture of the subject. This is especially useful in low-light environments or complicated scenarios with multiple subjects and results in exceptionally stable focus.

Designed to empower videographers and professional crews, the RS 3 Pro Combo embodies the best of the DJI brand by combining industry-leading stabilisation with practical controls and an extensive ecosystem of expansion options. Included in this comprehensive kit is the RS Focus Motor (2022) to help users achieve an incredibly smooth focusing experience and the notorious Ronin Image Transmitter. One of the instantly notable features in the new larger 1.8 OLED full-colour screen. This is 28% larger than the one on the RS2 and allows you to switch settings, with the optional RavenEye plugged in, you can also get a live view stream.

Unlike the plastic build of DJI’s consumer range of smartphone drones (with the DJI OM 5 being the latest in that line), the DJI RS 3 Pro has sturdy (but lightweight) carbon fibre arms and motors powerful enough to support a hefty camera and lens.

DJI is known for their product design; they make imaging devices that don’t follow conventions, and some, such as the Phantom, have become iconic. The DJI Ronin RS3 Pro matches the quality of the products that have come before, with the stunning carbon arms sitting atop a sturdy-looking grip and base. There’s also compatibility with the LiDAR AF system that will transform this small gimbal into a complete filming rig for those using manual focus Cine lenses. The DJI High-Bright Remote Monitor supports live feeds with audio and one transmitter with multiple receivers. In Control mode, two receivers can be used at the same time to collaboratively control RS 3 Pro’s gimbal, focus, and camera parameters for an integrated reception, monitoring, and control experience. DJI RS 3: It is recommended to use a charger supporting PD fast charging protocol with charging power ≤ 18 Wto charge the DJI RS 3 battery grip, which takes about 150 minutesto be fully charged. What I also really like is the expandability of the system. For myself, I don’t need the optional High Bright Remote Screen, but it’s nice to think that one day I may be running a production that requires more than just myself monitoring what’s going on!DJI Transmission also supports automatic frequency hopping between 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz, and DFS bands, providing crews with an impressively stable and interference-free remote monitoring experience. Then there’s the camera compatibility. Being able to take the larger cameras is extremely useful, and now that I’m about to change from the Sony PXW FS7 to a Canon EOS 5R C this gimbal will provide all the performance I need and in a very small form.