DJI Unveils Smaller, Lighter Ronin RS 2 and RSC 2 Gimbals

To most consumers, DJI is a drone company, but it doesn't just make stabilized aerial camera rigs. Video pros know all about its line of powered gimbals, support devices that use silent, brushless motors and gyroscopes to keep handheld footage as smooth as you can get with a Steadicam, but without the need for excessive upper body strength and hours of practice.

Today, DJI is updating two of its popular Ronin gimbals, replacing the Ronin-S with the RS 2 and the compact Ronin-SC with the RSC 2. Updates include more powerful motors, smarter stabilization algorithms, and a sling setting to capture footage from a low angle.

DJI RS 2 (Image: DJI)

The RS 2 is the larger of the pair, and is rated to support up to 10 pounds of gear, without any dip in performance, making it a good fit for anything from a Sony a7S III up through a Red DSMC2.

It includes a color 1.4-inch touch screen, so you can see the view from the camera, and has its own set of subject tracking and stabilization algorithms. The gimbal can identify subjects and keep them centered in frame using the same Active Track system found in DJI drones.

DJI RS 2 (Image: DJI)

There are physical improvements too. DJI has added axis locks, so the gimbal won't freely move about when it's stowed for transport, and if you prefer manual focus, you can drive the lens with motorized gears, controlled with just your fingertip.

The RS 2 is joined by the smaller, more affordable Ronin SC 2. It doesn't support as big a payload, but 6.6 pounds is enough to handle full-frame mirrorless systems, and it drops the color touch screen in favor of an OLED information panel, but is otherwise very close in functionality to the larger RS 2.

DJI RSC 2 (Image: DJI)

Both gimbals are driven by DJI's Titan stabilization algorithm, which provides intelligent stabilization by tracking your personal habits to better predict your natural tendencies and movements. It's aided by a number of automated camera moves, including the spinning Time Tunnel effect that combines rotation and time lapse.

The new gimbals are shipping today. The RS 2 is priced at $849, while the RSC 2 costs $499. Both are also available with a number of bundled accessories, including a phone clip and focus motor, dubbed Pro Combos, for $999 and $739, respectively.

About Our Expert

Jim Fisher

Principal Writer, Cameras

My Experience

Images, and the devices that capture them, are my focus. I've covered cameras at PCMag for the past 14 years, which has given me a front row seat for the changeover from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras, the smartphone camera revolution, and the emergence of drones for aerial imaging. I have extensive experience with every major mirrorless and SLR system, and am also comfortable using point-and-shoot and action cameras. As a Part 107 Certified drone pilot, I’m licensed to fly unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for commercial and editorial purposes, and am knowledgeable about federal rules and regulations regarding drones.

The Technology I Use

I use all of the major camera systems on a regular basis, swapping between Canon, Fujifilm, L-Mount, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon, and Sony systems. I still find time to use Leica M rangefinders and Pentax SLRs on occasion, too. I keep an iPhone 13 in my pocket for the rare occasions I'm not carrying a camera.

I'm not a brand-specific photographer. For product review photos, I swap between a Canon EOS R5 and a Sony a7R IV. I use Flashpoint and Godox TTL lights and Peak Design tripods, and I most often reach for a Think Tank or Peak Design backpack to carry equipment.

When it comes to computers, I'm an unapologetic Mac person and have been for the past 20 years. I write in Pages and use Numbers for spreadsheets. I currently swap between an Intel i9 MacBook Pro and an Apple Silicon Mac Studio for writing and use a calibrated BenQ 32.5-inch with the Studio for photo and video editing. I rely on a LaCie 6big RAID for media storage. I also keep a PC around for gaming, but please don't tell my Macs about it; they'll get jealous.

I split time between several different software apps depending on the type of editing I'm doing. For Raw image processing, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic is my standard. I pair it with a LoupeDeck CT console to supplement my keyboard and trackpad, and I lean on RNI All Films 5 presets when I want to give an image a film look. I use Apple Final Cut Pro for video editing.

My first digital camera was the Canon PowerShot Elph S200, and my first DSLR was the Pentax *ist DL. I have a soft spot for antique film gear. I still use a 1950 vintage Rolleiflex Automat TLR and love trying mid-century Leica lenses on film and digital alike. I mainly use whatever's in front of me for review for digital snaps, but I pick up either my Leica M Typ 240 or Pentax K-3 III Monochrome when I want to step away from review work. In my downtime, I enjoy bird watching, reading, video games, and both good and bad movies, especially in the sci-fi and horror genres.

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