The DJI RS 3 ($549) is the company's third-generation Ronin stabilizer. Like the RS 2, this model supports full-frame mirrorless cameras with bigger lenses and is versatile enough for use by everyone from single-crew creators to on-set commercial productions. If you have basic needs you can get the RS 3 Mini ($369) for less, but we like the RS 3's auto-locking arms and broader accessory system enough to name it our Editors' Choice winner in the category. Simply put, it's the best gimbal for most mirrorless camera owners.

Handles Full-Frame Kits With Ease

The RS 3 is the midsized entry in DJI's single-handed stabilizer series. It sits between the RS 3 Mini and the RS 3 Pro ($869) in size, price, and payload rating. Compared with the Mini, it can handle heavier payloads (up to 6.6 pounds), includes a swappable battery and auto-locking arms, and works with an optional focus motor and wireless video transmission accessories.

Even with the extra capabilities, the 2.2-pound RS 3 isn't too much heavier than the Mini (1.8 pounds) and I prefer its slightly larger design. It measures 14.3 by 6.7 by 7.4 inches (HWD) and its taller design makes it more comfortable to hold, especially when you're self-recording for vlogs. You may want to think about stepping up to the Pro if you use heavier lenses; it supports up to 10 pounds.

The RS 3 breaks down into a few parts. Its RS BG21 Grip serves as the bottom part of the handle and battery; it is swappable for quick changes in the field and spares cost $79. The battery pack is good for 12 hours of power and recharges via USB-C. A removable tripod foot is included, too; it screws into the bottom of the battery pack.

With support for more than six pounds, it's easy to get the RS 3 going with many mirrorless cameras. I started testing it with a popular Micro Four Thirds video camera, the Panasonic GH6, and finished up with the full-frame Canon EOS R6 Mark II and beefy RF 15-35mm F2.8 zoom lens. It handled both kits without a problem.

Setup doesn't require tools, and the RS 3 includes some useful features to ease balancing. An Arca-Swiss release plate is one; it lets you move your camera from the gimbal to a compatible tripod and back again without swapping out the bottom plate. I especially like the gimbal's geared mounting plate, which lets you balance the tilt axis with a thumb screw control. It's a more pleasing experience than gimbals that make you slide the plate back and forth to set the balance.

You'll still need to slide the pan and roll axes without geared assists, but the need to rebalance your camera is lessened with the RS 3, assuming you tend to use the same lens and camera combination. You don't have to take the camera off to fold down the gimbal for storage or transport. Its auto-locking and unlocking arms reinforce this—the RS 3 folds and locks on its own when you power it down. Neater still, turning the gimbal back on unlocks the arms and puts them in position for use.

RS 3 Combo Option and Other Accessories

DJI sells the RS 3 on its own for $549, but you can also get it in a Combo package for $719. The Combo includes the RS Focus Motor ($149) and gears, so you can use the on-handle control wheel to motor drive manual focus lenses, as well as the RS Briefcase Handle ($59) to make low-to-the-ground footage more comfortable to snag. The Combo comes in a zippered carrying case.

The gimbal has two NATO expansion points, so you can use the briefcase handle along with another add-on. We expect some RS 3 buyers to add a monitor to supplement an on-camera LCD. Doing so requires you to pick up the Ronin Image Transmitter, sold separately for $159.

The Image Transmitter will also send video to the Ronin smartphone app. It cleverly mounts underneath the baseplate and adds a host of monitoring features. You can apply a LUT preview to flat footage, enable peaking as a manual focus aid, and turn on zebras to let you know when highlights are clipped.

Adding the Image Transmitter also lets you control the gimbal using your smartphone. An on-screen joystick is available, but you can also swap to gyro controls to swing the camera around using your phone's accelerometer. I found that method to be tricky to use effectively.

ActiveTrack is also supported; the feature lets you draw a box around a subject and have the gimbal follow it. I had no problem tagging myself for tracking, but found the tracking itself to be ineffective. It did a good job tilting up and down to follow my head movements but I couldn't get it to follow me laterally, and it lost tracking more often than a competent camera focus system, though that's not surprising when you consider how good the tracking in newer cameras has become.

If you do want to use ActiveTrack Pro, it's worthwhile to grab a smartphone holder to mount your phone to the gimbal for easy monitoring and control. The R Phone Holder is a $39 add-on. Creators who want to record vertical video will want to get the R Vertical Camera Mount ($49). The more affordable RS 3 Mini has a built-in tool to permit 9:16 recording without requiring extras.

On-Handle Controls

The RS 3 has standard on-handle controls: a joystick, a Record button, and a Mode button sit close to the color touch screen. A control wheel and button are located on the front of the pistol grip. The RS 3 also has a physical toggle to swap between Pan Follow (PF), Pan Tilt Follow (PTF), and First Person View (FPV) stabilization modes. It's on the side of the handle.

The control wheel can be used for a variety of things. I like setting it to adjust roll for easy Dutch angles, but you can also use it for camera control—aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and the like. The trigger button is handy, a double tap centers and levels your camera.

The touch screen sports a four-tile navigation system. You use it to change settings like follow speed and set up the Bluetooth connection with your camera. For many cameras, you just need to pair wirelessly for control, but some require a USB-C connection for the RS 3's Record button and control wheel to work. Check DJI's list of compatible cameras to find out if your model works with Bluetooth or requires one of the included connection cables for the remote control.

Superb Stabilization and Room to Grow

DJI is the first name in camera stabilizers with good reason. Its stabilizers range from the smartphone-sized Osmo Mobile 6 up to the Hollywood-grade Ronin 2 ($8,399), and are also fitted into its popular line of drones. The RS 3 sits squarely in the middle. It's simple enough for single-camera creators to operate, but is scaleable for use on indie productions using a consumer mirrorless camera or a compact cinema camera like the Sony FX3.

There's a lot to like about the gimbal. It delivers stabilization that's as good as a Steadicam and gets up and running in minutes without the need for tools. Scalability is a plus for creators who want to do a bit more, such as control manual focus lenses electronically with a focus motor, or add a video transmission system to use a smartphone or tablet as a wireless monitor. A quick-swappable battery pack is another plus.

Auto-locking arms have a bit of a whiz-bang aspect, but are one of the things that set the RS 3 apart from the smaller RS 3 Mini, a more affordable option that delivers similar stabilization but doesn't work with focus motors or wireless video systems. The RS 3 Mini is a fine alternative for $369, but we find the RS 3's extra features, beefier payload capacity, and stronger accessory system to be worth spending more, and that makes it our Editors' Choice winner.