I thought camera gimbals couldn't get any better than the DJI RS 4, and boy, was I wrong about that. The DJI RS 5 ($569 on its own) is just as good as its predecessor at video stabilization, and makes it even easier to balance your camera, which is typically the most daunting part of getting a gimbal up and running. It offers a stronger accessory library, including a low-angle briefcase handle and tracking module (both come in a $719 Combo bundle), and gets longer runtimes between charges versus the RS 4. That's enough to make the RS 5 our new Editors' Choice gimbal for full-frame mirrorless cameras, though if you use a lightweight APS-C or Micro Four Thirds kit, you're probably better off with the RS 4 Mini.

Design: Adjustment Knobs for Every Axis

The RS 5 is quite similar to the RS 4 in terms of form and function. It's a handheld stabilization system that's built to handle full-frame camera rigs (up to 6.6 pounds). It uses motors to keep your camera steady and level, providing tripod-like stabilization without sacrificing freedom of motion. Onboard controls let you adjust settings, start and stop recording, and pan, tilt, and roll the camera. Like its predecessor, the RS 5 automatically unlocks and locks its arms on power-up and shutdown, a nifty feature that adds some convenience.

The new edition makes some quality-of-life upgrades versus the RS 4. Notably, the RS 5 adds knobs to every axis, versus just on the camera sled for the RS 4. It's a minor change, but it makes it easier to balance your camera rig. Gimbals work best when a camera's center of gravity lines up with the gimbal—if your rig is mounted too far back or forward, the motors will struggle to compensate. It's a lot easier to make minute adjustments by turning a knob versus sliding the arms with your hands. I've used plenty of gimbals and never had an easier time getting a camera balanced than with the RS 5—I plopped on a Canon EOS R5 Mark II with a 24mm F1.4 L VCM lens and had it up and running in a matter of minutes.

DJI tells me that the RS 5's motors provide a 50% increase in torque strength versus the RS 4, so the RS 5 can keep the camera steadier when capturing footage in extreme scenarios, but I wasn't able to test them side-by-side to see if the stronger motors make a difference in the real world. The RS 4's stabilization was already rock-solid for footage captured while walking or running.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

The battery also gets an upgrade. The RS 4 is rated for 12 hours of power per charge, but the RS 5 extends that to 13 hours and 45 minutes, plus supports USB-C fast charging that brings an empty battery up to 100% from zero in about an hour, versus 2.5 hours for the RS 4. I don't expect every creator to benefit from the longer battery life and faster charging, but it's a plus for folks working out on location, away from power, for extended periods. It speeds up charging when you get home and reduces battery anxiety in the field. DJI offers an extended run battery, the BG70 (sold separately for $149), which is rated for up to 30 hours of power between charges.

The RS 5's battery is removable, so you can pick up a spare if needed. It serves double duty as the lower part of the gimbal's handle, and includes a tripod socket at its base. A folding tabletop tripod foot is included in the standard kit, so you can set the RS 5 down on a flat surface or table to give your arms a break.

Kits and Availability: Navigating the FCC's DJI Ban

The RS 5's public release comes more than a month after the FCC added the company to its Covered List of products that are prohibited for sale in the US. However, this only applies to cameras, gimbals, and drones that didn't receive FCC clearance prior to Dec. 22, 2025. The RS 5 received FCC approval prior to that date, so it's cleared for use and sale in the United States. That said, DJI does not have it available to order on its online storefront. You can order it from Adorama, Amazon, and B&H; however, all with quick delivery times as of launch day, so you can get it in the US without a delay.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

The RS 5 is offered in a standard kit that includes the gimbal, battery, tripod foot, and connection cables for camera control. It comes with everything you need to mount a camera horizontally for widescreen recording or vertically for social video.

You can also pick it up in a Combo edition, which adds an Electronic Briefcase Handle ($85 separately) that makes the gimbal more comfortable to use at low-to-the-ground angles, along with a joystick to set tilt and buttons for camera control. It's a substantial upgrade versus the Briefcase Handle from the RS 4 and earlier versions, none of which include controls. The Electronic Briefcase Handle isn't backward-compatible with older gimbals, which makes it a compelling reason to upgrade.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

The Combo also comes with the Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Module ($99 separately), which pops on magnetically and can identify and follow people, pets, vehicles, and inanimate objects. It's easy to connect: The module pops onto the gimbal magnetically, and the tracking setup is intuitive. Swipe right on the RS 5's touch screen, and the display switches to a live view from the Tracking Module's built-in camera. This accessory is backward compatible with the RS 4, RS 4 Pro, and RS 4 Mini.

Subjects that can be tracked are outlined with a green box. Tap that, and the gimbal will start to track and follow the tagged subject, aiming to keep it in the center of the frame. You'll know it's working because the LED ring around the Tracking Module's lens switches from red to green when tracking is active. It's quite effective; I set it to track my wife's face, and it followed her as she moved around our living room. She walked into another room out of the camera's view, and it picked her back up when she re-entered.

The Combo also includes a zippered carrying case, which you don't get with the standard RS 5 edition.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

Other accessories are available a la carte. The RS 5 works with the SDR Transmission Combo ($549), which allows a director to monitor footage while a camera operator handles the gimbal, and the Focus Pro Motor ($149), which allows the camera operator to adjust manual focus lenses from the handle's control dial.

Controls and Performance: Compatible With Leading Camera Brands

The RS 5 includes a touch screen and also works with the Ronin app for Android or iOS to access some of its more advanced functions. It lets you set waypoints for gimbal movement for time-lapse and video (called Track in the menu), and has a Panorama mode. You can also calibrate the motors, change the Follow speed (Slow, Medium, or Fast), and set it to Smooth for more gentle movements or Responsive for whip-pan style shots from the screen or app.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

Physical controls include a joystick for pan and tilt, and a front control dial that can be configured via the menu or app to change camera aperture or shutter speed, adjust focus, along with the optional Focus Pro Motor, or roll the gimbal. A Record button starts and stops video capture, and the configurable M button is used to take photos by default. Both of these buttons require you to connect your camera via USB-C or Bluetooth to work. The RS 5 supports camera control for Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Panasonic Lumix, and Sony mirrorless models.

There's also a toggle to switch the joystick between pan-tilt and zoom; the latter is useful if you're using a camera with a power zoom lens. Another toggle changes between Pan-Tilt-Follow (PTF), Pan-Follow (PF), and First Person View (FPV) stabilization modes. PTF delivers the floating look you expect from a gimbal along the x and y axes. PF only stabilizes on the y-axis, so you can add some side-to-side motion to the video. FPV is useful if you want a point-of-view shot with dynamic motion along the x- and y-axes.

(Credit: Jim Fisher)

The RS 5 works with decently heavy camera kits, up to 6.6 pounds, but pairs best with short, squat lenses like the Canon RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM and ultra-wide zooms, including heavy options like the Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM. If you expect to try something more telephoto, it's worthwhile to step up to the larger RS 4 Pro (there is no RS 5 Pro at this time), as its larger arms provide more room to balance a typical 24-105mm F4 zoom, and support a 10.0-pound payload. Conversely, if you use a lightweight kit with a svelte zoom or compact prime, consider the RS 4 Mini. It supports 4.4 pounds of weight, and is a good choice if you use a compact camera like the Sony a7C II with a small zoom like the FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G.