Key takeaways! 00:57 🎥 When comparing DJI RS4 to Zhiyun Crane 4 for minimal setup shots, the RS4 produces smoother footage with minimal stabilization effort. 02:20 ⚖️ The DJI RS4 has a payload capacity of 6.2 lbs, while the Zhiyun Crane 4 boasts a higher capacity of 13.3 lbs, allowing for larger setups. 03:18 💡 The DJI RS4 features a premium design, lightweight build, and intuitive controls, making it easy to use and travel-friendly. 05:07 🔋 With a claimed battery life of up to 12 hours and a detachable battery feature for quick swaps, the DJI RS4 offers long-lasting power for extended shoots. 07:23 📸 The Zhiyun Crane 4 is highlighted as ideal for heavier setups and live event shooting, with features like a built-in LED fill light and wrist rest attachment for ergonomic benefits during long shoots. 08:48 🔄 The DJI RS4's user-friendly design, robust ecosystem, and additional features, such as manual focus lens compatibility and wireless video transmission integration, make it stand out as a versatile and well-rounded stabilizer. 10:24 🗳️ The DJI RS4's portable and compact nature, coupled with features like the auto-lock functionality and smooth stabilization, make it a convenient choice for travel videography and quick setup changes.
Nice comparison, David. Here's a quick question: If the Crane 4 had the shut-off lock-in-place feature and the removable battery, what would your choice of gimbal be then?
Oooooh… that’s a really good question… I think I’d use the Crane 4 for 10lbs+ setups, because it really can balance some massive setups on there, but RS4 for less gimbal intense days/if I need a compact setup. They’re both almost the same caliber with the RS series being a bit better at stabilization (as seen in the video). I just used the RS4 for 10 days on our trip to London/Santorini and I absolutely loved using it, felt frictionless, which has really put the RS4 higher in my mind
Hey Wendell, it really depends on your budget & what you will be doing with it. I would say the Sony a7v, or the S5ii with a 24-70mm glass. That way you are covered far as photos or filming. That's my opinion. Make sure you get a good tripod, and light meter. Those items will get you started in the right direction. But it doesn't hurt to get a used camera too & don't forget to Pratice, Pratice, Pratice, I this message helps.
I’d personally feel more comfortable running that on the Crane 4. If you were going to go with DJI, I’d recommend the RS4 Pro with the sling arm (or dual arm grip like the accessory from SmallRig)
I will never buy a Zhiyun again - it loses its value way way too fast as they release gimbals with very minor incremental updates. I've had 4 of them before I learnt my lesson. DJI now all the way!
I bought the Weebill 3 in September 2022. I’ve been eying the RS4 lately and was shocked how little my Weebill is worth now. I’m definitely sticking with DJI now.
Same. I have the Weebill 3 and regret saving a relatively small amount of money for something that has almost no resale value. I’m also contemplating the RS4
@@DavidZhou I used my DJI one but maybe it sucks? lol. Yes! so stable it knocked me out! I've got some work to do but looking forward to putting the RS4 thru its paces.
Great stuff…. I am considering upgrading to RS4, it looks like you are using an Ulanzi cage. I use them for my cameras and have r38 plates on gimbals and tripods for easy switching. So my question is if I o with Rs4 do I need anything else to make using Ulanzi r38 quick release? Also I’m in Land O Lakes Florida… I only shoot real estate for a small brokerage, I a REALTOR primarily…. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me
Just saw this! Did you end up upgrading? I use a mixture of cages from SmallRig, Tilta, and Ulanzi and a quick release is definitely the way to go to make switching faster! In the video, I actually used my SmallRig cage which has an ArcaSwiss-compatible rail as the bottom of the cage which lets me slide it directly into the RS4 cradle!
balance properly, many times the vertical, and paning axes are forgotten or misscalibrated, hold your handle and point it forward when calibrating the panning, many times a small tilt on a table is not enough to balance this axes properly. when properly balanced the camera should not quickly fall in any direction. check the settings of the motors and play with different strengths or settings. diable or change modes from the in camera stabilization, sometimes tripods or gimbals mess with the in camera stabilization. If using a zoom lens, sometimes zooming or even focusing might throw the balance way off, balance for the focus and focal length u ll be using the most. upgrade firmware to the latest, or force reset to factory settings low battery or non original batteries on my gimbals introduced weird shakyness. before going out to shoot fully set up your gear and do your own tests at home, try and replicate the issue and build up from there.
There is a massive sale on the crane 4 but I’ve heard they are riddled with issues constant battery failures. There was one guy who said he was in his 5th replacement and it still didn’t work…. How can a product be so defective
I’m not sure, that does sound bad, however everyone I know with a crane 4 hasn’t had issues with theirs. Anecdotal, I know, but if it’s on sale it’d be worth picking up and thoroughly using it for a few days-should an issue come up, I’d return and move on. But in my experience, it’s a solid gimbal!
@@SharrodVisualsthat’s honestly such a good price! I’d personally buy it, test it during the return window, and if it wasn’t satisfying my needs/criteria, I’d return it. But I’d say unless there’s a feature from the DJI RS4 that you really want/need, I’d scoop up the Crane 4!
@@DavidZhou Yeah I do like the Raven eye and LiDAR system. At the moment I won’t be using it but would love to get into cinema len’s and cinema cameras in the future. But I’m torn as the price is so good on the crane. So how long have you had yours for? The crane
@@SharrodVisuals Please don't buy this think. Crane 4 after 5 mounths it's decided to stop working. And all this issues appear at same time Crane 4 "update failed" it doesn't hold any charge it seems to attempt to update, then "fails" plugging into my pc doesn't give it any life can't connect to ZY play to update it
I was Zhiyun until the Sony A1 firmware screwed the connection. I've since bought the RS4 but it's not all roses. For instance, you can't change the Sony battery without moving the plate and altering the balance. WTF???
@@kravdraa7get the smallrig arca Swiss quick release plate, throw a pgy tech snap lock or ulanzi falcon quick release, you’re done. Keep it balanced, pop it off, move to tripod, go handheld
I've never owned a gimbal, I'm still not sure if they would be a help or a hindrance. I have generally worked hand held or with a monopod. I'm just not sure if it would take to long to balance as I would need to keep taking the camera on and off the gimbal to work. I hear about people buying one and ending up never using it.
It just depends on how much you like the look! For example, I like it so much that I have a camera that lives on the gimbal for wedding shoots. But I could do it with just one camera, you just need to set about a minute or so aside for balancing and even less if it’s rebalancing since most of it’s already done!
I just stumbled on your channel. I enjoyed this review. Wrist rest or not, until Zhiyun makes a removeable battery, they are a no go regardless of the increased weight capacity.
Hey bro, I enjoyed the video. do you think the difference between RS3 and RS4 is big? I'm curious about that. I'd like to hear your experience if RS3 is good enough in terms of the performance of the gimbal itself, except for the additional features.
Performance-wise I think it’s just incremental improvements, the DJI gimbals have been killer stabilizers since their original Ronin/Ronin-Ms. Biggest reason to upgrade would be for additional features but if you like your RS3, I think you’re good to skip the update for now!
To prevent the jittery footage on zhiyun you can set the motor settings to the low and here you go with the buttery smooth shots 😅 try and then share if it worked for you 🫂
Key takeaways!
00:57 🎥 When comparing DJI RS4 to Zhiyun Crane 4 for minimal setup shots, the RS4 produces smoother footage with minimal stabilization effort.
02:20 ⚖️ The DJI RS4 has a payload capacity of 6.2 lbs, while the Zhiyun Crane 4 boasts a higher capacity of 13.3 lbs, allowing for larger setups.
03:18 💡 The DJI RS4 features a premium design, lightweight build, and intuitive controls, making it easy to use and travel-friendly.
05:07 🔋 With a claimed battery life of up to 12 hours and a detachable battery feature for quick swaps, the DJI RS4 offers long-lasting power for extended shoots.
07:23 📸 The Zhiyun Crane 4 is highlighted as ideal for heavier setups and live event shooting, with features like a built-in LED fill light and wrist rest attachment for ergonomic benefits during long shoots.
08:48 🔄 The DJI RS4's user-friendly design, robust ecosystem, and additional features, such as manual focus lens compatibility and wireless video transmission integration, make it stand out as a versatile and well-rounded stabilizer.
10:24 🗳️ The DJI RS4's portable and compact nature, coupled with features like the auto-lock functionality and smooth stabilization, make it a convenient choice for travel videography and quick setup changes.
Nice comparison, David. Here's a quick question: If the Crane 4 had the shut-off lock-in-place feature and the removable battery, what would your choice of gimbal be then?
Oooooh… that’s a really good question… I think I’d use the Crane 4 for 10lbs+ setups, because it really can balance some massive setups on there, but RS4 for less gimbal intense days/if I need a compact setup. They’re both almost the same caliber with the RS series being a bit better at stabilization (as seen in the video). I just used the RS4 for 10 days on our trip to London/Santorini and I absolutely loved using it, felt frictionless, which has really put the RS4 higher in my mind
Cool, thanks for the reply.
Any advice for someone new getting in this profession and what camera should be my first purchase
Hey Wendell, it really depends on your budget & what you will be doing with it. I would say the Sony a7v, or the S5ii with a 24-70mm glass. That way you are covered far as photos or filming. That's my opinion. Make sure you get a good tripod, and light meter. Those items will get you started in the right direction. But it doesn't hurt to get a used camera too & don't forget to Pratice, Pratice, Pratice, I this message helps.
@DavidZhou, what camera and lens did you use when you were filming your friend, Ethan, at the 1:52 mark? That footage is NICE!!!
IIRC, that was on the Viltrox 16mm f/1.8 + a pro mist filter for diffusion!
Which is better for a Ursa Mini + battery, Cine Lens and Monitor?
I’d personally feel more comfortable running that on the Crane 4. If you were going to go with DJI, I’d recommend the RS4 Pro with the sling arm (or dual arm grip like the accessory from SmallRig)
@@DavidZhou Thank you David. Your reply is very much appreciated. I shall check out the duel arm option.
I will never buy a Zhiyun again - it loses its value way way too fast as they release gimbals with very minor incremental updates. I've had 4 of them before I learnt my lesson. DJI now all the way!
I bought the Weebill 3 in September 2022. I’ve been eying the RS4 lately and was shocked how little my Weebill is worth now. I’m definitely sticking with DJI now.
Same. I have the Weebill 3 and regret saving a relatively small amount of money for something that has almost no resale value. I’m also contemplating the RS4
So I'm here charging my RS4 for going on 3 hrs lol. But man, those 70-200 shots are you friggen kidding me? Amazing.
Make sure you have a high enough wattage charging brick/cable! But thank you! Haha, so stable right??
@@DavidZhou I used my DJI one but maybe it sucks? lol. Yes! so stable it knocked me out! I've got some work to do but looking forward to putting the RS4 thru its paces.
Great stuff…. I am considering upgrading to RS4, it looks like you are using an Ulanzi cage. I use them for my cameras and have r38 plates on gimbals and tripods for easy switching. So my question is if I o with Rs4 do I need anything else to make using Ulanzi r38 quick release? Also I’m in Land O Lakes Florida… I only shoot real estate for a small brokerage, I a REALTOR primarily…. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me
Just saw this! Did you end up upgrading? I use a mixture of cages from SmallRig, Tilta, and Ulanzi and a quick release is definitely the way to go to make switching faster! In the video, I actually used my SmallRig cage which has an ArcaSwiss-compatible rail as the bottom of the cage which lets me slide it directly into the RS4 cradle!
@@DavidZhouI did get the RS4 and I am amazed on how much different from the RS3 it is. Way smoother….
@NickandCindyDavis Glad to hear! I agree, I was pretty surprised with how easy it was to just set up and go 👏🏼
@@DavidZhou for sure you know we are in Tampa. Been here since 1998. Live in Land O Lakes and work every where around the Bay Area…
@@NickandCindyDavis I keep finding people from Tampa in my comments and that makes me happy haha
Nice explanation :)
Thanks 😁✌🏼
i have micro jitter issue with RS4 and dont know how to fix
balance properly, many times the vertical, and paning axes are forgotten or misscalibrated, hold your handle and point it forward when calibrating the panning, many times a small tilt on a table is not enough to balance this axes properly. when properly balanced the camera should not quickly fall in any direction.
check the settings of the motors and play with different strengths or settings.
diable or change modes from the in camera stabilization, sometimes tripods or gimbals mess with the in camera stabilization.
If using a zoom lens, sometimes zooming or even focusing might throw the balance way off, balance for the focus and focal length u ll be using the most.
upgrade firmware to the latest, or force reset to factory settings
low battery or non original batteries on my gimbals introduced weird shakyness.
before going out to shoot fully set up your gear and do your own tests at home, try and replicate the issue and build up from there.
why does it look like your lens is dirty 😑
LATE BUT SHEESH !!!!!!!
🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼
There is a massive sale on the crane 4 but I’ve heard they are riddled with issues constant battery failures. There was one guy who said he was in his 5th replacement and it still didn’t work…. How can a product be so defective
I’m not sure, that does sound bad, however everyone I know with a crane 4 hasn’t had issues with theirs. Anecdotal, I know, but if it’s on sale it’d be worth picking up and thoroughly using it for a few days-should an issue come up, I’d return and move on. But in my experience, it’s a solid gimbal!
@@DavidZhou oh ok, good to know. It’s currently on sale here for $550 AUD for the whole combo kit. Normally $1300 aud
@@SharrodVisualsthat’s honestly such a good price! I’d personally buy it, test it during the return window, and if it wasn’t satisfying my needs/criteria, I’d return it. But I’d say unless there’s a feature from the DJI RS4 that you really want/need, I’d scoop up the Crane 4!
@@DavidZhou Yeah I do like the Raven eye and LiDAR system. At the moment I won’t be using it but would love to get into cinema len’s and cinema cameras in the future. But I’m torn as the price is so good on the crane. So how long have you had yours for? The crane
@@SharrodVisuals Please don't buy this think. Crane 4 after 5 mounths
it's decided to stop working. And all this issues appear at same time
Crane 4 "update failed"
it doesn't hold any charge
it seems to attempt to update, then "fails"
plugging into my pc doesn't give it any life
can't connect to ZY play to update it
Are you Team DJI or Team Zhiyun? ⚔
DJI for sure 👑
I was Zhiyun until the Sony A1 firmware screwed the connection. I've since bought the RS4 but it's not all roses. For instance, you can't change the Sony battery without moving the plate and altering the balance. WTF???
@@kravdraa7get the smallrig arca Swiss quick release plate, throw a pgy tech snap lock or ulanzi falcon quick release, you’re done. Keep it balanced, pop it off, move to tripod, go handheld
DJI ftw
@@kravdraa7 why alter the balance? If you take off quick release u can have it back on in under a minute no need to rebalance
I've never owned a gimbal, I'm still not sure if they would be a help or a hindrance. I have generally worked hand held or with a monopod. I'm just not sure if it would take to long to balance as I would need to keep taking the camera on and off the gimbal to work. I hear about people buying one and ending up never using it.
It just depends on how much you like the look! For example, I like it so much that I have a camera that lives on the gimbal for wedding shoots. But I could do it with just one camera, you just need to set about a minute or so aside for balancing and even less if it’s rebalancing since most of it’s already done!
Great review and comparison man!!
Thanks!
I just stumbled on your channel. I enjoyed this review. Wrist rest or not, until Zhiyun makes a removeable battery, they are a no go regardless of the increased weight capacity.
Go dji... trust me
video ended at 01:49 lol
Why does 1:49 look like a game scene 😂 Awesome Video!
When I approach you with a dialogue scene to give you a quest 😂
Heck ya NAB was awesome and was fantastic to meet and chat!! Hopefully we do that again sooner than later 😉
100% need to meet-up and work on some stuff together!
@@DavidZhou Heck yes!
Hearing you pronounce Zhiyun. Pretty hot. 👌👌
😂😂
I heard you can use a URSA G2 on the RS4PRO but know has made a video yet to test it.
Hey bro, I enjoyed the video. do you think the difference between RS3 and RS4 is big? I'm curious about that. I'd like to hear your experience if RS3 is good enough in terms of the performance of the gimbal itself, except for the additional features.
Performance-wise I think it’s just incremental improvements, the DJI gimbals have been killer stabilizers since their original Ronin/Ronin-Ms. Biggest reason to upgrade would be for additional features but if you like your RS3, I think you’re good to skip the update for now!
To prevent the jittery footage on zhiyun you can set the motor settings to the low and here you go with the buttery smooth shots 😅 try and then share if it worked for you 🫂