DJI has unveiled the Ronin 2, a three-axis camera stabilizer that features several improvements over its predecessor.
DJI, more popular for its drones such as the Phantom 4 Advanced and the leaked Spark, based the Ronin 2 on the company's groundbreaking gimbal technology. The first Ronin is described as a game changer among filmmakers, and DJI is looking to make the Ronin 2 an even more indispensable tool in the industry.
DJI Ronin 2: The Perfect Stabilizer For Filmmakers?
"Ronin 2 dramatically improves every aspect of the camera operating experience and is the best stabilizer we have ever made," said DJI senior product manager Paul Pan, and it is easy to see why he made such a claim.
Compared to its predecessor, the Ronin 2 packs more power and torque to allow it to carry larger cameras. The Ronin 2 also offers more versatility so that it can be used in any video shooting situation, as well as more intelligent features that will allow filmmakers to capture scenes as they see them in their creative vision.
The DJI Ronin 2 has an enlarged camera cage with 50mm (nearly 2-inch) extendable arms that will allow it to carry devices ranging from DSLRs to full cinematic cameras. The gimbal motors are capable of handling weight of up to 30 pounds, and the onboard GPS allows it to travel at up to 75 miles per hour while maintaining 0.02 degrees of sub-pixel level precision.
The updated camera stabilizer also offers versatility in mounts and movements, giving filmmakers a wide range of options to portray their creativity onto video. The Ronin 2 features a new two-axis operation mode for Steadicam mounting, and a quick release mount simplifies changing from one scene to another.
In fact, everything about the Ronin 2 has received improvements to make it quicker to set up and to operate. One such change is the addition of an integrated touch screen that will allow filmmakers to adjust the Ronin 2's settings on the fly.
The Ronin 2 remains lightweight and easy to carry without sacrificing durability in its carbon fiber monocoque style frame. The camera stabilizer comes with fold-away feet that can be used to set it down during handheld filming. The Ronin 2 also comes with batteries that can be hot-swapped to keep the camera rolling even while replacing batteries, with the batteries offering eight hours of usage each and the Ronin 2 offering an uptime of two and a half hours.
DJI has also updated its gimbal assistant mobile app to provide an interface that is easier to use for filmmakers. New features in the app include the Panorama mode, the Timelapse mode, and the CamAnchor mode.
DJI Ronin 2: Price And Availability
DJI will make the Ronin 2 available within the second quarter. The price of the updated camera stabilizer, however, has not yet been revealed.
The company used the knowledge that it learned from designing gimbals for drones in creating the first Ronin. DJI is now looking to further revolutionize camera stabilizing equipment with the Ronin 2, which may come with a price tag similar to the initial cost of its predecessor, first sold at $4,500.
