The Ronin series has spent a decade turning heavy, two-operator camera rigs into something a single creator can carry all day. The DJI RS 5 is the clearest example of that yet: a lightweight gimbal that borrows the smart tracking, fast balancing and quick charging that used to be reserved for the Pro models. In this guide we break down what is new, how the RS 5 Combo differs from the standard kit, and who each version is really for.
DJI RS 5 at a glance
- Tested payload: up to 3 kg (6.6 lb) - comfortably handles most mirrorless bodies with a 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom.
- Weight: around 1.46 kg with the battery grip and quick-release plates fitted.
- Stabilization: 5th-generation RS algorithm with roughly 50% more peak motor torque than the previous generation.
- Battery: long runtime on a single charge (about 14 hours in typical use) with a built-in grip battery.
- Charging: full charge in about 1 hour via USB-C.
- Screen: bright full-color touchscreen for menus, tracking and camera control.
- Vertical shooting: 3rd-gen switch-to-vertical design that needs no extra plates or adapters.
What is new in the RS 5
5th-gen RS stabilization
DJI's latest stabilization algorithm increases peak motor torque by around 50% compared with the RS 4. In practice that means the gimbal holds the horizon better when you are walking quickly, whipping between angles, or shooting in wind. Heavier lenses that used to push a lightweight gimbal to its limit now sit more securely, and the motors correct faster after a sudden move.
Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Module
The headline feature is the redesigned tracking module that clips onto the front of the gimbal. Instead of pairing a phone or drawing a box on a separate screen, you frame your subject on the RS 5's own touchscreen and the gimbal follows it. Key points:
- Tracks people at a distance of up to roughly 10 metres.
- Can lock onto more than just faces - vehicles, pets and static objects work too.
- Automatically re-acquires a subject that briefly leaves the frame and comes back.
- Gesture control lets you start and stop tracking without touching the gimbal - useful when you are on both sides of the camera.
On the standard RS 5 this module is an optional add-on. On the RS 5 Combo it is included in the box.
Faster native vertical shooting
Vertical video is no longer an afterthought. The 3rd-gen vertical mode lets you flip the camera into a portrait orientation using the built-in structure of the gimbal - no separate L-bracket to attach, no re-balancing from scratch. For creators posting to Reels, TikTok and Shorts, this saves real time on set.
One-hour fast charging
The RS 5 reaches a full charge in about an hour, a big jump over earlier models. Combined with the long runtime, that means a quick top-up over lunch is usually enough to get through a full shooting day, and you spend less time tethered to a wall socket between takes.
Easier balancing and automated axis locks
Fine-tuning knobs with a low-friction coating make micro-adjustments smoother, so getting each axis perfectly balanced is quicker and less fiddly. 2nd-gen automated axis locks let you fold the gimbal down for storage and lock all three axes in one motion, then unfold and get shooting in seconds. A new Z-axis indicator helps you spot front-to-back imbalance that is easy to miss.
DJI RS 5 vs DJI RS 5 Combo - which one should you buy?
The gimbal itself is identical. The difference is what ships alongside it.
Choose the standard DJI RS 5 if...
- You mostly operate the camera yourself and frame shots by hand.
- You already own a case and the accessories you need.
- You want the lowest entry price and might add the tracking module later.
Choose the DJI RS 5 Combo if...
- You shoot solo and want the camera to follow you while you are on the other side of it.
- You film interviews, vlogs, product demos, weddings or events where a second operator is not always available.
- You want a proper carrying case and the briefcase handle for low-angle and follow shots included from day one.
For most one-person production setups, the Combo is the better value once you factor in the cost of buying the tracking module and case separately.
What is in the RS 5 Combo box
- DJI RS 5 gimbal with grip battery
- RS Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Module
- Electronic briefcase handle for low-angle and two-handed shots
- L-shaped camera control cable
- Quick-release plates (Arca-Swiss / Manfrotto compatible)
- Extended grip / mini tripod
- Phone holder
- USB-C charging cable
- Dedicated carrying case
Note: DJI also sells a separate "RS 5 Combo" bundled with its SDR video transmission system for larger crews. That is a different package aimed at multi-operator work - check the exact bundle name before you order.
Who is the RS 5 for?
The RS 5 sits between the entry-level RS 4 Mini and the professional RS 4 Pro. It is aimed at:
- Solo videographers and content creators who need tracking without a crew.
- Wedding and event shooters who value fast setup, long battery life and quick charging.
- Mirrorless hybrid shooters using bodies like the Sony a7 IV, Canon EOS R6 Mark II, Panasonic S5 II or Nikon Z6 III with mid-range zooms.
- Creators upgrading from an older RS 3 or RS 4 who want the newer tracking and stabilization.
If you regularly fly cinema cameras above 3 kg or need built-in LiDAR focusing, the RS 4 Pro is still the tool for that job.
Final verdict
The DJI RS 5 takes the features that mattered most on the Pro line - smart tracking, quick balancing, fast charging - and puts them in a body a single creator can carry comfortably. The standard kit is a strong buy on its own, but the RS 5 Combo is the one to get if you shoot alone and want the camera to follow you, because it bundles the tracking module, briefcase handle and case that you would otherwise buy piece by piece.
Want to check current pricing and availability in Pakistan? Visit the DJI RS 5 and RS 5 Combo product pages on Arfa Electronics, or contact our team for a live quote.
