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Head-to-head · Best Camera Gimbal Stabilizers

DJI RS 4 Mini vs Zhiyun Crane 4

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

DJI RS 4 Mini and Zhiyun Crane 4 score essentially the same (4.4 vs 4.4). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

DJI RS 4 Mini
Ranked #2 in Best Camera Gimbal Stabilizers
DJI RS 4 Mini
6 sources$309as of Oct 12

The DJI RS 4 Mini is an 890 g camera gimbal with a 2 kg maximum payload. TechRadar calls it the best portable camera gimbal you can buy, and Tom's Guide praises its automatic axis locks and fast switch to vertical shooting. The optional Intelligent Tracking Module adds subject tracking, though Tom's Guide notes it cannot track non-human subjects. DJI claims 13 hours of battery life; TechRadar averaged around half of that in testing. PCMag lists the smartphone activation required before first use as a con, Digital Camera World objects that it insists on a smartphone sign-up, and TechRadar found the arms stiff when balancing.

Strengths
  • — Weighs 890 g and carries up to 2 kg, enough for a full-frame mirrorless body with a relatively weighty lens (TechRadar)
  • — Axis locks release automatically when the gimbal powers on (TechRadar)
  • — Switches from widescreen to vertical without tools (PCMag)
Watch-outs
  • — Smartphone activation required before first use (PCMag, Photography Life); Digital Camera World lists 'Insists on smartphone sign-up'
  • — Arms can be stiff when balancing, and the camera needs rebalancing for vertical (TechRadar)
  • — Battery is not removable (Tom's Guide, Photography Life)
$309 · Buy at store.dji.comFull review →
Zhiyun Crane 4
Ranked #4 in Best Camera Gimbal Stabilizers
Zhiyun Crane 4
2 sources$462as of Oct 12

Payload against portability is the Zhiyun Crane 4's balancing act: 4kg of capacity at just 1.7kg of weight. Digital Camera World praised the motor warning lights for speeding up balance adjustments, and Tim Nicholls of Gimbal Buyers Guide highlighted the integrated LED fill light and improved ergonomics. Its 12-hour battery life and quick Auto-Tune calibration are strengths, though reviewers caution that the non-swappable battery and LED power drain can bite on long shoots. Event filmmakers and documentary shooters working beyond 3kg are the fit; anyone prioritizing vertical shooting may prefer DJI's RS 4.

Strengths
  • — Built-in 3200 Lux fill light with adjustable color temperature (2700K-5500K) for low-light shooting
  • — Motor warning lights on each axis help quickly diagnose balance issues and reduce setup time
  • — Adjustable sling grip and wrist rest enable comfortable single-handed carry and low-angle dolly shots
Watch-outs
  • — Non-removable battery with no hot-swap option limits extended use
$462 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

DJI RS 4 Mini

At 890 g the DJI RS 4 Mini weighs less than the Zhiyun Weebill 3E (2.18 lb) and FeiyuTech SCORP 2 (2.36 lb), but its 2 kg payload is below the Weebill 3E's 3 kg, the SCORP 2's 2.5 kg and the Zhiyun Crane 4's 4 kg. Its claimed 13 hours matches the SCORP 2 and trails the Weebill 3E's 16. Subject tracking needs the optional Intelligent Tracking Module, whereas the SCORP 2 has a built-in AI tracking camera.

Zhiyun Crane 4

The Zhiyun Crane 4 surpasses the Zhiyun Weebill 3E in payload capacity and includes a built-in fill light, but it's heavier and lacks the 16-hour battery runtime of the Weebill 3E. Compared to the FeiyuTech SCORP 2, it offers better portability and more stable handling, but lacks the dual-grip design and AI tracking features.

Specs side-by-side

SpecDJI RS 4 MiniZhiyun Crane 4
Weight890 g (about 2 lb)3.69 lb
Payload Capacity2 kg (4.4 lb)4 kg
Battery LifeUp to 13 hours claimed; 3,100mAh, non-removableUp to 12 hours
Stabilization Axes3-axis3-axis
CompatibilityMirrorless cameras; smartphones with optional mountDSLR and mirrorless
Display1.4-inch color LCD touchscreen1.22-inch touchscreen
Smart FeaturesOptional RS Intelligent Tracking Module; automated axis locksZY Auto-Tune, Sling Mode 2.0
Dimensions236 × 64 × 316mm folded11.02"D x 13.39"W x 2.76"H
Rotation Range—Max: +142°, Min: -72°
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