I have used the DJI Ronin-M for over a year and stopped taking it with me because of its cumbersome footprint when I travel. The Ronin-S changes all of that and is the exact device I've been waiting for from DJI in the Gimbal market.
Gimbals have revolutionized how we film everything from home videos to blockbusters movies. As someone who typically films everything solo, using a gimbal like the Ronin-M quickly became a burden even though it was a great product. I have personally had my eyes on multiple one handed gimbals for quite some time but many of them couldn't hold the weight I needed or were not a polished product that I wanted to rely on when I'm half way across the world. That all changes today with DJI's release of their first single-handed stabilizer. 
Key Features
- Cost $699
- Eight pound payload
- 12-hour battery time
- Manfrotto quick-release system
- Push mode allows you to adjust pan, tilt, and roll axis by hand
- Sport mode allows you to change the response speed of the gimbal on the fly
- Joystick adjustable positioning
- Create automatic camera movements for Panoramas, Time-lapses, Motion, and more
- Control camera settings remotely through DJI app
- Accessories add the ability to control focus or work in tandem remotely
- Modular design allows for compact travel and accessibility to be used with vehicle mounts, jibs, and dual-handle systems
One of the largest benefits to a single-handed gimbal is the ability to set it down without the need for stand. DJI has gone a step further and added the ability to create time-lapses and motion-lapses using the gimbal. This is a big deal for someone who travels as light as possible, giving them the ability to shoot video with a gimbal and add motion to time-lapses all in one device. There is a long list of Cameras and lenses that DJI has personally tested for compatibility that you can find here. The gimbal market already has quite a few single handed stabilizers but none of them do everything right. The ability to add and interchange accessories, create motion time-lapses, create on the fly movement profiles, and also having some of the best software support at such a competitive price really pushes the Ronin-S to the forefront of the market.
You can preorder today for $699.
Super excited! I saw the email last night right before I went to bed and went downstairs to grab the credit card and put my order in. I currently use a Crane and I have the Ronin-M but I think they will both get the boot from the gear closet once the S comes in!
Totally agree! I actually ended up selling my Ronin-M when I just couldn't take it on another trip even though the product was wonderful to use.
It's just too big to justify keeping when I can get pretty much the same thing from a handheld nowadays. Would definitely use on bigger commercial shoots but that's what rental houses are for right :)
Finally. Thank godddd.
I literally just ordered a Crane (v2)... I was waiting for this one, but the Crane was on sale for $470. I guess I could return it, but will probably wait until I really need the higher weight capacity.
For the money its better to return and future proof your investment. Depending how many large projects that you do. The extra can be flexible in so many ways.
Just did a side-by-side comparison—Ronin-S is a full 2 and a half pounds heavier than the Crane v2. Like I said, I'll wait till I *really* need the weight capacity. Crane should be more than sufficient for the time being.
Just received a Moza Air to use primarily with a D850 (yep, I know). Many features of the Ronin are very appealing, especially keeping the viewer viewable. Based on the other Ronin's I'll guess that it is also quite well made.
One huge drawback may be weight as at 4 lbs is twice as heavy as the Moza Air and every reviewer has mentioned how tired they get using it. If a lot of that is batteries, I don't need 12 hrs and would be happy with 2-4 hrs per battery to save some weight.
Only working with Manfrotto rather than the quite good system on the Moza that supports both Manfroto and Arca is another drawback for those of us who've switched to Arca.
I screwed 2lbs of weight to the bottom of my Moza Air to replicate the Ronin-S. The Ronin-S will have to be really really exceptional to be worth putting up with that much extra weight.
Glad I paid half this for the stupid Osmo mobile one... which i can like 75$ for if im lucky
I was referring to other gimbals on the market. I have personally not used the Ronin-S yet but I have used multiple other products from DJI that all stand out in the market for their price point. They always seem to release the best performance/price product.
Are you asking about how confident I would be in the Ronin-S?
I'm the filmmaker behind "Lost in Malta" and all the travel shots in the above Ronin-S advert. I've not been paid to say this, but I was very impressed with the Ronin-S during the shoot. It's a bit heavier than the Zhiyun Crane but it's much more reliable and doesn't go crazy as the crane often does when you operate the gimbal at a weird angle.
Excellent work Timur! Loved the material and good to hear a first hand experience with it. I think the Ronin-M I had did everything I wanted it too very reliably, never had an issue with it.
Thank You, Alex!
The DJI Osmo Mobile for my DSLR. Can’t wait to get my hands on one of these!
Rick McEvoy
http://rickmcevoyphotography.co.uk/
...Ordered...
It could be great if we could attach stuffs like an external monitor as we can on the Tilta Gravity G2x.
Tilta made a master piece, I just don't like the handle wich is to short for me. I have small hand but I need to put my two hands on it sometimes...
You can attach a monitor!
https://youtu.be/NwmdpKA9_xc?t=2m10s
I love the Ronin S and think its the best DSLR gimbal out there right now. I think the Ronin SC has more competition in the mirrorless camera bracket though but its a great bit of kit too.