DJI RS 5 Global Launch Brings Z-Axis Stabilization and 50% More Motor Torque to Filmmakers

After weeks of leaks, an accidental YouTube tutorial upload, and a China-first release that left the rest of the world watching through VPNs, DJI has officially launched the DJI RS 5 gimbal globally. The announcement landed today, January 29, 2026, confirming most of what we predicted based on the spec sheets that surfaced from DJI’s Hong Kong website earlier this month.

The key details:

• The hardware: The RS 5 weighs 1.46 kg (3.2 lb) with battery grip and quick-release plates, supports payloads up to 2.97 kg (6.6 lb), and introduces Z-axis vertical stabilization to the base Ronin line.
• The upgrade: A 5th-generation stabilization algorithm delivers 50% more peak motor torque, which DJI claims improves tracking during fast movement and vertical shooting.
• The pricing: The base RS 5 starts at $569 USD, while the Combo Kit with the RS Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Module and Electronic Briefcase Handle costs $719 USD.
• The source: Full product details are available on DJI’s official RS 5 page.

The RS 5 fills the gap between consumer gimbals and Pro-level workhorses

The DJI RS 5 is a 3-axis camera gimbal stabilizer designed for mirrorless cameras, positioned between the compact RS 4 Mini and the heavier RS 4 Pro. It supports cameras from Sony, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, and Fujifilm with lenses up to 24-70mm f/2.8 combinations, covers vertical and horizontal shooting modes, and includes automated axis locks that engage on power-off.

What separates the RS 5 from its predecessor is the new stabilization algorithm paired with stronger motors. Leaked footage from earlier this month showed a videographer keeping pace with a sprinting baseball player while maintaining locked, stable footage. That same torque improvement carries over to vertical shooting, where previous models tended to struggle with sudden movements.

The payload capacity stays at 2.97 kg (6.6 lb), unchanged from the RS 4. This keeps the RS 5 firmly in mirrorless territory. If you need to mount a RED Komodo or a fully rigged cinema camera, DJI clearly expects you to wait for an RS 5 Pro, which has not been announced but is widely expected given historical launch patterns.

Intelligent tracking no longer requires your phone

The RS Enhanced Intelligent Tracking Module is the RS 5’s headline feature. First introduced with the RS 4 Mini, this magnetically attached module lets you select and track subjects directly from the gimbal’s OLED touchscreen. No Mimo app required. No phone mount cluttering your rig.

The module tracks people up to 10 meters away and can reacquire a subject if they temporarily leave the frame. DJI also expanded tracking to include pets, vehicles, and other objects, addressing a common limitation of previous tracking systems that only recognized human subjects reliably.

The tracking module comes standard in the $719 Combo Kit or can be purchased separately for those who already own the base gimbal. Unlike the previous white model, the new version is black, matching the RS 5’s overall aesthetic.

Battery and charging get meaningful upgrades

DJI addressed two of the most common complaints about professional gimbal workflows: charging speed and runtime.

The RS 5 fully charges in one hour using a 65W PD charger. That represents a 60% improvement over the RS 4’s charging time. For context, the RS 4’s battery system already offered decent runtime but slower charging that created downtime problems during long shoot days.

The standard BG33 Battery Grip delivers 14 hours of operation, a 15% increase over the RS 4. For productions that need even longer runtime, the optional BG70 High-Capacity Battery Grip extends operation to 30 hours. Wedding shooters and documentary crews will appreciate not having to swap batteries mid-event.

Fine-tuning knobs and Teflon layers make balancing less painful

Balancing a gimbal under time pressure has always been one of those tasks that separates experienced operators from newcomers. The RS 5 introduces fine-tuning knobs on every axis, combined with Teflon-enhanced interlayers that make adjustments feel smoother. The leadscrew mechanism reduces the crunchy, overshoot-prone feel that characterized previous generations.

A new Z-axis indicator displays on the gimbal’s screen, providing real-time feedback about vertical motion. This helps operators adjust their gait and pace to reduce bounce in walk-and-talk shots. Small detail, but one that solves a problem most gimbal users have cursed at least once.

The briefcase handle finally becomes useful

The new Electronic Briefcase Handle is more than a grip repositioning accessory. DJI built control buttons, a joystick, and a secondary screen directly into the handle, allowing full gimbal and camera control when shooting in low or high-angle positions.

Previous briefcase modes required awkward reach-backs to access controls on the main handle. With the RS 5, you can operate record, adjust gimbal modes, and control zoom without contorting your wrists. The handle connects via the RSA Communication Port and spreads weight between both hands, reducing fatigue during extended shoots.

Expanded wireless camera control

The RS 5’s Bluetooth shutter control now supports Panasonic and Fujifilm cameras alongside Sony, Canon, and Nikon. This means wireless shutter, zoom, and Clear Image Zoom without cables for a much broader range of camera systems.

When paired with two DJI Focus Pro Motors, the RS 5 allows joystick-controlled zoom and dial wheel focus adjustments. The gimbal also works with the DJI SDR Transmission system for high-definition live feeds and remote control, though that adds significant cost to the overall setup.

RS 5 pricing and availability

The DJI RS 5 is available now through authorized retailers:

Optional accessories include the BG70 High-Capacity Battery Grip for 30-hour runtime and the DJI SDR Transmission Combo packages for live monitoring setups.

US availability remains unaffected by the drone ban

Some coverage has incorrectly suggested that the FCC’s December 2025 ban on foreign drones affects the RS 5. It does not. The Covered List restrictions apply specifically to unmanned aircraft systems and their critical components. The RS 5 is a camera gimbal, not a drone, and does not require FCC equipment authorization under the same rules that now block new DJI drone models from entering the US market.

DJI’s handheld products, including the Ronin series, Osmo line, and Mic systems, remain available for US purchase through normal retail channels.

DroneXL’s Take

The RS 5 feels like the gimbal DJI should have released instead of the RS 4. The improvements are not revolutionary, but they target the actual pain points that working videographers deal with daily: slow balancing, awkward briefcase mode controls, phone-dependent tracking, and charging times that kill momentum on set.

The unchanged payload capacity is the one genuine disappointment. Keeping the limit at 2.97 kg means the RS 5 cannot handle larger cinema cameras or heavier lens combinations. DJI is clearly saving that headroom for an RS 5 Pro announcement, likely within the next six months based on their historical release patterns.

For mirrorless shooters, the RS 5 hits the right marks. The tracking module finally makes single-operator workflows practical without app dependency. The briefcase handle’s integrated controls solve a real ergonomic problem. And the 50% torque improvement translates to noticeably better stability during fast movement, based on what we saw in the leaked baseball player tracking footage.

Expect the RS 4 Pro to see discounting over the next few weeks as retailers clear inventory. If you need the higher payload capacity now, that creates a buying opportunity. If mirrorless is your primary camera system, the RS 5 offers enough genuine improvements to justify the upgrade.

Editorial Note: This article was researched and drafted with the assistance of AI to ensure technical accuracy and archive retrieval. All insights, industry analysis, and perspectives were provided exclusively by Haye Kesteloo and our other DroneXL authors, editors, and YouTube partners to ensure the “Human-First” perspective our readers expect.