The Ronin-S has been a renowned gimbal stabilizer for professionals who use heavy, large DSLRs and large mirrorless cameras - and now with DJI's newest release in the Ronin series named the Ronin-SC, operators now have a newer, lighter gimbal system option to capture the shots they envision, but which system is right for you? Below we have written a comparison between both the Ronin-S and the Ronin-SC to help you decide which gimbal unit will be your perfect match.
Though the Ronin-S and Ronin-SC both feature a detachable, portable design, the Ronin-SC is made to be significantly smaller, lighter and easier to carry. The Ronin-S weighs in at 1.84 kg while the Ronin-SC weighs just 1.1 kg. The Ronin-SC is also about 41% lighter and 38% smaller than the Ronin-S and when taken apart can easily fit into a case or backpack. The overall reduced size and weight of the Ronin-SC makes the unit much easier to store and transport and also helps to reduce fatigue when shooting over long periods of time. Both units can handle temperatures between -20℃ - 45℃. The Ronin-S features dimensions of approximately 202×185×486 mm, while the Ronin-SC features slightly smaller dimensions with a Storage Position of 220×200×75 mm and a Balancing Position of 370×165×150 mm.
Considering feedback from the Ronin-S, the Ronin-SC has been designed with new 3-Axis locks on the pan, roll, and tilt axis which makes transportation much easier, while also giving users the option to not have to balance the camera every time they use it. Also, the Ronin-SC features a new position lock balance which means users can remount the camera and get to work within seconds.
Both units feature similar gimbal controls with a responsive joystick and convenient access to various gimbal settings and modes with the use of the front trigger button and the Mode (M) button. The Ronin-S does feature a larger maximum controlled rotation speed of 360°/s on its pan, tilt, and roll axis while the Ronin-SC features a speed of 180°/s on its pan, tilt, and roll axis. Both units feature a controlled rotation range of 360° continuous rotation on their pan axis and ±30° roll axis control. The Ronin-S does feature a wider tilt axis control, +180° to -90° (Upright Mode), +90° to -135° (Underslung and Flashlight Mode). While the Ronin-SC features a tilt axis control of -90° to 145°.
A major part of deciding which system will work best for you is their camera compatibility and payload capacity. The Ronin-S features a tested payload of up to 3.6 kg while the Ronin-SC features a slighter lighter payload capacity of up to 2.0 kg. The Ronin-S is mainly designed for DSLR cameras while the Ronin-SC is designed for mirrorless cameras.
Link to full Ronin-S Compatibility List: Here
Link to full Ronin-SC Compatibility List: Here
Both the Ronin-S and Ronin-SC feature the same following modes:
Panorama: Users can take wide Field of View (FOV) shots
Timelapse and Motionlapse: Both Motionlapse and Timelapse give users an effective technique to capture key moments in time in a cinematic way.
The Ronin-SC comes with all-new intelligent modes that the Ronin-S does not feature including ActiveTrack3.0, and Force Mobile.
ActiveTrack 3.0: The Ronin-SC is the first-ever Ronin product to support DJI's ActiveTrack 3.0 technology. By using the Ronin-SC Phone Holder, a smartphone attached above the camera unit works in conjunction with the Ronin App and the Ronin-SC gimbal to precisely track the subject selected in frame.
Force Mobile: Force Mobile is an innovative new mode that gives users an all-new way to control their gimbal by moving their smartphone wirelessly through the Ronin-SC's Bluetooth 5.0 system.
Another major factor in the decision-making process is budget and price point. The Ronin-S retails for $929 CAN while the Ronin-SC is significantly more affordable, priced at $469 CAN.
In summary, the Ronin-SC is designed for mirrorless cameras while the Ronin-S caters to professionals using larger, heavier cameras and more extensive lens setups. The Ronin-SC is a lighter, more portable gimbal system perfect for vloggers, videographers, content creators and anyone in between who use mirrorless cameras. With its upgraded hardware design and a wider range of shootings modes, the Ronin-SC is improved for optimal user experience and performance. On the other hand, the Ronin-S is ideal for content makers, filmmakers, and professionals who use bigger DSLR and mirrorless cameras and who gravitate towards more ambitions shootings setups.
Dr Drone
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DrDrone is Canada's leading provider of drone technical services, with over a decade of experience and the distinction of being the first company in the country to offer drone servicing and repairs. As the largest drone vendor in Canada, we are also the primary supplier of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) to the Canadian government. Our team members possess extensive knowledge of each drone's technical specifications and have a wealth of hands-on experience. For more than ten years, we have been dismantling and reconstructing drones, ensuring a deep understanding of these systems.