Many of us are familiar with DJI because of their drones, but they also make some excellent cinema cameras. The exciting news is that they have just announced a new cinema camera. If their drones are any proof of their excellence, the new cinema camera should be excellent.
DJI has just announced the release of the Ronin 4D-8K. This is the latest edition to their already popular Ronin 4D professional cinema camera range.
It’s an 8K cinema camera that comes with all the game-changing features from DJI. It is a new 4-axis stabilization technology and provides a complete cinematography solution. Overall, this camera is poised to raise the bar in the world of filmmaking. So, let us look at the camera.
A Cinematographer’s Dream
The new DJI Ronin 4D-8K has everything that a filmmaker can expect from a good cinema camera. It offers all the essential functions that are needed for the challenging requirements of cinema.
First, the camera’s full-frame 8K/60fps and 4K/120fps capabilities ensure that cinematographers get the best quality when shooting. This is important because cinematic footage goes through a lot of editing in the post and needs a lot of detail. With this camera, filmmakers can get an unmatched level of choice when it comes to shooting situations.
For better color grading and cinematic depth, DJI has also added a maximum of 14.7 stops of dynamic range and 800/4000 Dual-Native ISO in the camera. This helps a lot in challenging lighting.
Filmmakers can control the exact exposure using the 9-stop physical ND filters. Then it also offers more freedom with interchangeable DL/E/L/PL/M lens mounts.
Furthermore, the Ronin 4D-8K features an inventive LiDAR focusing technology for fast and precise focusing as well as autofocus on manual lenses. With a seamless transition to Flex Form without tools, the camera exemplifies versatility, empowering filmmakers to bring their creative visions to life effortlessly.
DJI Cinema Color Science: A Visual Delight
Central to the Ronin 4D-8K is the revolutionary DJI Cinema Color Science (DCCS). This technology ensures natural skin tones that are incredibly accurate and aesthetically pleasing, even in complex lighting conditions.
The DCCS is very good at replicating the rainbow of colors that the human eye sees. This allows filmmakers to be more creative. This is because DCCS is designed specifically for use with professional aerial and ground-based imaging equipment.
The DCCS color engine, featuring a new algorithm, delivers smooth yet detailed images, high bit-width internal color and tone processing, and multiple high-precision LUT processing modules for precise color adjustments in diverse lighting conditions. Complementing DCCS is the CineCore image processing platform, supporting up to 8K videos in professional codecs like Apple ProRes RAW, ProRes 422 HQ, H.264, and CinemaDNG.
ACES Compatibility: Standardized Color Management
The Ronin 4D-8K proudly carries the official certification for compatibility with the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES). This standardized color management system ensures a consistent color journey from image capture to final screening. Filmmakers can now seamlessly preserve their creative vision across various professional equipment and screening standards, offering a standardized color management experience.
Pricing and Availability
The Ronin 4D-8K combo, priced at USD 12,838, includes a comprehensive set of accessories such as the Ronin 4D Main Body, Zenmuse X9-8K Gimbal Camera, DJI DL PZ 17-28mm T3.0 ASPH Lens, PROSSD 1TB, and more. For those seeking the Zenmuse X9-8K Gimbal Camera separately, it is available for USD 3,599. DJI Care Pro is also now available for the Ronin 4D-8K, providing comprehensive protection for accidental damage.
This is not a cheap camera by any means, but it is for cinematic purposes, and cameras with these features usually cost around the same price. So the pricing is very good from DJI. Also, DJI has proved itself to be a solid and reliable brand over time, which is why people trust it. So, we will have to see how the filmmaking industry responds to this new device.