Putting the Ronin 4D-8K Sensor Through its Paces

Summary

In this detailed analysis, the new DJI Ronin 4D with the 8K sensor is put to the test, focusing on dynamic range, rolling shutter performance, and oversampling capabilities. The 8K sensor delivers impressive dynamic range but offers the trade-off of slower rolling shutter speeds. A dynamic range expansion toggle allows users to choose between better image quality and faster readout. Compared to the 6K sensor, the 8K provides superior image quality but at a higher cost, making the 6K a strong, more affordable alternative for those balancing performance and budget.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The Ronin 4D 8K gimbal and 6K gimbal were tested for dynamic range, rolling shutter, ISO performance, noise, and color accuracy.
• ⚙️ The 8K gimbal features a Dynamic Range Expansion (DRE) toggle that allows a trade-off between higher image quality and faster sensor readout.
• 📊 Dynamic range testing shows the 8K sensor achieves ~15 total stops and ~12.5 medium/clean stops with DRE on, dropping slightly to 14.4 total and 12.2 medium with DRE off.
• 🔄 Oversampling 8K footage to a 4K timeline improves medium/clean dynamic range by approximately 0.5 stops, with noise reduction settings further influencing results.
• ⏱️ Rolling shutter performance varies: 8K full frame with DRE on is 29.9 ms, while DRE off reduces it to 16.3 ms, even faster than the 6K full frame at 20.3 ms.
• 📏 Super 35/windowed 4K mode significantly improves rolling shutter: 6K achieves 13.9 ms, 8K achieves 14.3–16.1 ms depending on frame rate and DRE settings.
• 🌙 ISO performance is strong on both sensors; 8K allows up to 6,400 ISO with DRE on and maintains quality thanks to oversampling, comparable or better than 6K in some scenarios.
• 🎨 Color reproduction on the 8K sensor is excellent, with accurate skin tones and good overall fidelity, though magenta is slightly oversaturated.
• 💡 The 8K system provides a 'Best of Both Worlds' approach: high-quality imaging with DRE on, or faster rolling shutter with minimal dynamic range loss when DRE is off.
• 💰 The 6K sensor is a more budget-friendly option, offering good balance between image quality, readout speed, and low-light performance, especially with Super 35 mode.
• 🔧 The interface is user-friendly, with adjustable image sharpness and noise reduction, and allows shooters to tailor settings to their workflow preferences.
• 📈 Overall, both 8K and 6K gimbals offer versatile performance, with the 8K excelling in dynamic range and image quality, while the 6K is advantageous for speed and budget-conscious applications.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The video focuses on technical testing of the DJI Ronin 4D with the new 8K gimbal, analyzing dynamic range, rolling shutter performance, ISO, noise, and color accuracy, rather than being a full review.

What settings were highlighted as important for testing?

The settings emphasized were image sharpness (-2 to +2), noise reduction (-2 to +2), and the dynamic range expansion (DRE) toggle, which can be turned on or off on the 8K sensor.

What is the purpose of the dynamic range expansion (DRE) toggle?

The DRE toggle allows users to choose between higher dynamic range (DRE on) with slightly slower rolling shutter or faster readout speed (DRE off) with a small sacrifice in dynamic range.

How does oversampling affect the 8K sensor performance?

Oversampling the 8K footage down to 4K improves medium 'clean' stops, reducing visible noise. Internal 8K → 4K oversampling yields up to 13 medium stops even with noise reduction lowered.

What were the dynamic range results for the 8K sensor at EI 800?

With DRE on and noise reduction at 0, the 8K sensor captured 15 total stops and 12.5 medium clean stops, indicating strong dynamic range performance.

How does rolling shutter performance compare between the 6K and 8K sensors?

The 6K sensor records 20.3 ms in full frame, and 13.9 ms in Super 35. The 8K sensor with DRE on records 29.9 ms, but with DRE off it drops to 16.3 ms, faster than the 6K full frame.

What are the ISO performance highlights for both sensors?

The 8K sensor supports EI 800 to 6400, while the 6K sensor supports up to 12,800. The 8K sensor maintains good image quality even when increasing exposure in post, due to oversampling and DRE options.

How is noise affected by different settings?

Noise reduction settings affect the medium stops score but not total stops. For example, turning noise reduction fully off on the 8K sensor drops medium clean stops from 12.5 to 11.8.

What observations were made about color accuracy?

The 8K sensor with DRE on shows accurate skin tones and color reproduction, with only minor magenta oversaturation, which can be corrected in post-processing.

What are the practical recommendations based on the testing?

For maximum image quality, use the 8K sensor with DRE on. For faster rolling shutter with minimal dynamic range loss, use 8K DRE off. For low-light or budget-conscious shooters, the 6K sensor in Super 35 mode is a solid choice.

Why was ProRes 422 HQ chosen for testing?

ProRes 422 HQ was chosen because it provides consistency across both 8K and 6K gimbal modes and avoids variables associated with ProRes RAW, which can depend on other factors.

What trade-offs should a shooter consider when choosing DRE settings?

Enabling DRE provides the highest dynamic range but increases rolling shutter latency. Turning DRE off significantly reduces rolling shutter but slightly decreases dynamic range, allowing shooters to choose based on their shooting scenario.