DJI Ronin 4D X9-8K

The Ronin 4D X9-8K hits the 92nd percentile for video with 8K60 ProRes RAW in a 1450g body with a built-in 4-axis gimbal. It's a solo filmmaker's dream at normal frame rates. But autofocus drops to the 34th percentile and there's no focus assist above 60fps, which is a serious limitation for slow-motion work.

The headline number is 8K60 in Apple ProRes RAW. That's not a typo. You can also push 8K75 in 2.39:1 ProRes 422 HQ, which is wild for a camera this size. The 44.7MP full-frame sensor captures 10-bit Log and RAW video, and the included DJI DL PZ 17-28mm T3.0 lens is sharp enough to justify the resolution. In our video benchmark, this thing sits in the 92nd percentile, which puts it ahead of most dedicated cinema bodies we've tested.

But the autofocus percentile is 34th, and that's the number that'll bite you. The LiDAR range finder works great at normal frame rates, but owners consistently report no focus assist above 60fps. So you're shooting 4K120 or 8K60 slow motion, and suddenly you're pulling focus manually with no peaking or assist tools. That's a brutal gap for a camera marketed as an all-in-one solo rig. The 5.5-inch 1000 cd/m² touchscreen is bright and usable, landing in the 85th percentile for display, but it won't save you when your subject drifts at 120fps.

Against the Sony a1 II and Nikon Z9, the Ronin 4D trades raw stills performance for integrated stabilization. The Z9 and a1 II are hybrid monsters with better autofocus, but neither has a built-in 4-axis gimbal. The Fujifilm X-H2S is cheaper and lighter, but it's APS-C and tops out well below 8K60 ProRes RAW. The Canon EOS R6 Mark III and Panasonic LUMIX S5 II are solid video cameras, but they're in a different weight class entirely. If you need a cinema camera that stabilizes itself, nothing else in this list comes close. If you need reliable autofocus at high frame rates, all of them beat the Ronin 4D.

At $9,999 USD, you're paying for integration. A comparable cinema camera, gimbal, wireless follow focus, and monitor would cost more and weigh twice as much. The CAD listing at $13,583 tracks with the exchange rate, but that's still a serious chunk of change. The included lens sweetens the deal, since the DL PZ 17-28mm T3.0 alone would run you a few grand. But the 4D RAW license requiring DJI activation feels like a toll booth on a road you already paid for. If you need 8K RAW, factor in that activation hassle.

The DJI Ronin 4D X9-8K is a 44.7MP full-frame cinema camera bolted to a 4-axis gimbal, and it lands in the 92nd percentile for video in our database. That's the absolute best right now for this category. You're getting 8K60 ProRes RAW, 4K120, and a built-in LiDAR focus system in a 1450g body that a solo operator can actually carry. The $9,999 USD price tag stings, but you're buying an entire camera department in one box.

Here's the catch. The stabilization story is weird. DJI built a 4-axis gimbal, which should be the whole point, yet the stabilization percentile sits at 34th, which is mediocre. That's because our database compares against dedicated gimbals and IBIS systems, and this thing is a different animal entirely. Owners rave about the 4th axis, calling it game-changing for handheld work. But the autofocus percentile is also 34th, and that one's not a categorization quirk. It's a real limitation, especially above 60fps.

Skip this if you shoot a lot of high frame rate footage. The autofocus percentile is 34th and there's no focus assist above 60fps, which means slow motion becomes a manual focus nightmare. Also skip it if you need long battery life, the 46th percentile battery score means you'll be swapping batteries or running external power on longer shoots. And if you're a hybrid shooter who needs serious stills performance, the 32nd percentile burst score and cinema-focused design will frustrate you. This is a video-first tool, not a do-everything camera.

The Ronin 4D X9-8K is a specialized tool that nails its niche. The 92nd percentile video score and 8K60 ProRes RAW output are best-in-class, and the integrated 4-axis gimbal genuinely changes how solo filmmakers work. But the 34th percentile autofocus and missing focus assist above 60fps are real compromises. If your work lives at 24-60fps and you want to ditch the gimbal rig, this is a no-brainer. If you shoot a lot of slow motion or rely on autofocus, you'll be fighting this camera.