To create great photos you’ll often need a tripod. Manufacturers have added some panache to tripods making them almost a fashion statement. I have created a list of lightweight tripods for all camera models. Price tag, manufacturer, portability, and style were considered as I compiled this list.
In addition to price point, consider the weight of the tripod, the height — both the collapse size and maximum extended size, along with portability. Also, do not forget to account for the weight of your camera and the lens to make sure the weight is below the load capacity I provided.
For DSLR cameras and many mirrorless cameras:
Davis and Sanford Traverse Carbon TR654C-36
For still photographers, this tripod is the most economical model around. $170
Weight: 3.25 pounds
Folds down: 18.5 inches
Maximum height: 65 Inches
Load Capacity: 12 pounds of gear
Arca-Swiss quick release
Ball Head with level
Carrying bag
Manfrotto 190 Go! Aluminum
$190 + $89 (BallHead)
Twist and lock legs allows you to open and close the sections all at once with one turn of the wrist
Weight: 3.75 pounds
Maximum height: 57.48
Load Capacity: 15.4 pounds
Folds down: 17.1 inches
You will need a ball head for this tripod. I recommend:
Manfrotto 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Quick Release
MeFoto RoadTrip
$199 (aluminum) $349 (carbon Fiber)
With 12 colors to choose from – you can customize the model with interchangeable leg colors. Available in titanium, blue, chocolate, gold, green, hot pink, and orange.
Maximum height: 61.6 inches
Minimum Height: 15.4 inch
Load Capacity: 17.6 pounds of weight
Weight: 3.6 pounds (aluminum) Carbon fiber 3.1 pounds
Inner column can form a monopod
Arca-Type Quick-Release
Converts to Monopod
Spiked feet (great for tough terrain)
Joby Gorillapod SLR-Zoom Flexible Mini Tripod w/ BH1-01EN Ball Head
Weight: 1.21 pounds
Max Weight Load: 6.6 pounds
Maximum Height: 11.7 inches
Minimum Height: 4.7 inches
Folded Length: 12.5 inches
Quick release with bubble level
For deluxe Point and Shoot and Bridge cameras
Joby GorillaPod Hybrid Flexible Mini with Ball Head – Grey/Black
For small lightweight point and shoot cameras, and Bridge cameras weighing less than 2.2 pounds. Useful in environments where a tripod would be difficult to use or carry. Terrific for unconventional self-portraits (think placing the tripod on a rock, a fence, a lamp post).
Weight: 6.4 ounces
Max Weight Load: 2.2 pounds
Maximum Height:10.1 inches
Minimum Height: n/a
Folded Length: 10.1 inches
Quick release with bubble level
For Smart phones
Joby GripTight Gorillapod Stand for Smartphones (Black/Charcoal)
If you already have a tripod and want to mount your smart phone that is 2.1-2.8 inches wide:
Joby GripTight Mount for Smartphones
Joby GripTight Mount XL for Smartphones
For smart phones 2.7 to 3.9 inches wide:
All the products include links to BH Photo where I have been purchasing my camera equipment for a very, very long time. As an educator, I take product recommendation quite seriously and put a lot of time and effort into finding the products that I would purchase myself (or already have). If possible, I would appreciate your using my links, as I get a tiny affiliate fee for the time and care I put into my product recommendations.
Have fun shopping and if you thinkI have left off a noteworthy product, I’d love to hear about it.
~Cheryl Machat Dorskind