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Tripods are an often overlooked essential for cameras, as they provide the necessary stability needed to produce beautiful shots. To achieve smooth camera movements and capture pleasing imagery, it is essential to have a tripod with a fluid head that allows for easy panning and tilting of the camera. Yet, many video tripods are large and bulky. In this Gear Guide, we focus on an overview of the best travel tripods on the market.
The characteristics of tripods are often contradictory. On one hand, they should be solid and provide as much stability as possible, and on the other hand, portable travel tripods should be small, compact, and lightweight. When selecting a tripod, the payload is a crucial factor to consider. However, for content creators who are frequently on the go, the folded size and weight of the tripod are also critical considerations.
To create the ideal travel tripod with a fluid head, you have two options: you can purchase the legs and fluid head separately from different manufacturers, or you can opt for a set that includes a specific head when buying a tripod. Regardless of your choice, you should aim for a tripod that is solid, lightweight, and compact, and supports the weight of your camera so you can carry it with ease wherever you go.
It is a bit like squaring a circle, so we sorted out a few portable models for you to check out below. Starting with models for light and compact cameras, to midsize DLSR rigs, up to systems that can even support bigger cameras, go ahead and check them out!
The Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod from Manfrotto features a hybrid photo-video head suited for travel photography and videography. With a payload of up to 6kg /13,23lb the Befree Advanced Travel Aluminum Tripod, paired with the 3-way fluid head provides…
The Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod from Manfrotto features a hybrid photo-video head suited for travel photography and videography. With a payload of up to 6kg /13,23lb the Befree Advanced Travel Aluminum Tripod, paired with the 3-way fluid head provides foldable handles for compactness. The tripod legs are made of aluminum alloy, and together with the fluid head reach a maximum height of 151cm / 59,4in including the center column.
Designed for both video and still photo, the TC5S Gazelle Uprise Tripod legs from iFootage are a lightweight, versatile three-stage carbon fiber tripod supporting up to 6kg/13.2lb up to 150cm/59,06in.Topped with a swiveling flat base with a 3/8in-16 threaded stud…
Designed for both video and still photo, the TC5S Gazelle Uprise Tripod legs from iFootage are a lightweight, versatile three-stage carbon fiber tripod supporting up to 6kg/13.2lb up to 150cm/59,06in.Topped with a swiveling flat base with a 3/8in-16 threaded stud and locking mechanism, the tripod features a detachable center column with a release mechanism, for low-to-the-ground shots of 17.5cm/6,89in.
The TC5S Gazelle Uprise Tripod from iFootage is a lightweight, versatile three-stage carbon fiber tripod. The Komodo K5 fluid head is an aluminum tripod head with a 60mm diameter flat base suitable for all 60mm flat-head tripods. It supports up…
The TC5S Gazelle Uprise Tripod from iFootage is a lightweight, versatile three-stage carbon fiber tripod. The Komodo K5 fluid head is an aluminum tripod head with a 60mm diameter flat base suitable for all 60mm flat-head tripods. It supports up to 2,5kg/5,5lb counter balance payloads and a max payload of 5kg/11lb. The tripod features a detachable center column with a release mechanism, for low-to-the-ground shots of 17,5cm/6,89in.
The Gazelle TC6S Uprise is two-stage carbon fiber tripod legs supporting up to 8kg/17,64lb with a folded length of 63,5cm/25.00in. Remove the center column to lower the tripod to 19,5 cm/7,68in or extend both stages to rise to 165 cm/64,96in.…
The Gazelle TC6S Uprise is two-stage carbon fiber tripod legs supporting up to 8kg/17,64lb with a folded length of 63,5cm/25.00in. Remove the center column to lower the tripod to 19,5 cm/7,68in or extend both stages to rise to 165 cm/64,96in.
The Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod from Peak Design weighs only 1,2kg/2,8lb, and when folded, the tripod is roughly as thick as a water bottle. The tripod height adjusts from 14cm/5,5in to 127cm/60in, folds down to only 39,4cm/15,5in, holds up to…
The Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod from Peak Design weighs only 1,2kg/2,8lb, and when folded, the tripod is roughly as thick as a water bottle. The tripod height adjusts from 14cm/5,5in to 127cm/60in, folds down to only 39,4cm/15,5in, holds up to 9kg/20lb. The ball head uses space-saving locking and adjustment rings instead of knobs and levers. The rings facilitate omnidirectional movements that are locked in place with a simple twist with a quick release system compatible with most Arca-type plates.
The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. Its legs are secured by the Quick Power Locks. A new center column has a "one finger" operation, and includes…
The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. Its legs are secured by the Quick Power Locks. A new center column has a "one finger" operation, and includes an Easy Link attachment for attaching accessories.
The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. Manfrotto XPRO 3-Way, pan-and-tilt head with a 200PL-14 quick release plate, has a load capacity of 12kg/26,5lb. It includes an…
The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. Manfrotto XPRO 3-Way, pan-and-tilt head with a 200PL-14 quick release plate, has a load capacity of 12kg/26,5lb. It includes an integrated RC2 quick release cam lock and a 200PL-14 quick release plate.
At first glance, the YC Onion Pineta tripod looks robust and well-built. On the show floor at IBC 2022 (link here), we only managed to put our hands on the aluminum alloy model. However, the accessory will also be released…
At first glance, the YC Onion Pineta tripod looks robust and well-built. On the show floor at IBC 2022 (link here), we only managed to put our hands on the aluminum alloy model. However, the accessory will also be released in a lighter carbon fiber variant. According to Alice, this new accessory features an unconventional design, starting from the head.
Indeed, the tripod sports a proprietary head design that goes by the funny name of “Coconut Bowl”. Unlike traditional 75 or 100mm tripod head bowls that come with a bottom screw, users can conveniently adjust the camera’s horizon by simply opening or tightening a top lever mechanism. The head comes with a built-in reference bubble level.
This peculiar design results in a huge advantage when using the camera support in low-mode, as its height is not limited by the central column that many tripods have. The legs have a 3-stage structure with a fast locking mechanism, and the height of the tripod is adjustable between 75cm/29.5” and 145cm/57”.
Finally, the top part of the accessory offers multiple 1/4”-20 threaded interfaces. These can come in handy to rig additional accessories, such as monitors, microphones, or wireless video systems.
The official price of the aluminum version of the YC Onion Pineta tripod will be $399, while the carbon fiber model will retail for $599. The one shown at IBC 2022 was a pre-production model. At the moment of writing, there’s no official information regarding the availability of this accessory. We will update this Gear Guide as soon as we find out.
The Ulanzi & COMAN Zero Y Lightweight Travel Tripod is a compact camera support aimed at traveling photographers and filmmakers. The accessory is mainly made of carbon fiber with the addition of aluminum parts, for a total weight of 1.1kg/2.2lbs.…
The Ulanzi & COMAN Zero Y Lightweight Travel Tripod is a compact camera support aimed at traveling photographers and filmmakers. The accessory is mainly made of carbon fiber with the addition of aluminum parts, for a total weight of 1.1kg/2.2lbs.
The tripod legs can spread out at 20, 55, and 75° angles, and feature a 4-section design. The height of the tripod is adjustable between 15.3cm in low-mode up to 156cm when the central column is fully lifted. If collapsed, the tripod is only 42.3cm/15.74” long.
The tripod comes with a CNC-machined ball head, which can withstand a maximum payload of 5kg, while the central column can bear a load of 18kg. The camera attaches to the head via an Arca-Swiss style quick release plate and the horizon can be judged by looking at the built-in reference bubble level.
The tripod also has some hidden gems that can sometimes turn into little life-savers when shooting outdoors. For example, the bottom section of the central column acts a storage space for a small screwdriver.
The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. The Manfrotto 502AH Pro video head with flat base is fully featured professional head that is designed for executing cinematic…
The Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 is a three-section aluminum tripod, with a pay load of 20kg/44lb and extends from 8,9cm/3,5in to 170,2cm/67in. The Manfrotto 502AH Pro video head with flat base is fully featured professional head that is designed for executing cinematic moves with compact camcorders and DSLR cameras. The weight capacity is 10kg/22lb and the counterbalance supports 4kg/8,8lb. The balance plate's 8,3cm/3,27in range allows you to correct for uneven payloads due to matte boxes or heavy DSLR rig configurations.
The Befree Live Video Head is Manfrotto's smallest traveler-style fluid video head. It supports up to 4kg/8,8 lb loads, its minimalist, compact design makes it ideal for mobile video applications, such as vlogging. This head features a 40mm flat base…
The Befree Live Video Head is Manfrotto's smallest traveler-style fluid video head. It supports up to 4kg/8,8 lb loads, its minimalist, compact design makes it ideal for mobile video applications, such as vlogging. This head features a 40mm flat base with a 3/8"-16 mounting thread. Many tripods come with a ball head, but it can be removed to reveal a 40mm flat base.
The Komodo K5 fluid head is an aluminum tripod head with a 60mm diameter flat base suitable for all 60mm flat-head tripods. It supports up to 2,5kg/5,5lb counter balance payloads and a max payload of 5kg/11lb. An included quick-release camera…
The Komodo K5 fluid head is an aluminum tripod head with a 60mm diameter flat base suitable for all 60mm flat-head tripods. It supports up to 2,5kg/5,5lb counter balance payloads and a max payload of 5kg/11lb. An included quick-release camera plate provides a 1/4"-20 mounting screw for attaching your camera and is secured by a safety lock, and a bubble level is built-in to help you balance your camera.
This XPRO 3-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head has a load capacity of 12kg/26,5lb and can be attached to tripods that feature a 3/8"-16 mount. It includes an integrated RC2 quick release cam lock and a 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate. Cameras that are…
This XPRO 3-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head has a load capacity of 12kg/26,5lb and can be attached to tripods that feature a 3/8"-16 mount. It includes an integrated RC2 quick release cam lock and a 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate. Cameras that are compatible with a 1/4"-20 mount can be connected to the quick release plate before securing it to the pan-and-tilt head. The XPRO 3-Way, pan-and-tilt head also includes a dedicated angle scale for rotational movements that is designed for easy visibility.
The Manfrotto 502AH Pro video head with flat base is fully featured professional head that is designed for executing cinematic moves with compact camcorders and DSLR cameras. The weight capacity is 10kg/22lb and the counterbalance supports 4kg/8,8lb. The balance plate's…
The Manfrotto 502AH Pro video head with flat base is fully featured professional head that is designed for executing cinematic moves with compact camcorders and DSLR cameras. The weight capacity is 10kg/22lb and the counterbalance supports 4kg/8,8lb. The balance plate's 8,3cm/3,27in range allows you to correct for uneven payloads due to matte boxes or heavy DSLR rig configurations.