Today, many Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras have built in stabilization that helps normalize movement by the photographer when creating images. This is a great feature for on the go filming, but many professional photographers will agree that the best way to take pristine stills, or smooth videos using your DSLR, is to employ the use of a tripod. Tripods have been used for generations to help stabilize, bare the weight of heavy camera equipment, and even to do self portraits employing a camera timer. So the question is: Which tripods should photographers use when taking pictures on their DSLR cameras? Here is a list of the top ten tripods available today.
Best Tripod for DSLR Cameras Comparison Chart
| Product | Image | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Manfrotto Compact Advanced Aluminum Tripod |  | Quick release Foldable 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head Supports up to 6.6lbs | $$ |
| 2. Ravelli APGL4 New Professional 70" Tripod | Pistol Grip Tilt Adjustment Head Quick Release Leg Locks Rubber And Spiked Feet Included | $$ | |
| 3. Oben AC-1441 4-Section Aluminum Tripod with BA-111 Ball Head | 11 lb Load Capacity | Maximum Height of 61.6" Light weight - Just 3.3 lb In The Box: BA-111 Single Lever Ball Head, Padded Carrying Case, Shoulder Strap for Case, Leg Tool Clip with 2 Hex Keys, Hex Key for Split Column, Limited 5-Year manufacture Warranty | $$$ | |
| 4. Afaith Professional SLR Camera Tripod | 360 ° horizontal rotation panoramic head One of the leg can be used to monopod or alpenstock | $$ | |
| 5. Gitzo GT2542 Mountaineer Tripod |  | Constructed of carbon exact tubes that are near diamond level in strength and stability Supports up to 39lbs but weighs only 3.7 pounds G-lock system and ground leveling mechanism | $$$$$ |
| 6. XCSOURCE Professional Portable Magnesium Aluminum Alloy Tripod | Universal ball head handle with secured clip 5-section center column gives you the lowest possible shooting angle | $ | |
| 7. Beschoi Camera Tripod for DSLR SLR with Ball Head Pro 4 Section 62 Inches | Made of high quality magnesium aluminum alloy, It can be folded 180 degrees reversely, easy to fold and carry Inverted central axis for macro photography | $$ | |
| 8. SIRUI T-025X Carbon Fiber Tripod | 6 year US warranty Carbon fiber tripod folds to a compact 12.2" Anodized surface which helps to repulse excessive ware and corrosion | $$$$ | |
| 9. MeFoto Aluminum A1350Q1K Roadtrip Travel Tripod |  | Folds to 15.4 inches and is a fairly light 3.6 pounds Hold up to 17.6 pounds and has a maximum height of 61.6 inches | $$$$ |
| 10. Koolehaoda KQ-999 Lightweight Travel Camera Tripod |  | Magnesium alloy trigeminal The 4.2 pound tripod folds into 13.7 Lowest point for this tripod is around 20 inches, and the maximum is 61.4 inches | $$$ |
1. Manfrotto Compact Advanced Aluminum Tripod
This lightweight tripod can hold up to 6.6 pounds, which makes it perfect for DSLR cameras. It also features a striking brushed metal design that visually differentiates it from the majority of its competitors. Available in black, black with red highlights, or silver and white, this tripod certainly meshes design with function. It folds down to a compact 17.3 inches and extends to 65 inches. It features a pan-tilt head, which allows photographers a 90 degree range of shooting. A quick release system is also featured, allowing photographers to attach and disassemble with relative ease. There is also an included adapter for the Sony DSLR cameras that have a unique connector.
2. Ravelli APGL4 New Professional 70″ Tripod
When travelling, setting your camera up quickly in order to catch wildlife and pristine vistas is imperative. This tripod has quick-release leg locks, a quick release center column, and a quick release camera plate. Each of these features enables photographers to set up and disassemble with exceptional speed. It has a pistol grip tilt adjustment head that allows you to keep an eye on what you are filming while maintaining comfort when adjusting the tilt of your camera’s range of view. This specific tripod comes with rubber and spiked feet which makes it a perfect all-terrain tripod. For portability, the tripod collapses to 34 inches when folded. Its minimum operating height is 23 inches and expands to a sizeable 70 inches at max operating height.
3. Oben AC-1441 4-Section Aluminum Tripod with BA-111 Ball Head
This tripod is a great choice for most DSLR camera lens combinations, as it can hold a full 11 pounds. The lightweight three pound tripod collapses down to an incredibly low 21.3 inches. Digging deeper, the center column which has an adjustable butterfly knob, can be reversed or split which allows for photos to be shot as low as 8.3 inches. The maximum extended height is 61.6 inches. This tripod has three leg angles, 80 degrees is the standard leg height, 55 degrees is considered a low leg height, and finally, 24 degrees is the extra low angle option. These leg angles can be utilized on any terrain including on stairs and sand. The spring loaded counterbalance hook provides extra stability and a built in bubble leveler helps provide the most perfect shots.
4. Afaith Professional SLR Camera Tripod
This tripod is extremely lightweight and easy to carry with an additional strap included in its construction. For its weight, around three and half pounds, this tripod has a capacity of up to 35 pounds, making it a great workhorse tripod. It is also eye-catching, coming in an attractive black with gold trim design that sets it apart from the majority of its competitors. The anodized legs can be adjusted to a maximum diameter of 25 millimeters, which can be adjusted for better stability with the touch of a button. The legs also feature a quick adjustment five stage system that also includes all terrain rubber feet. When folded the tripod shrinks down to 18 inches and has a maximum height, when extended, of 61 inches.
5. Gitzo GT2542 Mountaineer Tripod
Some might balk at the price point of this tripod, but its quality construction and features make it a worthy buy. This tripod is constructed of carbon exact tubes that are near diamond level in strength and stability. The legs sport a spider texture which makes carrying this unique tripod an easy experience. It has a maximum height of 65.75 inches and a minimum height of 5.91 inches, which ensures that even low angle photos have unparalleled stability. This tripod closes up to a svelte 22.5 inches, weighing an amazingly light 3.7 pounds. It also has features like a redesigned G-lock system and a ground leveling mechanism which helps produce perfectly balances images. This tripod also supports a robust 39 pounds of weight.
6. XCSOURCE Professional Portable Magnesium Aluminum Alloy Tripod
This is the perfect camera for an outdoors person. It has a five section center that can be adjusted to as low as half an inch in height, which allows the photographer to capture exceedingly low angles. The tripod has a maximum height of 62.2 inches, and a length, while folded, of 12.6 inches. The universal ball head design includes a clip to secure your camera from any accidental damage. A quick release leg locking system is also included to ensure sturdy locking, while also making detachment an easy process. A perfect mid-ranged tripod when it comes to weight, this device can hold cameras weighing up to 17.6 pounds.
7. Beschoi Camera Tripod for DSLR SLR with Ball Head Pro 4 Section 62 Inches
This tripod is a lightweight professional device that is crafted from high quality, aircraft grade magnesium alloy. This choice in metal gives the tripod a rugged exterior without adding unnecessary weight. It also comes in a fairly unique royal blue and black coloration that has a striking metallic luster. The swivel that connects to the camera is constructed on a ball head which allows for 360 degree rotation. A quick release plate is also included as well as quick release leg locks. It also includes removable tripod legs for those photographers who prefer taking pictures on a monopod. Bubble levels are also present on both the tripod head and body to help with stabilization.
8. SIRUI T-025X Carbon Fiber Tripod
This excellent carbon fiber tripod takes being compact to new heights with a meager size of 12.2 inches when folded. With a weight of only 1.7 pounds, this tripod is one of the most portable currently on the market. It has a maximum height of 55.5 inches, which is not the highest on our list, but still more than acceptable considering how portable it is. When the center column is removed, this model can shrink down to 4.3 inches which is sufficiently low to catch some of the best low angle shots available. Each leg has an automatic angle locking mechanism, which allows the legs to lock at three distinct angles. This allows for great shots on any terrain gradation. The tripod also has an anodized surface which helps to repulse excessive ware and corrosion.
9. MeFoto Aluminum A1350Q1K Roadtrip Travel Tripod
This multicolored tripod comes in a plethora of striking shades that include options such as chocolate, olive green, burnt orange, lilac, red, gold, hot pink, and even a patriotic red white and blue combination. It folds to 15.4 inches and is a fairly light 3.6 pounds. It can hold up to 17.6 pounds and has a maximum height of 61.6 inches. It features rubberized locking grips to ensure a fast, trouble-free setup as well as a weather and dustproof coating. It also has two leg angle positions as well as a built in option for 360 degree panning. It can also turn into a full-sized monopod without the usage of any tools.
10. Koolehaoda KQ-999 Lightweight Travel Camera Tripod
This versatile tripod offers a solid construction that many professional photographers desire. The magnesium alloy legs are black and yellow, resembling the coloration of a honeybee. It has a 360 degree panorama ball head that allows for perfect wide angle shooting. It features a removable quick release plate that includes a quarter inch screw for secure photo shooting. The 4.2 pound tripod folds into a 13.7 inch form factor, which ensures easy portability. The lowest point available for this tripod is around 20 inches, and the maximum is 61.4 inches from the ground. If that’s not quite high enough, this tripod can convert into a monopod and provide an additional two inches of vertical height.
Finding the right tripod for your DSLR camera can be a daunting challenge. Price, height, weight, portability, and additional features are all worthy considerations when looking for the best photo stabilization device. Ultimately, your choice in tripod should fit the needs of the environment you’ll be filming in, your level of expertise, or even your personal style. This list contains some of the truly great options amateur or professional photographers have access too, but there are more options that may fit your personal needs better. When searching for a tripod, be sure to gauge all available features before settling on your device. Also, make sure not to choose a tripod that’s too heavy for your own practical use, as it will most likely be left at home during your next photo-taking expedition.
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