Mini tripods are great when you are traveling light. They are useful for day trips, hiking, creating a stable platform, and getting shots of yourself when nobody else is around. There are so many different mini tripods out there I wanted to compare them and find out which is best.
Joby GP1-A1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod
Joby GP1-A1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod (Grey and Black)
This Gorillapod comes in a few different models and sizes depending on the type of camera you have. Above is meant for a point-n-shoot so keep the weight of your camera in mind when purchasing one. The flexible legs allow you to place the camera in unique places other tripods may not be able to go. All you need to do is wrap the legs anything you can to get a steady shot. It is very sturdy for its size and a reasonably priced one at $14 on Amazon.
The DSLR Version of the Gorillapod serves the same purpose but will support the weight of a much heavier camera.
Joby GP3 Gorillapod SLR-Zoom Flexible Tripod
UltraPod II Lightweight Camera Tripod
Of course nothing can replace a full sized tripod but this what is great about this tripod is that it will fit in your pocket. It comes with a velcro strap to attach to poles or fences much like the gorillapod does with its feet. The best part about this tripod is its small size and light weight at only 4 ounces. As you can see it can handle a decent sized camera with lens.
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Pedco UltraPod II Lightweight Camera Tripod
Manfrotto ModoPocket
This mini tripod is technically not a tripod but its portability can’t be beat. It can basically fit on a keychain but still gets the job done. It is made of metal and folds flat to 6mm of thickness. The spring-loaded legs unfold to hold your camera. This is the smallest tripod you will find and it gets the job done.
Tiltpod Quick-Connect Camera Stabilizer
If ModoPocket was the smallest, Tiltpod is the most basic. This is as simple as it gets. Basically, this serves as a “tripod” for when you need a photo of you and a friend and nobody is around. It also doubles as a wrist strap so you will never lose the tripod clip. All it does is attach a magnet to the bottom of your camera and creates a mini tripod to keep your point-n-shoot upright. It’s cheap too at $14.99 over at Think Geek.
Suction Cup Car Mount
This is not exactly a tripod but it is a camera stabilizer. The suction cup mount is a useful tool if you plan to do any type of shooting where you can mount a camera with a suction cup. For example, on the windshield of a scooter, inside of the car for a timelapse or even on a boat. There are tons of uses but it is not quite as practical as the rest. I love to bring my to get first person perspectives of events or leaving it mounted for shooting a timelapse. Its a fun extra but cannot be used in place of any of the previously mentioned tripods.
Suction Cup Car Camera Mount Drift HD X170 Pan Tilt Tripod Mount
Conclusion
All of these tripods are different and you need to decide what you need. If you are more likely to need a tripod that can adapt to anything than the Gorillapod is a great choice. If you need to capture a timelapse sunset with your DSLR than untrapod may best suited for you. And if you simply need something to keep your camera upright for fun photos then grab the Tiltpod from Think Geek or ModoPocket.
