In order to get the most bang for your buck when purchasing a tripod, it’s important to match your needs and wants with the available merchandise. The following are some of the best camera tripods for the money:
Mini Tripods
The explosion of compact digital cameras has given rise to a cottage industry of mini tripods, including these top picks that sell for less than $50:
- Pod Bean Bag Tripod: The colorful unconventional tripod measures 3.75-inches in diameter and has a camera mount screw in the center. Basically it is a beanbag, which can be placed on any number of non-smooth surfaces to give you a steady base for your camera.
- JOBY Gorillapod Flexible Tripod: This funky tripod looks more like an alien than a photo gadget, but it performs extremely well. It comes equipped with three bendable legs than can be positioned to stand like a tripod, or even wrapped around a bar or railing to position the camera where you want it.
While mini tripods work well for tiny digital cameras, if you have bulkier equipment like a digital SLR camera or a standard size camcorder, you're better off with a larger, sturdier professional quality tripod, such as these models that sell for less than $400:
- Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod: This is a three-section aluminum tripod from Manfrotto is one of the best selling models on the market. It weighs a mere four pounds, but provides sufficient stability for heavy cameras. Standout features include quick action leg locks and a center column that can be tilted to a complete 180 degrees, which provides great comfort when shooting in macro mode.
- Celestron Photographic/Video Tripod 93606: This particular model folds up to 27 inches and can extend up to 63 inches. It also comes with a three-way panhead with quick release plate, making it easy to pop off your camera in an instant.
- Induro Carbon 8X C-Series: These carbon fiber tripods offer the ultimate in strength, while still being lightweight and reliable performance. They’re ideal for nature and landscape photographers. Each of the tripod’s leg locks have a specially designed dust and moisture-resistant seal. In addition, each tripod features interchangeable rubber feet and stainless steel spikes. Other noteworthy features include:
- A grooved center column, which prevents unwanted column rotation
- Reversible center column for low angle shooting
- Reversible tripod head mounting screw, which assures compatibility with virtually any tripod head
- Built-in bubble level, which allows adjustment to prevent uneven pans and tripod head movements
- Spring loaded weight hook for additional weight mounting during windy conditions
