Top 10 Tripods for DSLR Cameras

Tripods are the ultimate secret to sharp, stable, and jerk-free shots. Besides, they offer an added advantage while capturing in the dark or filming time-lapse sequences, by acting as a steady base for a camera. This is precisely why tripods are loved by photographers and cinematographers, alike.

Add a touch of perfection to your clicks with some of the top tripods available on Amazon. We have handpicked these tripods based on their fluid movement, durability, and travel-friendliness. These are all under Rs. 10,000, so if that is the price bracket you are looking at, this listicle might come handy.

Top 10 Tripods for DSLR Cameras in India

1. Digitek DTR-550LW Camera Tripod

Digitek DTR-550 LW comes as an all in one tripod that provides upto 170 cms of height and a payload of 5 kgs with the item being 1.2 kgs. It's a frequently bought product on online shopping platforms, and comes at an attractive price, making it one of the best budget tripods in India.

Top Features 

• Lightweight
• Excellent payload capacity as against its weight
• Provides great height
• Fluid Head

2. AmazonBasics 60-inch Lightweight Camera Tripod

This tripod from AmazonBasics is foldable, durable and portable. It can stretch upto a height of 63 cm, but as against the claim of it being lightweight, it weighs 1.3 kgs, which is much heavier than other tripods in this list.

Top Features

• Decent pricing
• Multi-purpose
• Built in bubble view and reel handle for easy elongation of the center column 
• It does not have a fluid head and thus makes panning unsatisfactory

3. Vanguard Espod CX 203AP Camera Tripod

This tripod from Vanguard has a maximum operating height of 155 cms, minimum foldable height of 56 cms, and a maximum load capacity of 3 kgs. It features an innovative pop and unlock quick shoe and a central column anti-shock ring. It also has quick flip leg locks for ease of use. 

Top Features

• Ergonomic handle
• Allows smooth panning 

4. Benro T880EX Compact Camera Tripod

This is one of Benro's top tripods. It is compact and travel friendly, with its foldable height going as low as 47 cms despite giving a max operating height of 146 cms. It also comes with a warranty of 3 years. It can bear a load of 3 kgs with the item weight being 1.4 kgs.

Top Features

• The camera essential is equipped with a three way pan head

5. Photron Tripod Stedy 450 Camera Tripod

If you're tight on budget, or a beginner, this tripod is for you to look at. At a budgeted price, it supports 2.75 kg as against its weight of 0.9 kgs. It boasts of a max operating height of 137 cm, a minimum foldable height of 49 cm. Some of its cons would be that it does not have a fluid head and may not be suitable for high-end cameras. It does not come with a long warranty period, either.

Top Features

• Affordable and value for money
• Compact and lightweight for travel
• Added foam grip for ease of handle

6. Digitek DTR-500BH Camera Tripod

Digitek DTR-500BH is a sturdy tripod, which can support weight upto 7 kgs. Its legs can be folded upto 180 degrees and alternatively can be removed for it to be used as a monopod. It is also compact and can be folded down to 45 cms despite of providing a maximum height support of 151 cms. The product however is considerably heavy weighing 2.12 kgs.

Top Features

• Multi-purpose
• Sturdy
• Compact

7. Vanguard CX 203AGH (Pistol Headed) Camera Tripod 

Vanguard CX 203 AGH comes with a pistol head for easy and quick change in shots, with its innovative pop and unlock technology. It also features an anti-shock ring and an anti-spin ring on its column to provide stability and security in unpredictable situations. It provides a maximum operating height of 155 cms alongside a minimum foldable height of 45 cms. Its maximum load capacity is 3.5 kgs and can take an item weight of 1.7 kgs.

Top Features

• Affordable price in its category
• Provides great operating height
• Compact

8. AmazonBasics 52-Inch Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

Standing true to its name, this tripod by AmazonBasics is one of the best options out there for travellers. It is highly compact and the center column is invertible for low angle shots. Its carbon fibre built supports a payload of 3.2 kgs as against its own weight of 1.1 kgs. This however does increase its price, but nevertheless it is value for money. The tripod boasts of a maximum operating height of 132 cms and a minimum foldable height of 32 cms.

Top Features

• Built in level, quick release mounting plate
• Features a ball-head for 360 degree rotation and 90-degree tilt
• Includes panoramic dial for 360 degree panning

9. Benro iTrip IT15 Camera Tripod

Speaking of travel tripods, Benro's iTrip IT15 provides a payload of 4 kgs and an impressive maximum operating height of 147 cms without compromising on its condensability. It can easily fold down to 39 cms. It also comes with an impressive warranty of 5 years.

Top Features

• Trendy and innovative design
• Sturdy and compact at the same time

10. ZOMEI Q666 All Rounder Camera Tripod

The Zomei Q666 is a stylish, multi-purpose tripod, which features an invertible centre column and can be converted into a monopod. It can handle a payload of 6 kgs (as provided by the company itself, although some shopping sites claim it to be around 10 kgs), and provides an operating height of 157 cms. It can also be reduced to 37 cms for easy portability. It's weight might just be a concern, touching the scale at 1.7 kgs.

Top Features

• All rounder tripod
• Impressive payload capacity of 6 kgs
• Compact

A Buying Guide For The Best Tripods

1. Fluid Movement

A tripod's movement depends upon its head. The two basic types of heads are Pan-tilt/3 way head and the ball head, with the former being more commonly used.

• 3-Way Pan/Tilt Heads use control arms to move the camera along a fixed axis, one at a time. It allows precise movements. It is much more sturdy and can carry a heavy load in comparison to its counterpart - the ball headed tripod, and it comes at a comparatively cheap price too. A variation of the pan/tilt tripods, is the fluid head tripod. This one uses a hydraulic fluid which dampens movement making it possible to execute a smooth pan (as against the orthodox version which produces a slight jerk when beginning or stopping a pan movement).
• Ball Headed Tripods have a spherical ball on top of which the camera is mounted: it facilitates easy and quick movement making it ideal for sports, wildlife and basically anything that has to do with travel, pacy and unexpected shots. A variation of the ball head is the pistol grip head, which helps ease the process by using a pistol shaped handle to move the ball. When the spring loaded, squeeze grip on the pistol is pressed, head can be rotated according to the need. When released, it falls back to its original place.

2. Durability/Strength

A strong tripod provides insurance against the potential damage of expensive cameras and lenses during extensive shoots. A lot depends on the material used in its making. The most common materials used in the making of a tripod are aluminium and carbon fiber. The latter is more expensive, but also gives you more durability, stability and resistance than aluminium (for example, it'll dampen vibrations and not heat up as quickly).

3. Light Weight? Well, Wait!

Many photographers are travelers and cannot afford to carry a heavy tripod. A lightweight one is always preferred, especially if travel is frequent and load limited. Sadly, however, the reduction of weight comes with the cost of stability and strength of the tripod. The heavier the tripod, the more payload and stability it has to offer.

4. Compatibility

The tripods are expected to be compatible with many devices such as DSLR cameras, point and shoot cameras, camcorders, handy cams, etc. Most of the premium tripods come with an adjustable plate with a universal screw. The universal screw size is ¼ in diameter and is compatible with majority of the cameras. However, Some professional cameras, heavy mountings use ⅜ inch diameter screws. With increasing trend of shooting via smartphone, the tripod manufacturers also came up with smartphone mounts in which phone is gripped between clips which is connected to the base plate by the same universal screw.

Frequently Asked Questions