Tripod, Stabilizer, or Handheld? What One Suits You?
Choosing the right camera stabilization solution is very important. In many cases, it will determine the quality of your photos. In this blog post, I would like to share with you the advantages and disadvantages of tripods, monopods, stabilizers, and handheld devices.
Tripod
The most common mounting solution is, of course, a tripod. For selfies or situations requiring a stable setup, a tripod is the optimal choice. It is arguably the second most important piece of equipment after the camera lens, even for amateur photographers.
In addition to its primary use for fixed-point setup, the second important function of a tripod is for “long-range shooting.” A good tripod head allows you to maintain stability while zooming in on your subject, which is crucial for many wildlife photographers.
The third use is to mount various camera movement devices, such as sliders or jib arms. For these devices, the tripod acts as an expansion platform. If you're shooting long-duration time-lapse videos, a tripod is an indispensable tool.
If there are any drawbacks, the most significant ones are undoubtedly its “bulkiness” and “low mobility.” Tripods come at a significant cost in terms of “stability,” but the most critical issue is that “people often avoid using them due to the hassle,” only to later regret the unstable footage.
The second drawback is that tripods are prohibited in some places. Many internationally renowned tourist attractions have this rule, some to protect historical sites, and others to prevent accidents (such as tripping).
lPros: High stability, suitable for telephoto shooting and time-lapse photography.
lCons: Bulky, difficult to carry, low mobility, easily attracts attention.
Monopod
When you want to keep the image as stable as possible without getting too tired, a monopod is a good compromise. You need to hold it, but don't have to support it yourself, making it much lighter to move around than a tripod—it's like having an extra walking stick.
Another advantage is that it doesn't take up much space, especially in crowded areas. A tripod, when unfolded, can occupy about 1 square meter of space, which can be dangerous or draw unwanted attention in crowded places. A monopod, on the other hand, is much more convenient in such situations.
Another unique feature of a monopod is that it’s ideal for shooting “high-angle” shots. Of course, this requires “strong hands.” As long as you have enough strength, you can extend the monopod to reach higher or any other hard-to-reach places for shooting.
However, the problem with monopods is that when you want to take a drink or go to the bathroom, you have to find someone to hold it for you, or else you have to take it down, which is very troublesome. Even though many monopods have three auxiliary legs at the bottom, you can't really leave it unattended when you're out of sight.
lPros: Can capture higher-angle shots and is more portable than a tripod. Moderate stability, maintaining relative stability even during high mobility.
lCons: Must be monitored by someone or disassembled beforehand, making it extremely inconvenient during breaks.
Stabilizer
Stability is the biggest advantage of a gimbal, second only to a tripod (in terms of capturing stationary scenes). Of course, the purpose of a gimbal is not just to capture stationary scenes, but also to enable smooth dynamic camera movements during various dynamic shots or while moving. At the same time, gimbals are becoming smaller in size, easier to use, and more feature-rich (such as camera control), making them almost a standard accessory for filming.
Follow-camera shots and cinematic moving camera movements are now primarily the domain of stabilizers, even replacing many tracks and cranes.
In terms of mobility, the initial setup and leveling may take some time, perhaps one to three minutes, but once set up, it becomes easy to use. However, this initial “hassle” might deter users from bringing it out, much like a tripod. I once had a project that required me to shoot at multiple locations in a row. There was no space in the car to lay the camera stabilizer flat or secure it properly, so I had to keep taking it apart and putting it back together. Eventually, I gave up and just handheld the camera while shooting, only to realize later that many of the shots were wasted. Another important consideration is battery life. If the battery isn't sufficiently charged, the stabilizer becomes useless once it runs out of power. Therefore, in addition to remembering to charge it, it's crucial to ensure proper leveling. Improper leveling can lead to increased battery consumption or vibration issues.
lPros: High stability, suitable for both still and moving images, ideal tool for movie camera work, easy to carry.
lCons: Requires prior calibration for balance, needs to be charged, not suitable for use with long-focus lenses, prone to vibration if not calibrated properly.
Handheld
Handheld shooting is a highly mobile and lightweight shooting method that offers extremely fast response times and is less intimidating.
Of course, the biggest drawback is “instability.” When using this method, you must hold the camera as tightly as possible with both hands or lean against a wall, and use lenses with medium to wide focal lengths. Unlike stabilizers or other equipment, it cannot produce smooth camera movements, but this can be compensated for with cinematic composition and the subtle shaking of handheld footage. In terms of results, it may not necessarily be worse—it all depends on how you design the frame.
lPros: Easy to use, highly mobile, easy to turn on and store, lightweight for travel.
lCons: Holding it for long periods can cause hand fatigue, unable to capture stable images. Telephoto shots rely on the image stabilization performance of the lens or camera body.