Here are our top 5 tripods for Sony A7, Sony A7III, and Sony A7 Series Cameras:
- Manfrotto Befree Advanced Tripod
- Peak Design Travel Tripod
- Vanguard VEO 2 204AB
- Rollei Compact Traveler Tripod
- K&F Concept 68″ Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod
These are the Tripods I have personally bought and tested in 2024. It is therefore my experience with these devices.
When you’re looking for the best tripod for your Sony A7, A7III, or any A7 series mirrorless camera, you should consider a few things:
- Your own needs and preferences
- -Do you travel often?
- -home or outside usage
- -weather conditions
- Your budget
- -Do you need the best possible tripod?
- Your weight capacity
- Can you manage the logisics of a sturdy but heavy tripod?
1. Manfrotto BeFree Advanced Tripod
Manfrotto Befree GT 4-Section Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with 496 Center Ball Head, Twist Lock, Black
$319.95 in stock
2 used from $243.22
Features
- Befree GT Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod - 496 Center Ball Head (MH496-BH) - Quick Release Plate (200PL-PRO) - Padded Tripod Bag - Manfrotto 10 Year Limited Warranty (6 Month + 9 Year & 6 Month Extension with Online Registration)
- Professional Travel Tripod kit Carbon
- Superior performance with maximum lightness
- New M-lock system allows fast and secure operation
- Center Ball Head ensure smooth and precise framing
The Manfrotto BeFree Advanced Tripod is our top pick because it’s light enough for carrying and ease of use. It’s perfect for all types of photography thanks to its sturdiness and reliability.
Plus, the tripod has a fast, secure setup that’s quick and easy to operate.
In my experience a great option for your Sony A7, A7III, or A7r.
Lightweight and Portable
This great tripod is lightweight, weighing about 3.5 lbs, which makes it easy to carry around. When fully extended, it stands at just over four feet tall, but when collapsed it measures a mere 16 inches.
It also comes with a carrying case for extra protection.
The BeFree tripod is perfect for on-the-go photography enthusiasts who don’t want to lug around a heavy tripod.
Legs
Another great thing about its legs is, that if you get the 2-in-1 model, one of the legs can turn into a monopod.
There is a dedicated lock for this function and converting it into a monopod is fast and easy.
It can save you money because you don’t have to buy a separate monopod.
Plus, the tripod-to-monopod conversion is secure and reliable, so you don’t have to worry about breaking it.
Load Capacity
Now, let’s talk about its safety payload. The BeFree Advanced tripod can support up to a maximum of 8 kgs., which is great for travel photography and videography rigs that include a DSLR or mirrorless camera, with a lens attached.
It can even support a fully rigged Blackmagic pocket cinema.
Ball head
About its ball head, the good thing about BeFree’s ball head is it’s replaceable.
So, if ever you need to replace it or upgrade it, you can do so easily. Now for the bad thing, it is not a fluid head.
So if you plan to use this tripod on paid filmmaking gigs, I would not recommend it because you can’t pan it smoothly.
However, for travel or general photography and videography, BeFree is a good option to consider.
The Manfrotto BeFree Advanced Tripod is a great choice for those who want a versatile and reliable product that you can carry even in the toughest environments. It’s easy to set up and use, plus it’s lightweight and portable making it perfect for travelers.
If you’re a serious filmmaker, then this tripod is not the best option for you because it doesn’t have a fluid head.
This means that panning won’t be as smooth, which could affect your film quality.
Pros:
- Sturdy
- Great for landscapes
- Can be converted into a monopod
- Great for all kinds of photography
- good workmanship
- very good ball head (really surprised me – in my opinion, the tripod actually outperforms all comparable products in this price range)
- good compromise between weight/size and stability
- clamp locks – these were an important reason for me to buy the tripod, as I can tighten them myself as I get older. In my opinion, the twist locks do not have this longevity with intensive use. (but I am referring to this price range here)
- all legs can be spread independently of each other
Cons:
- No built-in level
- no spikes
- the last leg segment is very thin (I only use it in emergencies)
- the center column always remains retracted – the stability would be lost very quickly (of course it can be extended, but for me this is not an option – if you regularly need a tripod at this extension height, you should look for something else.
2. Peak Design Travel Tripod
NEEWER 62" Travel Tripod Carbon Fiber with Tripod Head, ±15° Leveling 360° Panorama Head, Detachable Center Axis, Fast Flip Buckle, Arca QR Tripod Plate Compatible with Peak Design Capture V3
$184.99 in stock
Features
- 【Detachable Versatile Quick Leveling Ball Head】 The 360° panoramic ball head base (⌀30mm) allows a +/-15° quick leveling and dual U slots for 90° tilt, easily lockable with a flip buckle. A bubble level lets you keep the camera straight. The tripod ball head comes with a standard quick release plate for broad compatibility. Removable QR plate with 1/4" screw on top for DSLR cameras or camcorders. It is quick to mount or remove your device
- 【Quick Lock Arca Type Square QR Plate】 The Arca type quick release plate is also compatible with the Peak Design PD Capture clip V3. A side button enables one push quick switch between the tripod and various camera mount clamp bases, while a safety lock prevents accidental contact with the button.Note: QR clamp compatible only with PD QR plates and included Arca type plates
- 【Quick Release Height via Spring Flip Buckles】 Spring loaded metal buckles swiftly pop up and unlock with a half open motion, enabling rapid and stable height adjustment, while the extended wing design ensures secure and pinch free flipping. The 4 section legs are adjustable from 16"-62"/41-157cm and with three fixed opening angles: 22°/55°/70°. The center column can be reversed for macro photography at a height of 7.5"/19cm
- 【100% Carbon Fiber Compact Travel Tripod】 The TP62 is a lightweight (2.6lb/1.18kg) carbon fiber camera tripod with a 1""/26mm tube for stability and a high load capacity of 22lb/10kg (10lb/4.5kg with ball head). When folded, it measures only 17"x2.6"/43x6.5cm for easy storage in the carry bag. A hook on the center axis for hanging the counterweight. Ideal for outdoor shooting, such as astrophotography, landscape, nature, wildlife, and architecture photography
- 【Functional Expansion and Spikes】 The 1/4" mounting screw on the QR plate is suitable for DSLRs, camcorders, action camera mounts, and phone holders. Two 1/4" threads on the tripod spider can connect magic arms, ball head adapters, and other accessories for professional creation. Nonslip foot pads are removable for installing spikes, which allow the tripod to stabilize on sandy, rocky, and muddy terrains
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is a portable tripod that works with any camera. It’s made from aluminum, so it’s lightweight but sturdy.
The legs are adjustable and can be used in several different configurations, including a tabletop mode that is almost flat against the ground for macro shots, or at an angle for low-angle shots.
The tripod has an ARCA-compatible ball head with 360 degrees of rotation and a quick-release plate that allows you to change over between cameras quickly and easily.
Its legs are foldable and feature rubber feet that are grippy enough to hold your camera steady in most conditions.
Portability
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is an aluminum tripod specifically designed to be lightweight, compact, and sturdy enough to carry on your travels.
The tripod weighs 3.4 lbs and can extend up to 60 inches high when the center column is fully extended.
When fully folded, this portable tripod is very compact, measuring just 15 inches and fitting easily into the included carry bag or any other bag you wish to use to carry it.
This is a great tripod if you’re shooting at the mountains, in the forests, or anywhere else where you need to hike or climb.
We love using ours when we’re going on a trip. It’s really compact and easy to carry.
Legs
Now let’s talk about its legs. The legs are adjustable, so you can make them as tall or short as you need them to be.
The Peak Design Travel Tripod features five-section legs that have twist locks so you can adjust their length quickly and easily.
It also allows the user to quickly move between different angles without having to worry about fiddling with any screws or other adjustable parts.
One thing to note is, that a great tripod should have around 3 or more leg sections.
And because the Peak Design Travel Tripod’s legs have 5 sections, it means that this tripod is really sturdy and stable.
This is very important especially when you are shooting in a windy environment.
Oh and one more thing, this tripod can also do a “tabletop mode” where the tripod can almost lay down flat on the ground.
This is really useful when you want to do some low-angle shots.
The Peak Design Travel Tripod also comes with a center column that has the ability to be inverted.
This means that if you want to use your camera upside down, allowing some unique angles and compositions, this tripod can do that for you.
Ball head
Its ball head is smooth and easy to use. Although I can say that it is not as smooth as BeFree’s ball head. I really like the safety lock on the ball head.
This is something that Peak Design added to all of their tripods, and it’s great because it locks when you tighten your camera onto the ball head so that it doesn’t come loose while you are shooting.
The safety lock also allows your camera to be angled in any direction; this is helpful when you’re trying to get creative with your angles.
The ball head is pretty stable when used with Sony A7III and other small mirrorless cameras.
One thing I quickly noticed is that the ball head is not as stable when used with larger cameras like DSLRs or medium format cameras and heavier lenses.
For example, I tried using it with a Canon 5D Mark III and a 24-70mm lens, and they slide a bit after locking them. This ruined my composition and I need to re-adjust the legs to recompose the shot.
Overall, I think the ball head is great for small mirrorless cameras, but not so much for larger DSLRs or medium format cameras.
Weight capacity
Like other tripods in this price range, its payload capacity is around 20 lbs.
It managed to carry the weight of my heavier DSLRs and lenses during shoots. However, I did notice some slight shaking when using longer lenses (200mm and up).
Well, mostly because of its ball head, not the tripod itself as a whole.
To summarize, the Peak Design Travel Tripod is great for Sony A7, Sony A7s, A7 III, and other small mirrorless cameras, but not so much for larger DSLRs. It’s tough, stable, and light enough to carry around without being a burden.
Pros:
- Tabletop mode is useful for low-angle shots
- Portable and tough
- It has 5 leg sections for added stability
Cons:
- Its ball head is not stable enough for bigger DSLRs with heavier lenses
3. Vanguard VEO 2 204AB
Vanguard VEO 2 PRO 233AV Aluminum Tripod with Video Panhead
Features
- Ultra-smooth 2-way video pan head with quick release plate, back-up safety lock, and sturdy long pan handle
- Legs adjust to 20°, 45° and 80° degree angles. Quick flip leg locks
- Advanced camera vibration and shock control. QS-66 quick release plate
- Kit includes: low angle adaptor, 2 Allen wrenches, 3/8'' screw adaptor, spiked feet and carrying bag
- Tripod Specifications: 23mm, 3 section aluminum legs, Folded height: 22. 8". Extended height: 57. 5". Weight: 3. 8 pounds. Max. load capacity: 8. 8 pounds
The Vanguard VEO 2 204AB is a tripod that is lightweight and easy to carry. The legs have quick-release leg locks that allow you to set up and take down your tripod easily.
The ball head has an ergonomic design that allows you to move the camera with ease while still maintaining a firm grip on it. This tripod is an affordable and lightweight option for those who travel a lot.
Lightweight
The Vanguard VEO 2 204AB is a light, compact tripod that’s perfect for travel.
Unlike the BeFree and Peak Design Travel Tripod, the Vanguard VEO2 weighs around 2.5 pounds, it won’t weigh down your luggage or make you feel like you’re carrying around a giant rock when you take it with you on hikes and camping trips.
This is also great not only for travelers but also as your everyday tripod as well. The Vanguard VEO 2 Tripod is made of durable aluminum, which means you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged easily.
Legs
The tripod has a quick-release system that makes it easy to open and close the legs of the tripod so you can position your camera quickly and easily.
The legs also have rubber feet that secure the tripod firmly against uneven surfaces so you can get clear photos without worrying about your equipment slipping off or falling over.
For added stability, there are four leg sections that hold up the tripod at 53 inches tall.
Unfortunately, one of the tripod legs slipped out of the twist joint little over a year after purchase. I mostly used this tripod for my DSLRs. So, in my experience, this tripod is better suited to lighter cameras.
Moreover, you can adjust each section independently, so you’ll have more control over how high or low your camera sits on your tripod.
It is not the tallest tripod on this list, but its maximum height of 53 inches is more than enough for most photographers, us included!
Built-in bubble level
The VEO 2 204AB also has a built-in bubble level so you can ensure that your camera is leveled before taking each shot (and make sure any tilt issues are corrected).
A built-in bubble level is important and honestly, I don’t know why Manfrotto BeFree didn’t have one.
This is the only reason why I prefer VEO 2 204AB over Manfrotto Befree.
The bubble level is a small but important detail that can’t be overlooked.
It’s not just a matter of convenience, it means that you’ll have less post-processing work to do in Lightroom or Photoshop.
Ball head
Its ball head is stable enough for most smaller cameras, including small DSLRs. The ball head is a bit small, but it can support up to 8.8 lbs of weight.
This isn’t so much about the strength of the components as it is about how well it balances with your camera and lenses.
The plate seems small as well, but it screws securely onto my Sony A7III Mirrorless camera.
But if you have a full-frame DSLR setup, with batt grip and heavy lenses, I can’t recommend this tripod. You better get a Manfrotto or a Peak Design tripod instead.
All in all, the Vanguard VEO 2 is a great affordable tripod that can be carried without breaking your back or shoulders.
Pros:
- Sturdy rubber feet
- Solid build
- Very light, making it easy to carry in your backpack.
- Versatile positions, allowing for a variety of shooting angles.
- Enables shooting videos or photos at ground level.
Cons:
- Not suitable for heavier DSLRs
- some minor stability concerns when extending the top pole.
4. Rollei Compact Traveler No. 1 Carbon – Ultra-Lightweight Travel Tripod
Rollei Compact Traveler Mini M-1 - Compact Mini-tripod, very light and ideal for travel, incl. Ball Head and Quick Release Plate - Black
Features
- Max. Height: 18,50" - Min. Height: 6,30" - Max. Load: 17,64 lb - Weight (without Ball Head): 1,16 lb - Weight (incl. Ball Head): 1,72 lb
- Lightweight aluminium construction - Ball head for professional applications
- Reversible and removable central column for macro photography - Locking screw for central column
- Non-slip foam grip on the tripod legs, protecting your fingers from the cold and for a secure grip - Quick-release plate with spirit level
- Tripod legs can be pivoted through 180°
If you want the lightest tripod without sacrificing quality, the Rollei Compact Traveler is perfect for you. It’s made from carbon fiber and weighs only less than a kilogram. It also comes with a nice carrying case.
An ultra-lightweight tripod
Because of its lightweight construction, the Rollei Compact Traveler tripod is a good fit for smaller cameras like Sony A7III and the rest of the A7 Series, Micro four thirds and Fujifilm mirrorless cameras.
But keep in mind that this tripod might not be the best choice for heavy DSLRs.
I’ve used this on my Canon 6D with Canon EF 85 1.2 lens and I wasn’t too comfortable using it when shooting on uneven surfaces. But the good news is, when shooting on flat surfaces, the Rollei Compact Traveler tripod is incredibly stable.
Legs
It has four leg sections that can add stability to the tripod. The legs can be extended to a height of 55 inches and as low as 13 inches. It also has a center column that can be removed and reversed for low-angle photography.
The legs have these twist locks that can be easily turned to extend or retract the legs. The feel of locking the legs and moving them is very solid and smooth.
Sure, it doesn’t go as low as the Peak Design Travel tripod but with the help of the reversible center column, you can compose really good low-angle shots with the Rollei Compact Traveler tripod.
Ball head
Like most ball heads, the Rollei Compact Traveler tripod comes with a full 360° ball head for smooth camera movements. The included plate is also compatible with an ARCA-Swiss mount for quick release.
I can say that Rollei’s ball head is smooth and solid even though it’s a bit smaller than the competition.
And also, this ultra-lightweight tripod comes with a built-in bubble level to help you straighten your horizon.
Weight capacity
Even though this tripod is light and looks smaller than others, it can certainly hold a Sony A7 or A7III with a heavy lens like the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM fairly well.
I have been using the Rollei Compact Traveler tripod for a few months now and it never let me down.
It can hold up to 8 kg (17 lbs) which is big enough for most hobbyists and photographers out there. Sure, I’m not going to use it during professional wedding gigs, but for casual photoshoots or when I’m hiking, this lightweight Rollei tripod fits the bill.
Overall, the Rollei Compact Traveler is an excellent tripod for anyone looking for a light and compact option that can still hold up their camera well.
A great option for us Sony users and it’s also relatively affordable compared to other similar options on the market.
Pros:
- An ultra-lightweight tripod that you can carry anywhere with you
- Can hold heavier setups as long as you’re shooting on flat surfaces
- Solid locks and knobs
Cons:
- Not suitable for professional work
5. K&F Concept 68″ Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod
Neewer® 8 Pieces Step-up Adapter Ring Set Made of Premium Anodized Aluminum, Includes: 49-52mm, 52-55mm, 55-58mm, 58-62mm, 62-67mm, 67-72mm, 72-77mm, 77-82mm-Black
$19.03 in stock
Features
- The Step-up Ring Set includes: (1)49-52mm step-up ring + (1)52-55mm step-up ring + (1)55-58mm step-up ring + (1) 58-62mm step-up ring + (1)62-67mm step-up ring + (1)67-72mm step-up ring + (1)72-77mm step-up ring + (1)77-82mm step-up ring.
- Provide a way to fit larger diameter filters or accessories onto a smaller lens.
- Made of premium grade aluminum, and precision production ensures smooth mounting.
- Extremely solid and lightweight, polished and finished with anodized matte surface.
- Fit any lens with the same filter thread, manual or autofocus, digital or film.
If you’re looking for a good-looking tripod that will help you keep your Sony A7 camera steady while shooting, then look no further than the K&F Concept 68″ Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod.
The K&F Concept 68″ Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod is a lightweight, durable tripod that can be used with any small DSLR or mirrorless camera.
It’s made of carbon fiber and features a detachable monopod that can be used for multiple purposes.
Legs
Its legs are made of carbon fiber, which makes them sturdy but also lightweight. The tripod has five leg sections that you can adjust to get the right height for your needs.
The legs also have a twist-locking mechanism that allows you to lock them securely in place.
The tripod comes with rubber feet that allow it to be used on any surface, including hardwood floors and tiles.
Even though its legs only come with three different angle adjustments, you can still do a lot of different compositions with it. Although I can say that it is not suitable for low-angle photography and for low-angle landscape shots.
Portability
The K&F Concept 68″ Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod is also a lightweight tripod that won’t hurt your back during hikes. It weighs around 1.33 kg and has a height of 16.5 inches when fully folded.
This makes it a great companion when you’re traveling. The tripod comes with a bag to make carrying it around easier.
Ball head
The K&F Concept 68″ Carbon Fiber Camera tripod’s ball head is small and light. But it can hold about 10 kgs. of weight.
When it comes to tripods at this price point, my usual advice is to only use them for smaller cameras if you can. The ball head isn’t the most robust, so I’d be careful with cameras and lenses that weigh too much.
Another great feature of this tripod is it comes with 2-in-1 quick-release plate kits that you can use to easily swap out your camera without having to remove the entire tripod from its base.
If you’re planning to put an ARCA-Swiss mount on this tripod, you’re in luck. That’s exactly what the ball head on this K&F tripod is compatible with. But actually, the included quick-release plates are already pretty convenient.
Pros:
- Study enough to hold smaller cameras like the Sony A7 series
- It has great looks
- Useful quick-release plates
Cons:
- Not the sturdiest ball head
- Too light for some users
How to Choose A Tripod for Sony A7 Series Mirrorless Cameras
When you’re choosing a tripod for your Sony mirrorless camera, there are several things to consider like how much weight can the tripod hold, height, portability, and stability.
Weight
The lighter your tripod is, the easier it will be for you to carry around with you while hiking through the mountains or strolling through downtown Seattle.
You don’t want anything too heavy that will make carrying around your camera and equipment too much work.
Also, remember that a tripod that is too light may not be as stable as it looks like especially in windy conditions.
However, if you’re shooting in extreme or windy environments and on uneven surfaces you should consider a heavier tripod for more stability. As a rule of thumb, the heavier the tripod the more stable it would be.
Portability
Also, consider portability—do you want something that’s easy to carry around? Or would you rather have something that’s sturdy enough not to worry about carrying? A good tripod should be both portable and stable enough for your needs.
Head Type
If you’re shooting a lot of photos, you might consider getting a ball head. Ball heads are perfect for photographers who like being able to adjust their shots quickly because they are easier to control when moving around while shooting.
However, ball heads have some limitations when it comes to filmmaking.
They are not as smooth as fluid heads when it comes to panning. If you mainly use your Sony A7 or Sony A7III for videography, getting a tripod with a fluid head is a must.
Price
Finally, think about the price! Tripods can range from $50-$500+, so make sure that whatever you choose fits into your budget and meets all of your criteria.
Also, keep in mind that not all expensive tripods can be that good and if the price is really affordable it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re useless.
Emma Lucy is the Founder & CEO of Emma Lucy Photography. She has over a decade of experience shooting weddings and other intimate events. She also tests the latest digital camera bodies, lenses, analog cameras, and other gear from Canon, Nikon, Sony, and other camera brands. She is From London and currently lives in the United States of America, where she spends most of her time as a self-employed professional photographer and writer.