Sony VCT-R100 Lightweight Compact Tripod Review

Unless you're a professional photographer you probably don't need an ultra high end tripod, nor the ultra high price that comes with it. But pretty much any photographer or anyone who likes to shoot home movies can benefit from some type of tripod. Even a cheap tripod can make your photos much more crisp and eliminate the shakiness of your videos.

When it comes to inexpensive tripods there are a lot of choices out there. There are tons of options under $50 and some that are even under $10. So what's a good bet without breaking the bank? That's what I set out to find. I did some research, searched around, and ultimately landed on the Sony VCT-R100 Lightweight Compact Tripod with 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (affiliate link). Not exactly a name that rolls off the tongue.

Some of the inexpensive tripods just stink of ultra cheapness so I didn't want something that would break on me. At the same time, I wanted something that I could toss around in the car a bit, throw in a backpack, and take to the beach and not care if it gets sandy or wet but will still last a while. The Sony tripod seems like it will hold up to some minor abuse fairly well. It feels sturdy and well built for such a lightweight tripod.

Sony VCT-R100 (affiliate link) measurements and features:

14.8 x 3.8 x 3.7 inches when folded

39 inches maximum height

Made from aluminum, lightweight at 1.8 pounds

Elevator and 3 way panhead functions

Tilt Correction: 90 degrees, 60 degrees, 360 degrees

Setting up and using the tripod is simple and all of the locking and screwing mechanisms feel relatively strong. The tripod is meant for small cameras and video cameras. In my case I wanted to use it mainly with a Sony A6000 (see Sony A6000 Review & Unboxing) and it works great with that.

Max height is 39 inches

Keep in mind that this is a great table top tripod but also works well on the ground with it's 39 inches of total height. If you're filming or photographing in a studio type environment and not traveling / hiking then a taller tripod (affiliate link) may be better for you. But if you don't need the extra height then this works very well.

Some downsides to this tripod are that it is lightweight and won't hold a really heavy camera so I don't think I'd trust it with a heavy DSLR and big lens for example. There's also no quick release mount so you have to screw and unscrew your camera each time you want to use it. That might get old after a while. Also, the lowest legs are quite skinny and feel a little weak.

Bottom Line

A fairly well built and incredibly lightweight tripod for around $30 shipped to me seems like a great deal. This isn't a high end tripod but would certainly work for most amateur photographers and videographers. It's a great starter tripod for most situations and one I would easily recommend. If you're in the market, you can buy one here on Amazon.com (affiliate link).

Sony Vct-R100 Lightweight Compact Tripod Review

Bottom Line