What type of tripod do I need?

A tripod is a tripod with 3 legs which you can easily adjust the working height yourself.

Pros

• The 3 legs of this type of tripod provide stability during shooting and filming.
• A tripod offers freedom of movement so that you can record from a distance.
• The working height of a tripod can be set with the retractable legs.
• To most tripods you fix your camera in different angles.
• You can easily take a tripod with you by folding the legs completely.

Cons

• For big cameras you need a large tripod that is heavy weight.

A monopod has 1 leg so that this type of tripod offers both stability and freedom of movement.

Pros

• With a monopod, you avoid motion blur while shooting.
• You have more freedom of movement because you can easily move a monopod in all directions.
• A monopod is very suitable for sports and action photography because you can move your camera with the subject.
• With a monopod that you hold in your hand while taking a picture, you shift the distance between you and the camera.

Cons

• You must always hold a monopod with 1 hand.

A stabilizer uses a counterweight to stabilize movement, which ensures smooth images.

Pros

• With a stabilizer you can move your camera without jerking the images.
• Stabilizers usually have a motorized gimbal that lets you rotate the camera.
• Most gimbals control with a joystick or remotely with your smartphone.
• There are stabilizers available for smartphones but also for large and small cameras.

Cons

• A sophisticated stabilizer for your camera is often very expensive.

A mini tripod is a compact tripod that you put on a table or other elevation.

Pros

• With a mini tripod, you can set your camera just a bit more stable or higher to make unauthorized weighted photos.
• A mini-tripod is very compact and lightweight so you can easily take it anywhere.
• The majority of ministatives have a tilting head that you use to point the lens in the right direction.
• There are mini-stands available for both smartphones and small and larger cameras.

Cons

• The working height of a mini-trip is very limited.

This type of tripod has pliable legs so you can also place the tripod on uneven surfaces. Pros

• On uneven surfaces you bend the legs so that your camera is straight and stable.
• The the pliable legs of a gorilla pod are clipped around an object such as a fence or pole.
• You can easily store a gorilla pod through its flexible design.
• Gorilla pods are available for heavier cameras such as SLRs.

Cons

• On sloping surfaces, you must ensure that the center of gravity is in the middle.

A rig is a tripod for your smartphone that you hold in your hand so that you shoot smooth images.

Pros

• By placing your smartphone on a rig, you can create stable photos, videos and vlogs from your hand.
• A rig is very compact so you can easily take it anywhere.
• On most rigs, you also install an external flash or microphone for professional recordings.
• Many rigs are operated wirelessly with a special remote control.

Cons

• A loose rig is often only suitable for smartphones, for cameras you can combine the rig with a shoulder tripod.