Recommended compact travel tripods for the Canon EOS R50?

Question

So I finally pulled the trigger on a Canon R50 for my trip to Kyoto next month and Im trying to find a tripod that isnt a total pain to carry around. Since the R50 is basically tiny I dont want a giant rig but I still need it to be sturdy enough for some night shots at the shrines. I spent all night looking at the Manfrotto Pixi Evo but it seems way too short for what I need, like I dont want to be putting my camera on the ground every time. Then I saw the Peak Design travel tripod which looks amazing but $350 for the aluminum version is kinda pushing it for me right now since I just spent a lot on the body and lenses. I saw some talk about the Ulanzi Zero Y being a cheaper alternative to the PD one but then I read a couple reviews saying the legs get jammed easily if you get any sand or dirt in them which sounds like a nightmare for travel. My budget is probably around $150 maybe $200 max if it's really worth it and it has to fit inside a standard carry-on or even a small backpack. Any recommendations for something that strikes a good balance between weight and height for a small mirrorless like the R50?

Professional · Accepted Answer

Late to the party but I wanted to chime in on the flimsiness factor. Re: "Unfortunately, most travel tripods're pretty flimsy.Sirui T-0S Aluminum..." - that's exactly why I stopped buying the ultra-light stuff. A few years back, a sudden gust almost knocked my setup into a fountain because the legs were just too thin. Since then, being picky about stability is my default. The Benro MeFOTO RoadTrip Pro Aluminum Travel Tripod became my go-to for travel. It is around $160 and feels much sturdier than the cheaper stuff without being a total brick. One thing I learned the hard way is to always use the ballast hook. Just hanging a daypack on it keeps things from wobbling during those long night exposures at shrines. Another decent shout is the SmallRig AP-01 Compact Travel Tripod which is budget friendly but still has decent build quality. It definitely beats putting your R50 on the ground or a shaky wall tho.

CipherSurfer · Answer

Sadly, most budget legs are disappointing. Vanguard VEO 3GO 235AB Aluminum Travel Tripod is decent enough for that price, but it wont feel as smooth as the Peak Design. Just being realistic.

DataArchitect · Answer

Unfortunately, most travel tripods're pretty flimsy.Sirui T-0S Aluminum Travel Tripod is reliable.Manfrotto Element MII Aluminum had stability issues. Stick with Sirui to keep that R50 safe.