HOW TO DECIDE

1 Screw top

Most tripods are topped with a screw mount. Smaller cameras tend to use a 1/4in-20 thread, while heavier pro gear is often 3/8in-16. Many stands let you switch between the two.

2 Spinning top

A fixed thread is fine for shooting straight ahead, but creative compositions can require a more complex mount. So a lot of tripods let you tilt and swivel your camera using a ballhead.

3 Top loader

Not all tripods will support the same payload. Some stands max out with premium compacts, while others are strong enough to support a full-frame DSLR. Check before you buy.

4 Top of the world

Taller tripods can extend beyond 1.8m – handy if you’re taking headshots for a basketball team. Some come with swappable central columns: a shorter shaft can help with smaller subjects.