No one likes a blurry image and despite there being plenty of features in your lenses and cameras to combat this, sometimes it’s just unavoidable. The best solution to stabilizing your camera is undoubtedly a tripod, but what if you don’t have the money to buy one or simply find it too bulky to carry it around with you everywhere?

Below is a list of tripod alternatives that are cheap, easy to use, and small enough to fit inside your camera bag.

Bottle Cap Tripod

It’s tiny, cheap, and incredibly simple. Attach the cap to your camera and screw it onto any water bottle around you and you got yourself a makeshift tripod. The bigger the bottle, the more it’s able to support. But as you have already guessed, small cameras and lenses only.

If $10 is still too much for you, you can always make your own out of screws, nuts, and washers. Satisfy the MacGyver in you.

The Pod

This little guy comes in different colors, each one designed differently to support your needs. Whether you have a small point and shoot or a dSLR camera, there’s a Pod for you. The Pod is basically a bean bag that can be attached to your camera where a tripod would normally go. You can “mold” the Pod to fit on different surfaces and to tilt the camera up or down. It’s made for smaller cameras with small lenses and does a good job supporting those, but don’t plan on having any luck with a bulky lens attached to your camera.

Costing just under $20, it’s extremely cheap and a great accessory to have in your camera bag just in case.

GorillaPod

There are three different models of the GorillaPod and with the most expensive one being able to support up to 6 pounds, it’s the most versatile “pod” on this list. The legs of the GorillaPod are able to bend and attach to tree branches, light poles, or any other object small and sturdy enough for the legs to wrap around. It definitely lives up to its name so you’ll be able to support your camera with a big 70-200mm lens attached (as seen in the picture).

With the most expensive model costing $50, you might have better luck just buying an actual tripod. You won’t be getting a good tripod, but any tripod is definitely better then no tripod. Especially considering that the GorillaPod is only usable when there is something around for it to attach it.

MonsterPod

If the Pod and the GorillaPod could have a baby, this is what it would look like. Combining the ease of use of the Pod and the kung-fu grip of the GorillaPod, the MonsterPod uses its “viscoelastic morphing polymer base” to mold and stick to any surface imaginable to man. I’m exaggerating a bit but you get the idea, it sticks to things.

If you have a small camera, this is perfect. Try anything else however, you might find your camera shattered on the floor. Costing $30, it fits comfortably in between the Pod and the GorillaPod.

Bush Hawk Shoulder Mount

Have you ever had trouble with airport security when trying to bring your camera gear on board? Well, you probably don’t want this then. Black Hawk’s shoulder camera mount transforms your camera into a possible killing machine. Designed mostly for wildlife photography, having this shoulder mount beats carrying a tripod around all day especially when mobility and setup time is important to you.

There is a hefty price tag with it however, $110. But for a chance to look like the Rambo of the photography world, I say it’s worth it.

OmniPod Bean Bag

The OmniPod is the perfect kind of camera accessory to leave in your car. Whether you’re a tourist in a taxi, on an African safari, or just trying to do some reconnaissance, the OmniPod makes shooting your camera from inside your car a breeze. Simply attach it to your camera body/lens and rest the bean bag on your car’s window, instant camera support.

Retails anywhere between $25 - $30 depending on the size you want.

What do you use?

What do you use to stabilize your camera besides a tripod?

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