The Best Tripod For Nikon D7200 Cameras!
The Nikon d7200 is a very popular DSLR camera at the time of writing and has a large number of photographers, videographers, vloggers, and social media influencers using it as their go-to camera body of choice. Due to this, we are always seeing a number of people reaching out each month with various questions about different camera accessories for the d7200.
One question that we have noticed a steady increase in recently is people reaching out and asking for advice on the best tripod for Nikon d7200 cameras currently available on the market right now. Due to this, we have decided to base today’s article around what tripods we would recommend for anyone who uses the d7200 as their go-to camera of choice.
Our hope is that our article will be able to help as many of our readers as possible who own the d7200 and help save them as much time as possible in their hunt for a decent tripod. Now, we feel that something like the Zomei z818 will probably be the best all-round option for the majority of our readers when you factor in price, performance, functionality and build quality so we are going to crown the z818 as our primary tripod recommendation for d7200 users.
That said though, we have also decided to feature two additional tripods in our comparison section below. One is a cheap, entry-level option while the other is a more expensive professional level option. We will go over the advantages of using each of the tripods with your d7200 in our comparison table section below before spending the rest of the article taking a more in-depth look at the Zomei z818 and going over why we feel it is such an excellent option.
Comparison Table
Last update on 2023-12-03 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
As you can see from our comparison table above, considering its low price tag, the Zomei z818 offers some excellent features and comes out with the highest maximum load capacity of all three of our featured gimbals. Although there are definatley better options when it comes to functionality, they are usually three, four, or even five times the price of the z818.
Since its release onto the market the Zomei z818 has continued to go from strength to strength while growing the excellent reputation it has amongst the community. With the low price tag, excellent performance, great build quality, and solid reputation we doubt that its growth is going to slow down anytime soon. As we mentioned in the comparison table, in our opinion, for what you actually get, we would expect an additional $50-$75 on its price tag at least and we feel it is actually underpriced as it can provide you with some solid image stabilization for professional-level jobs.
Next up we have our cheap tripod recommendation for the Nikon d7200, the Mactrem PT55. Now, keep in mind, this is strictly an entry-level tripod to provide you with some basic image stabilization while learning the trade. We would not recommend the PT55 for anyone looking for a tripod for paid, professional work but it is a solid option if you are a hobbyist photographer or videographer.
The PT55 is popular with the vlogging and streaming communities as well as amongst amateur photographers and videographers too. This loyal customer base has basically built up an excellent reputation for the PT55 that just keeps getting better and better as time goes on.
Our final featured tripod is the professional level Manfrotto MVK502055XPRO3 that offers pretty much everything that you could ever need in a d7200 tripod. Although there is a solid argument to be made that this Manfrotto offering is a better option for your d7200 than the z818 but you have to factor in the fact that the Manfrotto tripod is three times the price of the Zomei tripod.
Although the MVK502055XPRO3 has an absolutely outstanding reputation amongst the community we feel that it is overpriced for use with a camera as the Nikon d7200 with a standard camera rig mounted to it. If you are planning to use a long, heavy telephoto lens with your d7200 then the MVK502055XPRO3 could be the way to go but for the majority of other d7200, we would recommend you save a few hundred dollars and go with the Zomei z818.
Performance And Functionality
The ball head that comes with the z818 as standard is ideal for regular photography and performs extremely well in all fairness to Zomei. The quick-release plate system on the ball head is great and extremely easy to use too. It allows you to quickly and easily mount and unmount your Nikon d7200 as required and switch between different devices. Over the course of a photography session, the time saved via the quick release plate section can add up to saving you a surprising amount of time too.
On the flip side of this though, if you are planning to use your z818 primarily for videography then we would highly recommend that you also purchase a decent, cheap pan head to allow you to smoothly pan and tilt your d7200 while recording video with the z818. This simple, cheap addition to the tripod can ensure that you can capture optimal video quality at all times when using the tripod without having to break the bank.
Another solid feature of the Zomei z818 is that one of its legs is fully detachable and provides full monopod functionality. If you are involved in a niche like travel vlogging then this can be a massive advantage as you can massively reduce the size and weight by only packing the monopod with you if you hike to a remote waterfall and still have a source of excellent image stabilization for your d7200.
Unlike some compeating brands at this price point who have a difficult, confusing system, Zomei has ensured that their monopod leg is as easy to detach and reattach as possible so you don’t have to waste your time in the process. The system is as easy as possible and can be completed in less than one minute with ease letting you get out and about as soon as possible.
You are also able to flip the central column on the Zomei z818 as shown in the image above for some totally inverted recording or photography if needed. This ensures that you get all the stabilization that you need from your tripod while also getting you the lowest possible angle. This is another great feature that is often only found on higher price point tripods and helps push the z818 ahead of the competition.
The final point that we want to make about the z818 is that its counterweight hook at the base of the central column is solid and performs very well. Again, Zomei has taken that extra step to be ahead of the competition and have used a metal counterweight hook rather than a plastic one. If you are outdoors and in windy conditions this allows you to easily hand your backpack or counterweights from the hook to provide that extra layer of stability for your tripod and Nikon d7200 while mounted to it.
When you take into account the excellent levels of image stabilization that the Zomei z818 provides, its feature list, and its low price point it’s easy to see why it is such a popular option with so many excellent independent reviews from photographers, videographers, and vloggers. If you have a couple of minutes those reviews are definatley worth skimming over as they offer some great insight into how good the tripod actually is.
User Interface And Control System
We have also touched on how easy to quick release plate on the z818 is to use too and how much time it can potentially save you over the course of a videography session with your Nikon d7200. If you need to switch between run and gun handheld usage, tripod usage, and gimbal usage in quick succession on a regular basis for your shoots then it really saves a ton of time.
On top of this, you can also easily source additional quick release plates for the Zomei z818 that are cheap. Some compeating tripods use proprietary plates that are a nightmare to find spares for. With the z818 you can easily pick up spare plates and have one mounted to any other additional camera bodies that you own. This will allow you to quickly and easily switch between your d7200 and any other camera that you need to mount to your tripod within seconds.
The final point that we want to make when it comes to the user interface of the Zomei z818 is that it uses twist-lock legs. Although some people do prefer the flip-lock system and some people simply don’t care, we personally prefer the twist-lock system due to being able to unlock or relock all three of the locking mechanisms at the same time. If you are out and about traveling and need to reposition your tripod a whole bunch this also saves you a ton of time over the course of a day.
Build Quality And Design
The majority of the tripod is made from the highest quality magnesium-aluminum alloy and although the premium level tripods are often made from carbon fiber this also ends up increasing the cost of the tripod too. In our opinion, the alloy that Zomei uses for their range is the best possible budget-friendly option and ensures that their tripods are touch and very lightweight.
In addition to this, all Zomei tripods are put through their strict anodic oxidation and anti-corrosion process to help ensure that you are able to use your tripod outdoor in the elements without having any issues. Secondary protection to rain, saltwater, and snow like these treatments are rare for tripods at this price point and help push the z818 even further ahead of the competition for your Nikon d7200 tripod of choice.
Our Verdict
That brings our article going over what we feel is the best tripod for Nikon d7200 cameras currently available on the market right now to a close. We hope that we have made our reasons for having the Zomei Z818 as our primary tripod recommendation clear but if not, there are a bunch of independent reviews for the tripod online that you can read for external opinions.
