Gorillapod product reviews

It's not often that a small point'n'shoot camera actually needs a tripod of any type... after all, usually you point it, you take the photo, and you keep walking... and if you really need a self-portrait there's usually someone wandering around who looks like they won't grab your camera and hit the pavement running. However... there are times when you need to stabilise your camera, alone or not.

Enter, stage left, the smallest of the GorillaPods. When the legs are folded out straight and streamlined, it's a mere 16.5cm long and 4cm diameter, making it so easy to slip into the camera bag or your pocket, and if you get really creative (a hint: think DNA) you can compact it down to a mere 3cm across by 15cm long.

With it's 10 gripping points per leg, and each of the joints having around 40 degrees of swing, you can use this little gidget to grasp objects as thin as 22mm in diameter. With some creative arrangement you could probably manage to grasp thinner objects, but unless they are made of sturdy metal, they possibly won't hold the weight and may bend. So aim for the branches, and not the twigs.

Now, keeping in mind that this is also a tripod (of a sort), you have the advantage that each leg can be adjusted in amazingly small increments, so keeping your camera level on rocks, concrete chunks, and even piles of damp sand, is so easy to do! In fact, I would have to say it's easier to use on surfaces that are clearly uneven and non-level... if the surface is almost level, the fine adjustments could get annoying and you may give up before you get it just right. If the surface is clearly wonky, it's easier to assess the differences and adjust the legs (or, considering the range of movement, perhaps tentacles would be a better descriptor) accordingly.

One of the key bonus points I found was the quick-mount plate. Simple to attach to the camera, it can be secured, or removed, by using the loose change in your pocket! The thickness of the new 10c pieces fit perfectly into the slot in the mounting screw, but you can also use a 20c or 50c pieces too... but forget the gold, won't fit. As well as that, the plate clicks into the gpod easily but securely, and the release button is conveniently located in a thumb-friendly position. This can be locked from accidental release by twisting the top ring that runs behind it.

Overall... for those with small cameras, who just want something compact and convenient to use on the odd occasion, this is a great unit to consider, as it will suit far more potential situations than any of the other 'pocket tripods' I have seen on the market. However, for the serious photographer, moving up to a larger unit would be a better move, particularly if you consider the price difference is a mere $20-$30.