Whether or not you might be an aspiring filmmaker or simply need to shoot higher vlogs and selfies, you could have looked for a telephone tripod. The issue is there is a reputedly unending variety, operating the gamut from reasonable stands that hang your telephone to classy setups that double as a vlogging grip and far flung regulate. You additionally need to think about that telephones just like the iPhone 13 Professional and Galaxy S22 Plus document better-quality video with their rear cameras than their selfie cameras, which may make it much more tough to arrange your shot. (Happily, there is no scarcity of TikTok hacks for purchasing round this.)
However whilst trying out the Sony Xperia 1 IV telephone, I discovered without equal telephone tripod and vlogging setup. The trick is that it if truth be told is composed of 2 merchandise: the $140 Sony GP-VPT2BT Wi-fi Bluetooth Taking pictures Grip and Tripod and the $199 Sony Vlog Track. And sure, this is necessarily a just-shy-of-$350 setup to carry your telephone so you’ll be able to movie your self. Additionally, the vlog observe best works with Sony Xperia Professional-I and Xperia 1 IV telephones. So it does not paintings with an iPhone 13, a Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely or a Google Pixel 6 Professional. And the tripod/grip/far flung best works with Sony cameras and telephones.
So why am I recommending a tripod and observe that prices with regards to $350 and best works with two area of interest telephones? As a result of those equipment are remarkable. Should you personal or plan to shop for a Sony digicam or both of the 2 supported telephones, I might counsel making an allowance for this setup. As for everybody else, I might love to look identical setups from telephone makers or 3rd events that supply merchandise with this degree of high quality and simplicity of use.
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Hands-On: We Got to Try the Sony Xperia 1 IV and Its…
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Sony GP-VPT2BT Wireless Bluetooth Shooting Grip and Tripod
Originally designed for Sony cameras like the ZV-1, ZV-10E, A7C and A7S III, the Sony GP-VPT2BT was an easy way to turn those cameras into a vlogging setup. Usefully, the grip also works with the Xperia Pro-I phone and upcoming Xperia 1 IV.
Like a small selfie stick, the Sony grip-and-tripod hybrid allows you to hold your phone physically farther away so that you can get more of your face and body in the shot. Unlike a selfie stick, it doesn’t have the baggage of cringey judgements from onlookers.
The grip also connects to your phone or camera via Bluetooth, meaning you don’t need to run a cable from the tripod to your phone or camera. The grip works as a Bluetooth remote even when you don’t have anything mounted on it, which I find quite appealing.
The tripod head’s mount is fast to attach and take off. Once mounted, there’s a flip button that allows you to rotate your camera or phone between a vlog position or facing away, all while you retain access to the controls. There’s also an adjustable tilt button to help you level a shot or find a dramatic angle.
When I used the grip and tripod with the Sony Xperia 1 IV camera, I could easily detach the phone and keep the grip in my back pocket. However, I definitely wouldn’t want to sit down like this, so I’d recommend stowing it in a bag or purse.
Going back to price, there are a lot of other grips or table tripods you can find online that don’t cost $140. But the Sony tripod-grip shines for its convenience, since everything comes in a small, robust all-in-one package. If you were buying a good-quality grip, a nice Bluetooth remote control and a solid tabletop tripod, you’d easily spend more than $140 and have more things to carry around.
When the Vlog Monitor is plugged in and attached to the back of the Xperia 1 IV, the camera preview on the phone’s screen goes black.
James Martin/CNET
The Sony Vlog Monitor lets you use your phone’s rear camera for selfies
The grip is only part of the story. Add in the Sony Vlog Monitor for Xperia Pro-I and Xperia 1 IV, and you have an ideal (albeit expensive) vlogging setup. The $199 tiny 3.5-inch monitor has a sturdy metal phone mount with a cold-shoe mount (for adding a shotgun mic, for example). An included USB-C cable connects the monitor to the phone.
The back of the monitor is magnetic and attaches to the metal body of the phone grip. It’s a secure connection and never fell off in my two weeks of use. Your phone can power the Vlog Monitor, although it also has a separate USB-C input to receive power from a battery pack. If you have the monitor plugged into power, it can charge the phone as well. There’s also a 3.5mm microphone jack for using an external mic.
The Sony Xperia Pro-I mounted on a Sony GP-VPT2BT Wireless Bluetooth Shooting Grip and Tripod.
James Martin/CNET
Unsurprisingly, this setup also worked great with Sony’s Photo Pro and Video Pro apps, which work with the monitor straight out of the box. All you need to do is have the Vlog Monitor turned on and plugged in. Once connected, you have all the same robust controls for getting the image to look the way you want and the convenience of being able to use the rear camera for selfies and vlogging.
In terms of price, it’s difficult to compare the Vlog Monitor with other tiny magnetic screens, largely because they don’t exist. But a recent TikTok trend has people using their Apple Watch as a tiny, rear-facing monitor for the iPhone, and the result is identical to using Sony’s Vlog Monitor. Right now, a brand-new Apple Watch Series 3 — which we no longer recommend since it won’t receive new software updates — costs $199. So the Vlog Monitor’s price makes sense in my book.
Do I wish either the grip or the magnetic monitor would work with other phones like the iPhone? Absolutely. It would make this setup a worthwhile investment for years to come. But if you’re getting an Xperia Pro-I or an Xperia 1 IV, this grip and monitor combo makes those phones an even more versatile way to record videos. If you also own a Sony camera, you get double the use.
