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Smartphone cameras have become way more powerful over the past few years thanks to significant advances in software, DSP (digital signal processors), and the miniaturization of lenses and other optical hardware.
There’s a good chance the phone you’ve got can record video in 4K (Ultra HD), and definitely 1080P (Full HD), but if you want to use it for more than taking casual home movies, you’ll want a smartphone camera rig.A camera rig is a handheld device that looks like a cage, and serves two important functions.
First, it allows you to get more stable (less shaky) footage by holding onto the grips on the right and left sides of the rig. Using two hands instead of one substantially reduces the shakiness of your video compared to holding your phone one-handed. The body of the video rigs we recommend also have a little screw hold that allows you to attach them to a tripod, a great option for vloggers or other single-person video makers.
The second reason to use a smartphone camera rig is that it’s designed to work with important accessories like miniature LED lights and microphones, which can improve the look and sound of your recordings. Smartphone camera rigs have notches or standard-sized screw holes (similar to the ones you use to attach them to a tripod) where these accessories can be attached.
By greatly reducing the jitteriness of your recordings, and improving the video and audio quality, a smartphone camera rig can make a real difference in your results. We’ve collected some great options if you’re interested in taking your smartphone video more seriously whether you’re a weekend hobbyist, aspiring YouTube or TikToker, or the dedicated family movie taker.
What You Need to Know Before Buying a Smartphone Video Rig
There are many factors to think about when choosing the right smartphone video rig for you; below are the most important ones, which we considered while we were researching this list.
Weight:Using a smartphone camera rig requires holding it for extended periods of time (unless you set them on a tripod), which can get fatiguing. All of the ones we recommend weigh between one pound and 1.5 pounds, which shouldn’t feel too heavy since you’re holding the rig with both of your hands.
Phone Compatibility:Every smartphone rig we’ve chosen for this guide can work with a wide variety of phones. None are iPhone or Android phone specific, so you can continue to use your rig of choice if you upgrade your phone.
Add-Ons:As we mentioned earlier, a big strength of using a smartphone camera rig is the ability to connect key accessories. Some manufacturers bundle accessories with their rigs, so you can have an even better experience out of the box.
