Also known as Unipod, A Monopod is , like a Tripod, another stand that you can put your camera on while taking photographs. Difference between Monopod and Tripod is that a Tripod has 3 legs and can fully balance itself without any other support while a monopod just has one leg and you will either need to hold it yourself and support it with something else. Monopod is more like fixing your camera on top of a stick. The obvious question here is why use a monopod at all when you still have to use your hands to keep it standing or stable? Why not just hold the camera directly in your hands?
The one advantage that a monopod has over a Tripod is in its ease of use and carrying around. Tripods are considered an essential photography accessory but they are still bulky, cumbersome and heavy and sometimes can severely slow down your shooting rate. No matter how light and smaller a Tripod is it still takes some time to set it up at one place and move to another. A Monopod however is a much lighter accessory and is very portable. Let’s take a look at comparison between the two,
1. A Monopod supports the camera while a Tripod stabilizes it.
2. A Tripod can be used freestanding which a Monopod cannot be.
3. Tripods are essential for long exposure shots which cannot effectively be taken while shooting on a Monopod.
4. Monopods are Lightweight and easy to set up while Tripods are Heavy and more complex to set up.
5. Monopods are portable and easy to carry which Tripods are not.
6. Monopods need little space to use effectively where Tripods need ample space to set up and use effectively.
7. Monopods are less expensive while Tripods can really cost you a lot of money, depending on size and quality.
As you can clearly tell from the above comparison, Monopods are easy to transport and quick to set up. They are the perfect choice for on the go Photography. It is a great piece of equipment to support the camera and reduce shake, especially in tighter spaces but has disadvantages of its own. It cannot be used in very dark conditions or for long exposure shots because you are still supporting it with your hands and cannot reduce the shake 100%. Another disadvantage is that you really need to practice techniques for stabilizing a monopod and use it effectively.
