The Platypod is a handy tool for your camera when a tripod is not allowed or not possible. It comes in two sizes and offers many possibilities. I received both versions for an extensive review. How does the Platypod perform, and how usable is it in practice?
Platypod is a small family business founded in 2014. It creates flat, easy-to-carry platforms for cameras. The name is inspired by the unusual mammal known as the platypus.
The newest models are the Platypod Delta and eXtreme. The Delta is a compact version with three small legs. The eXtreme is larger and has four legs. The concept has intrigued me for quite some time because it allows you to place the camera extremely low using a simple metal plate as a base.
The key advantage of the Platypod is its portability. It’s a flat object that fits easily in almost any bag, giving you a stable platform when a tripod is unavailable or prohibited.
Appearance
Both the eXtreme and Delta are nicely finished.
They’ve been improved in several ways compared to earlier versions and include many mounting holes with icon indicators that show their intended uses.
The eXtreme measures 19.7 by 13 centimeters and is 14 millimeters thick. It weighs 272 grams. It has four adjustment screws that function as legs and comes with a neoprene pouch that is slightly too small.
The Delta is the smaller version. It gets its name from its triangular shape, with an adjustment screw at each “corner.” It measures 14.7 by 9.9 centimeters, is 6 millimeters thick, and weighs 119 grams.
Each model includes a 3/8"-16 mount for attaching a ball head. A round Arca-Swiss-compatible plate is included, which doubles as an adapter to a 1/4"-20.
The plates also have several 1/4"-20 holes for accessories such as small lights. Both models include countersunk screw holes, allowing you to secure them to wood.
A small ball head works best with the Platypod. The Platyball Traveler is ideal—not too big, not too small—and allows precise camera positioning. Both models support up to 10 kilograms, which is more than enough for most camera and lens combinations.
The Legs
Both models use similar legs: long screws with sharp points. They include rubber caps to protect delicate surfaces, and the caps can be removed entirely.
The Delta’s three legs rotate into position. Only one angle is possible, but they can be unscrewed and moved to any of the available 1/4"-20 holes. The eXtreme has four legs that click into five different positions. One end has a black cap; the other has the metal point with the rubber cap.
The rubber caps are important. They protect you and the surroundings from the sharp points of the legs. They can be screwed into any desirable position on the leg or removed completely. You need to unscrew the caps almost completely to hide the sharp spikes. The material of the caps is soft. If you do not screw the caps on carefully, the thread may be damaged.
When to Use the Platypod
The Platypod can act as a substitute for a tripod—especially when tripods are not allowed or when you don’t want to carry a normal tripod. Because they’re so flat, both models fit easily in most camera bags. The Delta can even fit in a pocket. The included carabiner lets you hang them on a belt or the outside of a bag as well.
You can place the Platypod on almost any flat or sloped surface. The rubber caps or spikes provide good grip, and the eXtreme’s multi-position legs help with tricky angles, up to a certain point.
With the available strap, you can attach the Platypod to vertical pillars or narrow railings as well, reducing the risk of gear falling. However, due to the low profile, balance is critical—especially with larger lenses. Platypod highlights this clearly on its website.
Real-Life Use
Because of the short legs, the Platypod can only be used at low angles. To achieve a higher viewpoint, you must place it on a bench, rock, or another stable elevated surface.
Photographing mushrooms on a forest floor seemed like an ideal use case. However, I quickly learned that the Platypod doesn’t work well here. The forest floor lacks stability and flatness, making the platform unusable. Additionally, the limited space between the camera and the plate made operating the ball head nearly impossible.
My second intended use was with a gimbal head. The idea was to shoot from low angles or from a windowsill in a hide. A balanced gimbal keeps weight centered, so even large lenses theoretically should work. The Delta is too small for this, but the eXtreme seemed suitable.
Unfortunately, the eXtreme’s legs extend too far above the plate. This prevents full rotation of a gimbal head. It also raises the center of gravity, making the setup more unstable than expected.
Where the Platypod excels is for relatively small camera setups on stable, hard surfaces—benches, stones, or level ground. The legs provide a few centimeters of adjustment for a little bit of uneven ground, but not much more. Achieving proper balance often takes more time than expected.
Things to Keep in Mind
You can strap the Platypod to vertical pillars. The Delta includes a strap; for the eXtreme, it’s an additional accessory. When strapped vertically, the camera can only be used in portrait orientation unless you use an L-bracket.
The sharp leg points are another concern. They can easily scratch or puncture surfaces, especially furniture. They also pose a safety risk. It’s easy to injure yourself while adjusting the legs or camera. I drew blood once while working with the eXtreme.
The rubber caps offer some protection, but they must be installed when the legs are folded. Placing the Platypod in a pocket or jacket without the caps risks tearing the fabric.
When carrying the Platypod clipped to the outside of a camera bag, check the legs periodically—they can unscrew themselves, although the rubber caps can prevent the legs from unscrewing. Replacements are available if you lose one anyway.
The Platypod’s thin profile is convenient, but remember, a ball head is required. Without it, the platform has very limited use. You must plan space for that as well. It’s not a big deal, but something to be aware of.
Conclusion
After several weeks of use, I found that the Platypod can be useful in certain situations. It allows you to position a camera in many creative ways. However, setup takes much more time than expected. Each leg must be adjusted individually, and the camera must be precisely balanced. Balance becomes even more critical with heavier cameras.
The sharp spikes caused the most frustration. They can damage surfaces, tear clothing, and cause minor injuries if you’re not careful. They can be managed with caution, but they require your full attention.
Using the strap also takes time and effort. Tree trunks are often too wide, and railings too narrow. Securing the Platypod with the strap can require some ingenuity. It’s something you don’t do if it’s for a single photo.
Mounting extra accessories to the 1/4"-20 points has limitations. On the eXtreme, the leg rotation sleeves can get in the way for the outermost mounting points. The remaining mounting points are near the center of the plate. The lens of the camera can get in the way.
Platypod also offers a spigot for mounting lights. This can be useful, but softboxes or heavy modifiers will affect balance. It can be perfect for placing lights in tight spaces. However, there are perhaps simpler solutions that offer more security.
The screw holes allow you to fasten the Platypod permanently, or you can use a clamp. But these solutions require tools and are more suited for fixed setups, not field use.
In theory, the Platypod offers countless placement possibilities. In practice, positioning is critical and often tedious, making it a niche tool rather than a general-purpose one. The Platypod is not a replacement for a tripod. It should be considered an optional accessory—not an alternative.
Pros
- Lightweight, flat profile
- Easy to carry
- Ideal for low-angle positioning
- Works well with a compact ball head
- Multiple attachment points
- Integrated legs (but removable if needed)
- eXtreme’s legs offer multiple positions
- Strap adds mounting flexibility
- Countersunk screw holes
- Rubber caps for delicate surfaces
- Useful for CO lights or mini LED panels
Cons
- Limited or unusable on uneven or soft surfaces
- Very sharp spikes (risk of scratches and injuries)
- Limited working room for the ball head
- Camera must be positioned exactly over the center of gravity
- eXtreme’s 1/4"-20 connection placement can be restrictive
- eXtreme barely fits in its included pouch
- Delta is suitable only for lightweight cameras or smartphones
- Screws can loosen when carried on a carabiner
- Rubber caps must be placed carefully on delicate surfaces
- Without an L-bracket, only portrait orientation is possible on vertical mounts
- Proper setup takes longer than a standard tripod
- eXtreme becomes expensive once you add accessories and a ball head
Is the Platypod for You?
If you decide to buy a Platypod, choose the version that fits your needs. The Delta is the smallest model and works best with smartphones or very small cameras. It also includes a bottle opener, if that matters to you.
The eXtreme is more versatile and supports slightly larger cameras. It’s more stable and offers enough space to mount a small light alongside the camera. But both models require a compact ball head.
For me, the Platypod didn’t fit my shooting style. It takes too long to set up and there are too many limitations. That doesn’t make it a bad product. It’s well-designed and thoughtfully constructed. Whether it’s right for you depends on your shooting needs—and whether its limitations matter in your work.
The Platypod Delta is priced at $79, including the strap. The eXtreme costs $149. If you want the strap and accessories for the eXtreme, that’s an additional $34. The Platypod Traveler ball head costs $44.95.
13 Comments
I'll stick with my little wheat bag. It doubles as a heat pack. Sadly, it doesn't open beer bottles.
The whole time I was reading this, I kept thinking, "what does this do that a small beanbag wouldn't?" Now I know - it opens beer bottles.
Or even just taking your jacket off and rolling it up and putting the camera on it would accomplish pretty much the same thing that these expensive plates do.
They do seem like interesting little gadgets. But it seems like they are trying to solve problems that we never had.
*These also remind me of what almost every shorebird photographer has ... an old frying pan with a hole drilled through the middle so a bullhead or gimbal can be attached to the center of the frying pan, and then used as a ground pod. Or "beach pod" when photographing shorebirds in the sand.
I see your wheat/bean bag and raise you the nearest rock you can find on the ground nearby 😜
And it can open bottles hah
What a thorough and well-written review! Thank you, Nando.
You wrote:
"Unfortunately, the eXtreme’s legs extend too far above the plate. This prevents full rotation of a gimbal head."
This wouldn't be a concern for photography, as you could just pick the entire unit up and rotate the plate with the camera on it, instead of trying to leave the plate in a fixed position and rotate only the camera. The only folks this would not work for would be videographers ... but Fstoppers is a photography site, not a videography site, so for the readership here it shouldn't be a limitation.
Thank you, Tom.
Regarding the rotation, picking up the plate and replace it sounds possible. But only on a true flat surface. If the ground is uneven you need to level it again and again. Besides that, you don't have freedom of movement when panning.
Bottom line, it simply doesn't work as it should.
The platypod just wasn't stable enough for me. I prefer a tripod with legs opened flat for ground level shooting, especially with a large lens.
And a setting up a tripod is much faster. :)
I have one of the earlier models and can honestly say that they are worth their weight in gold when you travel, especially where weight is a concern and where tripods are not allowed (which is a *lot* of places in Europe, the UK, like churches, museums, Vatican museums etc). The number of places you can creatively perch the thing is infinite, and it’s far more precise and stable, when combined with a ball head, at getting the right angle than a bean bag. In fairness, when I do wildlife photography in Africa then a beanbag wins every day of the week as you’re generally balancing it on the frame of a vehicle, boat, viewing hide etc. For what it’s worth, buy ( or make…) a beanbag with a zip: travel with it empty, buy beans in-country: zero weight. When you leave, give the beans to someone as they’re food…
Anyhow, back to the Platypod: I tend not to use the feet, nor do I use the Velcro strap, preferring to leave them behind and save me from all the finicky bits; also, I’ve found airport security doesn’t love the sharp steel points: YMMV.
Cheers,
Mark.
It all depends on your personal situation. It's great how it works for you. For me... not that much.
Thanks for adding the possible airport security issue with the spikes.
I tried the Platypod for tabletop macro projects. Ultimately the system was too unstable and lacked the flexibility I needed. I ended up replacing everything with magnetic helper hands/arms designed for soldering. There are models available with bigger, more stable bases and a wider variety of arms and clamps. The system proved much more useful and economical. Returns/exchanges were also much easier.
"Returns/exchanges were also much easier."
This is concerning. Did th Platypod folks make it difficult, or tedious, to get a full refund super quick? If so, that tells me everything about their business I need to know. Companies that are quick and liberal with their return policy are companies I can trust.
B&H - no questions asked, like literally when you want to return something for a full and immediate refund, you don't even need to explain why - just say "I'm returning this" and send it back and you get a full refund immediately upon them receiving the item. If a business is not doing it that way, then I would be hesitant to ever buy anything from them.
Hey, Tom. Well, it isn’t that they made it difficult, but the policies are not generous by comparison. First, shipping is not free. I just checked and currently there is free shipping on a 150USD minimum order which I find quite high (more on this later). Second, returns are at your own expense and there is a restocking fee (currently 15%) - I disagree with restocking fees entirely. Lastly regarding returns, the window is relatively short at 14 days. Shipping and returns/exchanges aside the ultimate and most important reason I went in another direction is performance. I found the Platypod items unstable and finicky compared to what I replaced them with. With Platypod even for tabletop use I was resorting to clamps and straps of various flavors to keep things stable. With the products I eventually went with I’m much more stable, flexible, and configurable. I purchased everything I now have through Amazon. I initially went with Platypod direct to avoid Amazon and support a company in the US even though I was aware Platypod is based and designed in the US but manufactured overseas. Again though, the final verdict came down to performance. In terms of cost, I did replace my Platypod kit at a substantial savings even after return expenses which is telling. Platypod items are quite pricey for what they are.
It saddens me that a U.S. based company is not giving stellar item quality and equally stellar customer service. I don't see how they think a 14 day return policy is better for their customers than a 30 day return policy. That's puzzling. And of course they do everything they can to benefit their customers, right?