Quick summary: You bought your camera, now it is time to complete it with the right accessories. Selfie stick, tripod, mounting system, extra light and carrying case: what do you need, and what can you skip? A practical guide.
Before Buying Accessories: What Do You Actually Need?
The most common mistake: buying a camera, then ordering every accessory you see. Among all those boxes piling up, you will probably never use more than half of them. Figuring out your needs list first, then shopping, saves both money and space.
Selfie Sticks and Tripods
SmallRig 5435: For Compact Cameras
SmallRig is one of the professional camera accessory brands. The 5435 model is a compact selfie stick and tripod combination compatible with the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, action cameras and phones. When placed on a table, it can be used as a tripod.
View on Amazon: SmallRig 5435 Selfie Stick Tripod →
Osmo Action 6/5 Pro Compatible 81" Extended Selfie Stick
Specially designed for action cameras, this selfie stick extends up to 81 inches (about 2 meters). Very useful for group photos or shooting from a height.
View on Amazon: 81" Extended Selfie Stick (Action 6/5 Pro) →
Mounting Systems: Attaching to Body or Object
SmallRig 5126: Neck Mount
The neck mount accessory lets you hang the camera on your chest or neck for "hands-free" POV shooting. Practical for cycling, running, hiking or event documentation.
View on Amazon: SmallRig 5126 Neck Mount →
Suptig Tripod Adapter
With an adapter that has a standard tripod screw thread, you can attach your action camera to pretty much any tripod. Simple but practical accessory.
View on Amazon: Suptig Tripod Adapter →
Chest Mount Harness
A chest mount secures the camera to a harness system on your chest area. In sports like snowboarding, skiing, and cycling, it both frees up your hands and provides a stable POV angle.
View on Amazon: Chest Mount Harness (Action Camera Compatible) →
Light Accessory: ULANZI LM18
Extra light is very important for indoor, night or cloudy weather shoots. The ULANZI LM18, with its compact size and adjustable color temperature from cool to warm (2700K-7500K), adapts to pretty much any shooting situation. Thanks to its magnetic mounting system, it can stick to the camera's hot shoe, a tripod, or a flat surface.
View on Amazon: ULANZI LM18 (Link 1) →
View on Amazon: ULANZI LM18 (Link 2 - For Price Check) →
Why two ULANZI links? The same product can be sold at different prices in different Amazon listings. We recommend checking both and going with whichever is cheaper.
Insta360 Specific Accessories
Insta360 Ski Pole Mount
This mount attaches to the tip of a ski pole and is designed for filming your own skiing. When combined with a 360 camera, the "invisible selfie stick" effect is very powerful: the pole disappears from the image, and it looks like you are floating in the air.
View on Amazon: Insta360 Ski Pole Mount →
Insta360 Carbon Fiber Invisible Selfie Stick
A carbon fiber selfie stick specially designed for 360 cameras. The 360 software removes the stick from the image, so it looks like you are shooting from an extended arm. Weight: very light. Durability: high.
View on Amazon: Insta360 Carbon Fiber Invisible Selfie Stick →
Insta360 Flow 2 Plus: Phone Gimbal
The Insta360 Flow 2 Plus is a phone gimbal that directly competes with the DJI Osmo Mobile 7. Active Tracking, automatic pan/tilt and tripod mode. Available in gray and white color options; the technical specs are the same.
View on Amazon: Insta360 Flow 2 Plus (Gray) →
View on Amazon: Insta360 Flow 2 Plus (White) →
DJI Osmo Mobile 7 vs. Insta360 Flow 2 Plus: Basic stabilization performance is very close. If you use Insta360 cameras, the Flow 2 Plus has better app integration. For DJI camera users or those looking for a budget-friendly option, the Osmo Mobile 7 makes sense.
Gimbal Carrying Cases
A gimbal can easily get damaged from a rough bump or impact inside a bag. A hard case or semi-hard protector is the way to go:
- ALKOO EVA Hard Case → - Strongest protection, air-vented
- Lekufee Hard Case (Model 1) → - Compact
- Lekufee Hard Case (Model 2) → - Large enough for the extension rod
- STARTRC PU Leather Bag → - Lightweight, everyday
- Skyreat PU Leather Case → - Shoulder bag compatible
Which Accessory Is Compatible with Which Camera?
| Accessory | Compatible Cameras |
|---|---|
| Ski Pole Mount | Insta360 X series (360 camera) |
| Invisible Selfie Stick | Insta360 X series (360 camera) |
| SmallRig 5435 | DJI Pocket 3, phone, compact action |
| 81" Selfie Stick | DJI Action 6/5 Pro, GoPro compatible |
| Chest Mount | DJI Action series, GoPro, Insta360 Ace Pro |
| ULANZI LM18 | Any camera (hot shoe or magnetic) |
| Flow 2 Plus Gimbal | Smartphone (all models) |
Affiliate Disclosure: Some Amazon links in this article are affiliate links. Your price doesn't change. I only recommend products I actually use or have personally tested.
