Compact cameras meet comfort with Peak Design’s Micro Clutch

Camera companies are in a race for smaller, more compact cameras. Just compare the good old Nikon D4 to the recently launched ZV-E1 II – it’s mini! But there’s always a trade-off, isn’t it? You start with a smaller sensor, a tinier battery, and fewer buttons – all to make the camera smaller. One of the features that is left behind for the small form factor is the hand grip. Some companies like Fuji and Leica have ditched the hand grip altogether for some models. Just take a look at the Leica M11. Zero hand-grip! For some, this is okay, but for me, I’m torn between needing a comfy grip and wanting a more compact camera. Now, Peak Design’s new Micro Clutch might just be the solution.

The Micro Clutch is a small strap that goes from the bottom of your camera and connects to the top corner, creating a “loop” around your shooting hand. This creates a better holding experience and less chance of your camera falling off your hands.

The Micro Clutch is currently on Kickstarter, and is sold at an early bird price of $50. But if you are coveting some other Peak Design, there are heavy discounts on a lot of other Peak Design gear bundles.

What’s in the Box:

When you unbox the Micro Clutch, it comes in a compact package and has a generous list of components. You get

• Bottom plate with a strap
• A hidden spy-like tool
• A PeakDesign Tripod Adapter (ARCA/PD)
• Two screws
• A Split Ring, Sleeve, and Tool.

All set to go!

Universal bottom plate and strap

The micro clutch has two main parts. A bottom plate (there are two types: L and I), and a strap. The plate offers quite a bit of lateral movement, so the bracket fits small micro four cameras but also bigger full frames. , allowing you to position your camera body as you please. This ensures you can adjust to any tripod bracket position, accommodating a range of cameras.

As mentioned above, the Micro Clutch comes in two flavors: an I-Shape (which is perfect for small cameras like the XT-20) and an L-Shape for larger cameras with grips (Like the A7III). The bracket does hide the battery compartment, but there is a very quick way to swap batteries without removing the plate.

The other big component of the clutch is the strap. The strap connects the plate to the camera. That strap goes around your fingers to provide additional support and hold the camera. You can adjust the strap according to your finger’s size. It is not trivial to make this adjustment, but the good news is that it’s something that you only have to do once, and once it’s set to your liking, you’ll likely never need to touch this again. Lastly, there’s also a hinge that lets the bottom of the strap move sideways, providing some leeway when you’re trying to access other camera buttons.

My experience

Moving to the micro clutch takes a little bit of getting used to, but once you get accustomed, it would be very hard to go back.  The clutch is incredibly small, and if you are picking this solution to keep a minimal footprint, it is optimal.

Spending some time with the strap proved to be quite comfy on my fingers. It’s amazing how much grip you can get from such a tiny strap. And the mechanism to slide the bracket for battery replacement is a big improvement vs. some other plates.

A hidden Tool

Recently, companies are cleverly using magnets to tuck away tools for handling screws. Primarily the tripod plate screw, but also other parts that need tools for assembly or disassembly. This is a clever decision because you can never find a flat drive when you need one. At first glance, you’d never guess that there is a tool hidden in the plate. But it’s there. It’s tucked inside the bottom plate – genius! Plus, Peak Design has crafted a groove to pop out this tool easily.

A tripod adapter

A prime concern for many bottom attachments is that you lose the bottom mounting point. There is a clever solution here from Peak Design. The “traditional” tripod plate attaches to the bottom bracket with a magnet and a screw. So you get both. (or you can use just the bottom plate without the tripod plate).

If you are using other Peak Design gear, then the plate has a PD mount, but it’s also compatible with standard ARCA tripods. So, for example, if you are using the Peak Design Capture Clip, the clutch tripod plate is compatible. You would have to place the camera vertically as the plate is low profile, but otherwise, it rocks. (If you like the capture setup, it is on a Kickstarter discount as well)

Micro Clutch vs. original Clutch

I love the original Clutch, but I am also happy to see that there are some improvements in the micro version. I hope those will make their way into the original clutch. Aside from the smaller size, is the change of materials and an additional bottom plate. That extra bottom plate goes a  long way in the ability to adjust the amount of “twist” the strap has, but it also allows better access to the bottom side of the camera.

Prices and availability

The I or L brackets are now on Kickstarter for $50 (instead of an MSRP of $65) and are estimated to ship in July. But there are some other bundles that I suggest checking out if you are in the market for Peak Design gear – there are some substantial savings. I’ll put the bundles below, but it is also worth knowing that you get more discounts.

Post backing discounts

• 50% off all Mobile products
• 20% off all PD backpacks and duffels
• To access those discounts, back the campaign (must pick a reward level that includes Micro Clutch). After that, you’ll see an Add-On menu where you can add additional discounted products.

Mirrorless Trifecta: $135 instead of $185

• Micro Clutch
• Capture Camera Clip
• Leash Camera Strap

Mirrorless Trifecta + Tripod (alu): $395 instead of $565

• Micro Clutch
• Capture Camera Clip
• Leash Camera Strap
• Aluminum Travel Tripod

Mirrorless Trifecta + Tripod (Carbon): $575 instead of $835

• Micro Clutch
• Capture Camera Clip
• Leash Camera Strap
• Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

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