Manfrotto manfrotto 022 counterweight for boom 15 lbs Review
Our product database had a meltdown and labeled a 15-pound counterweight as a mirrorless camera. Here's why you should never buy this for photography, and who it's actually meant for.
The 30-Second Version
This is a counterweight, not a camera. Our data got confused. It's fantastic for balancing boom arms and useless for taking photos. Do not buy this expecting anything with a lens.
Overview
This isn't a camera. It's a 15-pound counterweight for a Manfrotto boom arm, and someone's product database has gone completely off the rails. We're looking at percentile rankings for autofocus and sensor performance for what is, essentially, a very heavy paperweight with a specific job. The one thing to know? This listing is a hilarious data mix-up, and you should absolutely not buy this expecting a mirrorless camera.
Performance
Performance is exactly what you'd expect from a lump of metal. It doesn't have autofocus, a sensor, or video capabilities because it's not supposed to. Our database is trying to tell us its 'video' score is in the 30th percentile, which is the funniest thing we've seen all week. It performs its singular counterweight duty with 100% reliability. You attach it, and it balances your boom. That's the entire feature set.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
- Below average video (29th percentile) 29th
- Below average sensor (30th percentile) 30th
- Below average connectivity (34th percentile) 34th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Value & Pricing
At $121, it's priced like a camera accessory, which it is. For someone who owns the specific Manfrotto boom that needs this counterweight, it's worth every penny to not have your expensive microphone and arm crashing down. As a camera? It's the worst value in imaging history.
vs Competition
If you're actually shopping for a camera, ignore this listing entirely. Look at the real competitors our data surfaced: the Canon EOS R6 Mark II for all-around brilliance, the Sony a7 IV as the hybrid workhorse, or the Nikon Z9 for sheer speed. Comparing this counterweight to those is like comparing a brick to a smartphone.
| Spec | Manfrotto manfrotto 022 counterweight for boom 15 lbs | Sony Alpha 1 Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera with 28-70mm f/2 Lens | Nikon Z6 Nikon Z6 III Mirrorless Camera with 50mm f/1.4 | Canon EOS R6 Canon EOS R6 Mark III Mirrorless Camera with | Fujifilm X-T5 FUJIFILM X-T5 Mirrorless Camera (Silver) | Panasonic LUMIX GH7 Panasonic LUMIX GH7 Mirrorless Camera with 12-35mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | - | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | - | 50.1MP Full Frame | 24.5MP Full Frame | 32.5MP Full Frame | 40.2MP APS-C | 25.2MP Four Thirds |
| AF Points | - | 759 | 299 | 1053 | 425 | 315 |
| Burst FPS | - | 30 | 20 | 40 | 15 | 75 |
| Video | - | 8K @120fps | 5K @120fps | 6K @120fps | 6K @60fps | 5K |
| IBIS | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | true | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | - | 658 | 669 | 590 | 476 | 726 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
Common Questions
Q: What's the megapixel count on this?
Zero. It's a hunk of metal. It has no sensor.
Q: Can I use this for vlogging?
Only if you want to vlog about the dangers of confusing industrial hardware with electronics. Our data says it scores 6.5/100 for vlogging, which feels generous.
Q: Is the display a touchscreen?
The 'display' is probably just the product label. It does not respond to touch, voice commands, or psychic energy.
Who Should Skip This
Everyone who isn't specifically trying to balance a Manfrotto boom arm. If you're a photographer or videographer, skip this and go look at the actual cameras listed in the competitors section, like the Sony a7 IV.
Verdict
Our recommendation is crystal clear: if you need a counterweight for your Manfrotto 022 boom, this is the official part and you should buy it. If you are looking for a mirrorless camera, close this tab immediately and run, don't walk, away from this product page. This is a category error of epic proportions.