If you’re a creator like me, you know that nailing those perfect overhead shots can be a game-changer for your content.
Whether it’s unboxing the latest gear, filming a cooking tutorial, or capturing some slick DIY projects, having the right tools do make all the difference, particularly if you have a heavy camera and you’re finding that simpler methods and mounts just can’t hold up your equipment.
Enter the Neewer ST200 Overhead Camera Mount — a beast of a mount that’s about to revolutionise the way certainly I shoot overhead videos. We’re talking ultimate stability, convenient adjustability, and the kind of build quality that will give you that piece of mind about it holding your equipment safely.
There are two models of this mount, the ST200 (which is the one I’m reviewing), which has the quick switch Arca Swiss type mounting plate, and the cheaper ST100 which comes with an adjustable padded camera mounted stand. I went for this one mainly because of the Arca Swiss type plate. I’ve been transitioning everything that I mount my camera to, with one of these plates, just for that convenience in switching from one setup to another quickly.
Setting this up is pretty straightforward. The entire process took me about 10 minutes. What you’re left with is a sturdy and well-built mount, which looks like it’s certainly going to accommodate my setup and much more.
The ST200 has a robust metal construction, ensuring durability. It’s designed to handle various cameras and smartphones, making it versatile for different types of content creation, and it can support devices of up to 4.5kg. While its own weight of 5.4kg, makes it incredibly sturdy, it also means it’s not the easiest thing to move around frequently, particularly if you’ve got all of your gear attached to it.
If you do need to reposition it often, it might be a bit of a hassle, but for me, it’s permanently on that table, so I won’t need to move it.
On the mount, it’s got non slip grips, so movement on your table is going to be at a minimum.
On the arms, the height of the mount can be adjusted, by pressing the spring pin on both sides, to adjust the stand to the height you want it at and then screw this in to lock.
There are 12 height adjustment holes on both sides, giving you a minimum height of 63cm and a maximum height of 95cm. If you need to regularly change the height of the mount you’ll find that the process is a bit of a pain, but in an effort to be stable and secure, this is the tradeoff.
On the cross bar, 7 mounting holes, 1 for the arca type plate which should sit in the middle mounting hole, and 3 either side.
The one standout feature on this mount, is the brackets that when attached to the crossbar, act as a backdrop holder. You can easily attach and switch backdrops without the need for additional stands or supports, as all you need to do is clip your backdrop to the brackets and you’re done.
With the backdrop attached this suddenly makes this whole mount versatile giving you a backdrop for your traditional shots not just for overhead shots. So, you’ve still got the remaining holes to add your our accessories and mounts to this, in my setup, I’ve added a small COB light and a camera monitor.
For the shots that I’ve taken, there’s minimal shake and this stability is crucial for capturing clear, professional-looking overhead shots. Whether you’re filming tutorials, unboxing’s, or cooking videos, as long as you’ve got the space for this, then this mount should hold your camera steady.
Why would someone even want to use an overhead mount like this? Why not just stick with the classic tripod setup?
Traditional tripods are great for general use, but they do have their limitations, especially for overhead shots. This mount, gives you that space efficiency. If you’re working in a tight studio or home office like I do, then you know floor space is precious.
Traditional tripods can be bulky and take up a lot of room, making it tricky to manoeuvre around. This mount, however, sits directly to your desk. So there’s no more tripping over tripod legs or struggling to find the perfect spot on the floor.
Everything is neatly out of the way, giving you more room to move and create your content. If you’ve ever tried to get that perfect overhead shot with a tripod, you might know the struggle. It can be wobbly, unstable, and just plain frustrating.
The endless times where I’ve set up an overhead shot on a tripod and the weight of the camera causes the whole setup to fall. The ST200 changes that with its rock-solid mount and adjustable arms.
Its weight shows that it’s built to stay put, giving you a steady, shake-free shot every time, unless you’re wobbling the table that this sits on. So, no more worrying about accidental bumps ruining your footage.
Then there’s the precision. Achieving the ideal angle with a traditional tripod can be like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube. The mount’s flexible arms mean you can position your camera exactly where you want it with minimal effort.
Whether you’re capturing intricate details in a tutorial or showcasing a beautiful flat lay, this mount gives you the precision you need without the hassle. While the arms are adjustable, they do have their limits and you can only adjust the height and not the width of the setup. So for extremely wide or tall setups, you might find it doesn’t extend quite as far as you’d like.
Let’s not forget workflow efficiency. Switching up your angles and setups mid-shoot is a breeze with the this mount. No more wrestling with a tripod or spending precious minutes readjusting everything.
You can seamlessly go from overhead shots to eye-level filming, keeping your creative flow uninterrupted and your productivity high.
So, why use an overhead mount like the this? Because it’s about working smarter, not harder. It’s about maximising your space, ensuring stability, achieving precision, and boosting your efficiency.
For any serious content creator, photographer, or DIY enthusiast struggling with floor space, this mount isn’t just a tool — it’s a game-changer.
Overall, the Neewer ST200 Overhead Camera Mount is a solid choice for anyone looking to elevate their content creation.
Its sturdy build, versatility, and adjustability make it a reliable tool for capturing professional overhead shots and for me, it’s definitely been a worthwhile investment. Plus, it offers significant advantages over traditional tripod setups.
If you would like to see the video version of this video, check out the YouTube link below: