Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3 and Pro Pad Review

The Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3 is designed to keep a camera secure and accessible without carrying it around your neck or stopping to take it out of a bag. It can be attached to a backpack strap or belt, and the camera slides into the clip using a small plate attached to the bottom of the camera.

I tested the Capture Clip on several outings, using it both on a backpack strap and on my belt. I also tried it with several different camera and lens combinations to see how it worked with different sizes and weights. Using the Capture Clip on a belt requires the Peak Design Pro Pad, so I tested the two together for that part of the review.

So, how well did the Capture Clip work in the field?

Setting up the Capture Clip

The Capture Clip is quick to install once you have done it a few times. There is a small learning curve the first time you use it, particularly when working out its orientation.

The side without the lip needs to face up. This allows the camera to slide into the clip from the top. Make sure the clip is oriented correctly before tightening the screws.

Once the clip is in place, the camera slides in and out easily. 

There is also a twist lock on the release button. Twisting the button locks the release so it cannot be pressed accidentally. I like having that extra bit of security, particularly when walking through a crowded area or moving over uneven ground.

The lock adds another step when I want to remove the camera, but it is a simple one. I would rather take a moment to unlock the release than wonder whether the button might get bumped.

Using the Capture Clip on a Backpack Strap

The Capture Clip can be attached directly to a backpack strap, but the fit will depend on the width and thickness of the strap.

The straps on my Bagsmart bag are a little wider than the Capture Clip. I had to compress the strap to fit it between the mounting bolts. It worked, but it was a tight fit. Backpack straps vary quite a bit, so this is something worth checking with the bag you plan to use.

The backpack position worked well, particularly with smaller cameras. It kept the camera accessible without having it swing from a neck strap or requiring me to open the bag.

For me, the belt position was easier to use. Removing and replacing the camera felt more natural at waist level, and I could see what I was doing.

Using it on a Belt with the Pro Pad 

I use the Peak Design Pro Pad when attaching the Capture Clip to my belt. It allows the Capture Clip to remain in the same top-loading orientation as it does on a backpack strap, while also providing a larger mounting surface and spreading the weight over a wider area.

The camera stays close to my body and does not bounce around like it would on a loose strap. Removing it is also quick: unlock the release if necessary, press the button, and lift the camera out.

The belt became my preferred way to use the Capture Clip. 

I also learned quickly to remove the camera before getting into a car. A belt-mounted camera sticks out far enough that it would be easy to hit it against a door frame, seat, or center console.

Camera Size Makes a Difference

The Capture Clip worked best for me with smaller cameras such as the Panasonic LX100 II and Olympus OM-D E-M10 III. I have also found the LX100 II to be a very capable compact travel camera, which makes it a particularly good fit for this type of carry.

I also tested the OM System OM-3 with the 12–100mm f/4 and the OM-1 Mark II with the 8–25mm f/4. The Capture Clip handled both combinations, but they felt much heavier and bulkier.

The question is not whether the Capture Clip can hold a particular camera and lens. It is whether you want that much weight hanging from your belt or backpack strap while walking around.

I could use one of the larger combinations for a specific situation, but I would not want to carry one that way all day. For me, the Capture Clip is a much better match for a compact camera or smaller mirrorless body.

Why I Use It for a Second Camera

This is where the Capture Clip makes the most sense for my photography.

For example, I can carry my infrared-converted Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III on the Capture Clip while using another camera as my primary body. Infrared often gives me a completely different interpretation of the same scene, so having that camera immediately available makes it much more likely that I will use it.

For example, I can carry my infrared-converted Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III on the Capture Clip while using another camera as my primary body. When I see a scene that looks promising in infrared, I can quickly switch cameras without taking off my backpack and digging through the bag.

Another good use is wildlife photography. I may be carrying the OM System OM-1 Mark II with a long telephoto lens but still want a camera available for landscapes or other subjects. Putting the Panasonic LX100 II on the Capture Clip lets me leave the wildlife setup ready instead of changing lenses.

Having that second camera immediately available also makes me more likely to use it. A camera buried inside a bag is easy to leave there.

For me, this is more useful than carrying my primary camera on the Capture Clip. The main camera stays in my hands, while the Capture Clip keeps a second body ready when I need it.

Tripod Compatibility

The Capture Clip uses an Arca-type compatible plate attached to the bottom of the camera. As a bonus, that plate also works with my Neewer LT32 travel tripod.

I can move the camera directly from the Capture Clip to the tripod without changing plates. Compatibility will depend on the tripod and quick-release system you use, but it is worth checking to see if this works for you.

What I like

The Capture Clip keeps a camera secure, accessible, and close to my body. I prefer using it on my belt with the Pro Pad, especially with compact cameras and smaller mirrorless bodies.

The locking release button adds security, and the camera stays put instead of swinging around like it would on a conventional strap.

Most importantly, it gives me a practical way to carry a second camera and actually use it.

What I do Not Like

The Capture Clip can be a tight fit on wider or heavily padded backpack straps. I was able to mount it on my Bagsmart bag, but I had to compress the strap to get it between the mounting bolts.

Larger cameras and lenses can also become heavy and bulky. Peak Design rates the Capture Clip to hold well over 200 pounds, so strength is not the issue. The limitation for me is comfort, especially when carrying a larger camera and lens for long periods.

Belt use also requires the Pro Pad, adding another accessory and expense.

Final Thoughts on the Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3

The Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3 works well for the way I want to use it. I prefer it on my belt with the Pro Pad and paired with a smaller camera such as the Panasonic LX100 II or Olympus OM-D E-M10 III.

It can handle larger camera and lens combinations, but I found them too bulky for regular use.

For me, the best use of the Capture Clip is carrying a second camera that complements my main setup. That could be an infrared camera during a landscape outing or a compact camera while I am photographing wildlife with a long lens.

It can also let me leave the camera bag behind when I want to travel lighter with two cameras. One camera can stay on the Capture Clip while I use the other, giving me access to both without carrying a full bag.

Want to Learn More

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