Sony GP-VPT3 3-in-1 Bluetooth Grip Review

Roughly five years I reviewed Sony’s previous Bluetooth grip – the GP-VPT2BT (Sony wins NO prizes for their naming conventions on these grips! It’s biggest liability was that while it did utilize Bluetooth rather than a wired connection to the camera, the controls were fixed. Third party alternatives that soon arrived on the market improved on that by having a removable remote control – giving you much more flexibility. Sony has rectified that and a few other things in the new GP-VPT3, which now features a very robust removable remote control unit. Is it worth buying? Check out my video review to decide!

Follow Me @ YouTube | Patreon |  Instagram | Facebook | DA Merchandise | Flickr | 500px | X

Thanks to Sony for loaning me the GP-VPT3/B for this review. As always, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

The full review can be found in the video linked above, but here are some of my review notes for those who are more text oriented.

Features and Observations:

• BIG DEAL – Now has a detachable Bluetooth remote and you can purchase the remote separately.
• NAME! GP-VPT3/B (or/W) – Available in white
• A little lighter – Weight 179g (black) or 174g (white)
• Same payload capacity of 1.5kg (53 oz)
• 49.5mm width, 173mm length
• Grip can be used as a tripod with remote (up to 10 meters)
• More controls – added AF-ON and Focus control options
• C1 and AF-ON buttons will follow whatever camera function they have been programmed to.
• Zoom can control Powerzoom, Clear Image, or Digital zoom
• Can control Sony Experia cameras
• Weather sealed
• 18 positions up and down (180°)

How to do GP-VPT3 Bluetooth Syncing

To do the first sync, you need to hold down the C1 and Record buttons on the remote to enter pairing mode. If you have pairing enabled on the Sony camera, it will quickly pop up and allow you to pair. Subsequent pairing (to that same camera) should happen seamlessly after that.

Thinks I Like

1. Removable remote is great
2. New white color looks cool
3. Remote has more features on it than third party alternatives
4. Remove can be purchased separately if you don’t want/need the grip

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Things I Don’t Like

1. More expensive than third party alternatives (Price = $159.99 USD +$20 ($219.99 CDN | $ 89.99 ($124.99 CDN) for remote)
2. Uses CR2032 replaceable battery rather than being rechargeable

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I like the idea of having the separate remote control for a variety of reasons. There are times that I’m going to be on camera either in a group photo or for video, and being able to remotely control capture is useful. In other situations I don’t want to touch the camera because I don’t want to introduce vibrations. That just generally makes this a much more useful device to me. You are going to pay more for this first party option that alternatives, but you are also getting more robust control and very likely more consistent performance.

_________________________________________________________________________

Purchase the Sony GP-VPT3 at B&H Photo or Purchase the RMT-VP2 Remote at B&H Photo

_________________________________________________________________

Buy DA Merchandise https://bit.ly/TWIMerch

Keywords: Sony GP-VPT3, Wireless, Bluetooth, Shooting Grip, Grip, Remote, BT Handle, Wireless Handle, Vlogging, Dustin Abbott, Review, Video, Zoom, Wireless Remote, let the light in, #letthelightin, DA, #da