Kirk PZ-130 universal camera plate for compact cameras

Kirk PZ-130 universal camera plate for compact cameras, compact, lightweight, amazingly robust

Sometimes it’s the smallest parts that make the biggest difference in everyday photography. The Kirk PZ-130 universal camera plate for compact cameras falls exactly into this category: tiny in packed size, but in use almost indispensable when you want to mount your camera on a tripod securely, quickly, and with repeatable precision.

The PZ-130 is deliberately designed to be universal so you don’t have to carry a separate plate for every camera. With a width of 3.8 cm and a depth of 2.5 cm, it fits perfectly under compact bodies without protruding or getting in the way. Despite its low weight of only 12 g, it feels surprisingly solid, more like a small piece of precision equipment than just “some” camera plate.

High-quality 6061-T6 aluminum alloy with matte black finish

The PZ-130 is made from a 6061-T6 aluminum alloy, which in practice provides a very good balance of strength and weight. The surface is matte black anodized, which not only looks classy but also reduces reflections that can quickly become annoying in the studio or in available-light situations. As a result, the plate remains pleasantly unobtrusive under the camera, almost as if it were part of the body.

The screw is made of stainless steel and is designed as a captive screw. This means you don’t have to worry every time that during a quick change the mounting screw will roll off the table or disappear into your backpack. It stays on the plate where it belongs, and you can focus on what really matters: your shot.

ARCA compatible, flexible use in modern quick-release systems

The Kirk PZ-130 is ARCA compatible and can therefore be used with the common 38 mm quick-release clamps that are labeled as Arca-style compatible (according to the manufacturer). If you already use a tripod system based on Arca-style, the plate integrates seamlessly without you having to buy new clamps or heads.

Especially if you frequently switch between different cameras or setups, this Arca-style-compatible dovetail profile shows its strengths: clip in the camera, close the clamp, done. No fiddling, no improvising with strange adapters. A universal 38 mm dovetail camera plate like the PZ-130 is simply a pragmatic solution.

Made in the USA, precise manufacturing and solid feel

The PZ-130 is made in the USA, and you can clearly see that in the workmanship. The edges are cleanly milled, the anodizing looks uniform, and the fit in the clamp profile is snug without any wobble. It’s that typical feeling when you pick up a part and immediately notice: this is not disposable accessory; it will accompany you across multiple camera generations.

We’d say: if reliability is more important to you than squeezing out the very last bit of price savings, then this plate will suit you very well. Maybe not spectacular, but very confidence-inspiring—and that’s exactly what you want to have under your camera.

Universally usable, from compact camera to mirrorless system

The Kirk PZ-130 is universally usable, so it’s not intended for just a single camera. It is suitable for compact cameras as well as for many mirrorless models and smaller system cameras where a large L-bracket solution would be overkill. If you use multiple bodies, you can simply move the plate from one to another instead of building a separate system for each camera.

This is particularly practical when you’re on the go, traveling, or shooting reportage: one small, lightweight plate in your bag that works well with different cameras. No big thinking required—just screw it on and get started.

Suitable for Nikon cameras, from Nikon 1 to Z system

If you shoot Nikon, the PZ-130 is an interesting option for several models. It can be used, for example, on Nikon DSLR and system cameras such as the Nikon 1 V1 and Nikon 1 J1, whose compact design works very well with the slim plate. The plate adds hardly any bulk and remains pleasantly unobtrusive even when transporting the camera in smaller bags.

The PZ-130 can also be used effectively in the mirrorless Nikon Z system, for example on the Nikon Z50. In combination with the Nikon FTZ adapter, which allows you to use Nikon F lenses on Z cameras, the plate provides a stable base when working with somewhat heavier optics. This keeps the setup properly balanced on the tripod head despite the adapter and lens.

For Panasonic Lumix, securely fixing compact setups

Panasonic fans also get their money’s worth. The PZ-130 is a very good match for compact Lumix models such as the Lumix DMC-63, Lumix DMC-GF1, or Lumix DMC-LX3. These cameras are lightweight and often suitable as always-with-you cameras, and that’s exactly where the small plate plays to its strengths: it ensures a secure fit in the quick-release clamp without unnecessarily enlarging the overall package.

If you occasionally mount your Lumix on a travel tripod, a compact ball head, or an Arca-style-compatible video head, you don’t have to screw it on from scratch every time. The plate stays on the camera; you just click it in and the setup is ready.

Sony compatible, ideal for Alpha and RX series

The Kirk PZ-130 is also a practical addition for Sony users. It is suitable, among others, for cameras such as the Sony Alpha 6300, Sony Alpha 6500, or Sony DSC-RX100. Especially with the Alpha models with interchangeable lenses, it’s nice to have a slim yet stable plate that doesn’t collide with the lens mount or the grip.

The Sony DSC-RX100 and similar compact cameras benefit in particular from the shallow depth of the plate. It remains so compact that the camera still fits well into smaller bags without the plate sticking out annoyingly. You can therefore transport the camera with the plate mounted and are always ready to place it directly on the tripod.

For Olympus / OM SYSTEM, Pen models and more

If you shoot with Olympus or OM SYSTEM, the PZ-130 can be used very well on various Pen models. These include, among others, the Olympus E-P1 Pen, Olympus E-P2 Pen, Olympus E-P3 Pen, and Olympus E-PL3. These cameras are already pleasantly light and compact, and the PZ-130 blends in almost seamlessly.

The plate helps you securely fix the camera in an Arca-style-compatible clamp without needing a bulky quick-release system. This is a real comfort gain, especially when you frequently switch between handheld and tripod shots.

Fuji photography, stable support for FUJIFILM X10 and X-S10

The PZ-130 is also a useful addition in the Fuji camp. It is suitable, among others, for the FUJIFILM X10, a classic compact camera with high-quality optics, as well as for the FUJIFILM X-S10, a modern mirrorless system camera with interchangeable lenses. Both benefit from a stable yet discreet camera plate that improves balance on the tripod.

Especially with the X-S10, which is often used with lenses of varying weight, the PZ-130 ensures that the camera sits securely in the quick-release clamp and cannot slip uncontrollably. This lets you concentrate on composition and timing instead of dealing with the mounting.

Universal yet well thought out, anti-twist protection and secure fit

Despite its universal approach, the PZ-130 is not just a flat plate with a screw. It features an anti-twist stop that prevents the camera from rotating unnoticed on the plate. This is particularly important when you’re planning longer exposures, bracketed shots, or series with identical composition.

The anti-twist protection ensures that the camera’s alignment remains stable even when you slightly adjust the angle of view or reposition the setup. The result: less readjustment, less frustration, more consistent results.

Precise clamp profile for 38 mm quick-release clamps

The clamp profile of the PZ-130 is designed for 38 mm quick-release clamps that are specified as Arca-style compatible (according to the manufacturer). This dovetail profile has in practice become a de facto standard, allowing you to combine the plate with a wide range of heads, clamps, and tripod systems.

Whether you’re working with a compact travel tripod, a heavy studio tripod, or a flexible outdoor head: as long as the clamp is Arca-style compatible, the PZ-130 will fit in without issues. This gives you the freedom to assemble your system according to your needs without locking yourself into proprietary plates.

Lightweight with impact, only 12 g but fully functional

Weighing only 12 g, the PZ-130 is truly lightweight. It doesn’t noticeably burden your backpack or camera bag, yet it significantly contributes to the safety and stability of your camera on the tripod. Especially if you’re trying to keep your setup as minimalist as possible, this plate is an obvious choice.

Despite its low weight, you don’t have to sacrifice important features such as anti-twist protection, Arca-style compatibility, and robust aluminum construction. It’s this combination of minimalism and functionality that makes the PZ-130 a very practical solution for everyday use.

Developed for compact cameras, but not limited to them

Even though the name clearly targets compact cameras, the PZ-130 is not limited to this category. It is equally suitable for smaller mirrorless cameras, system cameras with moderate lenses, and setups where a large, heavy plate would simply be oversized. Universal really does mean universal here, not just as a marketing phrase.

So if you use a mix of compact camera, mirrorless camera, and perhaps a smaller Nikon 1 or Fuji X-S10, you can deploy the PZ-130 flexibly across these systems. This saves space, money, and above all nerves, because you don’t have to reorganize yourself from scratch every time.