Peak Design Micro Clutch Review

Allow me to introduce the Micro Clutch by Peak Design.

One could simply (but incorrectly) assume it’s just the original Clutch after being shrunk in the wash…

But it is actually much more than that.

Designed for mirrorless photographers, it is a low-profile hand strap with a full-length baseplate for extra stability and strength.

Featuring a slimmer and smaller profile, it is less bulky on smaller devices.

Peak Design is well-known in the photography community and has been producing exceptional equipment for years.

Additionally, Peak proudly funds all of its products through Kickstarter campaigns (11 now in total!).

The Micro Clutch campaign reached its funding goal within the first hour and within the first 24 hours achieved over 9x the initial goal.

This is an indication of the demand for the Micro Clutch, ensuring it is a definite hit!

But, you may also be wondering how does it compare to the original Peak Design Clutch? Let’s take a look.

What is the Peak Design Micro Clutch?

 

Micro Clutch w I-Plate:
Weight: 51g
Size (L x W x H): 115mm x 28mm x 7.5mm (4.5 x 1.1 x 0.3″)
Height with Arca Plate attached: 13mm (0.5″)

Micro Clutch w L-Plate:
Weight: 60g
Size (L x W x H): 115mm x 48mm x 7.5mm (4.5 x 1.8 x 0.3″)
Height with Arca Plate attached: 13mm (0.5″)

Materials:
Base Plate: 6061 Alloy, CNC-Machined, High recycled content with a Jet Black finish.
Strap: Compression molded Hypalon with soft microfiber padding.

Package includes:
– Micro Clutch with either I or L shaped bracket
– Hidden integrated tool
– Magnetic Tripod/Arca plate
– Split ring
– Split ring tool (saves your finger nails)
– Split ring sleeve
– Long Fastener
– Short Fastener
– Instruction booklet (please read it…)

The Peak Design Micro Clutch is a small, lightweight hand strap that is designed to be comfortable and secure when attached to mirrorless camera bodies.

It is made from durable nylon webbing and features a padded, adjustable wrist strap. It also has a quick-release buckle that makes it easy to attach and detach from your camera.

The Micro Clutch is not only a great option for photographers who want a comfortable and secure way to carry smaller camera bodies, but it is also useful for vloggers and videographers who need a way to keep their camera steady while shooting.

Build & Appearance

The Micro Clutch follows Peak Design’s own style; sleek, minimalistic, and constructed from high-quality materials.

The Micro Clutch is a stylish, discrete, and reliable hand strap that is designed to not get in the way. It is perfect for mirrorless cameras, and being a Peak Design product, will always look the part.

All this is accomplished without adding bulk, restricting access to controls, or weight to already smaller devices.

Built using Hypalon with a moisture-wicking microfibre, the strap itself remains slim and easily adjustable without loose dangling straps flapping about.

For additional strength and stability, it has been attached to a machined and anodised aluminium bracket with an Axial strap attachment point for smooth rotation and an Anchor attachment point for full Peak Design strap compatibility.

Within the construction of the bracket, Peak Design has ingeniously included magnets to help manage loose and movable parts. A hidden tool for tightening/loosening the fasteners is also held in place by magnets.

The bracket runs across the full base of the camera which may likely restrict tripod and battery lid access (depending on camera design).

Peak Design has taken this into consideration by designing it to be quickly and easily removed when needed (more on that later).

Ease of Use

One of the biggest drawbacks I found with the original Clutch is the need for a 4mm hex tool to remove the base plate when using a tripod.

I attached one with a keyring to my tripod and left one within each camera bag, all just in case.

However, you could quickly switch your batteries on the move like in an old Western movie.

With the Micro Clutch, Peak Design considered the need for easier access to your battery lid and for tripod use, so they included a tool hidden within the bracket itself. Brilliant idea!

Still not as fast as an old Western, but do you really need to be like John Wayne?

Attaching the Micro Clutch to your camera is a pretty straightforward process, and quickly removing it is even simpler.

A simple 360° twist of the fastener will allow you to slide and detach (or attach) the bracket as needed.

If you are a Capture Clip or Peak Design Tripod user, you can use the longer fastener with the included magnetic Tripod Plate with the Micro Clutch for added convenience.

The plate will simply lock into place and stay attached by itself, thanks to magnets!

Yes, as I mentioned before the bracket is magnetised. Conveniently this magnetisation transfers to the fasteners as well, so when using the tool to rotate the fasteners, the tool will hold in place too.

But, how do magnets work? I don’t know, but they’re amazing…

Readjusting the length of the Micro Clutch is a bit fiddly, but can be done as needed by using the nobby notchy thingy.

So if you’d feel more comfortable wrapping it across the back of your hand or just a few fingers, you can. But for me it was set-and-forget.

The pivoting axial attachment helps for stability and ease of shifting your grip to access the camera controls (and in my case, the memory card slots).

I believe it’s the same as what Peak Design uses to attach shoulder straps to their bags.

Value for Money

The MSRP for the Micro Clutch will be around USD$65, but here on Kickstarter you can save 23% and grab it for around $50.

Should you also require additional gear, such as a Capture Clip and a Leash Camera Strap, you can bundle them together for around USD$135 and save yourself 27% off the total.

They have another couple of deals to bundle a Peak Design Tripod as well (either Aluminium or Carbon), knocking upwards of 31% off the retail cost.

Now, I got the original Peak Design Clutch back in 2019, and around the same time I bought my father one for his camera too. We’ve both been using them ever since.

The only reason I now no longer use the original Clutch is due to now owning the Micro Clutch.

We cannot live without our Clutch’s, as the added security of keeping the camera within our grasp is something we take dearly.

So given both the Clutch and Micro Clutch are at similar price points, in my opinion, it’s definitely great value for the money.

Comparison: Original Peak Design Clutch vs Micro Clutch

I’ve been using the original Peak Design Clutch since 2019 and it’s been a fantastic product.

A lot of the time my Peak Design Leash just dangles loose around the camera or is tied around my wrist, essentially just being there for when I want to let go of the camera itself (either voluntarily or unexpectedly – I’m kinda loose like that).

More often than not, the Clutch is pretty much all that firmly secures my hand to the camera body; allowing a light soft grip rather than always grasping the camera tightly.

I’ve found the Micro Clutch is similar in that sense (as you’d expect), giving me the same level of security with the camera, only with a much smaller profile. What I am getting used to though is the smaller size.

Camera size

Depending on the camera you’re using, either one or the other may suit you better.

Full-frame and large camera users are certainly better suited to the full-size original Clutch. Peak Design specifically designed the Micro Clutch for Mirrorless users, after all.

Mid-Large Mirrorless users (ie: Sony a7 III, Fuji XT5, Canon R-series, Nikon Z) sit in a grouping that could fit either one.

If you want a larger strap with additional padding, go the original Clutch. If you want a slimmer and less bulky strap, go for the Micro Clutch.

For those with mid-smaller size mirrorless cameras (ie: Sony a6000, Fuji X100, Leica Q, or Canon G7X) your best bet is the Micro Clutch.

For anyone with a camera less than 115mm in width, look at the Peak Design Cuff instead.

Strap size

Whether you want the more delicate support of just a light strap around some fingers, or for it to wrap around the back of your hand – that’s up to you.

Personally, I like the Micro Clutch to go across three fingers rather than the back of my hand. It feels tighter and more snug.

It can also be adjusted for either fit. However, with smaller cameras, it may only allow two fingers to fit at most.

The larger Clutch was comfortable to wear across the back of my hand, thanks to the additional padding.

The larger size of the Clutch also contributed to its comfort. It was wider and taller, which allowed for more space. However, at times it could feel a bit loose.

Adjustability

The original Clutch can be adjusted by simply pulling or loosening the strap through a buckle. However, the loose strap can flap around a bit.

The Micro Clutch is a bit more fiddly to adjust, but the process is still straightforward.

To adjust the length of the Micro Clutch, simply pop out the notch, adjust the length, pop it back in, and tuck away the loose strap.

Base plate/bracket

The base plate on the original clutch requires a 4mm hex key to tighten or remove, which is problematic as you need to always ensure you have one on hand.

Other objects cannot be used in place of that either, so if you’re out in the field and you need to remove it to attach a tripod plate, you’re stuck.

If you have the Arca plate installed instead, you should be fine.

The Micro Clutch comes with a tool for loosening the fasteners, which is stored within the bottom bracket. This means that you should always have the tool with you, as it is not easily lost.

However, if you do lose the tool, you can use almost anything else of similar size to loosen the fasteners. For example, you could use the point of a field knife or even a paper clip.

Packing bulk

Packing the camera away in a small bag is a better experience with the Micro Clutch over the original. Being able to rotate the strap around the body helps to keep it tucked away nicely.

The original Clutch can be bulky at times when stowing it in some bags. It takes up more space than it needs, so you have to consciously tuck it away. However, it always fits within the bag. The smaller size of the Micro Clutch is definitely a benefit.

FAQ’s

Can I use my Peak Design Capture Clip with the Micro Clutch?

Why yes, yes you can. Just use the long fastener and Tripod/Arca plate included in the box!

How easy is it to actually access the battery lid?

Very easy with the included tool hidden within the base plate. Just perform one rotation of the fastener and the bracket will be loose enough to slide across and off the camera body.

Since it’s connected to the side of the camera body it’s never fully detached. So you can replace it easily without fiddling or needing to readjust the strap itself.

I have fat hands, but my partner has tiny little weird skinny hands… How do we cope?

For those varying hand sizes and grip styles, the Micro Clutch can be adjusted after fitting. Just simply pop the little sticky-outy thing from one hole and pop it into another one. Voila.

Can I use a neck strap along with the Micro Clutch?

Yes, Peak Design has included an attachment point for an Anchor to connect a neck strap to the base plate. In fact, that’s what I use myself. Also, if you haven’t already got a Peak Design strap, you can save on additional gear by accessing the bundle deals through the Micro Clutch Kickstarter page!

Oh no, I lost the little removal tool, how can I release the base?

Well, aren’t you a silly sausage? But fear not, pretty much anything that’ll fit within the gap should suffice in allowing you to turn the fastener. Now, visit the Peak Design website, I’m sure you can get a replacement!

How do magnets work?

Magic. Science says so.

Peak Design Micro Clutch Review | Conclusion

I have found the Peak Design Micro Clutch to be an essential piece of my camera set-up.

The slim nature of the build along with the sturdy base plate compliments the smaller size of my Sony a7 III, while the original Clutch now fits well with my Canon 5D Mk III.

While I don’t use the latter camera much anymore anyway, for those times it is used, it helps (especially with the weight!).

If you’re in the market for a hand strap, Peak Design now have two great options for you to decide on. I cannot recommend the Micro Clutch enough for Mirrorless camera users.