What load capacity do I need for a mirrorless or DSLR camera?

For most mirrorless and DSLR bodies with standard zoom lenses, a tripod rated for 8-10 lbs is sufficient. If you shoot with telephoto lenses, spotting scopes, or plan to use it for video pans, look for 17+ lbs capacity. Note that reviewers consistently flag that listed max loads are optimistic; real-world stable performance is usually well below the spec.