Cameras don’t necessarily have huge displays, so viewing your footage while shooting can be a struggle. Such is especially true when filming for long hours outdoors or in tight spaces that limit your movements. In these cases, an external camera screen is crucial.
An external monitor allows you to see your real-time video on a large display. Often, it is light enough to assist in the field without causing inconvenience or discomfort. It is usually packed with features that make production and post-production easy.
Let’s dive in to discover the best external camera screen for your cameras, cranes, gimbals, and rigs!
Top 10 Products
- Lilliput A7s – 7″ 4K HDMI Field Monitor
- Atomos Ninja V
- Blackmagic Design Video Assist 5” 3G
- Atomos Shinobi
- Atomos Shogun 7
- Feelworld FW568 5.5-inch DSLR Camera Field Monitor
- Atomos Shinobi 7
- Feelworld FW279 7inch Ultra Bright Camera Field Monitor
- Andycine A6 Plus 5.5inch Touchscreen Camera Field Monitor
- PortKeys BM5 III WR
- Lilliput A7s – 7″ 4K HDMI Field Monitor
The Lilliput A7s – 7″ 4K HDMI Field Monitor offers 4K resolution on a 7” display. With the high resolution, you get high-quality and impeccably clear views.
Since this monitor features a touchscreen, you can easily take advantage of the on-screen tools. Functions include audio level meters, false colors, histograms, peaking, timecodes, and more. For a more intuitive experience, it also offers two customizable function keys. You can modify shortcuts to access your most used functions quickly.
This external camera screen is compatible with different DSLR batteries, such as the Sony F-970, Canon LP-E6, Panasonic DU21, and Sony QM91D. You can also avail of V-Mount and Anton Bauer battery plates if necessary.
You can mount this screen using the ¼” thread holes with a shoe mount adaptor. The threaded hole attaches to the bottom and clips into your camera’s shoe mount on top. At the back, a VESA 75 mounting hole allows for a more stable position.
The only issue with the mounting system is that it feels quite cheap. Although made of metal parts, the plastic surrounding it seems fragile.
The touchscreen allows for convenient control. However, it’s not fingerprint-proof. You might find yourself having to clean it frequently.
Specifications
- Weight: 320 g
- Dimensions: 182.1 mm (L) x 124 mm (W) x 20.5 mm (D)
- Display Screen: 7” IPS
- Physical Resolution: 1920 x 1200
- Aspect Ratio: 16:10
- Battery Plate: F970
- What’s in the Box: Foldable Sun Shade, Silicon Rubber Case, Battery Plate, HDMI A/C Cable, Hot Shoe Mount
What we like
- High resolution
- Clear views
- Allows you to set shortcuts
- Can be powered by different batteries
- Rear mounting hole allows for a more stable position
- Easy to control using the touchscreen
What we don’t like
- Mounting system feels cheap
- Touchscreen isn’t fingerprint-proof
- Atomos Ninja V
If you’re looking for more than a monitoring tool, you might like the Atomos Ninja V. It has recording functions, so you can record videos externally while enjoying the benefits of a much larger screen.
This external screen for camera is compact and lightweight, so it works well with small cameras. For full-scale production settings, it is an inconspicuous monitoring and recording solution.
An ideal choice for professionals, this external monitor has HDR monitoring and RAW recording capabilities. Compatible professional formats include Apple ProRes, Apple ProRes RAW, and HEVC. With these compatibilities, you can easily manage your workflow during shoots and post-production.
The SuperAtom IPS touchscreen is highly responsive, so you can have a smooth-sailing operation throughout your shoot. It has a bright display that makes it easy to work with, even under direct sunlight.
However, be careful using this screen outdoors. It can get really hot when exposed for an extended period under the sun.
Perhaps one of the main problems with this gear is the very loud noise that the fan makes. The noise is pretty noticeable, so you might have difficulties recording clear audio without the help of a reliable microphone.
Turning this monitor off is slower than expected. It may not be a significant issue for most people, but some users might find it annoying or inconvenient.
Specifications
- Weight: 360 g
- Dimensions: 151 mm (W) x 91.5 mm (H) x 31 mm (D)
- Materials: Aluminum Alloy Chassis With ABS Polycarbonate Back Plate
- Battery Capacity: 5,200mAh
- Touchscreen: SuperAtom IPS Panel
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- What’s in the Box: Ninja V, Battery Eliminator, International DC Power Supply, MasterCaddy II
What we like
- Serves as a recording device
- Compact
- Works well in small-scale and full-scale production settings
- Compatible with many professional video formats
- Highly responsive touchscreen
- Bright display
What we don’t like
- Can overheat when exposed to the sun for a long period
- Fan makes a very loud noise
- Turning it off takes some time
- Blackmagic Design Video Assist 5” 3G
The Blackmagic Design Video Assist 5” 3G doesn’t simply function as a monitor. It also serves as a professional recorder. With various recording controls, you can easily play, record, and stop the videos.
The recording system uses standard open file formats compatible with post-production tools. You can seamlessly move from production to post-production without having to transcode media files.
More importantly, the recorded files are reasonably small in size. You can record hours-long of high-quality videos without worrying much about storage space.
The touchscreen display allows you to enable exposure assist, focus, and scopes. It also displays vital information, such as audio meters, histograms, and timecodes.
This external screen delivers broadcast-quality outputs. With a 5” display, you can monitor and frame shots accurately.
If you want to stream your videos in real time, you can take advantage of webcam support. Simply plug this screen into a computer and get the live video feed into any live-streaming software, such as Open Broadcaster.
This accessory is highly recommended for those used to the Blackmagic Design ecosystem. Otherwise, it might take time for you to become familiar with the connectivity, controls, and interface.
Specifications
- Screen Size: 5”
What we like
- Has recording functions
- Recorded files are compatible with post-production software
- Recorded files don’t take up too much storage space
- Broadcast-quality outputs
- Webcam support allows for live streaming
What we don’t like
- Might take time to get used to the interface
- Atomos Shinobi
Whether you’re a vlogger or creative, the Atomos Shinobi offers you intuitive assistance on the field. Its Multi-Tool Analysis View gives you all the necessary information at a glance. This tool also lets you play with histograms, video scopes, and waveforms with a quick touch. Meanwhile, Mirror Mode is an excellent feature for vloggers.
This external camera screen is one of the lightest models with 4K capability on the market today. Its HDMI connectivity allows for quality 4K resolution. With its sleek and compact profile, carrying it everywhere will be a breeze. You won’t also have difficulties shooting with it for long periods.
This screen has mounting points on the top and bottom, so you can easily connect it to most cameras and other HDMI-compatible devices.
On the downside, the menu isn’t as easy to navigate as one would hope. The informational hierarchy is quite confusing, so you might need some time to get used to it.
The construction can be a lot better. This monitor feels so cheap because it’s made of plastic. When putting or removing the batteries, you need to be extremely careful. For this questionable quality, this gear seems a little overpriced.
Specifications
- Weight: 196 g
- Dimensions: 151 mm (W) x 91.5 mm (H) x 31 mm (D)
- Materials: Polycarbonate ABS Plastic
- Battery Capacity: 2,600 mAh
- Touchscreen: SuperAtom IPS Panel
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- What’s in the Box: Shinobi, International Power Supply
What we like
- Displays video and vital parameters at once
- Mirror Mode makes taking selfies easy
- Sleek profile
- Lightweight enough to not cause inconvenience during long hours of filming
- Can easily be connected to HDMI-compatible devices
What we don’t like
- Menu isn’t that easy to navigate
- Feels quite cheap
- Atomos Shogun 7
Atomos Shogun 7 is engineered for professionals, offering a vast array of features that can help during and after production. It allows 4K HDR and RAW recording, so you can enjoy high-quality footage. With the RAW data collected directly from the camera, you have more leeway to edit and adjust your videos during post-production.
The intuitive monitoring tools give you every bit of control over your shots. These tools include 3D LUTs, false color profiles, vectorscopes, and more.
With the 4 SDI inputs, this monitor can serve as a quad-view live switcher and recorder. You can record up to four streams as separate ISOs at the same time. You can quickly switch feeds in real time with a touch of the screen.
Using the HDMI output, you can connect this external camera screen to a compatible Dolby Vision HDR TV to see your videos accurately and in real time. This feature allows you to view what your audience will see even while you’re still in the production stage.
This accessory would be a lot better if it could flip horizontally. It’s only able to flip vertically.
This screen tends to overheat, so it’s challenging to use outdoors. Sometimes, it gets too hot to hold.
Specifications
- Weight: 709 g
- Dimensions: 214 mm (W) x 127 mm (H) x 45 mm (D)
- Materials: Polycarbonate ABS Plastic
- Battery Capacity: 5,200 mAh
- Touchscreen: SuperAtom IPS Panel
- Resolution: 1920 x 1200
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- What’s in the Box: Shogun 7, Carry Case, International Power Supply, Master Caddy II
What we like
- Has many helpful features during and after production
- Records high-quality footage
- Numerous intuitive monitoring tools
- Quad-view system records up to four streams
What we don’t like
- Would be better if it could flip horizontally
- Has the tendency to overheat
- Feelworld FW568 5.5-inch DSLR Camera Field Monitor
With professional tools and a bright display, the FEELWORLD FW568 5.5-inch DSLR Camera Field Monitor IPS Full HD 1920×1152 is an excellent choice for full-time video producers and content creators. You can access a wide range of functions, such as false color, focus assist, and histogram, while shooting.
Since it is compact and lightweight, this external screen is an ideal companion for shooting in tight spaces and different angles. It works well with rigs, gimbals, and cranes. With the ability to flip images vertically and horizontally, and the 360-degree tilt arm, this monitor gives you the flexibility you need on the field.
The 160-degree viewing angle is wide enough for you and the rest of your crew to monitor the shots at the same time. The screen offers a crisp and clear display.
Thanks to the Rec 709 HD color standard, you get accurate color representations. The images translate accurately with no color distortion while shooting.
If you’re filming outdoors, you’ll also appreciate the sunshade. You can easily attach it to the monitor using Velcro. This screen can overheat in just about half an hour when exposed to direct sunlight, so you’d want to maximize the use of the sunshade.
One of the best things about this monitor is the price point. It’s within the budget of most users, so it hits the soft spot between functionality and affordability.
What’s unfortunate is that you need to buy the battery and USB cable separately. These things are needed to power this accessory.
Specifications
- Weight: 175 g
- Dimensions: 144 mm x 27.5 mm x 87 mm
- Screen Size: 5.5”
- Resolution: 1920 x 1152
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Input: HDMI
- Output: HDMI, DC Output
- Accessories Included: Micro HDMI Cable, Sunshade, Tilt Arm
What we like
- Compact enough to be used in tight spaces and varying angles
- Works well with gimbals
- Can flip images vertically and horizontally
- 360-degree tilt arm allows for flexibility on the field
- Wide viewing angle
- Crystal clear display
- Accurate color representation
- Easy-to-use sunshade prevents it from overheating outdoors
- Great value for money
What we don’t like
- Battery and USB cable aren’t included in the kit
- Atomos Shinobi 7
The Atomos Shinobi 7 features a reasonably large HDR display with monitoring functions. It’s bright enough to assist you during filming, whether indoors or outdoors.
You can get up to 4Kp60 video quality through the HDMI connection and up to 2Kp60 through 3G-SDI. With the built-in 3D LUT box, you can use your custom 3D LUTs by loading them through the SD card slot.
This monitor has two battery slots, letting you swap batteries in the middle of the shoot without hassle. If you’re filming all day, you never have to worry about running out of power. Of course, that entails having numerous batteries ready on the field.
The touchscreen is intuitive and user-friendly. It allows you to access essential features in a snap.
With Adaptive Cooling, you won’t have to worry about the fan making loud noises. This feature also minimizes the peak brightness when the situation calls for it.
Compatible with AtomOS10, this external screen lets you simultaneously see vital parameters and your video. You can easily see and control histograms, vectorscopes, and waveforms while filming.
An excellent companion for outdoor shoots, this screen is lightweight and easy to carry. The only problem is its tendency to overheat. You might need to buy a dedicated sunshade to prevent overheating.
Specifications
- Weight: 577 g
- Dimensions: 198 mm (W) x 133 mm (H) x 39 mm (D)
- Materials: Polycarbonate ABS Plastic
- Battery Capacity: 5,200 mAh
- Touchscreen: SuperAtom IPS Panel
- Resolution: 1920 x 1200
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- What’s in the Box: Shinobi 7, International DC Power Adaptor
What we like
- Reasonably large, high-definition display
- Bright enough for outdoor use
- Allows you to load custom 3D LUTs
- Two battery slots allow for convenient battery switching
- User-friendly touchscreen
- Adaptive Cooling minimizes fan noises
- Displays video and crucial information simultaneously
- Easy to carry
What we don’t like
- Has the tendency to overheat
- Feelworld FW279 7-inch Ultra Bright Camera Field Monitor
With an HDMI connection that can deliver up to 4Kp30 video quality, the FEELWORLD FW279 7 INCH ULTRA BRIGHT 2200NIT DAYLIGHT VIEWABLE DSLR CAMERA FIELD MONITOR 4K HDMI guarantees a crisp monitoring experience. You can send the live feed on multiple displays without distorting the original video quality. The Rec 709 color calibration offers sharp images with accurate color reproduction.
A lightweight solution for your monitoring needs on the field, this compact external camera screen works well with cranes, gimbals, and rigs. You can use it with almost any video-recording device.
Ensuring you a hassle-free experience, this screen has an intuitive and easy-to-use menu. There are two buttons that you can customize, making your most used functions easily accessible. The system automatically saves your settings, so you don’t have to reset the buttons every time you turn on the device.
This monitor has a built-in speaker. For some users, it’s an unnecessary feature, especially when it starts making unwanted noises. Nevertheless, you can easily address the issue by lowering the volume.
For the price, this camera accessory is a pretty great deal. It’s large and bright enough to provide uninterrupted views even in highly bright settings. Additionally, it’s light enough not to strain you during long hours of filming.
Specifications
- Weight: 365 g
- Screen Size: 7”
- Dimensions:
- Resolution: 1920 x 1200
- Aspect Ratio: 16:10
- Input: 4K HDMI
- Output: 4K HDMI
- Accessories Included: F970 Battery Plate, Hot Shoe Mount, Mini HDMI Cable
What we like
- Crisp and sharp display
- HDMI connectivity delivers live feed on multiple displays
- Lightweight
- Easy-to-use menu
- Customizable buttons allow you to set up shortcuts
- Great price point
What we don’t like
- Built-in speaker may be unnecessary
- Andycine A6 Plus 5.5-inch Touchscreen Camera Field Monitor
The ANDYCINE A6 Plus 5.5inch Touchscreen 4K HDMI Camera Field Monitor is small and lightweight enough to work with gimbals. If you’re always shooting on the go, it’s worth considering to help you monitor your shots.
You can quickly load your 3D LUT files through the SD card slot. With this capability, you can calibrate the monitor to prevent color casting.
This monitor has HDMI connectivity that supports 4K videos. It can simultaneously provide live images on multiple displays without disrupting the video quality.
Three mounting points are available, so you can attach this rig to cameras and rigs in any way you want. You can use the mounting holes on the top, bottom, and right sides. Meanwhile, the cold shoe mount is compatible with different accessories, such as a LED light and microphone.
Giving you the flexibility to view shots from any angle, this external screen for camera features swivel arms. It rotates 360 degrees, so you can position it in any way you need or want while maintaining a low profile.
There are three ways to power this screen. You can use the Sony F970, Canon LP-E6, or a DC adapter. However, note that none of these are included in the kit. You need to buy them separately.
Specifications
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- What’s in the Box: A6 Plus 5.5”, Battery, Battery Charger, Carry Case, Micro HDMI Cable, Sunshade, Tilt Arm
What we like
- Small enough to be used with gimbals
- SD card slot can be used to load custom 3D LUT files
- Supports 4K videos
- Multiple mounting points
- Cold shoe mount allows for connecting other devices, including a microphone
- Can be positioned in any way using the swivel arms
- Compatible with different batteries and a DC adapter
What we don’t like
- Batteries or DC adapter should be purchased separately
- PortKeys BM5 III WR
With a 10-bit color depth, PortKeys BM5 III WR delivers accurate color reproduction and vivid details. The 1920 x 1080 resolution and 178-degree viewing angle allow you to see your footage clearly and in high quality. Compatible with HDMI and 3G-SDI, this gear works with different cameras and video recorders.
The image capture function lets you take snapshots of your videos. These snapshots are sent through the HDMI or SDI connection, giving you a quick overview of your shots. With the Freeze Frame function, you can compare an image with a real-time video.
As a wireless device, this external camera screen provides WiFi and Bluetooth support. When it is used with the Blackmagic Design Pocket Camera 4K or 6K, for example, you can control it remotely via Bluetooth. Note that this wireless connectivity only allows for wireless control, not wireless video transmission.
The dynamic touchscreen is easy to navigate. You can modify settings and play with various parameters with a simple touch.
The built-in battery has a long life. You can shoot for hours without worrying about running out of juice.
As versatile as it is, this monitor doesn’t offer recording functions.
Specifications
- Weight: 376 g
- Screen Size: 5.5”
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Video Signal Input: SDI/HDMI
- Video Signal Output: SDI
- Material: Aluminum Alloy, Tempered Glass
- What’s in the Box: BM5 III WR, L-Type Antenna, LANC Control Cable 40 cm, Power Cord 40 cm, Power Cord 100 cm, Safety Box, Type-C Control Cable 40 cm, USB
What we like
- Impressive true color reproduction
- Wide viewing angle provides clear views
- Works with most cameras and video recorders
- Can compare snapshots with real-time videos
- Has wireless connectivity for remote control
- Touchscreen is easy to navigate
What we don’t like
- Long battery life
- Has no recording functions
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Frequently Asked Questions
An external camera screen assists in video production, allowing you to see your real-time footage on a larger display. On top of that, it has various features that can improve production and post-production processes significantly.
These external monitors display vital parameters, such as false colors and vectors. A good model has high resolution and accurate color representation. More importantly, it is easy to use on the field, has intuitive controls, and works well with different cameras, as well as gimbals and rigs.
Considering the factors mentioned above, some of the best external camera screens include the following:
– Atomos Shinobi 7
– Blackmagic Design Video Assist 5” 3G
– FEELWORLD FW279 7 INCH ULTRA BRIGHT CAMERA FIELD MONITOR
To know more about these devices, you can check out our External Camera Screen buyers’ guide.
Some external camera screens are compatible with smartphones, including iPhones. Usually, those with wireless connectivity can work well with iPhones.
Learn more about external camera screens by reading our in-depth External Camera Screen buyers’ guide.
You can hook up a camera or video recorder to an external monitor using an HDMI or SDI, depending on the connectivity of both devices. When deciding what external camera screen to get, check what kind of connection your camera uses.
Many models have both HDMI and SDI compatibility. The Atomos Shogun 7 and PortKeys BM5 III WR are great examples.
Find out which external camera screen meets your needs by reading our comprehensive External Camera Screen buyers’ guide.
