Even the most attentive creator can miss a mistake when reviewing footage on a tiny LCD screen, which is why an external camera screen (also known as an on camera monitor) is such a vital addition to any serious creator's gear pack. These screens come in many forms and are increasingly decked out with luxe features to make shooting more enjoyable. If you are in the market for an external camera screen, we have compiled some helpful information to keep in mind as you search for the best one.
Is your camera an external screen candidate?
There are several key factors to consider before purchasing an external monitor, the first of which is whether your camera can output clean video. If your camera can't output video, an external monitor won't work. (If that is the case, consider more compatible options like dedicated loupes and magnifiers that will make reviewing your work mid-shoot much easier.)
What are your camera’s connectors?
If your camera can produce clean, hi-res video, then it's time to familiarize yourself with its connectors. HDMI and SDI are the most common types of connectors, but there are others. Make sure you know which connector your camera supports—that way you can refine your external monitor search by compatibility.
What is your camera’s video output?
Finally, find your camera's video resolution and frame-rate outputs. As with connectors, external camera screens are only useful if they align output-wise. For example, if your camera only outputs DCI 4K video at 60 fps and your external monitor only accepts Full HD at 30 fps, you'll be unable review your work because the external monitor can't support the video output. This is also true if you work with specific file formats such as ProRes Raw or other raw outputs, which are only compatible with select external monitors.
With the basic information of your camera outlined, we can now address key qualities to look for in an external camera screen. You will find that compatibility is important when shopping, especially when dealing with size, resolution, and brightness. Consider some of the potential applications for your external monitor as we delve into these keystones.
External Camera Screen Size
The impulse to splurge for the biggest on camera monitor is very common, but the proportional size and handling of your own camera will directly impact how practical your external monitor is.
General Rules for On Camera Monitor Size:
- 5-7" is the sweet spot for on camera use.
- 7-9" works well for larger kits or remote viewing.
- 10" or more are generally field monitors and not designed for on camera use.
We suggest a 5" external monitor if you are shooting on a mirrorless or DSLR camera—the upgrade will still be significant, and your camera won't become top-heavy.
If you are settled on a bigger external camera screen, especially if you have a large camera that can accommodate it, a 7-9" monitor is a perfectly viable option. Anticipate added weight and make sure your mounting arms and other gear can support it.
If you have a more traditional pro camcorder, cinema camera, or even a rigged-up mirrorless/pocket camera, you can spring for the 7" external monitor with a bit of finessing.
We do not advise going larger than this for on camera use—it's just too big to be functional. As mentioned, 10" or larger can be great field monitors for directing or producing at a remote station.
On Camera Monitor Resolution
Resolution refers to the sharpness of the on screen display and directly relates to the screen size. It is an important spec to consider, because many of the features we discuss are affected by it. Smaller screens often have lower resolutions, but that does not necessarily mean that you are purchasing a bad external camera screen. This is because the pixels in-screen are denser, to render a crisp image. For an external camera screen, anything smaller than 5" might display in less than Full HD but will still yield genuine playback, while you can expect anything between 5-9" to display in HD or Full HD.
Your camera's output is important here, as well—if you are working with an unsupported resolution, your external monitor will be minimally useful during the review process. Ensuring that your external camera screen can down-scale and zoom in 100% for focus-checking will save you a lot of frustration, especially if you output in 4k. Luckily, many reputable external monitors today offer Full HD in varying sizes, so finding a suitable companion for your camera won't be too difficult.
On Camera Monitor Brightness
Screen brightness matters since it pertains to the lighting conditions of your shoot. Many creators purchase an external camera screen to compensate for their in-camera LCDs that are either too dark or deplete battery life. If you frequently shoot outside, or simply want to cover all your lighting condition bases, look for an external monitor that can achieve high brightness (around 1000 cd/m2 nit) or is marketed as “daylight-viewable.” You might also consider grabbing a hood or shade to protect from glare and direct lighting.
General Rules for Camera Monitor Size, Resolution, Brightness:
- Refine your search to monitors that are proportional to the size of your camera and remember that bigger isn't necessarily better.
- For resolution, aim for HD to Full HD at a minimum, ideally with the ability to focus-check.
- A high-brightness external camera screen that is labeled as “daylight-viewable” are better for outdoor work. Consider purchasing a hood for your external monitor if you work outside often.
Which features should I look for in an external camera screen?
Resolution, brightness, and size only scratch the surface of qualities that can improve your creative output. Screens today are programmed with a plethora of informative metrics, such as lookup tables (LUTs), waveforms, false color, and vectorscope, which are wonderful review tools to increase the accuracy of your work. Especially for on camera monitors, these features provide a significant leg up over a built-in LCD alone.
Lookup Tables (LUTs)
If you approach shoots with basic color grades or corrections in mind, LUT-capable monitors will be especially beneficial while shooting. Monitors with this function enable you to apply color settings to your work while in the field, so you can preview your footage with corrections, minus the extra gear. An external camera screen usually does this via default options for common log profiles (C-Log, S-Log3, etc.), while high-grade screens can accommodate custom LUTs with the ability to toggle or turn them off as you shoot. For a videographer who can't wait to color-grade after a shoot, this function is a must-have.
Waveforms, False Color, and Vectorscope
External monitors that are equipped with advanced metrics like waveforms, false color, and vectorscope will offer precision concerning your coloring, exposure levels, and saturation while you are shooting. These tools will sound familiar to those who edit, and an external camera screen allows you to utilize them mid-shoot.
As far as functions go, we recommend an external monitor that can display waveforms regardless of your skill level, if color accuracy is one of your priorities. As one of the most intuitive color metrics, waveforms are easy to glance at for quick information while in the field.
False color and vectorscope are tools for confirming the brightness and saturation levels in your shot. False color-capable monitors will display your footage in a different color spectrum to highlight areas that are over- or under-exposed, while vectorscope-capable monitors will indicate areas where the hue and saturation in your shot are too high or low. Both are great for guaranteeing uniformity throughout your shoot and can greatly reduce the amount of time spent on editing or reshooting.
HDR
Many camera models today are HDR-capable, and external camera screens have kept pace. HDR-capable external monitors offer previews based on HDR signals from your camera or by converting log footage. While exciting, this feature is only useful if you work with other HDR-supported equipment for grading. If you have such a setup, an external camera screen with HDR is an amazing addition to round out your gear and can even allow you to circumvent an expensive HDR-capable display. This feature is worth considering if you anticipate working with HDR finishing in the future.
Recording
Many external camera screens are equipped with their own built-in recording systems, which process the incoming video signal from your camera to save your media on its own storage system. This feature is especially handy if your camera's processing isn't powerful enough, or if it tends to overheat and shut down when working with large volumes of media.
While recording can serve as a space-saving function for your gear, it can also bolster your image quality, especially if you are working with a mirrorless or DSLR camera. If your camera can output a clean channel via HDMI or SDI, a recording-capable external camera screen can serve as a conduit to access uncompressed video at higher bit depths that is stored on your device using an internal codec.
There are many features to consider that haven't been outlined here. Guidelines, for example, are a great tool for maximizing the amount of space you can play with under multiple aspect ratios. Other tools like anamorphic de-squeeze have more niche applications for those filming with anamorphic lenses. In general, we recommend looking for an external camera screen that is compatible with many cameras and offers a breadth of features. Even if you don't anticipate utilizing all the offered features right off the bat, a flexible on camera monitor is also an encouraging nod toward your future creative potential.
With that in mind, here is a brief recap of key features to look for in an external camera screen:
- Zoom-in for focus-checking
- Aspect ratio guides for aligning shots precisely
- Waveforms for color accuracy
- Vectorscope for hue and saturation accuracy
- False color for proper exposure
- LUT support for on-the-fly color-grading
- HDR preview if you work with other HDR-supported equipment
- Recording if your camera's processing isn't powerful enough, or if you want to access uncompressed footage
Final Thoughts
An external camera screen is a great way to increase the accessibility and accuracy of your camera, and we hope that these pointers have provided you with the scaffolding to conduct your own search with more confidence.
If you are looking for brand recommendations, Atomos, Blackmagic, and SmallHD are excellent options that offer a variety of standard and monitor/recorder options. I recommend the Atomos Ninja V, a nifty monitor/recorder combination screen that checks many of the boxes prescribed. Lilliput is another great brand to consider if you are looking for a budget-friendly external camera screen.
What qualities are you looking for in an on camera monitor? If you have one, have you noticed a shift in the quality of your work? We would love to hear your thoughts, tips, and recommendations in the Comments section, below!
