Best 5″ On-Camera Monitors Under $200

What is the point of a 5″ on-camera monitor when you have 7″ monitors at similar price points?

5″ monitors are great for:

• Gimbal use, to keep the weight low.
• Focus puller and camera operator use, because it is close to them so a 7″ is not really required.
• Since you are closer, you don’t need as bright a monitor as you would need at 7″.
• You also don’t need a 4K monitor, because at close-enough distances, a 1080p 5″ monitor is decent enough even for focus pulling work.
• It consumes less power.
• It’s lighter for directors or clients to carry without the added weight.
• It can be used in tight spaces where a 7″ monitor might be too big.

In this article let’s go over three feature-rich 5″ on-camera monitors for less than $200 that deliver great value for money. The monitors have to pass these important criteria:

1. A screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080p or higher.
2. Should accept a 4K signal up to 30 fps via HDMI 1.4 or SDI, if possible.
3. Have important exposure and focus tools.
4. Should use standard Sony or Canon batteries.
5. Have a brightness of 600 nits or more.
6. Have the standard frame markers.

Let’s get into it.

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Here are my picks:

1 FeelWorld P6X

Buy the FeelWorld P6X 5.5″ monitor on Amazon or B&H.

Out of the Box You Get:

• Monitor
• HDMI Cable
• Micro-HDMI Cable
• USB-C to USB-A Adapter
• Mini Cold Shoe Mount Allen Key

Important Specs:

• Display: 5.5” IPS touchscreen, 1920×1080 resolution
• Brightness: 1000 nits
• Inputs/Outputs: HDMI 2.0 in/out, 3.5mm headphone out
• Monitoring Tools: Waveform, Vectorscope, Histogram, False Color, Peaking, Zebras, Audio Meters and Anamorphic Desqueeze
• LUT Support: 3D LUTs
• Power Options: L-Series batteries, 10W power consumption, DC out port.
• Mounting: ¼”-20 thread on top, bottom and side
• Weight: approx. 249g (monitor only)

Positives:

• 4K up to 60p
• Bright 1000 nits which is excellent, even in direct sunlight.
• Full suite of pro monitoring tools.
• HDMI loop-through for viewfinders or wireless setups.

Negatives:

• 160-degree viewing angle. It’s not bad, but 180-degrees would be better.
• No SDI input
• Color accuracy is questionable, but you’re not using these monitors for color work anyway.

2. OSEE Lilmon 5

Buy on Amazon | B&H

Out of the box you get:

• Monitor
• Tilt Arm
• Cleaning Cloth

Important Specs:

• Display: 5.5” IPS touchscreen, 1920×1080 resolution
• Brightness: 1000 nits
• Inputs/Outputs: HDMI in/out, 3.5mm headphone out
• Monitoring Tools: Waveform, Vectorscope, Histogram, Peaking, Zebras, Audio Meters and Anamorphic Desqueeze
• LUT Support: 3D LUTs
• Power Options: L-Series/LP-E6 Combination Mount on Fixed Plate, 6W power consumption, DC out port.
• Mounting: ¼”-20 thread on bottom and side
• Weight: approx. 170g (monitor only)

Positives:

1. 178-degree angle viewing
2. All the important pro monitoring, focus and exposure tools
3. Great color accuracy
4. Reinforced mounting screws

Negatives:

1. 4K up to 30 fps only
2. No false color
3. No cables included.

3 PORTKEYS PT6

Buy on Amazon | B&H

Out of the box you get:

• Monitor
• Sunshade
• HDMI Cable
• Micro-HDMI to HDMI Cable
• 2 x Rubber Cover
• MH-2 Mount
• Storage Box

Important specs:

• Display: 5.2” IPS touchscreen, 1920×1080 resolution
• Brightness: 600 nits
• Inputs/Outputs: HDMI in/out, 3.5mm headphone out
• Monitoring Tools: Waveform, Vectorscope, Histogram, Peaking, ARRI False Color, False Color, Zebras, Audio Meters and Anamorphic Desqueeze
• LUT Support: 3D LUTs
• Power Options: L-Series batteries, 8.1W power consumption, DC out port.
• Mounting: ¼”-20 thread on bottom
• Weight: approx. 212g (monitor only)

Positives:

• Covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color space
• Supports anamorphic output via HDMI and has many desqueeze options
• Has Arri False Color and general false color
• Lowest power draw

Negatives:

• Only up to 4K 30 fps
• Only one mounting thread
• Only 600 nits

What Features Matter Most?

For the particular use case of a 5″ on-camera monitor, here’s what you really want:

• Focus Peaking – for manual lenses and shallow DOF work. Also zoom-in controls, markers, etc.
• False Color and Zebras for exposure.
• At least 1000 nits if you’re working outdoors.
• Good placement of HDMI ports.

What’s my pick?

Let’s test each monitor for the criteria I laid out at the beginning:

If I had to pick one of these three, I would definitely opt for the PORTKEYS PT6 (Amazon, B&H).

Even though it has the lowest brightness amongst the rest, and only one mounting point – it has what really matters for a 5″ monitor.

What do you think?

If you’re looking for 7″ on-camera monitors, check this out: