Best 5" On-Camera Monitors Under 0
Categories
Camera System

Best 5″ On-Camera Monitors Under $200

Here are a few excellent 5-inch on-camera monitors under $200 for video.

Cheap on-camera LCD monitors have made great strides in features over the last couple of years.

They’ve also become dependable as far as color accuracy and performance is concerned, at least for the low budget shooter not looking to break the bank.

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

  1. 1920 x 1080p screens.
  2. Should accept a 4K signal till 30 fps via HDMI 1.4
  3. Have important exposure and focus tools.
  4. Should use standard Sony or Canon batteries.
  5. Have a brightness of 400 nits or more.
  6. Have the standard safe area and frame markers.

FeelWorld F570

Buy on Amazon | B&H

Out of the box this monitor comes with:

  • Mini HDMI Cable
  • Sunshade
  • Cold Shoe Mount
  • L-Series Type Battery Plate
  • 1/4″-20 Screw Lock

Important specifications:

  • Screen Size of 5.7″
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1080p
  • Aspect Ratio of 16:9
  • Brightness: 460 cd/m2
  • Viewing Angle: 170° all around
  • Input and Output: HDMI
  • 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack
  • Mini-USB for firmware updates

Positives

  1. It has an almost full metal body with a few well made plastic parts such as the battery mount. This makes it very rugged and durable so you can use it in fairly tough shooting conditions.
  2. HDMI in and out.
  3. Anamorphic mode (1.3x, 2.0x, 2.0x)
  4. Slightly larger screen-size than the rest.

Negatives

  1. The mount on the bottom isn’t very strong.
  2. Not 100% color accurate, though nothing is at this price point.
  3. No way to load a 3D LUT.
  4. The sunshade is not very well made and feels flimsy.
  5. Does not come with a carrying case.
  6. You can zoom into the image but can’t move around while zooming.

Lilliput A5

Buy on Amazon | B&H

Out of the box this monitor comes with:

  • Folding Sun hood
  • HDMI Type A to HDMI Type C Cable
  • Shoe Mount
  • Dual LP-E6 / NP-F Battery Plate

Important specifications:

  • Brightness: 400 cdm²
  • Viewing angle: 170° all around
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack

Positives

  1. It is very lightweight at 0.26 lbs, so is great for use in run-and-gun situations.
  2. You can attach either a Sony NP-F970 battery or a Canon LP-E6 battery directly to the monitor unit for power. You don’t need a separate battery plate.
  3. Multiple mounting options including a 1/4″-20 mounting thread which accommodates the included ball shoe mount, as well as a VESA 75 mounting hole pattern on the back.
  4. Lightweight.

Negatives

  1. Despite the 400 nits screen brightness, the screen isn’t great in bright shooting conditions.
  2. HDMI port could be more robust.

Andycine A6

Buy on Amazon | B&H

Out of the box this monitor comes with:

  • Tilt Arm
  • Sunshade
  • Mini HDMI Cable

Important specifications:

  • Power out DC 8V to power camera with a separately available DC coupler
  • Brightness: 460 nits
  • Viewing Angle 170° all around
  • 3.5mm headphone jack

Positives

  1. Has anamorphic desqueeze option.
  2. The included bracket to flip the monitor allows for flexibility in how you view the monitor.
  3. The monitor can power camera with inexpensive dummy batteries.

Negatives

  1. The build quality isn’t great.
  2. The battery indicator only displays up to the last 20%. Once you cross 20% there’s no warning prior to shutdown.

What’s my pick?

If I had to pick one of these three, I would definitely opt for the FeelWorld F570 (Amazon, B&H). For these reasons:

  • HDMI out (loop through).
  • Has tactile buttons which are way easier to operate in the field.

What do you think?