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 7″ on-camera monitors for less than $200 that deliver great value for money. The monitors have to pass these important criteria:
- 1920 x 1080p screens.
- Should accept a 4K signal till 30 fps via HDMI 1.4
- Have important exposure and focus tools.
- Should use standard Sony or Canon batteries.
- Have a brightness of 400 nits or more.
- Have the standard safe area and frame markers.
Here are my top three picks:
FeelWorld FH7
Out of the box you get:
- Mini HDMI to HDMI Cable
- Sunshade
- Shoe Mount
- L-Series Battery Plate
Important specs:
- Brightness Histogram
- Peaking, Focus Assist (Red, Green, Blue)
- False Colors
- Zebra Exposure (1-100IRE adjustable)
- Anamorphic Mode (1.3x, 2.0x, 2.0x)
- Image Flip (H, V, H/V)
- Image Freeze
- Center Marker
- Screen Marker
- Color Temperature Adjustment
- Zoom (4X, 9X, 16X) (No support in 4K input)
- Aspect Ratio (No support in 4K input)
- Pixel to Pixel (No support in 4K input)
Positives
- Anamorphic desqueeze.
- Accurate battery indicator.
- You can monitor audio levels.
- Full range of Zebra exposure.
- It has three customizable function buttons and an easy-to-navigate menu system.
Negatives
- Some important features are missing when you input a 4K signal.
- When HDMI display output is set it shrinks the image to thumbnail size.
- The HDMI port is placed right next to the ¼” thread, so you might have to purchase a right-angle HDMI adapter.
- The mute button controls both the speaker and the headphone jack.
Lilliput A7S
Out of the box you get:
- Foldable Sun Hood
- Silicon Rubber Case (Red or Black)
- HDMI A/C Cable
- Battery Plate for F970
- Cold Shoe Mount Bracket
Important specs:
- Safe zone markers
- Focus assist features including Zoom, Focus Peaking, False Color, Exposure
- Image flip
- Resolution: 1920×1200
- Brightness: 500 cd/?
- Contrast: 1000:1
- Viewing angle: 170 degrees (H/V)
- Video Input: HDMI
- Video output: HDMI
- Audio output: Speaker; 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
- Input voltage: DC7-24V; 1xDC12V connector
- Battery release button to attach or remove battery without any concern at dropping it down during shoot
Positives
- Silicon case (red or black) is a great addition.
- Decent audio monitoring quality over headphones.
Negatives
- You will need an anti-glare reflector because the screen is glossy.
- The tripod thread gets in the way of the silicon case.
- Sun shade not very sturdy.
Elvid FieldVision 4KV2 (also sold as FeelWorld FW760)
Out of the box you get:
- Mini HDMI Cable
- Sunshade
- Hot Shoe Mount
- F970 Battery Plate
- HDMI Plug Lock
- 1 x 2200mAh battery
- Charger
Important specs:
- Resolution: 1920×1200
- Aspect ratio: 16:10
- Brightness: 450 cd/m²
- Contrast: 1200:1
- Backlight: LED
- Input: HDMI, AV
- Audio: Speaker, Headphone jack
- Power Consumption: 5W
- Input Voltage: 7V~24V
- Supports UHD and DCI 4K Resolutions
- 160° Viewing Angle (H/V)
- Focus Peaking
- Zebra Exposure Guides
- 1:1 Pixel Mapping
- False Color
- Image Flip
- Screen Markers
Positives
- Great battery life.
- It has four programmable buttons for easy access to commonly used features.
- The menu is easy to navigate.
- Ball mount supplied is not half bad.
Negatives
- Build quality is so-so.
- Speaker and headphone jack is controlled by one mute button.
Here’s a table comparing some of the important specs:
Lilliput A7S | Elvid FieldVision 4KV2 | FeelWorld FH7 | |
Resolution | 1920×1200 | 1920×1200 | 1920×1200 |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 | 16:10 |
Brightness | 500nits | 450nits | 450nits |
Viewing Angle | H170° V170° | H160° V160° | H160° V160° |
4K Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Focus peaking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Pixel to Pixel Zoom | Yes | Yes | Yes |
False Color | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Frame Markers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Anamorphic Desqueeze | No | Yes | Yes |
Image Flip | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Battery Type | Canon LP-E6 and Sony F-970 | L-Series | L-Series |
Battery included | No | No (Yes, with the FW760) | No |
DC Input | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Audio Jack | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mounting options | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Weight | 0.71lb | 0.63lb | 0.68lb |
What’s my pick?
If I had to pick one of these three, I would definitely opt for the FeelWorld FH7 (Amazon, B&H). For these reasons:
- HDMI out (loop through).
- HDMI port is at the bottom, so you don’t need to buy a right-angle HDMI adapter.
- All the important exposure tools and anamorphic desqueeze.
What do you think?
4 replies on “Best 7″ On-Camera Monitors Under $200”
No waveforms no purchase.
Why does Blackmagic make a cinema camera
and not give you waveforms?
The false color tool is not bad. I prefer waveforms too, but it’s not a deal breaker.
Hello
Thank you for this review, and also I would definitely opt for the FeelWorld FH7. I need a monitor and this information has helped me a lot, thanks again and greetings from Costa Rica
You’re welcome!