15 Best External Camera Screen For You in 2023
An external camera screen or an on-camera monitor is a must-have gadget to make your filming skills sharper and shootings more professional.
Cameras with external screens can be used to connect via HDMI or SDI to assist with photography and cinematography. Camera monitors are usually brighter and have larger displays than those built into consumer cameras, and they can reproduce color better.
There are many on-camera monitors are present on the market. But, how do select the best out of them?
Well, I am here to help you with the selection process. I have curated the top external camera screens into a list based on my research.
But, before I proceed, first, let us understand the requirement of an external camera screen.
What’s the need for an external camera screen?
An external screen on your camera may increase the overall weight of your filming setup and budget. Still, it is a treasured addition that allows you to perform your filming tasks more professionally. You should purchase a camera monitor for external recording or enhanced visual tools to accurately nail focus and exposure.
You can also add an external screen to your camera to increase the viewing area and additional features for filmmakers that are not available on the camera.
An external monitor gives a good idea of what is being filmed and how things look in the image as they appear on completion or at the viewer’s end. You can adjust the camera, its angle, and its position accordingly.
A sizeable external camera screen gives you an accurate picture of how the video will look after final finishing based on the brightness, color accuracy, and the surroundings’ brightness and color accuracy. It is not present in the in-built display. The light intensity at different times of the day changes how things look on a screen. You can see how everything looks and adjust the cameras’ settings and modes accordingly.
Benefits of an External Camera Screen
Here are the benefits of using external camera screens:
- Visualise final output using built-in look-up tables
- Provides flexible positioning
- Quickly check composition, focus, exposure, etc
- Offers monitoring tools like waveforms and vector scopes
- A more suitable 16:9 aspect ratio
- Great video recording quality
- Extra recording capacity
- Avoid camera overheating on filming more extended periods
Points to consider while buying an external camera screen
When purchasing an external on-camera monitor for your camera setup, whether it be a budget one or an expensive one, you should keep in mind the following points:
Price
External camera screens can range from 100 to 2,000 dollars, depending on the features or the brand name. Small-HD, Atomos, Andycine, and Desview are among the most popular camera monitor brands. If you have a modest budget, consider Desiview, Andycine, Small-HD (5”, 7”), and Atomos (5”, 7”) cameras. Even budget cameras are significantly better and will execute filming duties with excellent quality.
Size and Weight
The size does matter. The more your screen size, the more focused you can film jobs. However, the size also impacts weight and price. You may film more effectively on an external camera screen with an additional 2 inches.
If you can afford it, go with a 7-inch camera screen. It’s much easier to film with a detailed view on a 7-inch monitor. It’s also more costly and heavier than the 5-inch monitor, which might negatively impact the ease of your movement and the gimbal stand.
Screen Resolution
Except for Small-HD 5″ monitors, most on-camera displays have 1080p resolution. You should opt for a 1080p screen as you are buying it to film precisely and intently. You will not be able to tell the difference between 4k and 1080p resolution on a 5 or 7-inch screen which is not too helpful.
Brightness
The amount of nits determines the brightness level of a monitor. More nits mean brighter pictures. When shooting outdoors, the brightness level is crucial. If your screen is too dim, you won’t be able to see clearly on a sunny day.
Andycine X7 Ultra Bright has the highest brightness in its category. You need a minimum brightness of 300 nits to operate your equipment, but if you plan on shooting outdoors, you should get at least 500 nits of brightness. The brightness of the iPhone 11 is 811 nits.
External Recording
External camera screens are not just purchased to keep track of what’s being recorded but also to record externally through them. If you don’t want to record certain video parts in your main memory card, you might need to record them externally. With all the brands I am discussing, only Atomos can record externally.
Battery Life
All on-screen monitors require an external battery power source to function without draining the camera’s primary battery source. You can get by with an on-camera monitor with average battery life only if you shoot predominantly indoors. But, for long outdoor shooting sessions, you should choose one with longer battery life.
Tools and Features
You’ve switched to an external display because of its powerful assistant tools. These monitors provide you with a wide range of features and tools that are particularly beneficial for filming. These tools include focus peaking zebras, false color waveforms, RGB parades, 3D LUT previews, audio meters, and horizon indicators.
An RGB Parade scope displays the levels of a clip’s red, green, and blue channels in waveform format. 3D lookup tables (3D LUTs) translate one color space to another.
A preview for an image on a monitor or digital projector is calculated using 3D lookup tables. The Small-HD and Atomos monitors are chock full of extra capabilities that are useful for creating films.
Touchscreens
An external touchscreen monitor is fantastic, as it allows you to navigate the screen more easily. Most of these monitors come with touchscreens with virtually identical touch sensitivity. Whether you need it for indoor or outdoor shooting or amateur or professional, it is up to you.
Comparison of Best External Camera Screen
IMAGE | MODEL | BRIGHTNESS | SCREEN SIZE | COST | RATING |
 | Atomos Ninja V | 1000 nits | 5″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
 | Blackmagic Video Assist 5″ 12G HDR | 2500 nits | 5″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
 | PortKeys BM5 III | 2200 nits | 5.5″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
 | Feelworld FW279 | 2200 nits | 7″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
 | Andycine A6 Plus V2 Camera Field Monitor | 450 nits | 5.5″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
 | Lilliput A7s Full HD Monitor | 500 nits | 7″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
 | Desview R7 Full HD Field Monitor | 1000 nits | 7″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
 | Neewer F100 Camera Field Monitor | 450 nits | 7″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
 | Atomos Shinobi | 1000 nits | 5.2″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
 | Atomos Shinobi 7 | 2200 nits | 7″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
 | Atomos Shogun 7 | 1500-3000 nits | 7.2″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
 | Feelworld F6 Plus Field Monitor | 500 nits | 5.5″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
 | Feelworld T7 Camera Field Monitor | 450 nits | 7″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
 | SmallHD Indie 7 | 1000 nits | 7″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
 | SmallHD Cine 7 | 1800 nits | 7″ | CHECK PRICE | / 5 |
Let us explore each of the listed external camera screens.
Best External Camera Screen in 2022
Here’s a list of my recommendations for the best external camera screen on the market.
Atomos Ninja V
Top-rated external camera screen
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1920×1080 resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 1000 nits brightness
- 5″ screen size
- Touchscreen & Recording
- 12.7oz (360g) weight
- HDMI (2.0) 4Kp60 input and output
- 3.5mm stereo microphone
- 3.5mm headphone
- Remote jack
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
The Atomos Ninja V has become the industry standard since its release in 2018. It’s a preferred option among beginning and professional videographers and filmmakers because of its beautifully calibrated 5-inch HDR display, its compatibility with 4K 60p ProRes HQ, H.265, 4:2:2 ad DNxHR, and its popularity.
The Ninja V will also offer Apple ProRes RAW 6K, making it the only monitor of its kind. Other monitor tools like waveforms, false colors, HDR monitoring, and LUT support are available.
If you’re paying for features you can’t use with your camera, the Ninja V may be a bit much. If you want a monitor so you can watch your videos more efficiently, the Atomos Shinobi would be a better choice and would also save you money. The Atomos Shogun, which appears later on this list, has a large 7-inch screen that’s great for using with high-end cameras.
Blackmagic Video Assist 5″ 12G HDR
Excellent high-end external camera screen
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1920×1080 resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 5″ screen size
- 2500 nits brightness
- Touchscreen & Recording
- HDMI input and output
- BNC, SDI input, and output
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- USB-C (3.1 Generation 1)
- UHS-II SD card slot
- 14.5oz (410g) weight
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Blackmagic Video Assist is a high-end five-inch on-camera monitor. It is the only one that can capture Blackmagic RAW code video when shooting with a Pocket Cinema Camera model, aside from being the only one that can. It also provides 3D LUTs, professional scopes, exposure controls, and focus-assistance capabilities.
Blackmagic Video Assist is the only recorder in my roundup to capture Blackmagic’s RAW code video, which is recorded on the Pocket Cinema Camera Range. It’s also an excellent choice for Davinci Resolve editors who want to grade and edit Davinci Resolve’s RAW code video.
PortKeys BM5 III
Outdoor-friendly external camera screen
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1920×1080 resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 5.5″ screen size
- 2200 nits brightness
- Touchscreen
- HDMI and SDI input and loop output
- 12.4oz (351g) weight
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
The BM5 III might be the right option if you want a bright, contrasty on-camera monitor. Its screen is only 5 inches and doesn’t record video, but it has a brightness rating of 2200 nits, which is only beaten by the Blackmagic Video Assist listed above.
You’ll find the support of 3G-SDI, HDMI, HDMI-SDI conversion, and Bluetooth connectivity. In addition, other tools include precision waveform, zooming, color temperature, ARRI false-color mode, improved focus peaking, underscan, OSD flip, image capture, and 3D LUTs—all of which may be uploaded to a flash drive.
Using the Blackmagic Design Pocket Camera 4K or 6K, you can remotely control settings, including zoom, shutter speed, codec, focus, and screen resolution, via Bluetooth.
Feelworld FW279
Works great in direct sunlight
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1920×1200 resolution
- 16:10 aspect ratio
- 7″ screen size
- 2200 nits brightness
- 4K HDMI input and loop output
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- 12.9oz (365g) weight
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
The FW279’s large, bright, contrasty, high-resolution screen is ideal for shooting in direct sunlight. Excellent color accuracy is achievable thanks to the color calibration settings. Focus assist, zebra stripes, and histograms, among other monitoring tools, are available. It also works with DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
Andycine A6 Plus V2 Camera Field Monitor
Budget-friendly external camera screen
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1920×1080 resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 450 nits brightness
- 5.5″ screen size
- Touchscreen
- 4K HDMI input and loop output
- 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
- 8.3oz (235g) weight
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
The A6 Plus provides a lot of functionality at a reasonable price point. You can charge your DSLR camera using the 8V DC output or the SD slot to apply 3D LUTs. Histogram, false-color display, peaking filters, and more are available for video assist.
Lilliput A7s Full HD Monitor
Most affordable external camera screen
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1920×1200 resolution
- 16:10 aspect ratio
- 7″ screen size
- 500 nits brightness
- 4K HDMI 1.4 input and loop output
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- 11.3oz (320g) weight
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Lilliput A7s big-screen option is an economical alternative to other brands’ models, and it consumes 4K content despite its modest price. The A7s has a silicone case for protection, a sun shade, and a metal ball mount in the box.
It has all the overlays and functions you’d expect from an external monitor like focus-peaking, levels, histograms, and more, but it doesn’t have a touch-sensitive screen. With an ergonomic scroll wheel, you can manoeuvre without difficulty. Its interface is not as old-fashioned as other options in my list, but you can prove your footage or pictures on it without problem as long as you are okay with old-school inputs.
Desview R7 Full HD Field Monitor
Great external camera screen
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1920×1200 resolution
- 16:10 aspect ratio
- 7″ screen size
- 1000 nits brightness
- Touchscreen
- 4K HDMI Type-A (HDMI 1.4) input and output
- 3.5mm headphone output
- 13.4oz (380g) weight
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Desview R7 is one of the least expensive seven-inch monitors with a bright 400ppi screen for shooting outdoors. You may use the touchscreen or buttons (if you are wearing gloves) to operate it.
Professional shooters may use in-camera video editing to adjust Exposure Assistance, Focus & Composition, and Picture Styles. It works with DSLRs and mirrorless cameras from Canon, Nikon, and Sony.
Neewer F100 Camera Field Monitor
Lightweight and the portable external camera screen
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1280×800 resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 7″ screen size
- 450 nits brightness
- 4K HDMI input-output
- 30.5oz (866g) weight
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
The Neewer F100 is a large external camera screen suitable for a Canon camera. Screen resolution and brightness are low, but this external camera screen provides essential functions such as zoom assistance, scanning, and color peeking. It has several “extras,” including an AV/HDMI cable, a hot shoe ball head, a shoe mount, and a sun hood.
Atomos Shinobi
Perfect for Vloggers
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1920×1080 resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 5.2″ screen size
- 1000 nits brightness
- Touchscreen
- HDMI (1.4) 4Kp30 input and loop output
- 3.5mm stereo headphone output
- 7oz (196g) weight
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
The Atomos Shinobi is a lower-end version of the Ninja V. It has a Mirror mode for vloggers who need to capture video with a camera without a fully articulating screen (for example, the Sony A7 III). It’s also compact, lightweight, and bright enough for an exterior shooting.
The Ninja V can display HDR pictures that the camera’s LCD might not be able to display, and there are many display choices for the user-friendly menu system, such as waveforms and histograms. In addition to 1D and 3D LUTs, the SDI Shinobi can be locked with SDI sockets.
Atomos Shinobi 7
Perfect 7-inch monitor
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1920×1200 resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 7″ screen size
- 2200 nits brightness
- Touchscreen
- HDMI (2.0) 4Kp60 and 3G-SDI to 2Kp60 input and output
- 3.5mm stereo headphone out
- 20.4oz (577g) weight
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
The Shinobi 7″ is the big brother of the original Shinobi, boasting a much larger 7inch display and an excellent presentation screen for vloggers wanting to see their material. Its bright 2200-nit screen is a key feature here – but it also has much more to offer than just monitoring your video.
It has built-in Log conversion, so you can preview how your raw footage will look when edited, and you can even upload your LUTs through the built-in SD card slot.
Atomos Shogun 7
Perfect for Professionals
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1920×1200 resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 7.2″ screen size
- 1500-3000 nits brightness
- Touchscreen & Recording
- HDMI (2.0) 4Kp60 and two 12G-SDI (backward-compatible) input and output
- 3.5mm stereo headphone output
- 25oz (709g) weight
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Atomos has created a 7-inch version of the Ninja V to provide users with a durable and portable device for monitoring footage. The larger screen on the Ninja V will enable you to focus precisely from one end of the frame, allowing you to check focus more extensively. The real-time recording feature allows you to record ProRes RAW and CinemaDNG formats up to 4K resolution and monitor your video.
The Ninja V includes presets that allow you to accurately monitor exposure levels in the camera manufacturer’s Log video formats and display a precise translation on the screen. This screen is suitable for location and studio shooting because of its bright 1500nit and 15-stop dynamic range. It is ideal for cinematographers and multi-camera streamed productions.
Feelworld F6 Plus Field Monitor
High-quality external camera screen
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1920×1080 resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 5.5″ screen size
- 500 nits brightness
- Touchscreen
- 4K HDMI and Type-C input
- 4K HDMI and DC output
- 3.5mm stereo headphone
- 5.4oz (235g) weight
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
The Feelworld F6 Plus is geared toward professionals who want to use a Canon DSLR camera as an on-camera monitor. Its ports cover all the most popular input/output alternatives, and its Full HD screen resolution is supported. Feelworld’s rotational tilt arm allows you to view the screen from any vantage point, and its lightweight, compact design makes it highly mobile.
Feelworld T7 Camera Field Monitor
Affordable external camera screen
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1920×1200 resolution
- 16:10 aspect ratio
- 7″ screen size
- 450 nits brightness
- 4K HDMI input-output
- 3.5mm stereo headphone
- 11.3oz (320g) weight
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Feelworld T7 is a low-cost alternative to the FW279 that makes up for its lack of 2200-nit brightness with a large screen, slim design, wide viewing angle, and numerous monitoring features. It includes color calibration technology, a focus peaking filter, a histogram, exposure controls, and a false-color function.
SmallHD Indie 7
Big budget external camera screen
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1920×1200 resolution
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 7″ screen size
- 1000 nits brightness
- Touchscreen
- HDMI (Type A) input and output
- BNC (3G-SDI/HD-SDI) input and output
- SDI and HDMI embedded audio
- 1/8″ (3.5 mm) headphone output
- Barrel (10 VDC) power input
- USB 2.0 (Micro-USB) input
- 26oz (737g) weight
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
SmallHD’s Indie 7 camera monitor has a large, bright, crystal-clear display with touchscreen capability. It offers several video assist functions, including professional image analysis, advanced pixel zoom, color correction, and unlimited real-time 3D LUTs. The battery life is also adequate.
SmallHD Cine 7
Outdoor-friendly monitor
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1920×1200 resolution
- 16:10 aspect ratio
- 7″ screen size
- 1800 nits brightness
- Touchscreen
- HDMI (Micro, Type-D)
- 3G-SDI input and output
- 3.5mm headphones, USB 2.0, ethernet, SD card slot
- 20oz (567g) weight
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
The Cine 7 is a large, bright full HD touchscreen monitor suitable for outdoor filming. It provides framing aids and 3D LUT overlays but does not support 4K. In particular, assistant cameras, solo shooters, and directors may find this device a complete wireless monitoring or transmission solution.
FAQs about External Camera Screen
1. What is an external screen?
An external screen is mounted on the camera to look at what you’re shooting in real-time. Since inbuilt screens on these cameras are too small to focus correctly, external screens are an excellent option. These screens are larger and heavier than most cameras, but their benefits are worth the cost.
2. How to utilize an external monitor as a Webcam?
You must connect the USB cable to the monitor’s USB Type B port on the back and join another end of the cable to an open USB port on the computer. Once connected, the computer will take 10-15 seconds to recognize the webcam.
3. Which external screen should you use, 4k or non-4k?
There’s no point in paying for a 4k camera screen if all you want to do is check your to-do list. The screen size is only seven inches, so you most likely won’t be able to tell the difference between a non-4k camera and a 4k one. A 4k monitor will also cost you more money.
4. What is the purpose of a camera monitor?
To have a clear nail focus on your filming, you’ll need to have an external screen attached to your camera. Furthermore, external on-camera monitors are utilized to record externally and have some valuable tools that the camera does not have.
5. Does adding an external screen increase too much weight on the setup?
Although mounting an external monitor on the camera adds significant weight to the setup, its benefits in terms of accuracy and comfort are worth the cost. The average weight of an external monitor is less than 10oz, which is insufficient to handle.
6. Can you use your phone as a monitor for your camera?
There are a lot of great smartphones for shooting and editing videos in 4k in the marketplace. You can certainly do this. You only need a USB cable and an OTG adaptor to connect the camera to your mobile device. Several apps will assist you in doing this correctly.
You can follow the given below instructions to connect your phone or tablet with the camera monitor:
- First, connect the USB cable to the camera’s port
- Join OTG adapter to the other end and hook up your phone/tablet
- Then, switch on your camera and set it to Live View mode
Now, you can open your app of choice on your phone.
7. Can you attach a screen to a camera?
You can enhance your video recording experience by connecting external microphones, flash units, extra battery power, and other accessories to your smartphone screen.
Summary
Having an external camera screen can improve your videography process. Cameras typically have low-quality LCD screens, but an external screen will significantly boost resolution, size, brightness, and contrast.
You’ll be able to shoot outdoors, even in direct sunlight, quickly. In addition, you can use the touchscreen to control 4K and HD video recording and histograms, waveforms, and vectorscopes to ensure your footage looks just right.
I hope my list of best external camera screens helped you add a new dimension to your photography!
Related Articles:
Mark Dalio
Mark is a tech-obsessed serial entrepreneur who also enjoys reading and writing. He has a strong urge to keep learning and talking about technology, which led him to become an author. Mark has co-founded two successful startups, one of which was acquired in 2018.
