External camera screens are similar accessories that offer an extended view of the viewfinder for your camera. Even if you have a decent digital viewfinder on your camera, having a large display will certainly be beneficial as it will offer you a better perspective of your content. It is very helpful for content creators like vloggers and professional cameramen. Here are some great features that you can find on an external camera screen.
Screen Size: The only reason to buy an external screen for a camera is to get an additional viewing area for your viewfinder. Therefore, one of the most important parameters for the external camera screen is its size. You can easily find external screens that are as large as a tablet for your camera.
Resolution: Similar to any digital display, the quality available with the external camera screen is based on its digital resolution. The resolution will give you an idea about the number of pixels present in the unit area of the display. This way, you can understand the display quality of the screen and consider the perfect size for the resolution.
Panel Type: The digital panel also plays an important role while creating a digital image. As you may already know, color accuracy and calibration are very important for cameras and photography. Thus, we have only included digital displays that consist of an IPS panel so that you can get the best image quality at a certain resolution.
Today, we will be looking at some of the best external camera screens designed for professional cameras. These devices are highly versatile and are compatible with almost all devices. Thus, you can easily find hundreds of options compatible with your camera. But to find the best one amongst all, you must refer to our “Buying Guide” for the best external camera provided in this article.
Best External Camera Screen Chart
Best External Camera Screen Reviews
1. Neewer F100 7 Inch Camera
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Coming at the top, we have one of the most popular brands from our picks The external monitor from Neewer is right now being used by thousands of users. In the 1st position, we have the Neewer F100. This is a 7 inches wide external camera screen that features an IPS display panel with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution. This is also the most affordable option on our list, making it a perfect choice for casual users. It also features an aspect ratio of 16:10 with 450 cd/m² brightness levels. While these features are definitely attractive enough, there’s more. It supports up to 4K resolution output within an ultra-thin outer body. The thickness of the Neewer F100 is only 17 mm, making it one of the most portable options. With the screen, you will get advanced tools such as peaking focus assist, check field, center marker, and many more. Best Features
7 inches display HD 1280 x 800 pixel resolution 1-year warranty 450 cd/m² brightness levels 16:10 aspect ratio
Pros
Quite a large screen Most affordable external camera screen Suitable for outdoor usage
Cons
Resolution is not high enough for professional application
2. FEELWORLD DSLR Camera Field Monitor
FEELWORLD is also a popular brand for camera accessories. If you wish to get a high-resolution external display, then it might be the right choice for you. In the 2nd place, we have the FEELWORLD FW568. This is a 5.5 inches external display consisting of an IPS display panel with a standard FHD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution display. Due to the compact screen size, the FHD resolution offers comparatively more pixels per inch, and hence, better image sharpness. Also, it features Rec.709 color calibration and is suitable for almost all standard cameras in terms of installation. You can directly connect the FEELWORLD FW568 to even the premium range of 4K cameras and it will work without any problem. The mounting arm of the display offers 360 degrees rotation which is perfect for using it on the go. The FEELWORLD FW568 doubles the functionality by powering your camera via an 8.4 volts DC output. Thus, you can get an extended run time from your camera after installing the unit. Best Features
5 inches display FHD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution 1-year warranty 360-degree adjustment option Supports up to 4K input
Pros
A great choice for the price Compact screen with high resolution 709 color calibration
Cons
Size might not be suitable for all users
3. Lilliput Monitor With 4K Camera Assist
Outdoor accessories need to be durable and strong, especially if you are using one with a camera. For that reason, we have decided to include the following option from Lilliput. Lilliput A7s is our next choice for the best external camera screen. This screen also offers a 7 inches wide display which might be great news for a lot of you. But along with that, you will find the screen covered by a heavy-duty and durable cover that prevents damage via shocks and impacts. Other than that, the display is capable of Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution footage on the 16:10 aspect ratio display via the HDMI connection. The contrast ratio on the Lilliput A7s is especially good as it offers 1000:1 high contrast, which makes the darker area almost pitch black. Also, the brightness level of this display goes as high as 500 cd/m² which works perfectly with the high contrast ratio. Even with the durable packaging, the Lilliput A7s offers great portability as it weighs only 230 grams and fits in all carrying cases with 20.5 mm thickness. Best Features
7 inches display FHD 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution 1-year warranty One of the most durable options 1000:1 high contrast ratio
Pros
The display has 170 degrees viewing angle Weighs only 320 grams High-resolution option
Cons
Comparatively expensive for the size
4. FEELWORLD DSLR On-Camera Field Monitor
We have one more option feature from FEELWORLD. This is also a highly compact option which you might like for its portability. The FEELWORLD F5 is yet another great option featured by FEELWORLD. This is also a compact display with 5 inches display size and a Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution panel. Thus, you are bound to get high sharpness and color accuracy on this external display. To ensure the same, it also offers Rec.709 professional color calibration which will offer you the most accurate preview of your shot. You will also find a 360-degree adjustable arm on the FEELWORLD F5 that helps you to adjust the screen according to the position of the lens. It also works as a backup power option for your camera if you connect it via the 8.4 volts DC output port. Another great feature of the FEELWORLD F5 is that it includes some handy image analysis tools like focus assist, histogram, and other related tools. Best Features
5 inches display FHD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution 1-year warranty 709 professional color calibration, Handy image analysis tools included
Pros
Comes with a 360-degree adjustable mount Full HD resolution Sharp image quality is available
Cons
Compact display size
5. Timbrecod Camera Video Monitor
Moving onto the premium selection for external camera screens, we have one coming from Timbrecod. It offers many extra features for the price which are highly beneficial. If you are already investing in an external camera screen, why not buy one like the Timbrecod Video Monitor that offers almost all of the functionalities of your viewfinder. This display is completely accessible with touch and comes with a built-in 3500 mAh battery for a long standby time. With the touch access, you can zoom and adjust parameters such as exposure level and brightness easily. The brightness level on the Timbrecod Video Monitor is about 500 nits. This is not just an external camera monitor. It is basically an additional smart accessory for your camera as it includes tonnes of visual features such as waveform, scan mode, false colors, image flip, and much more. Still, the screen weighs only 488 grams, making it ideal for your accessory pack. You will be able to adjust the screen 180 degrees by rotating and within 360 degrees by tilting it. Such maneuverability makes it an ideal choice for vloggers. Best Features
7 inches display FHD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution 1-year warranty More than just a simple external screen REC-709 color calibration
Pros
The screen is highly adjustable Rich in terms of functionality 440 PPI pixel density
Cons
Not as slim as a couple of other options
6. Portkeys PT5II Touchscreen Camera
The brand Portkeys provides some of the reliable products when it comes to camera accessories. The PT5 touchscreen option is best suitable for people who are looking for economical options. It is equipped with three different types of high precision oscilloscope functions that include luma waveform, luma histogram and RGB waveform. The luma and EGB waveforms lets you check the before and after of loading a 3D LUT. This camera screen is equipped with some of advanced features that include menu transparency adjustment, histogram, brightness, audio meters, false colour, zooming and several others. It features a 5-inch OCR full-fit screen and a wide viewing angle of 178 degrees. It has light and slim design and weighs just 0.28lbs. Best Features:
Wide viewing angle of 178 degrees 1920 x 1080 resolution Custom RGB sharpness Full screen touch control Ultra-light in weight 1-year in warranty
Pros:
High precision oscilloscope functions 3D LUT advanced features No noise and beeps Screen automatically reorients when filliped
Cons:
The luma waveform is only green Histogram isn’t as smooth as waveform
7. ANDYCINE A6 Pro Camera Field Monitor
ANDYCINE is bringing yet another compact but premium choice to our selection. The following option from ANDYCINE is specifically designed for professionals who travel a lot for work. ANDYCINE A6 Pro is not a simple external camera display. Instead, it is a camera field monitor that basically offers the majority of necessary features that you find on a digital viewfinder. All of that is packed within a 5.5 inches compact display which creates the image at a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. And with the standard REC-709 colour calibration, you get the best colour quality and production-grade output with the display. You will also find a Sony F970power kit attached to the rear side of the monitor. This allows you to attach many additional accessories from the premium accessory collection in the market to the camera. There is a 4K output port provided on the ANDYCINE A6 Pro that allows you to use it as a 4K source for images. Thus, it can be connected to any 4K display and it carries the 4K image from the camera directly to it. Best Features
5 inches display FHD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution 1-year warranty Sony F970power kit design Offers accurate focus and exposure quality
Pros
Type C port for power Features a 4K output port Touchscreen display
Cons
The screen size should have been larger
8. VILTROX Camera Video Monitor
In the end, we are bringing one more high-quality option for your camera. The following external screen is made by VILTROX and offers similar features as many other premium options seen so far. Finishing off our list, we have the VILTROX DC-90HD camera video monitor. This is also suitable for high-end content creators and professional users as it has an 8.9 inches wide display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. The screen itself features control options like color temperature settings, peaking focus assist, monochrome, and so on to offer a high level of customization. You can power the VILTROX DC-90HD camera video monitor with either an AC adaptor or a battery. Within the package, you will find an NP-F550 battery and battery charger included with the VILTROX DC-90HD camera video monitor. Thus, it is ready to go right after unboxing. Once installed, you will be able to freely move the screen around thanks to the cold shoe adapter. As the monitor features an IPS panel, you will get a wide viewing angle on it so that you can get a nice preview even while taking a difficult shot. Best Features
9 inches display FHD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution 1-year warranty Camera video monitor Many features are included such as color temperature and zooming
Pros
Wide-angle IPS display panel One of the largest monitors Pixel density is good
Cons
Not suitable for casual photographers
Buying Guide For The Best External Camera Screen
Buying a digital display of any kind is a lengthy process. You have to consider a lot of factors such as the size of the display, the resolution and type of the panel, connectivity options, and much more. It stays the same for almost all types of displays whether you are buying a wireless monitor, a desktop monitor, or a handy external screen for your camera. With all of our picks mentioned above, we have mentioned the said factors to make the selection process easier for you. But if you are not aware of how these specifications affect the application of the screen, you must refer to our buying guide for external camera screens right now. In this guide, we will discuss these features in detail and tell you which option is best suited for your requirements.
Size and Weight
The size of any digital display is always a part of the conversation as it dictates the viewing distance for the said display as well as the amount of content that can be displayed at once. The size of the display also affects the aspect ratio and you might want to check the aspect ratio and make sure it matches with the one that you use for photography. Another important factor is the weight of the display which is also dependent upon its size. Naturally, larger screens are heavier in comparison with smaller screens. You need to factor in all of these points to get the perfect portable external screen for your camera.
Display resolution
The display resolution should always be considered before you buy a digital display. It is basically the capability of the display to generate an image of a certain quality. The display quality available on any digital display is limited to its resolution. For example, if you have a 720p HD display, you can only watch the content of the same quality from the display even if you use 4K or higher resolution content as the source. Therefore, you need to thoroughly consider the quality at which you operate and select the screen based on that. On our list, you will find external camera screens ranging within various resolution levels so that you can find a versatile range of options.
Brightness Level
The brightness level of a display is often ignored as most displays are used indoors where the display levels do not matter a lot. But for external camera screens, the brightness level becomes a very important factor. If you are going to use the camera outdoors and under bright sunlight, which are the ideal conditions for photography, you will definitely find high brightness levels of the external screen camera helpful. The brightness levels of an external camera screen are mentioned in the “nits” unit where higher is always better. High brightness screens also offer better viewing distance and are an ideal candidate for videography.
Additional Accessories
Along with the external camera screen, you also need to check what accessories are included within the package. In order to install the display over your camera, you will be needing a safe and secured stand that can hold the weight of the display without failing. Also, some additional accessories such as various types of cables, adjustable mounts, and mounting brackets are also equally important. If all of these accessories are included with the package, you will be able to install the monitor on your camera right after unboxing it. This eliminates the need for buying additional accessories later on which also saves additional expenses. Q. Why are external camera screens used? Even though a lot of professional as well as casual purpose cameras nowadays feature a digital display, it is simply not large enough for detailed observation. Professionals who pay attention to the smallest of details prefer using an external camera screen to get the best performance out of their cameras. It is basically a clone of the viewfinder and provides you with a larger preview of the image or video you are capturing. Q. Is it possible to use the external camera with a smartphone? Depending upon the connectivity options available with the external camera screen, yes. You can definitely use the same screen for your camera as well as your smartphone. Most external screens work via a USB connection for which you will need an OTG cable on your smartphone to power the unit. But, some devices also offer wireless connectivity which reduces the need for a wired connection with your smartphone. Q. Does an external camera screen affect the image quality? The external display basically mimics the functionality of a digital viewfinder. Therefore, it does not affect the data captured by the sensor or processed by the image processor. However, you will find noticeable differences in terms of image quality between the original viewfinder and the external screen. To put it simply, the viewfinder offers the true preview of the sensor whereas the screen offers a more realistic preview of how the image will appear on standard viewing devices.
Conclusion
Getting an additional screen for your digital camera is definitely a great addition to your setup. This handy device can be easily connected to any standard camera and offers you an enhanced preview of the content being captured by the sensor. It is definitely a great option for vloggers as they can check a realistic preview of the footage and check how it is going to appear on a standard digital screen. Here, you will find the best options for external camera screens within various budget ranges. If you are not sure which option you should pick, refer to our buying guide available just before. Or, you can simply get one of our recommendations given below.
Neewer F100 is the cheapest option available for an external camera screen and is perfect for hobbyists and casual users. It comes with an IPS display panel and offers HD 1280 x 800 resolution on the display. Even though it is a cheaper option, you will get a 7-inch display which is larger than most premium options. For professional users, we will recommend the VILTROX DC-90HD. It is the largest display from our picks as the display size available on this unit is 8.9 inches. It features Full HD 1920 x 1200 resolution which is also better compared to many other options and perfect for such a large screen. Another important fact is that this is still one of the budget-friendly options from our picks. Lastly, we will recommend the most premium Desview R7 Field Monitor which also happens to be the most premium choice from our picks. This is a special external monitor as you will be getting up to 1000 nits of brightness on it, making it perfect for outdoor usage even on a bright day. The screen size of the Desview R7 Field Monitor is 7 inches and it also offers 1920 x 1200 Full HD resolution.
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