On Camera Monitor

Some accessories in video production and HDSLR filmmaking are so essential that they transcend being mere add-on gear, and become part of the camera system itself. One such item is an on-camera monitor. Sometimes referred to as a “video-assist monitor,” they’re used to help the camera operator (or assistant) focus the camera. There are literally hundreds of different monitors in this product category. This guide was created to familiarize you with common features and to explain the varied capabilities of these monitors so you can make an informed decision should you decide to add one to your kit.

• Why would I use an on-camera monitor?

The most obvious advantage of using an on-camera monitor is that it provides a larger screen than the one built into your camera. This extra LCD real estate is useful for setting up shots, shooting and reviewing footage. Larger screens are also far less fatiguing to watch for long stretches of time. A less obvious advantage is that the external monitor may offer a higher-resolution image than a camera’s built-in display. Many cameras can shoot stunning 1080p footage, but their built-in LCD screens are often limited to lower resolutions. In addition to screen size and higher-resolution capabilities, some on-camera monitors feature built-in tools that help you adjust exposure, achieve sharper focus and fully maximize screen real estate. More advanced on-camera monitors will feature additional inputs and outputs for video and audio, and some enable you to loop the camera’s signal to additional monitors or capturing devices.

• How important is screen resolution in an on-camera monitor?

Like televisions, one specification that separates different models of on-camera monitors is screen resolution. On-camera monitors are small, with screen sizes typically around four to seven inches. Casually viewing videos on small screens with low resolution may be fine for watching YouTube, but higher resolutions make a noticeable difference when you’re working on a serious video shoot. It can help you keep the image in focus, and you’ll have a better sense of light, color and contrast. Lower-quality monitors have resolutions of 320 x 240 and 480 x 230. Better quality on-camera monitors will have resolutions of 800 x 480, or even higher.

• What are some of the characteristics of on-camera monitor?

In order to answer this question and let you have better understanding , so, for example.

7" 3G-SDI Camera-top Monitor with advanced functions.

Color/RGB histogram, waveform, vector scope & Audio level meter,IPS panel 178° wide viewing angles,High resolution: 1280×800,High brightness: 400cd/㎡,High contrast: 800:1,3G-SDI input,Metal housing,POP-UP shortcut menu.

• On-camera monitors give you a larger screen than the one built into your camera.

• Better quality on-camera monitors have resolutions of 800 x 480 or higher.

• The Peaking function finds sharp lines in an image and highlights them with a color.

• One of the most useful jacks for an on-camera monitor for HDSLR video is an HDMI input.