external lcd screen for dslr camera free sample

2023-01-03 12:32:11

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external lcd screen for dslr camera free sample

If you"ve just started out in video, on-camera monitors may seem like a luxury. Experienced videographers will tell you otherwise. As well as enlarging the display to make recording easier, lots of on-camera monitors can also improve your camera"s video output. Whether you"re shooting on a cine camera, a mirrorless, or a DSLR, an external monitor is a necessity if you want to get serious about filmmaking.

You might think you don"t want to add weight to your setup or make it any bigger but an on-camera monitor is worth it. The extra big display means when you"re shooting you can see a more accurate, live representation of your footage. Should there be a speck of dust on your lens or sensor, you"ll be able to tell much easier on a 7-inch screen rather than a 3-inch screen.

Some of the more high-end on-camera monitors not only increase the size of your display but can improve your camera"s video functionality. For example, when shooting with a Panasonic Lumix S5(opens in new tab) and an Atomos Ninja V external recorder, you can shoot 12-bit RAW instead of 10-bit 4:2:2 with its internal recording option. On-camera monitors are also great additions if your camera lacks features such as a fully articulating screen such as the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K(opens in new tab).

Even if you have features turned on such as focus peaking, zebra lines, and false colors, an on-camera monitor lets you apply frame monitors which can reveal flickers that smaller monitors might not. They also enable you to proof content and show other people on set without having to cram around a small screen.

In this list, we run through the best external monitors and video recorders around so you can get the big-picture experience before you hit your editing suite and it’s too late to re-shoot.

Since the release of the Atomos Ninja V back in 2018, it has become pretty much the industry standard in monitor recorders. It"s a popular choice among both budding and professional videographers and filmmakers thanks to its beautifully calibrated 5-inch HDR display and its ability to support 4K 60p ProRes HQ, H.265, 4:2:2 ad DNxHR. The Ninja V will also support 6K Apple ProRes RAW and it"s the only monitor of this size to do so thanks to a deal between Apple and Atomos. Other features include pro-level monitor tools such as waveforms, false colors, HDR monitoring and LUT support.

If your camera doesn"t support 4K, the Ninja V might be a bit overkill as you won"t make the most out of the features you"re paying for. If you"re just after a monitor so that you can view your video easier, the Atomos Shinobi would be a better option and it will save you money. Alternatively, if you"re shooting some serious projects and need something even bigger, the Atomos Shogun(opens in new tab) which appears later in this list sports a massive 7-inch screen, perfect for using with the best cinema cameras.

With the built-in camera control for various Canon, Sony, Panasonic, Blackmagic, and even Z Cam cinema cameras, this is a great option for anyone wanting a monitor that will help a filmmaker get the shot and be a very helpful visual aid in the composition process.

For a reasonable price, you get a great package that is built to withstand the vigorous day-to-day life of a filmmaker while on set, in the studio, or for on-the-go shooting. Paired with a tough travel case for ease of transport between shoots, great monitor features, and the ability for onboard audio monitoring, the PortKeys LH5P II is a great 5.5” monitor for anyone looking to up their game in the cinematography world.

If you"re just looking for an external monitor and don"t need recording capabilities, the Atomos Shinobi delivers the display quality of the Atomos Ninja V but at a fraction of the price. It"s the perfect choice for vloggers who shoot with a camera with limited screen articulation such as the Sony A7 III(opens in new tab) or the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K(opens in new tab) which has a fixed display.

The Blackmagic Video Assist 5-inch is the only recorder in our round-up that can capture Blackmagic"s own RAW code video introduced on its Pocket Cinema Camera Range and is an ideal option for any editors who use Davinci Resolve to grade and edit.

Announced at IBC 2019(opens in new tab), it excited video enthusiasts given its potential to tap into the RAW potential of compatible Canon and Panasonic cameras - Blackmagic is in talks with both manufacturers to ensure Video Assist works well with their products.

This is the big brother of the original Shinobi, offering a much larger 7inch display - and billed as the movie directors and focus directors, but also as a great presentation screen for vloggers wanting to see clearly what they are recording. Its bright 2200-nit screen is the key attraction here - but it also does much more than just monitoring your image. With HDR capability - it offers built-in Log conversion, so you can see what your raw footage is likely to look like when edited, and you can even load up your own LUTs via the built-in SD card slot.

external lcd screen for dslr camera free sample

Having an external camera screen is helpful for videographers or still photographers. There are several advantages, including better screen resolution and visualization. And an external camera screen gives you a larger display and better viewing angle options.

The Atomos Ninja V is our top choice for external camera screens. You can record 4K video at 60 fps with internal playback. And it has all the features and ports you need for high-quality photography and video recording.

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An external camera monitor can be a game-changer for shooting video or stills. It gives you more freedom and flexibility. So they help improve your photography and videography.

First, you’ll see a quick rundown of our list of the best camera monitors. In the next section, we’ll look at each camera screen in more detail. And the final section looks at some key features you must consider when buying an external camera screen.

The maximum screen resolution is only 1080p. But it can still record 4K video at 60 fps and display anamorphic lens footage with 2x, 1.5x, 1.33x, or Panasonic’s 4:3 aspect ratio.

In fact, the Atomos Ninja V can even improve the quality of footage your camera can shoot! For example, if you have a Panasonic Lumix S5, you can shoot 12-bit RAW instead of 10-bit 4:2:2.

Many features are also available, including multi-level exposure tools andwaveforms. There’s a built-in vectorscope. And you have tools for focus peaking, zebra stripes, and a false-color function.

It also has built-in playback options. So you can review your latest shots without exporting the media files to another device. And you have inputs for sound recording equipment.

The downsides are the lack of a touchscreen and the fan’s noise. But it’s a lightweight external camera screen for DSLR and mirrorless cameras. The performance is excellent. And the price is reasonable for the quality.

The real strength of the FeelWorld FW279 is its large, bright screen. It’s contrasty. And the high resolution is perfect for shooting outside in direct sunlight.

The color calibration settings allow excellent color rendition. There are plenty of monitoring tools, like focus assist, zebra stripes, and histograms. It’s also designed to work with most DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

It’s a lightweight external camera screen. That makes it easy to attach to your DSLR camera rig or stabilizer setup. And there’s no need to transfer the media first.

The display isn’t a touchscreen, which is a drawback. But you get a lovely 160-degree viewing angle. This wide-angle view gives you more viewing options. And it makes it easier to get the exact shot you need.

If you’re looking for a bright, contrasty on-camera monitor, then the Portkeys BM5WR may be the right choice. Its brightness rating of 2200 nits is only beaten by the Blackmagic Video Assist listed below.

Its screen is only 5.5 inches, and it can’t record video. But it offers excellent connectivity, supporting 3G-SDI, HDMI, HDMI-SDI cross-conversion, and Bluetooth.

Other valuable tools include precision waveform, zooming, color temperature, ARRI false-color mode, and improved focus peaking. It also has underscan, OSD flip, image capture, and 3D LUT features.

When used with the Blackmagic Design Pocket Camera 4K or 6K, the Bluetooth connection lets you remotely control settings. These settings include zoom, shutter speed, codec, focus, and screen resolution.

It’s also made with toughened glass. This means you get a productive viewing angle and extra protection. It’s why it’s one of the best camera screens for outdoor shooting. Plus, the 1000:1 low contrast ratio is another spec that improves its use outdoors.

The Lilliput A7s is the most affordable 7-inch on-camera monitor if you don’t need to record your footage. It has buttons and a scroll wheel rather than a touchscreen.

It also fits onto a DSLR hot shoe, can cope with 4K video (with loop-through HDMI output), and has two customizable function keys. It offers similar bells and whistles to more expensive on-camera monitors.

The camera monitor has a good 170-degree viewing angle. It’s also lightweight yet durable. And you get a Velcro sun hood, silicone case, and ball mount included.

The Blackmagic Design HDR monitor is at the top end of the market for on-camera monitors. Plus, it’s the only one that can capture Blackmagic’s RAW code video. (When you shoot with a model from its Pocket Cinema Camera range.)

The screen resolution is Full HD. So it’s an excellent external screen display. It’s a good option for high-quality video recording. This monitor allows you to capture 4K at 60 fps. And you can use it with pro-level DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

It has RAW compatibility. It has all the ports you need for professional recording. And it also offers 3D LUTs, professional scopes, exposure tools, and focus-assist features.

The screen is incredibly bright. The brightness adjustment goes all the way up to 2500 nits. And this strong illumination helps you see all the details of your shot. It also helps when shooting in direct sunlight.

It attaches to the hotshoe at the top of your DSLR or mirrorless camera. And it’s compatible with Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm, and Sony cameras. You can also attach it to a camera rig or gimbal. It also has an SD card slot built-in.

The A6 Plus monitor comes with a sun hood, carry case, and rechargeable battery set. And you can also use the 8V DC output to charge DSLR cameras. It’s the perfect camera monitor if you’re a beginner.

The Atomos Shinobi 5-inch is the little brother of the Ninja V. It doesn’t have recording capabilities. But it is good for a camera without a fully articulating screen (like the Sony a7 III).

It shares the Ninja V’s ability to show HDR pictures a camera’s LCD might not cope with. And there are plenty of display options, such as waveforms and histograms. Everything is easy to find in the user-friendly menu system. And it even supports 1D and 3D LUTs.

The Shinobi is ideal for vlogging cameras and social media creators. It’s a lightweight and portable LCD monitor. And there’s a special mirror mode for selfies and vloggers. The good battery life is another positive. And so is the reasonable price.

The Shinobi 7-inch is an excellent device when shooting photography in Live View. You can shoot from more angles. And its brightness allows you to shoot outside in bright sunlight. It also has HDR settings for even better image viewing.

The Atomos Shogun 7 is effectively a 7-inch version of the Ninja V. It is ideal for professionals working with the best cine cameras. And it’s for photographers who want external recorders with a large, bright HDR screen.

It offers real-time recording capabilities in 4K. And you can use formats such as ProRes RAW and CinemaDNG. Also, built-in presets can cope with camera manufacturers’ log video formats.

The screen has good brightness adjustability. You can go from 1500 to 3000 nits. That means you can work inside, in the dark, and outside in bright sunlight. You’ll have a detailed display no matter what the conditions.

The Shogun 7 is a lightweight and portable external camera screen. The touchscreen works well. And the interface is easy to navigate. The lack of buttons means there’s no alternative to touchscreen navigation. But it’s only a minor inconvenience.

We’re pleased to see this model has a touchscreen. That makes it simple and easy to use. You can also use it when wearing gloves, which is handy in cold weather. The menu systems are also straightforward and uncomplicated. And you can customize the shortcut buttons on the screen for quick access to your favorite features.

The external screen has a Full HD resolution. And it supports 4K video recording. That’s ideal when using 4K DSLR cameras. You also get custom imports for 3D-LUT to help you preview the shooting image.

Other useful features include a histogram, waveform, and vectorscope. There are color temperature controls. And it supports HDR monitoring for better detail inspection.

The specifications are excellent. But it remains a compact and lightweight external camera screen. It’s more expensive than the original R7. But the Desview R7 II camera monitor is well worth the extra money if you can stretch your budget.

It doesn’t have 2200-nit brightness. But it makes up for it with a large screen, slim design, and wide viewing angle (160 degrees). It is also a lightweight external screen. So it’s no burden when attached to your rig.

Despite being lightweight and compact, it’s a durable camera monitor. And it has a strong aluminum frame. This is reassuring when compared to some of the plastic-framed competitors.

The low-brightness level does let you down when shooting outside. But the Full HD resolution is sharp and vivid. The T7 can also cope with higher video resolutions. So you can pair it with your 4K camera.

The Feelworld F6 Plus is specifically designed for professionals using Canon DSLR cameras. The display supports Full HD screen resolution. And the input-output ports cover all the most popular options.

It has a built-in tilt arm that rotates 360 degrees. This means you can view the screen from any angle. And its slim, lightweight design makes it highly portable. So it won’t add much extra weight to your DSLR setup.

The screen is smaller than the 7-inch versions. But the Full HD resolution gives you a crisp and clear image for Live View and playback. The battery life is disappointing for a camera screen at this price. But overall, the F6 Plus does offer good value for your money.

The Neewer F100 is a basic monitor with a large screen. It’s ideal for beginner Canon cameras. It has various “extras,” including an AV-HDMI cable and a hot shoe ball head. You also get a shoe mount and a sun hood.

Screen resolution and brightness are limited. But this external camera screen does have a 1200:1 contrast ratio. It also offers basic features such as zoom assist, scanning, and focus peaking. These are excellent tools if you’re new to using an on-camera monitor for photography or video.

The F100‘s screen comes with a high-quality mental mount. It attaches to your camera’s hotshoe. And it’s strong and sturdy. So there’s no unwanted movement when viewing your picture.

The SmallHD Cine 7 is a 7-inch Full HD touchscreen monitor for professionals. It’s an all-in-one wireless monitoring or transmission solution. And it’s aimed at assistant cameras (ACs), solo shooters, and directors.

The bright, high-resolution screen is ideal for outdoor shooting. And its features include framing guides and 3D LUT overlays. The only problem is that it doesn’t support 4K recording.

The 1000-nit brightness and 1000:1 contrast ratio make it a good option for outdoor shoots. And the long-life battery allows you to work for longer without interruptions.

The Cine 5 has in-house software for its on-camera monitors. This gives you enhancement and editing tools without buying additional software. It is an expensive external camera screen. But it’s a pro-level piece of equipment for photographers and videographers.

There are several factors to consider when choosing an external monitor. These include size, weight, screen resolution, and brightness. It is also good to look for a touchscreen, recording capabilities, and the number of input and output ports available.

This is a trade-off. A smaller camera monitor will be lighter and more portable. But a larger one will give you a better view of your pictures or log footage.

These include the size and weight of your camera and how you plan to connect them. And you also want to consider whether you generally shoot handheld, with a gimbal, or from a tripod.

Screen brightness:If you’re going to be shooting outdoors in bright sunlight, you want something offering at least 1000 nits and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. This way, you don’t get washed-out colors or have to dash into the shadows to see your footage!

Resolution:This is essential. And we mean the camera monitor’s screen resolution and the footage’s resolution. Most monitors have a 1920 x 1080 (16:9) screen. But that doesn’t mean they can’t display or record 4K Ultra HD (UHD) video (a resolution of 4096 x 2160).

High-end DSLRs and mirrorless cameras now offer many monitoring tools to help videographers. They include zebra stripes and focus peaking. But an excellent external monitor will offer all that and more… plus the ease of use from a larger screen.

Two features that might be very important are touchscreen control and recording directly to the monitor. (The Atomos Ninja V, Blackmagic Design HDR, and the Atomos Shogun 7 can record.)

Wireless monitors have an added benefit. They allow you to walk around without being tied to the camera. Some even offer a “focus following” system. This lets you adjust the focus remotely from the camera monitor rather than the camera.

You also need to know which microphones and headphones you’ll use. And you want to determine whether your external camera monitor has all the right connections.

Some monitors are specifically designed to be on-camera monitors mounted on the hot shoe of a DSLR or mirrorless camera. It’s convenient if the external camera screen has a built-in “tilt arm.” It lets you spin the monitor 360 degrees (both vertically and horizontally).

Alternatively, you can link the camera and external monitor with an HDMI cable. And most monitors also allow you to “loop” footage to other monitors or devices. This is handy if you’re working with an assistant on set.

The Best External Camera Screen is the Atomos Ninja V 4K monitor. It provides a 5-inch, 1000-nit HDR display. And it gives you 10-bit color and a Full HD resolution. It offers great value. And all considered, it’s the best camera monitor right now.

We’ve provided plenty of camera screen options. There are options for indoor and outdoor shooting. And we have monitors for beginners, enthusiasts, and professionals. So you won’t fail to find a fantastic external camera screen that meets your needs!

external lcd screen for dslr camera free sample

The Feelworld Lut7 monitor is a great find for this price. The 2200nit Touch Screen is a MUST HAVE. I have been able to use it on bright, sunny, beach days without the need for an additional sun-hood because of how bright it gets. That brightness will also save you on those cloudy, overcast days. On-camera monitors tend to throw back a harsh, almost mirror-like, reflection where the Feelworld Lut7 is clean and easy to see (see video for an example and an unboxing). The 7inch screen is nice because it allows you to pull up other items like RGB Parade, Vectorscopes, Grids, Audio Levels, etc. and still have plenty of room to monitor your video (again see video example). This monitor has a lot of the professional features you would find on much pricier models at a more affordable price. False Colors, RGB Parade, Wave, Vectorscope, Audio Bars, Audio and HMDI Out, LUT support...I could go on an on. Again, for this price range it is a great monitor!

external lcd screen for dslr camera free sample

Are you stuck with a fixed LCD at the back of your camera which refuses to move? Or ever felt the need for a larger screen on which you can actually see if your subject is in focus while shooting a video?

Nearly all external monitors sold in the market today cost an arm and a leg. Yes, they do perform a heck lot of jobs and if you have the right camera for them, they will absolutely make your shooting life as easy as possible.

So remote framing and focus checks are a breeze and no more the pain in the posterior as they used to be before. I think you will relate to this if you run a YouTube channel that requires you to sit on a chair and talk to the camera.

Not much actually. All you need is a USB cable (this probably already came with your camera), an OTG adapter which can then be connected to your tablet or phone and an app.

There you have it. Now you should have a perfectly functional external monitor capable of so much more than your small little LCD ever was. Focus bracketing, exposure bracketing, time lapse, live histogram, geotagging to name just a few.

I did my due diligence and searched for an app which would work for most camera manufacturers and are also compatible with both Android and iOS devices but…..

It was overwhelming because of the number of camera bodies out there, the current firmware on them and then the phone or tablet one would use, and subsequently, their own software issues were too much to factor in.

Some apps just work with a certain set of hardware and some simply don’t. The best way to find if an app is the one which works the best for you is to try it.

Many apps on both the app stores advertise themselves to be the end all, be all solution for this. Do NOT trust them. Always go for the trial version first, use it for a week or two and then if you feel like it, pull the trigger and you may then think of buying the “pro” version of it.

Another thing to consider here is your own comfortability with the system. This might seem to be an excellent solution for people on a shoestring budget or for those who do not want to shell out a large sum of money just for a larger display, but it may not be what makes you feel one with the system.

App Recommendations:Field Monitor (paid) for iOS devices. However this only works with certain “hybrid” cameras such as the Panasonic Gh5 and Sony A7S Mark II. Make sure it supports your camera before buying.

external lcd screen for dslr camera free sample

I paired the Dewview R72 with my A7siii and to power, I used Sony NPF batteries. It"s a great upgrade when shooting handheld or with a gimbal to have such a large screen to compose shots. I loved how I was able to install my own LUTS with the included flash drive and now I can see how my shots will look before going into post. When going outside, the screen is crazy bright with 2600 nits of peak brightness and I can just slide my finger across the screen to be able to see my composition. It"s nice knowing I won"t be needing a sun hood.

This 7-inch monitor is a definite 5 star for being under $300, 2600 nits of brightness, and is a touch screen that is easy to use! Great job Desview!-Amazon

external lcd screen for dslr camera free sample

If you"ve just started out in video, on-camera monitors may seem like a luxury. Experienced videographers will tell you otherwise. As well as enlarging the display to make recording easier, lots of on-camera monitors can also improve your camera"s video output. Whether you"re shooting on a cine camera, a mirrorless or a DSLR, an external monitor is a necessity if you want to get serious about filmmaking.

Some of the more high-end on-camera monitors not only increase the size of your display but can improve your camera"s video functionality. For example, when shooting with a Panasonic Lumix S5 and an Atomos Ninja V external recorder, you can shoot 12-bit RAW instead of 10-bit 4:2:2 with its internal recording. On-camera monitors are also great additions if your camera lacks features such as a fully articulating screen such as the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K.

Even if you have features turned on such as focus peaking, zebra lines and false colors, an on-camera monitor lets you apply frame monitors which can reveal flickers that smaller monitors might not. They also enable you to proof content and show other people on set without having to cram around a small screen.

In this list, we run through the best external monitors and video recorders around so you can get the big picture experience before you hit your editing suite and it’s too late to re-shoot.

Since the release of the Atomos Ninja Vback in 2018, it has become pretty much the industry standard in monitor recorders. It"s a popular choice among both budding and professional videographers and filmmakers thanks to its beautifully calibrated 5-inch HDR display and its ability to support 4K 60p ProRes HQ, H.265, 4:2:2 ad DNxHR. The Ninja V will also support 6K Apple ProRes RAW and it"s the only monitor of this size to do so thanks to a deal between Apple and Atomos. Other features include pro-level monitor tools such as waveforms, false colors, HDR monitoring and LUT support.

If you"re just looking for an external monitor and don"t need recording capabilities, the Atomos Shinobi delivers the display quality of the Atomos Ninja V but at a fraction of the price. It"s the perfect choice for vloggers who shoot with a camera with limited screen articulation such as the Sony A7 III or the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K which has a fixed display.

The Blackmagic Video Assist 5-inch is the only recorder in our round-up that can capture Blackmagic"s own RAW code video introduced on its Pocket Cinema Camera Range, and is an ideal option for any editors who use Davinci Resolve to grade and edit.

Announced at IBC 2019, it excited video enthusiasts given its potential to tap into the RAW potential of compatible Canon and Panasonic cameras - Blackmagic is in talks with both manufacturers to ensure Video Assist works well with their products.

external lcd screen for dslr camera free sample

It occurred to me just another day that the iPhone would be a perfect (or at least almost) solution for tethered shooting with a DSLR camera. My pro Canon DSLR has a LCD screen that is only 2" in size and a little small for review images after they have been shot. I am not sure if this is the right forum for this question but I will post it to the camera forum also. So here are the questions I have:

1. From a color perspective, how good are the images displayed on the iPhone"s screen ? Is the screen fairly accurate in terms of color reproduction, white balance and all that good stuff that make screens more or less suited for photo reviewing ?

2. Are any of you aware of an app that will allow me to connect the iPhone to my DSLR (Canon EOS 1Ds Mk II) via cable and have the images on the iPhone"s screen as they are shot ? I have found OnOne Software"s camera remote app but it doesn"t do it. The app requires that the camera be connected to a computer and the iphone be networked with that computer to remote control the camera. Also I would like to know if there is any hardware available that would allow the iPhone to be held in place while connected to the hot shoe of the camera. Some kind of adapter where the iphone would be secured to the hot shoe in landscape mode and have a cable connect it to the camera. Any ideas ?

external lcd screen for dslr camera free sample

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external lcd screen for dslr camera free sample

Not everyone wants to shoot video, so it may seem unthinkable to spend around $1000 on an external video monitor/recorder. However, others find it opens up creative challenges every bit as satisfying as stills photography.

The more you shoot video, the more you"re likely to encounter (and find yourself needing) tools that are rarely provided on stills/video cameras. We"ll be shooting with a couple of the more common models over the coming weeks to see how they compare, but first we wanted to give an overview of why you"d even consider using one.

As the two-part descriptor suggests, there are two main benefits to using an external recorder: to get a bigger, more informative preview as you shoot and to capture better quality footage.

Understandably, most stills/video cameras have processors designed primarily for stills, and they also have to make significant compromises in the name of battery life and thermal management, since video isn"t their primary role. Also, for the most part, they"re designed to produce amounts of data that are manageable by consumers, and at bit rates compatible with (relatively) slow memory cards. This typically means heavily compressed video, usually using what"s known as a GOP (group of pictures) video codec, which only records a full image at select key frames while interpolating the in-between images based on changes between frames. H.264 is a common example of a GOP codec.

"As the two-part descriptor suggests, there are two main benefits to using an external recorder: to get a bigger, more informative preview as you shoot and to capture better quality footage."

External recorders, by contrast, are dedicated video capture devices built by companies that specialize in video capture. So, while they can"t improve the level of detail that your camera initially captures, they leverage the fact that your camera often captures more detail than can be recorded using the internal codec. As a result, you can capture video with fewer compression artifacts, and usually in formats that work smoothly with major editing software, such as Apple"s ProRes and Avid"s DNxHD and HR.

For example, most cameras output a more detailed 4:2:2 stream over HDMI, rather than the simpler 4:2:0 footage they can themselves capture and compress. Meanwhile the Fujifilm X-T2 will only output Log footage over its HDMI socket. Other cameras, notably Panasonic"s GH4 and 5, will output 10-bit footage and can"t capture their very highest quality footage internally.

External recorders also often support SDI connectors, a more robust type of connection typically used on pro video cameras. The latest recorders support Raw footage over SDI which means the recorder can continue to serve you if you move beyond your current camera.

Similarly, external recorders often have better audio capture capabilities than those baked into the mass-market capture formats used in many cameras. As with the video footage, this is primarily a case of having more space dedicated on the screen, lower levels of compression and a wider range of settings and connectors.

The monitor side of things, there are a lot more benefits than just having a bigger screen to see things with, though this in itself is valuable. The ability to see your scene on a larger screen makes it easier to spot small, distracting objects and check precisely where your focus is set. It can also help you better visualize the way your final footage will look, helping you make creative decisions such as choosing how much depth-of-field you want.

It"s also common for monitors to offer overlays and composition aids. For example, framing guides that show crops for different aspect ratios can be helpful if you intend to publish your work in something other than the camera"s native aspect ratio.

Also, freed from having to share battery power with so many other functions, external monitors can often be run brighter than the rear screen on your camera, making it easier to shoot outdoors.

But just as significantly, external devices often include useful monitoring tools that go beyond those offered in most cameras, both in terms of the range of tools available, and the precision with which they can be configured.

It"s becoming increasingly common for cameras to offer focus peaking, to check where the point of perfect focus is, but zebras, which highlights an area of a certain brightness, are still not universal. External recorders offer these features, often with greater control over their settings. The ability to choose to highlight a typical skintone brightness or everything exposed over 90 or 95% brightness, makes achieving consistent exposure much easier.

Focus peaking is becoming increasingly common on cameras, but external monitors can offer more subtle control over color and threshold, to make it easier to fine-focus.

The other feature common on external recorders that we"ve only seen on a couple of cameras is the ability to apply color and gamma curve correcting look up tables (LUTs) to Log video in real time. This means that you can shoot gradable, but washed-out-looking, Log footage but with a preview that approximates the finished result, so you end up looking at something much more visually meaningful.

There are a series of exposure and color analysis tools widely used in video production, collectively known as "scopes." These are very rare on contemporary stills/video cameras, but are hugely useful for assessing your setup.

A waveform display is a tool to help visualize luminance/exposure. It"s common on pro video equipment as well as in video editing software. Rather than a histogram, which just tells you how many pixels hold each brightness value, a waveform tell you where those pixels occur in the image. The waveform diagram shows the brightness values for every column of pixels in the image: dark at the bottom, bright at the top.

Videographers like to use waveforms because it"s easy to visualize both exposure and contrast across the frame. This is particularly helpful for judging exposure at a particular location, such as a subject"s face. It"s also pretty common to have a choice of Luminance or separate R,G,B waveforms (known as an "RGB Parade"), for judging color balance and per-channel exposure.

The luma waveforms shown here are representing the ColorChecker on our test scene. There"s a thin, bright peak on the far left, representing the sliver of white that just crept into shot, then there are six columns representing the six columns of color patches on the ColorChecker.

The other common video tool is the Vectorscope, which can be used to evaluate color information in the image, such as hue and saturation. Getting accurate color straight out of camera (as well as matching it between shots) is particularly important when shooting video since Raw video capture hasn"t yet arrived in hybrid cameras. It"s a bit like shooting JPEGs – you only have so much latitude to adjust things in post.

False Color paints regions of the image to reflect their brightness. There"s a fairly standard scale, red for clipped whites, purple for crushed blacks, green for middle grey and pink for skintones.

Finally, one feature we"ve not seen on any camera yet is False Color, which is a little bit like having multiple zebras active at the same time. Most brands use a similar scheme in which tones around middle grey are painted green, one stop above this (the approximate brightness of Caucasian skin tones) is painted pink, near clipping is yellow, clipped is red, near black is blue and crushed black is purple. The result is a riot of color but with a bit of experience, it gives you a very easy way to interpret your exposure.

Some external devices let you review and tag your clips before you get back to your computer, again speeding up the initial step of organizing your footage.

Although each of the tools offered make it easier to set your shot up perfectly, this more precise way of working can also risk slowing you down. Also, the added weight and bulk of carrying a second device around with you makes it much harder to run-and-gun with an external monitor.

On top of this, it"s much less likely that you"ll go unnoticed. Even a relatively small monitor/recorder makes your setup look more professional and consequently more obtrusive. This is not the look for Guerrilla film making.

Also, although external devices don"t need to share their battery power with so many other functions, it still takes a lot of power to run a screen and capture and compress video. Even the models with fans tend to run hot and hit their batteries hard, meaning you"ve got more recharging to plan and worry about.

But, given the amount of planning that goes into anything beyond the simple grabbing of clips, this additional consideration isn"t that onerous. For a bit more planning and setup time, an external recorder can help you get the very best out of your camera.

$1000 isn"t a trivial amount of money but, for a great many photographers, it"s an amount they"d justify spending on a lens. Just like a lens, an external recorder can help expand the range of things you can do with your current camera. It"s also brand agnostic, so unlike a lens, it"s very likely to work regardless of what camera you buy next, and will help boost the quality of everything you shoot, not just the things you can use a new lens for. And that"s got to be worth it, hasn"t it?

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We are proud to announce the release of the of the pro version of our EOS Webcam Utility software for Windows and Mac, which lets you turn your compatible Canon EOS camera into a high-quality webcam using only a USB cable.

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Some of the best portable screens available today are found on smartphones, especially iPhones. For many years Apple has been pushing ahead with gorgeous OLED display tech with accurate colors as well as high brightness and contrast. If only you could use it as an on-camera monitor when shooting video.

Well, you actually can according to filmmaker Jason Vong. There are a couple apps available for select cameras (Sony in this example) that will allow you to preview your image on an iPhone or Android device—and you don’t have to pick up the expensive Sony Xperia PRO to do it.

Sony users looking to monitor their camera with a phone should first check out the Sony Imaging Edge Mobile app or the Monitor+ app. Sony’s basic app is the best place to start if you are just trying this out.

It offers control over all your key settings in addition to giving you a wireless feed from the camera. There are grid lines available and a tap-to-focus functionality.

You also can’t make changes to the Picture Profile and there aren’t any advanced monitoring features like peaking or zebras. It’s just for basic monitoring.

You can even do things like change codecs, frame rate, Picture Profiles, and more. If you are on Android you can even connect over USB for eliminating some latency. There still isn’t pinch to zoom or playback.

There is a way to unlock some additional features – a one-time $18.99 payment for the Pro version. That’s not the cheapest price for an app, but cheap monitors will run easily over $100.

Pro unlocks incredibly useful features, including zebra, false color, peaking, LUT preview, and anamorphic de-squeeze. A manual focus pull is an option as well. For more fun, you can use the Apple Watch app to check your shot and hit record from your wrist.

If you don’t want to spend any money then Imaging Edge Mobile is likely the best pick. If you are looking to get something closer to a true monitor then the <$20 for Monitor+ Pro is worth it. Still, for the best possible monitoring, you’ll want a dedicated monitor.

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Wouldn’t it be great if you could just plug whatever camera you have on hand into your live stream and immediately start broadcasting? Unfortunately, depending on the camera you use, it’s not that simple. Because not all cameras are created equal.

Clean HDMI output is crucial to a successful live stream — and not every camera has it. You need to know what clean HDMI video is and if your camera allows it before you begin broadcasting. Luckily, this article gets rid of the guesswork for you.

These terms refer to various camera settings and how they appear on a video feed from a particular camera. Consider the on-screen indicator lights, graphics, and other data elements that appear on a camera’s view and screen. These aid the photographer or videographer by providing relevant information like battery percentage, autofocus, resolution, frame rate, shutter speed, and more.

When you plug your camera into a computer, a video capture card or encoder, or connect it to the internet another way, you’re most likely using a HDMI cable. This cable passes along all the info you see from the camera viewfinder. This includes the video footage itself, as well as the camera icons and viewfinder overlays the camera is placing on the screen.

These icons, however, “dirty” up the screen and can’t be stripped out from the video recording later. That’s why it’s important to “clean” up your video beforehand.

A clean HDMI output, or clean HDMI out, is a video feed that doesn’t contain any camera icons, setting graphics, or data indicators displayed over the video itself. It’s a live signal straight from the camera sensor, through an HDMI connection, to its intended destination. Clean HDMI signals are naturally uncompressed and come in industry standard resolutions such as 1920 x 1080 (HD) or 3840 x 2160 (UHD 4K).

While dirty HDMI isn’t technically an official term, a dirty or not-clean HDMI output is where the graphics appear on-screen and are baked into the video feed itself. They can’t be removed after you’ve finished filming. If you live stream with a dirty HDMI out, the camera icons will be stuck on your video forever. Oftentimes dirty HDMI signals are designed to fit the aspect ratio of an LCD on a camera — so they’re also likely to include wonky resolutions that may not be compatible with other video equipment, like switchers, recorders, or encoders.

Having a clean HDMI output matters because every camera is different. Your camera’s settings may differ from the next broadcaster’s. Your live stream needs to be free of distractions and unnecessary camera icons overlaid on your video. Otherwise, your broadcast will be cluttered, unappealing, and no one will want to watch it. All this is dependent on what kind of camera you have.

It’s also important to have clean HDMI if you’re going to be using a professional camera as a webcam for things like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet calls.

If you want to see a list of the cameras we recommend that all contain clean HDMI outputs, start with our collection of the best cameras for live streaming. All of our favorites in this guide have clean HDMI out.

You might want to dig a little deeper and see what else is available. Fortunately, Elgato continually updates a list of cameras that do and do not have clean HDMI outputs. It’s still a safe bet to research the product specs yourself and contact the manufacturer if need be.

Because they’re so common, people often have a DSLR camera laying around and want to start live streaming with it instead of buying a camera solely dedicated to streaming. Which brings us to a great question…

DSLR cameras are a great example of why a clean HDMI output is important. DSLRs are very versatile in the AV world and allow for pro photography and videography, but there’s a catch: some are nearly useless for live streaming.

It’s more common for beginner or lower-level DSLRs and other cameras to not allow for a clean HDMI output. They often have display icons overlaid on top of the camera feed to aid the photographer while shooting. However, these graphics don’t go away when you live stream with these DSLRs, which means your viewers will see all the icons and data indicators as they watch your broadcast. And nobody wants that.

However, higher-tier, prosumer, and mirrorless cameras will more often have clean HDMI out. If you have a high-end DSLR like the Sony Alpha 7 III, Canon EOS R, or Panasonic Lumix S5, then it will give you a clean video feed. That’s why it’s always important to check before you begin filming.

There are a few ways you can see if your camera has clean HDMI out: First, conduct a monitor test. If that doesn’t do the trick, dig into your camera settings. If you’re considering purchasing a camera and you’re unsure about its output capabilities, it helps to Google your camera"s specs, or even check out camera tests, unboxing, and review videos on YouTube to verify it can give you a clean signal.

This is the easiest way to see if your camera has clean HDMI. Connect your camera to a TV or other external monitor (like a computer monitor) via HDMI. If you don’t know which type of HDMI cable you need to do this, check out our guide to the different types of HDMI cables.

Then turn on the camera and monitor and see what’s being displayed on the monitor screen. What you see on the monitor is exactly what your live streaming audience will see when you broadcast with that camera. Are there icons and data indicators displayed? Then you don’t have clean HDMI. Is it free of graphics overlaid on top of the video? Then your camera has clean HDMI.

However, if you perform the monitor test and don’t have a clean HDMI output, don’t worry. There’s another way you might still be able to get a clean feed.

Some cameras have actual settings that let you enable or disable a clean HDMI output. These may not be obvious, especially after performing a monitor test. Sometimes these settings are buried inside menus and other options, but it’s worth it to check. (You don’t want to have to buy a completely new camera, only to later find out pressing a couple buttons could’ve saved you from that purchase, right?) Keep reading to see how to do this on your camera.

Your camera may give you the ability to clear icon overlays and turn off display graphics. Accomplish this by entering the Settings menu on your camera’s LCD screen or pushing physical buttons on the camera body itself.

Sadly, there isn’t a universal setting across all cameras, and options vary from model to model. Clean HDMI isn’t always used in camera menus, either. Fear not — our list of terms below will help you search for the right settings.

Brian Worley from p4pictures has a great blog post on certain DSLR settings for live streaming with clean HDMI. Check out his blog on enabling clean HDMI for Canon EOS cameras.

In an ideal world, if your camera allowed for manual clean HDMI output, it would just have a bright, big button labeled Clean HDMI that, once pushed, gave you a clean video feed for broadcasting live video. The camera gods don’t allow that, though.

Know your camera. You may have to do a few other things to keep overlays from cropping up. For example, with certain Canon DSLRs, you need to shut off Auto Focus (AF) to get a clean HDMI output.

A clean HDMI output is an uncompressed, unaltered video from your camera that doesn’t include any of the type indicators or icons you might find on a camera’s viewfinder or LCD. Clean HDMI signals are preferred for live video streaming, multi-cam live production, and external recorders.

The easiest way to test your HDMI output is to plug your camera into a TV or monitor. You’ll be able to see if your signal is clean. If not, it may help to refer to your camera’s manual to figure out how to disable on-screen displays.

For many consumer and prosumer cameras, you can go into your camera’s HDMI settings and turn off on-screen displays (OSD). If you can’t find that setting, it may be worth researching your camera’s brand/model and seeing if it has a clean HDMI output setting.

Most name-brand action cameras from GoPro and Sony have the ability to send a clean HDMI signal to an external switcher, encoder, or recorder. Before buying an action camera, do some research online to see if that model can output a clean signal.

Most prosumer mirrorless cameras have clean HDMI output, but may require you to dive into your camera’s settings to turn off any on-screen indicators you’ll see on your camera’s LCD. Before making a buying decision on a live streaming camera, make sure to research your camera’s HDMI output capabilities.

Congrats! Now that you know how to have a clean video feed running from your camera to your live stream, you’re on your way to making the best broadcast possible. But there’s always more to lea

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