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You've got a camera, and you're ready to start shooting. But how do you know what you're getting? You need a field monitor! A field monitor displays your footage as it's being recorded, so that you can see what's happening with every shot—and without having to pull out your phone or laptop every time. Having one of these devices is essential for any professional videographer or photographer; they offer the best way to check your work and make sure nothing went wrong during the shoot. And not all field monitors are created equal: some have better features than others while still costing less than $1,000 (unlike most professional monitors), which makes them perfect for independent filmmakers on a budget. Here are our top picks for the best-value field monitors available right now:
The SmallHD 702 is an excellent choice for the video professional looking for a portable field Camera Monitor. It’s small, lightweight and easy to carry on set. The high resolution display helps you see details even in bright daylight conditions. Like other models in its class, the 702 features built-in calibration controls that allow you to adjust color temperature and brightness levels with ease. And it includes unique features like peaking and zebra stripes that make it easier to control both exposure levels and white balance while shooting on location.
As far as quality goes, there are very few complaints about the 702; it offers good value for money at around $1,000 retail price point—which puts it right in line with other models from brands like Marshall or SmallHD itself (the 703). In addition to being affordable, customers say they appreciate how easy this monitor is to use—it has been designed so that anyone who picks up this device can immediately start getting work done right away without any training required! There’s also plenty of support available if something goes wrong with your unit: The company offers free technical support over email or phone calls 24/7 (just remember that calls will likely be answered outside normal business hours).
This is another great field monitor, though it has a smaller display than the ones above. It’s still big enough to be useful and not too small that you have to squint when you look at it. The 1,000 cd/m2 brightness and 800:1 contrast ratio make this monitor excellent for outdoor daytime shooting, even if there are some shadows in your shot.
The SmallHD 502 also has all of the standard features of an external monitor: built-in battery, SD card slot and USB port for importing media into your camera from cards or thumb drives (you can insert either one into each side). This monitor also has an HDMI port so you can connect it directly to a laptop or other device with an HDMI input like many smartphones or game consoles (if they have an HDMI output).
The Atomos Ninja Flame is a field monitor with HDMI, SDI and analog inputs. It can record video in resolutions up to 4K, supports 3G-SDI and HDMI outputs, and records up to 60fps. The monitor is also capable of recording up to 4K, 1080p or 720p at 8-bit color depth. If you need something more specific than that (e.g., you're looking for a field monitor that does only 1080i) then look elsewhere; if not then this might be the one for you!
Connex HD Video Link
This is a solid choice for a field monitor. It has support for 4:4:4 HD, which means you're getting the most out of your camera's signal and capturing more detail in your footage. In addition, it has HDMI and SDI inputs so you can use it with any of your cameras or recording devices. It also comes with an XGA 7" screen that gives you 1.5x crop resolution (1280 x 800 pixels), which matches up nicely with 1080p cameras like the GH5 or Sony FS7 II. The Connex HD Video Link has plenty of other great features as well, including HDMI/SDI loop through, USB charging port and 3G-SDI input if needed—plus a bunch more!
The Aputure VS-1 Fine HD 7" Field Monitor is a great choice for anyone who wants to have a full-featured field monitor that won't break the bank. It's small and lightweight enough to take with you almost anywhere, but doesn't skimp on features.
The 7" IPS panel provides a crisp image with 1920x1080 resolution and 14 stops of dynamic range, giving it some of the best contrast ratios in its class. The 1/4" CMOS sensor guarantees accurate colors and brightness levels from corner to corner on your screen, even when you're shooting off-axis or at an angle.
The VS-1 has multiple input options including 3G-SDI for high quality monitoring during shoots; HDMI for quick setup on set; 2x SDI outputs which allow you to connect additional External Camera Screen (such as the Aputure DEC 15); HD-SDI output for use with video equipment that accepts HD-SDI inputs; and SDI loop output which allows you to daisy chain multiple monitors together without needing any additional power sources or cables!
These are the best field monitors for video production:
SmallHD 702
SmallHD 502
Atomos Ninja Flame
Connex HD Video Link
Aputure VS-1 Fine HD 7" Field Monitor
Well, that’s our list of the best field monitors for photography and videography! If you’re looking for something a little more portable or just want to save some money, we recommend checking out the Atomos Ninja Flame or SmallHD 502. Both have great image quality and are easy enough to use on-the-go. The Connex HD Video Link is another good option if you need something powerful enough for outdoor shooting but still portable.
