In recent years, with the development of technology and competition in the market, various manufacturers are pursuing the cost performance of camera monitors. Today I will introduce 2 cost-effective camera monitors. One is the Atomos Shinobi 7″ 4K HDMI/SDI Monitor, priced at $699; the other is the Portkeys BM5 III WR, priced at $749. They all have their own characteristics.
The most popular functions of the PORTKEYS BM5 III WR are the touchscreen and camera controls. With PORTKEYS BM5 III WR 5.5″ HDMI Touchscreen Monitor, you can set exposure correctly and focus accurately when shooting video directly by the touchscreen. This wide color gamut ultra-bright display monitor features a durable all-aluminum housing and HDMI / 3G-SDI inputs & SDI output. The included wireless control module provides Wi-Fi control for RED KOMODO and Bluetooth control for BMPCC 6K/6K Pro and 4K cameras. Wired control is available for select Canon, Blackmagic Design, Panasonic, Sony, and ZCAM E2 cameras. The BM5 III WR with Camera Control maintains the same reliable BM5 clarity, vivid color details, and dynamic touch screen camera control, and it offers touch focus for the KOMODO, the Panasonic BGH1, and the ZCAM E2.
The Shinobi 7″ 4K HDMI/SDI Monitor, like the Portkeys BM5 III WR, is a professional-grade camera monitor. Use Atomos’ Shinobi 7″ 4K HDMI/SDI Monitor, you can view your 4K/2K footage from cinema cameras like the Z CAM E2, Panasonic BGH1 or RED KOMODO. This 7″ on-camera monitor features a 1920 x 1200 10-bit FRC IPS display with a brightness of 2200 cd/m², which makes it suitable for use in both exterior and interior conditions. This larger model improves on the original Shinobi as it adds 3G-SDI input and loop output up to 2K60, HDMI 2.0 input and loop output up to 4K60, signal cross conversion, a camera control port, dual L-series battery slots, and future possibilities with its built-in USB and RJ45 ports .
The touchscreen Shinobi 7 runs the latest AtomOS firmware that features a variety of onscreen analysis tools such as multi-scope views, exposure, framing, focus assist, waveform, RGB parade, and histogram tools. It also features an SDI card input to load custom 3D LUTs, and it supports SDR and HDR viewing. The AtomHDR display technology allows you to accurately monitor your log gamma footage without having to view flat, washed-out images or use a LUT to compress the dynamic range and color space. The monitor supports popular log formats from Sony, Canon, Panasonic, ARRI, RED, and JVC cameras.
Also as professional-grade camera monitors, Atomos Shinobi 7″ 4K HDMI/SDI Monitor and Portkeys BM5 III WR have many similar parameters and functions. For example, their screen brightness is 2200nit, both belong to ultra-high brightness monitors. And they both features a variety of analysis tools such as multi-scope views, exposure, framing, focus assist, waveform, RGB parade, and histogram tools. But they all have their own unique selling points. Atomos Shinobi 7″ 4K HDMI/SDI Monitor has more powerful signal transmission capability and a large 7-inch screen. The screen of Portkeys BM5 III WR is 5.5 inches, which is smaller than 7 inches. Although both monitors have 3G-SDI input and output capabilities, the Atomos Shinobi 7″ 4K HDMI/SDI Monitor has better HDMI signal transmission capability. Atomos Shinobi 7″ 4K HDMI/SDI Monitor has HDMI 2.0 input and loop output up to 4K60, while Portkeys BM5 III WR only has 1080P HDMI signal input function. But the camera control function of Portkeys BM5 III WR is extremely powerful, it can control cameras by wire and wireless. There are different control methods according to different camera models, you can check the specific details on the product details page.
