There was a time when relying solely on the small, often awkward screen on my DSLR camera was a constant source of frustration. Trying to nail focus, check composition, or even just see what I was filming in bright sunlight felt like a guessing game. It wasn’t just inconvenient; it meant missed shots, poorly framed footage, and precious time wasted re-shooting or trying to fix things in post-production. Finding a reliable way to monitor my shots accurately in the field wasn’t just a convenience; it was a necessity to elevate the quality of my video work and ensure I wasn’t losing valuable moments due to technical limitations.
- 【Capture card integrated】Integrated capture card on the field monitor, support live streaming at the same time in zero latency,compatible with the platform of Skype, Facebook, Youtube, Twitch,...
- 【5 inch IPS touch screen】5 inch IPS display with 1920x1080 resolution, capacitive touch screen 4K HDMI 2.0 input, supporting up to 4K 60 Hz.
- 【3D-LUT】 Built-in 3D-LUT, featuring 17 default logs and 6 user logs, support portrait mode and landscape mode
What to Think About Before Purchasing a Field Monitor
Stepping up your video production game often means moving beyond the built-in camera display. A good field monitor essentially gives you a larger, brighter, and more detailed view of what your camera is seeing, making it easier to confirm focus, check exposure, and compose your shots accurately, especially outdoors. These devices are ideal for videographers, filmmakers, or even serious hobbyists using DSLR or mirrorless cameras who need a professional monitoring solution. If you’re only shooting casual clips with a smartphone, a dedicated on camera monitor is likely overkill. Before diving in, consider the size that fits your rig and shooting style (5-7 inches is common), the required resolution (Full HD is standard, 4K input support is a plus), brightness for outdoor visibility, and essential features like LUT support (for seeing corrected colours), focus peaking, false colour, and waveforms. Connectivity, particularly the type and number of HDMI ports, is crucial. Powering options (batteries, DC input) and mounting solutions also play a significant role in usability. Think about your specific needs – do you need recording capabilities? Do you require an HDMI output to loop signal? These considerations will guide you to the right monitor category.
- [ 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗢𝗜𝗙𝗨𝗡 𝗩𝗕𝟲𝟬𝟯 𝗯𝗮𝗯𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 ] 1. Larger...
- 1 - 360° Angle Covered - The P2T wifi camera has a 105° wide-angle enhanced lens, combined with 355° horizontal and 60° vertical rotation range, creating a complete 360° coverage.
- 1-【No WiFi Baby Monitors and 1000ft Long Range 】: With the advanced 2.4GHz FHSS wireless technology, your privacy is securely protected from hacker attacks - you don't need WiFi or apps when using...
Introducing the VIDEOGEAR 5” FHD Field Monitor
The VIDEOGEAR 5” FHD Field Monitor presents itself as a compact yet feature-rich solution for camera operators. At its core, it’s a 5-inch IPS display designed to give you a clear view of your camera’s feed. Its key promise is to provide professional monitoring tools like 3D-LUTs and HDR support, all wrapped up in a portable package. What really sets this monitor apart, however, is the integrated capture card functionality, allowing you to simultaneously monitor and stream live via USB. It boasts a 4K HDMI 2.0 input, handling up to 4K 60Hz signals, and features a capacitive touch screen for easy menu navigation. Compared to basic entry-level monitors, the inclusion of the built-in capture card is a significant differentiator, potentially saving you the cost and hassle of a separate device if live streaming is part of your workflow. This specific product is particularly suited for solo shooters or small crews who need a versatile tool for both on-set monitoring and live streaming or webcam use, but perhaps not for those who require HDMI loop-through or the largest possible screen size.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons based on my experience and features:
Pros:
* Integrated capture card for simultaneous monitoring and streaming.
* Responsive touch screen interface.
* Comprehensive monitoring tools (LUTs, HDR, waveform, peaking, etc.).
* Flexible dual-purpose battery plate (Sony NP-F & Canon LP-E6) and DC out.
* Supports 4K 60Hz HDMI input.
Cons:
* Some reports of potential quality control issues (units arriving faulty).
* Included cold shoe mount can be inconvenient, requiring tools for adjustment.
* Lack of HDMI output for looping the signal to another monitor.
* 5-inch size might be small for some users’ preferences.
* Glossy screen finish can be prone to reflections in bright environments.
Deep Dive into Features and Benefits
Having used the VIDEOGEAR 5” FHD Field Monitor extensively, I can speak to how its features translate into real-world usability and benefit my video production workflow.
Integrated Capture Card: This is perhaps the most unique selling point of this device. In the past, if I wanted to monitor my camera feed on a larger screen AND send that feed to a computer for live streaming or recording software, I’d need my monitor plus a separate HDMI-to-USB video capture card. The VIDEOGEAR monitor combines these functions. The HDMI signal comes into the monitor, and a USB 3.0 output sends the video feed directly to your computer. The claim of zero latency streaming is bold, but in my testing with common platforms like Zoom and OBS, the delay is negligible for practical purposes, certainly much lower than typical software-based capture methods. This integration simplifies my setup significantly, reducing cable clutter and the number of devices I need to carry and power. It’s incredibly useful for webcam setups using a high-quality camera or for streaming live events directly from my camera’s output while still having a physical monitor to keep an eye on framing and focus right next to the camera. The compatibility with major platforms means I don’t need complex workarounds.
5-inch IPS Touch Screen Display: The core function of any field monitor is the display itself. This 5-inch screen provides a Full HD (1920×1080) resolution, which is crisp enough for critical focusing on a screen this size. The IPS technology ensures good viewing angles, so you don’t have to be perfectly head-on to see an accurate image. While 5 inches is on the smaller side for monitors, it keeps the overall camera rig relatively compact and lightweight, which is a huge benefit for run-and-gun shooting or smaller camera setups. The capacitive touch screen is a game-changer compared to monitors that rely solely on physical buttons. Navigating menus, adjusting settings, or activating monitoring tools is quick and intuitive, much like using a smartphone. I can tap to focus (if my camera supports it over HDMI) or quickly swipe through settings without fumbling for buttons, which is particularly helpful when mounted in an awkward position. However, the glossy screen finish can be a bit of a pain in bright sunlight, despite decent brightness. It’s manageable with a hood (often sold separately or DIY), but a matte finish would have been preferred for pure field use.
4K HDMI 2.0 Input: Although the monitor itself is Full HD, the ability to accept a 4K signal at up to 60Hz via HDMI 2.0 is a significant advantage. This means I can use this monitor with most modern cameras, including those capable of outputting high-resolution or high frame rate footage. The monitor downscales the 4K signal to its native 1080p resolution for display, but it ensures broad compatibility with my camera gear now and in the future. The stability of the HDMI connection has been reliable, locking onto signals quickly.
3D-LUTs and Monitoring Tools: This is where the professional aspects of the VIDEOGEAR monitor truly shine. Shooting in flat or LOG profiles is essential for colour grading flexibility in post-production, but it makes the footage look bland and difficult to judge exposure and white balance accurately on set. The built-in 3D-LUT support allows me to load correction LUTs (it comes with 17 defaults and supports 6 user logs) to see a preview of the graded image on the monitor while still recording LOG footage to the camera. This is invaluable for visualizing the final look and making informed decisions about lighting and exposure. Beyond LUTs, the monitor includes a suite of professional tools: HDR preview (ST2084/HLG) is useful if shooting HDR; Waveform, Vectorscope, and Histogram help analyze exposure and colour distribution precisely; Peaking highlights in-focus edges; False Colour and Exposure tools indicate over/under exposed areas; and Markers help with safe areas and aspect ratios. Having these tools readily available on the touch screen makes critical analysis of the image much faster and more reliable than guessing based on the camera’s small LCD or viewfinder. They are indispensable for achieving technically sound footage. The support for both portrait and landscape modes is a small but thoughtful touch, particularly useful if you’re shooting vertically for social media content.
Flexible Powering Options: A field monitor is useless if it runs out of juice quickly. The VIDEOGEAR monitor features a clever two-in-one battery plate design that accepts both Sony NP-F series batteries (like NP-F550, F750, F970) and Canon LP-E6 batteries (used by many Canon DSLRs and mirrorless cameras). This flexibility is great because I likely already have one of these battery types for my camera or lights. Using larger NP-F batteries provides substantial run time. The inclusion of an 8V DC output port is another bonus – it allows me to potentially power my camera (with the right dummy battery adapter) or another small accessory directly from the monitor’s battery, further simplifying my rig and reducing the total number of batteries needed on a shoot day. There’s also a DC input if you have mains power available or want to use a V-mount/Gold mount adapter with a DC output.
Disadvantages Encountered: While the feature set is strong, there are a couple of notable downsides. Firstly, there seem to be some quality control issues, as evidenced by reports of units arriving faulty or not working correctly out of the box. This is frustrating and means you should definitely test the unit thoroughly upon arrival. Secondly, the included cold shoe mount is functional but basic. It requires a tool (like an Allen key or small wrench) to adjust the angle, which is incredibly inconvenient when you need to quickly reposition the monitor on your camera rig during a shoot. A mount with a quick-release lever or friction hinge would be a significant improvement. Finally, the lack of an HDMI output port is a limitation. You cannot loop the camera signal from the monitor to a second display (like a director’s monitor) or a wireless transmitter, which might be a dealbreaker for some multi-crew setups. For solo operators focused on monitoring and streaming, this isn’t an issue, but it reduces the monitor’s versatility in more complex production environments.
What Users Are Saying (Social Proof)
I’ve checked out what others who have purchased the VIDEOGEAR 5” FHD Field Monitor online are saying, and the feedback is somewhat mixed, aligning with some of my own observations. Several users have praised the monitor for working well, being suitable for smaller camera setups, and having a bright display. They appreciate the range of monitoring functions included, noting that it has all the features one would expect from a competent field monitor. However, some reviewers have reported significant issues, including units that did not function correctly out of the box, specifically mentioning problems with the HDMI input signal. The design of the included cold shoe mount was also criticized by users for being impractical and requiring tools for adjustment, which hinders quick repositioning. The lack of an HDMI output was noted as a drawback for those who needed to loop the signal.
Bringing It All Together
Struggling with your camera’s tiny, dim screen doesn’t just make shooting harder; it directly impacts the quality of your final footage. Poor focus, inaccurate exposure, and compromised composition are all consequences that can easily be avoided. The VIDEOGEAR 5” FHD Field Monitor offers a compelling solution to these problems. Its integrated capture card capability makes it a unique two-in-one device, perfect for workflows that include both monitoring and live streaming. The comprehensive suite of professional monitoring tools, accessible via the responsive touch screen, provides the accuracy needed for critical image evaluation on set. Add to that the flexible battery options, and you have a versatile tool designed to improve your shooting experience and the quality of your output. If you’re looking for a compact on camera monitor with the added bonus of a built-in streaming solution, the VIDEOGEAR monitor is definitely worth considering. To learn more and check it out, Click here.
Last update on 2025-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API