Important Reasons Why Every Filmmaker Need A Camera Monitor

A Camera Monitor is one tool that can make or break your shot in the filmmaking and creative industry. While built-in screens on cameras serve a purpose, external monitors have become indispensable for creators aiming for professional level output.

But what exactly is a camera monitor, and why is it a must have for videographers and cinematographers alike?

What is a Camera Monitor?

A camera monitor is an external display that connects to your camera via HDMI or SDI. It gives you a larger, sharper, and more color accurate view of what your camera sees. This helps you frame, focus, expose, and review your footage in real time. Unlike your camera’s built-in LCD, an external monitor offers advanced features like waveform monitors, focus peaking, zebras, and LUT previewing.

Why Camera Monitors Matter: Key Benefits

Better Framing and Composition

The small screen on your DSLR or mirrorless camera is often hard to view in bright light or from certain angles. A camera monitor solves this by giving you a bigger screen usually 5″ to 7″, to perfect your shot. Whether you’re shooting handheld or using a gimbal or tripod, this improved visibility allows for more deliberate composition.

Accurate Focus and Exposure

Manual focus is critical for professional cinematography. Camera monitors often feature focus peaking, allowing you to easily identify what’s in sharp focus. Combine this with zebra stripes and false color tools, and you’ll expose your image with precision, avoiding blown-out highlights or underexposed shadows.

On Set Collaboration

Monitors aren’t just for the camera operator. They allow directors, focus pullers, and even clients to see what’s being filmed in real time without crowding around the camera. This enhances collaboration and ensures creative alignment on set.

Color Monitoring with LUTs

Some external monitors allow you to load custom LUTs (Look-Up Tables) so you can preview your footage with a color grade while still shooting in a flat profile (like S-Log or C-Log). This helps you visualize your final look on set, reducing guesswork and improving decision-making during production.

Recording and Playback Options

Higher end camera monitors are not just display, they double as external recorders, offering higher bitrates, ProRes/DNxHD recording, and playback for quick reviews. This elevates both the shooting and post-production experience.

Practical Use Cases of a Camera Monitor

Vlogging: A flipout monitor makes it easier for solo creators to stay in frame and maintain eye contact with the lens.Interviews: Camera monitors help frame tight close ups and monitor focus while ensuring proper lighting.

Live Productions: With multiple camera setups, external monitors keep your footage consistent across all angles.

Drone Filming: Monitors provide clearer visuals when piloting drones with mounted cameras.

Cinematic Shoots: In narrative work, the DP, director, and 1st AC rely heavily on monitors to maintain creative and technical control.

What to Look for When Buying a Camera Monitor

Size & Resolution: A 5” to 7” Full HD screen is ideal for portability and clarity.

Brightness: Look for 1000 nits or higher for outdoor visibility.

Input/Output Ports: Ensure compatibility with HDMI or SDI, depending on your camera.

Power Options: Choose monitors that support standard batteries like NPF or accept D-Tap power.

Monitoring Tools: Focus peaking, false color, histogram, LUTs, and audio meters are essential.

Delivering sharp, properly exposed, and beautifully framed content is non-negotiable. Whether you’re shooting content for YouTube or a Netflix production, a camera monitor is more than just a luxury, it’s a necessity.