
In contrast, modern shooters are more used to checking their frame on an external monitor. For example, some old-school filmmakers can’t separate their eye from a viewfinder.

However, prepare your wallet if you need a viewfinder with the same features and reasonable resolution.Ĭhoosing one or the other will depend on your shooting style and your needs for a specific job. If you choose to go the external monitor route, you can find a decent monitor without spending a fortune. An external monitor will also benefit some shootings where you need your crew to check the frame. That’s because you don’t need to put your eye on it, which is perfect for gimbal work or self-shooting, for example. While an external viewfinder gives you isolation, another point of contact and helps in bright sunlight, an external monitor gives you freedom. viewfinder: what’s the difference?ĭepending on your shooting style and needs, you could decide between an external monitor or an external viewfinder. It also comes with its own features, usually more advanced than the camera’s tools. However, cameras with an incorporated screen and viewfinder will also benefit from an external monitor, a perfect companion for custom configurations. An external monitor or an external viewfinder is a must for these cameras if you want to see what you shoot.

They are brains, naked cameras ready to be customized to your liking. Some cameras, like the Sony FX3, don’t have a monitor or viewfinder. Cameras, such as the Sony A7s III, come with viewfinders of outstanding quality. Luckily for us, things are changing in the recent camera generations. This is because they can lack features, resolution or both. The problem with many cameras is that their viewfinder’s quality is not great. It adds another point of contact, which can be helpful for run and gun situations and solo shootings. With a viewfinder, you also avoid issues such as brightness, flares, etc. A viewfinder is helpful because you feel more connected to the shot.
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Then you have cameras with a screen and an electronic viewfinder. This configuration is typical in compact cameras and models like the Blackmagic Pocket. Some cameras are ready to shoot and include a screen where you can access all the options, compose your shot and record. When we buy a camera, we can find different setups. Let’s see what to look for when buying an external screen for your camera, and take a look at the best camera monitors for every budget. An external camera monitor is one of the first tools you should add to your equipment if you want to improve how your videos look.
