SmallHD announced the Focus this week at NAB. The Focus is SmallHD’s first 5 inch, touch-screen HD video monitor. Daylight view-ability (800 Nit Display = no Sunhood Necessary), touch-screen, and a mounting option coming in at only $500.
It is designed for use with smaller DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras (HDMI Only). This monitor also uses the same menu interface the 500 and 700 series monitors do which means you will be able to use all the same features like Peaking, LUTs, Waveform, Zebra, and much more.
The Monitor mounts to the top of your camera through the hot shoe with a 180° tilt mount. The mount also has an additional cold shoe mount located on the side of the arm as seen in the photo above so you can mount a microphone or even a small fill light. The compact size of this monitor makes it a great addition to a run and gun setup.
The hardest thing I found when using my SmallHD 502 monitor was the amount of LP-E6 batteries I needed to carry. But with the Focus you can travel even lighter than ever before. The Focus uses Sony L-series batteries that are more powerful and will last longer. You can even piggy back off the monitor’s power supply so you can power your camera (Dummy Battery Needed).
When the Focus begins shipping in early June 2017, we’ll be able to accurately stack it up against the Black Magic Video Assist which unlike the Focus actually has built in sdi.
Overall at this price range it is a great deal for someone looking to get a monitor for a smaller camera package like a Panasonic GH5 or even a Sony A7s II.
