Just as cameras are getting cheaper and more powerful, so are the key surrounding accessories that make our lives in the field so much easier. Finding a decent field monitor with good resolution at an affordable price has been a challenge for most shooters on a budget for quite some time. Yes, there are a lot of cheap monitors out there, but they often lack in build quality, connectivity, and professional monitoring features. Amongst the many new products that Blackmagic Design announced earlier in April during NAB, was their budget friendly – Video Assist 5-inch monitor, which has just started recently shipping.
Ikan has been making some awesome monitors and other DSLR filmmaking tools for some time, and they just announced a brand new ikan DH5 – a budget friendly 5-inch 1080p monitor for just $399!
ikan DH5 Features
- 1920 x 1080 Full HD LCD IPS Panel
- HDMI Input & Output
- Histogram and Audio Meters
- 3.5mm Audio Output
- Image Flip
- Includes Canon LP-E6 & Sony L Series (NP-F) Battery Plates
- HDMI (In/Out)
SUPPORTED VIDEO SIGNALS |
HDMI | 720x480i & 720x480p @ 59.94, 60 Hz |
720x576i @ 50 Hz | |
1280x720p @ 23.97, 24, 25, 29.94, 30, 50, 59.94, 60 Hz | |
1920x1080i @ 50, 59.94, 60 Hz | |
1920x1080psf @ 24, 25, 29.97, 30 Hz | |
1920x1080p @ 23.97, 24, 25, 29.94, 30, 50.94, 60 Hz |
SPECIFICATIONS:
Aspect Ratio: | 16 x 9 |
Backlight: | LED |
Brightness: | 450 cd/m2 |
Build Material: | Heavy Duty Plastic |
Color Depth: | 16.7 Million |
Color System: | PAL/NTSC/SECAM (Auto-Detected) |
Contrast Ratio: | 1000:1 |
Dimensions: | 5.5 x 3.2 x 0.7 in. |
Dimensions (Metric): | 142 x 82 x 20 mm |
Input Voltage: | DC 7V – 24V |
Inputs: | HDMI |
Operating Temperature: | 0°C ~ 50°C (32°F ~122°F) |
Outputs: | HDMI |
Pixel Pitch: | 0.01925×0.05775 (mm) |
Power Consumption: | 6W |
Resolution: | 1920 x 1080 |
Response Time: | 20ms |
Screen Size: | 5 in. |
Shipping Dimensions: | 3 x 14.75 x 7.75 in. |
Shipping Dimensions (Metric): | 76.2 x 374.6 x 196.8 in. |
Shipping Weight: | 2 lbs |
Shipping Weight (Metric): | 0.91 kg |
UPC Code: | 847983015382 |
Viewing angle: | 160° horizontal/160° vertical |
Weight : | .2 lbs |
Weight (Metric): | 0.1 kg |
On paper this monitor looks like a real bargain given the high resolution and variety of popular batteries you can use – such as the 5D mark II and III (LP-E6) batteries and the ever so popular NP-F series batteries from Sony. HDMI In/Out and progressive 1080p signal support is great for those shooting with small cameras like the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema camera or the Sony A7RII and/or the new Sony A7SII as those cameras do not feature SDI connectivity anyway.
In comparison to the Blackmagic Video Assist, which costs $495 but can also record onto SDXC cards in 10bit ProRes in Full HD, the DH5 from ikan is the same screen size – 5-inches and same resolution at 1920 x 1080, but does not have any recording functions. However, it is worth to note that it costs about $100-150 less, which is a good chunk of change for most. It would be interesting to see how the new ikan DH5 performs compared to the Blackmagic Video Assist in the coming weeks.
Here’s what you get in the box:
- AC Adapter
- Canon LP-E6 Battery Plate
- DH5 Monitor
- Screen Protection Film
- Screen Wipe
- Shoe Mount
- Sony L Series Battery Plate
- Sun hood
- USB Drive
Additional battery places for Sony BP-U, Panasonic D54 and Panasonic G6 batteries and more can be purchased separately for about $25. Funny enough, if $399 is not affordable enough for you, B&H are already selling the ikan DH5 for $349 ($50 Off List price), so grab one while you can at this price, as it will probably go to $399 soon.
B&H Links:
ikan DH5 5″ Full HD HDMI On-Camera Monitor – $349
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate partner and participant in B&H and Adorama Affiliate programmes, we earn a small comission from each purchase made through the affiliate links listed above at no additional cost to you.
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So, no LUT support here?
Sadly, not for $399
Any video review on this monitor yet? 🙂
Deal breaker is that it does not have a battery life indicator.
SmallHD’s 501/502 and 701/702 have indicators in percentages. This is huge for documentary filmmakers.
With the IKAN DH5 it can shut off on you due to battery drain during an important shoot/moment.