The thing with mirrorless cameras and DSLRs used for shooting video is that their LCD screens are not really reliable for focus and exposure. They were never meant for these either, but quite a few manufacturers have been making high quality viewfinders and monitors predominantly targeted towards such users. Sure, there’s a lot of them out there, but most really good ones are expensive and out of reach for many.
However, Alphatron, makers of the awesome EVF-035W-3G electronic viewfinder amongst other gear, are bringing out a couple of very affordable monitors for those on a tight budget under their Avtec brand name. The AVtec XHD070 and the AVtec XHD070 Pro both cost less than $280/£180 and feature ultra-thin 7-inch IPS displays with 1280 x 800 resolution and are packed with professional features for focus and exposure.
The ultra-thin & lightweight AVtec XHD070 ($249 at B&H) enables video shooters to focus clearly take out the guesswork from framing. Both monitors have brightness levels of 400 cd/m2, a 800:1 contrast ratio and 178° vertical and horizontal viewing angles making it a very useful tool when shooting video or stills.
The monitor also features an on-screen multilingual menu where you can adjust brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, to fine-tune your display. The default aspect ratio is 16:9 but you can easily switch to 4:3, Panorama or Automatic in the menu. For audio monitoring, the XHD070 features a built-in speaker on the rear and a headphone output on the front panel.
Features
- Lightweight 7″ IPS screen
- 1280 x 800 HD screen, PAL/NTSC color system
- Supports 1080i & 1080p
- Built-in speaker and integrated jack port for headphones
- Four assignable function buttons
- Firmware upgradable through USB
- AC/DC adapter with EU, UK, US & AU plugs included
- Detachable sun hood attachment & foldable sun hood
- Functions:
- Focus Assist
- Centre Marker, Safe Frame, Check Field,
- Camera Mode, Aspect Ratio,
- Image Flip, Pixel-to-Pixel, and Image Freeze
The slightly more expensive Avtec XHD070Pro ($279 at B&H) has, in essence the same 7-inch monitor, but adds more advanced image control features such as:
- Histrogram, Exposure (Zebras) & False Colors
Tech Specs
| Panel Size | IPS LCD 7.0 inch |
| Panel Type | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1280×800 (3.072.000 Pixels) |
| Backlight | LED |
| Dot Pitch | 0.11775 (W) x 0.11775 (H) |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Brightness | 400cd/m2 |
| Contrast Ratio | 800:1 |
| Response Time | 25ms |
| Viewing Angle | 89°/89°(Left/Right) 89°/89°(Up/Down) |
| Input Signal | Video / Audio / HDMI |
| Video Color System | NTSC 3.58 / PAL 4.43 |
| HDMI Support Format | 480i /480p /576i /576p 720p (60/59.94/50/30/29/25/24/23.98) 1080i (60/59.94/50) 1080p (60/59.94/50/30/29.97/25 / 24/24fps /23.98/23.98fps) |
| Headphone Output | Stereo 3.5mm |
| Input Voltage | DC:7.4~35V |
| Power Consumption | ≦5W |
| Unit Size (LxWxH) | 176 x 130 x 17 mm 6.93 x 5.12 x 0.67 inch |
| Unit Size (LxWxH) Incl. Sun hood |
180 x 132 x 43 mm 7.09 x 5.20 x 1.69 inch |
| Unit Weight | 0.29 kg / 0.64 lbs. |
| Installation Method | 1/4 inch bracket screw hole, can be easily connected to the hot shoe mount, tripod fixed installation |
| Working Temperature | -20°C～50°C / -4°F～122°F |
| Storage Temperature | -30°C～60°C / -22°F～140°F |
Included in the package:
- 1 AVtec XHD070Pro 7″ IPS Monitor
- 3 Battery brackets for NP-F, BP-U & LP-E6 batteries
- 1 AC/DC combi adapter with EU, US, UK & AU plugs
- 1 Sun hood attachment & detachable sun hood
- 1 Ball head with 1/4” camera screw
- 1 HDMI (to HDMI mini) cable & HDMI plug lock
- 1 Operational manual
I think these two monitors are quite sensible options for mirrorless shooters using the Sony A7s II or a Panasonic GH4, and while the former is now twice as more expensive as the latter, it’s always a good idea to save some money when buying kit. I can’t wait to get a chance to get one of these for a spin. To get yours use the links below.
Order Links:
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it’s a feelworld monitor, which has been around for a while. Then again, B&H/Adorama doesn’t carry third party ebay brands.
That’s interesting. In the UK, these two are under the Alphatron brand. Maybe it’s different in the States. Good tip, thanks
if you google “cineready CR-7HD” you’ll find the advanced version of this monitor (rebranded as cineready) even less expensive than the lower version of the AVTEC…