Why use an external camera monitor?

Why do you need an external camera monitor or monitor-recorder?

Using an external or mounted camera monitor offers a range of benefits for both professional and aspiring filmmakers, photographers, and content creators.  Some of the main benefits include:

1. Larger, clearer viewing

Camera’s typically have relatively small and low-resolution screens. A dedicated external monitor gives you a much bigger and sharper display than your camera’s built-in screen — making it easier to check focus, framing, and exposure accurately. Ultimately, the better you visualize your shooting, the better the content.  Atomos monitor and monitor-recorder options include 5-inch, 7-inch and 19-inch sizes, ideal for any type of shoot.

2. Accurate focus and exposure

Quality external monitors such as the Shinobi, Ninja and Shogun ranges, include a range of professional monitors tools like:

• Focus peaking – highlights areas in focus

• False color / waveform – for precise exposure

• Zebra patterns – for highlight warnings

• Histogram – for monitoring dynamic range

• Scopes, LUT preview, HDR support, and anamorphic desqueeze

These help ensure your shots are properly exposed, previewed in real-time, and carefully meet your creative vision.

3. Better color accuracy

Quality monitors are color-calibrated for accurate color representation. This means what you see on set is much closer to what you’ll see in post-production — essential for color grading and consistency across multi-camera shoots. The Atomos Shogun Classic and Sumo are ideal for multi-camera shoots with in-built switcher capabilities.

4. More comfortable and flexible viewing angles

Monitors can be mounted and adjusted however you like — ideal for shooting at awkward angles, handheld, or on gimbals. You’re not stuck with your camera’s limited screen movement. The Atomos camera mount and cold shoe mount are both ideal for supporting flexible viewing angles and mounting accessories such as lights and microphones.

5. External recording option

Recorder-monitors like the Atomos Ninja or Shogun ranges unlock and allow higher-quality recording formats such as ProRes RAW directly from your camera’s HDMI or SDI output — giving you better color depth, less compression, and more flexibility in post-production. Using ProRes RAW recording in particular maximizes the quality of footage from your camera senses while enabling flexibility and convenience in post.

6. Easier collaboration

A bigger screen, or screen not connected by a cable to the camera, allows directors, clients, or crew to see what’s being captured in real time without crowding behind the small camera screen. Using a transmitter (TX) connected wireless to a Shinobi 7 RX 7-inch monitor, allows collaboration with anyone near the set.  The Ninja TX models allow wireless connection via NDI to anyone with monitor connected to the NDI network.

7. Longer run times & reliability

External monitors have their own batteries, expanding the power options and reducing drain on your camera. This is particularly valuable when shooting outdoors, in nature, or long uninterrupted shoots.

8. Visibility outdoors and poor lighting conditions

High-brightness monitors (1,500+ nits) provide much clearer viewing of your footage in bright daylight conditions, making them perfect for outdoor filming, where camera screens are often too dim to see clearly.  Atomos camera monitors can be paired with accessories such as sun hoods to further support outdoor shoots.

Ultimately, to create superior video content, you need an external camera monitor or recorder to ensure you can better visualize, control, optimize, collaborate and more efficiently bring your creative vision to life.