Designed to be used with low profile DSLR and mirrorless cameras such as the Sony a6500, the SmallHD Focus is packed with awesomeness and is currently in a lot of shooters’ wish lists. The touchscreen functionality and 800 nit brightness makes it a highly desirable piece of kit, and SmallHD have also priced it very affordably at $499 US.
Unlike more conventional monitors out there, the SmallHD Focus features an innovative fiction-based L-shaped mounting bracket instead of the traditional cold/hot-shoe ball mount scenario. The unit can still be mounted to your DSLR/mirrorless camera via a ball-mount of course as it features a 1/4 20-inch mounting point in the bottom, but the SmallHD L-shaped solution is so much more elegant and it also allows a 360 degree tilt rotation.
SmallHD are also working on a swing-away accessory, which will help position the monitor side-ways so your AC or client can see, without compromising the cold/hot-shoe mounting mechanism. The L-shaped bracket is included and also features a cold-shoe on the side for mounting additional accessories such as compact LED lights or a compact shotgun microphones such as the Rode VideoMic Pro.
SmallHD have prepared an informative video on how to setup your SmallHD Focus:
SmallHD also offers an power-out option with popular dummy batteries for Canon LP-E6, Sony NP-FW50 for A7sII, a6500 etc., and Panasonic GH5. By using the power output on the SmallHD and the correct battery for your camera you can power both the monitor and the camera from the same NP-F L series battery.
SmallHD Focus Highlights
- 5-inch 1280 x 720 Display
- Touchscreen
- Micro-HDMI Input
- 800 nit brightness
- 10-Bit IPS LCD Panel
- 3D LUT support via SD card
- Sony NP-F (L-Series) Battery Mount
- 3.5mm Headphone Output
- Camera Power Output
- Swipe OS
- Includes FOCUS Tilt Arm
- Price: $499 (B&H, Adorama)
In my experience, SmallHD have some of the most intuitive and slick interfaces on their monitors. Having used the SmallHD 701 Lite and SmallHD 502 prior, their Page OS is really something.
The user-friendly OS is evolved into Swipe OS on the FOCUS given that the monitor is a touchscreen now; SwipeOS is the clever user interface on the SmallHD FOCUS monitor that allows users to access professional monitoring tools like Waveform, Focus Assist, and 3D LUTs with a simple swipe of a finger.
Much like the rest of the SmallHD on-camera monitor lineup, the FOCUS is packed full of professional-grade software including Anamorphic De-squeeze, Audio Meters, False Colour, Image Capture/Overlay, and more.
I think this monitor is going to be a perfect addition to any Panasonic GH5 or Sony A7s II setup. I am currently waiting on my SmallHD Focus order in the UK, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it hopefully soon.
Order links:
- SmallHD FOCUS – $499 (B&H, Adorama)
- SmallHD FOCUS Canon Bundle – $599 (B&H, Adorama)
- SmallHD FOCUS Sony Bundle – $599 (B&H, Adorama)
- SmallHD Focus Panasonic Bundle – $599 (B&H, Adorama)
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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