The Portkeys LH5C is a professional 5.4-inch on-camera monitor with 800nits of brightness, HDMI video input/output ports, Rec.709 color and 85% DCI-P3 coverage, 3D-LUT output capabilities, and wired camera control features.
The Porkeys LH5C is the most affordable on-camera monitor on the market with wired camera-control capabilities. However, despite its price, this monitor features a 5.4” LCD touchscreen with 800nits brightness, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and a large 178° viewing angle.
The display has a 1080p resolution (1920 x 1152), and it covers 100% of Rec.709 and 85% of DCI-P3 color spaces. The LH5C comes with a 10-bit (8+2 FRC) panel for high color fidelity and no color banding artifacts.
With dimensions of only 13.5 x 8.2 x 2.2cm/5.3 x 3.3 x 0.8in for a weight of 178g/6.3oz, the LH5C is a slim and lightweight monitor that will fill like a natural extension of your camera body.
The Portkeys LH5C features one HDMI input port and supports input resolutions up to DCI 4K at 30p, and 1080p60. The HDMI input is adjacent to the 3.5mm headphone output on the left side of the monitor, while the right side features an HDMI output port (up to 1080p60), a USB-C 3.0 5V power input port, and a 1/4”-20 mounting point with anti-twist grooves.
At the bottom of the LH5C are a USB-A port to load up to 20 custom LUTs and save freeze frame images onto the included mini USB stick, as well as a micro-USB camera remote port. Also, there is another 1/4”-20 mounting point, perfect to mount the monitor on your camera via the included MH-2 cold shoe mount.
The back of the monitor features a built-in Sony L-Series battery plate and thanks to a low power draw of only 7.5W, a small Sony NP-F550 battery can power the monitor for close to 3 hours. Additionally, the USB-C 3.0 5V power input can extend the monitor’s usage time by powering it via a power bank, V-Mount or Gold Mount battery.
Lastly, the top of the monitor features a main menu/UI lock switch, a power indicator, and a power switch.
The Portkeys LH5C is powered by MOVNORM OS, a minimalist and easy to use user-interface, and it includes all of the professional monitoring tools to frame, expose, and even modify your image, including:
• 3D LUT monitoring with 3D LUT HDMI output capabilities. Up to 20 custom LUTs can be loaded via the USB-A port at the bottom of the monitor.
• Anamorphic images can be de-squeezed using 10 standard aspect ratios, which feature commonly used options like 1.33x, 1.5x, 1.8x, and 2.0x, along with the ability to input a custom aspect ratio ranging from 0.25x to 4.0x.
• The Freeze Frame feature enables you to save a frame onto a USB stick and juxtapose it with the current image signal. This freeze frame capability can be especially beneficial for stop-motion filming, for instance.
• The 360° color grader enables you to alter the Hue and Saturation of a selected area in an image. You can precisely detect and isolate a specific color range within the image and modify it.
• Vertical extension: when capturing images in portrait mode, it is possible to elongate the lower section of the picture. The stretch leg tool functionality can be transmitted to the HDMI output.
• Focus tools, including peaking, custom peaking frame, and gesture zooming functions, so nailing focus is as easy as possible.
• Image analysis and exposure tools, including RGB and Luma Waveform, Luma Histogram, Zebra, and customizable False Color with 13 different colors, including ARRI False Color.
• Framing tools: crosshair, check field, guides, grids, rectangle crop.
• Audio meters.
• Monitor adjustments: backlight, contrast, color temperature, sharpness, chroma, brightness, tint, HDR/HLG, and image flip (H/V).
Despite its compact size, the Portkeys LH5C features a dedicated CAMERA REMOTE interface, enabling professional wired camera control via a micro/mini USB, USB-C, or LANC control cable for supported models.
You can adjust key camera parameters directly from the touchscreen—making it a powerful yet accessible tool for independent filmmakers and small crews.
The LH5C enables you to operate various cameras from brands like Sony, Canon, Panasonic, Z CAM, and Blackmagic Design. It is compatible with well-known models, including the Sony FX3, FX30, FX6, and the Canon EOS C80 and C400, among several others.
After establishing the connection between the monitor and the camera, you have the ability to modify settings such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance right on the screen of the monitor. Additionally, for certain camera models, the LH5C features Touch Focus capabilities, enabling you to choose and adjust the camera’s focus point directly through the touchscreen.
You can effortlessly change your focus area with a simple tap. This functionality makes the LH5C a highly effective and efficient tool on set, removing the necessity to interact with the camera’s built-in screen or buttons to adjust settings, including autofocus settings.
Also, only available for Sony users for now, the Portkeys LH5C introduces a new autofocus feature: Focus Tracking frame. This feature lets you select and move your camera’s tracking frame box directly on the monitor’s touchscreen, making the LH5C feel even more like a natural extension of your mirrorless camera.
