PortKeys LH5P II Review

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The PortKeys LH5P II monitor is built like a tank, it feels solid and durable even right out of the box. It also comes with a pelican-style hard case that you can use to store it when travelling.

This bright 5.5″ on-camera touchscreen monitor from PortKeys is designed to add pro monitoring tools and control for Tilta Nucleus-N/M motors to your camera rig. It features a maximum brightness of 2200 nits and can support wired/wireless camera control.

Brightness

Add pro monitoring tools and camera control to your rig with the LH5P II 5.5″ 2200 nits LCD Touchscreen Monitor with Camera Control from PortKeys. This portable and lightweight on-camera monitor delivers a bright display and provides built-in camera controls for Sony, Canon, Blackmagic, Panasonic, and Z cam cinema cameras.

The Portkeys LH5P is an excellent choice for a small monitor that will be used to preview scenes and to aid in focusing on a subject, especially outdoors in sunlight or in an open studio. This monitor has a maximum brightness of 2200 nits, which is far brighter than the standard screens found on most DSLRs or video cameras. It is also capable of being used at full brightness without any issues, though it may use more electricity than a monitor with a lower brightness rating.

With a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a widescreen aspect ratio, the Portkeys LH5P is capable of showing high-quality images with clear details and smooth movement. It also features a number of essential filmmaking features, such as on-screen peaking, false colour, zebras, and waveforms, that are helpful for ensuring that you capture the best quality footage possible.

The Portkeys LH5P also offers a range of useful accessories, including an HDMI cable, a sunshade, and an arm to mount the monitor on your camera. The unit is passively cooled and does not have a fan, which makes it silent while in operation. It also has a robust and durable housing, which will stand up to the rigours of the field. It is powered by a single battery, which can be easily replaced when it runs out. The monitor comes with a hard case for storage and transport, which is a nice addition.

Contrast

This monitor has a very high contrast ratio of 2,200:1. This makes it easy to see images on the screen. You can also use the peaking feature to focus on specific areas of the image. There are several options for this including restricting the area where peaking appears and adjusting the overlay. Other useful features include zebras and false colour, as well as waveforms.

There is a built in HDMI input and output, a headphone port and a 3.5mm input for monitoring the HDMI feed via headphones. The LH5P II can be powered by a standard NPF style battery which clips easily and securely into the back of the unit. A mains power option is also available.

The Portkeys LH5P II is a great choice for anyone who needs a bright and powerful on-camera monitor with camera control functions. The build quality is excellent and the monitor works very well with a wide range of cameras. You can even add accessories from companies like Tilta to extend its functionality and usability.

The LH5P II is also very affordable, especially compared to other products in this price range with similar features. It is perfect for anyone looking to upgrade their mirrorless camera into a proper filmmaking rig. There are a lot of advanced monitoring and camera control features that make this a fantastic monitor for any filmmaker.

Viewing Angles

The LH5P II boasts a wide viewing angle of 178°, making it easy to read the screen from different angles. This makes it ideal for filming on the go as well as on set.

The monitor has various focus assist settings such as zebras, peaking and RGB waveform to help you get your shots in critical focus. It also features a 3D LUT import option for advanced color grading and achieving specific visual styles.

It is easy to control your camera using the monitor by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. This feature lets you access a full range of camera controls such as start and stop recording, ISO/ shutter/WB and more. This allows you to use the monitor as a replacement for your camera’s built-in screen.

Power

The PortKeys LH5P II is a solidly built monitor that looks like it can handle the day-to-day wear and tear of a professional filmmaker. Paired with a hard case to put it in when not being used on set, it’s a great addition to a filmmaking kit.

This 2200nit 5.5″ touch screen monitor adds pro monitoring tools and camera control to your camera rig. It’s compatible with Sony FS5, FS7, FX6, and FX9 cameras and can control them wired or wirelessly. The camera control feature allows you to access a full range of your camera’s menus using the monitor.

It also offers a wide variety of other useful features including peaking, false colour, waveforms and more. You can view and adjust these onscreen controls using the touch-screen or with the shortcut keys on the face of the monitor. The monitor has a maximum brightness of 1700nit which is plenty to see in most conditions. It may not be as bright as some of the other higher-end monitors in the market but it’s still an excellent choice.

Besides the HDMI input and output ports, there’s also an AUX out for connecting your own device (such as a mobile phone) to the monitor. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack to monitor your audio signal on the monitor and a USB port that doubles as a power output that you can use to power other devices or a battery bank.

One of the most interesting things about the PortKeys LH5P II is that it includes a built-in camera control function for Sony, Blackmagic, and Z-Cam cameras. To access this, simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen. This opens a list of all the compatible cameras with which you can control them with just a few taps.

Battery Life

The LH5P is operated using NP-F batteries which are not included but they are widely available in different capacities from online sellers. It takes about 1 year to wear out a battery if you use it continuously at full brightness (100%).

On the back of the monitor you will find HDMI in and out via passthrough, a 3.5mm audio output and a USB port that can be used for loading up LUTS with a memory stick or for firmware updates. A USB stick was provided in the box with some preloaded LUTS and operating manuals which is a nice touch by PortKeys.

Besides the basic monitor features you will also find some focus assist settings like zebra, peaking and RGB waveform which will make your life easier in the field when it comes to focusing. The monitor is passively cooled which means it does not have a built-in fan and doesn’t produce much heat so it can be comfortably used in warmer temperatures.

Another feature that is really cool and useful is that you can control your camera directly from the monitor by swiping up on the screen. It supports a wide range of cameras including Sony Alpha, FS/FX, BMPCC, Z-Cam Canon and Panasonic models.

The PortKeys LH5P II is a great choice for anyone who wants to add professional monitoring tools and camera controls to their DSLR, mirrorless or cinema camera rig. It is well-built, has a good range of connectivity options and supports a wide variety of cameras. There are also a lot of additional kits that can be used with it like focus and zoom pullers which will further improve the functionality and usability.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.