Are you a budding vlogger looking to enhance your production quality? A crucial yet often overlooked aspect of vlogging is the screen you use – be it the one on your camera or an external monitor. Choosing the right Vlog Screen can drastically improve your filming experience, helping you frame shots perfectly, monitor audio levels, and ensure you’re always in focus. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to select the ideal vlog screen for your unique needs.
Why a Good Vlog Screen Matters
When you’re out and about filming, relying solely on the small, sometimes awkwardly positioned screen on your camera can be challenging. A dedicated vlog screen offers several key benefits:
- Improved Framing: A larger screen allows you to see the entire shot more clearly, ensuring you’re framed correctly. This is especially useful when filming yourself.
- Real-time Monitoring: You can monitor focus, exposure, and audio levels in real time, avoiding issues that can be costly to fix in post-production.
- Increased Confidence: Seeing yourself clearly as you film boosts your confidence and enables you to engage more authentically with your audience.
- Flexibility: Many external vlog screens offer features like touch controls, focus peaking, and waveform monitoring, which can significantly streamline your workflow.
Types of Vlog Screens: Camera Integrated vs. External Monitors
Before diving into specifics, let’s look at the two main types of vlog screens you’ll encounter:
Camera Integrated Screens
These are the LCD screens built into your camera. They are convenient, as they come standard with the equipment. However, they are not always ideal for vlogging, which may require a more flexible setup. There are a few key aspects to consider:
- Size: Many camera screens are quite small, typically 3 inches or less. This can be challenging when trying to frame yourself while vlogging.
- Articulation: Some camera screens flip out and rotate, allowing you to see yourself while filming. This is crucial for self-shooting.
- Touch Functionality: Touch controls can make adjusting settings and focusing much more intuitive.
- Resolution and Brightness: A screen that’s high-resolution and bright will be easier to see in various lighting conditions.
External Monitors
External monitors are independent devices connected to your camera, offering a separate, often larger screen for better viewing. These usually provide more advanced features.
- Larger Screen Sizes: External monitors often range from 5 to 7 inches or larger, providing a much better view of your footage.
- Advanced Monitoring Tools: Waveform, vectorscopes, focus peaking, and zebras are often included on external monitors to help you nail perfect exposure and focus.
- Improved Brightness and Resolution: Better visibility even in bright sunlight.
- Additional Features: Some external monitors include built-in recorders, scopes, and LUT loading capabilities for advanced filmmakers.
Key Features to Look for in a Vlog Screen
Whether you’re considering your camera’s integrated screen or an external monitor, these features are crucial:
Screen Size
A larger screen makes framing yourself and monitoring footage easier. If you’re vlogging primarily for YouTube or other digital platforms, the ideal range is between 5 and 7 inches. If you’re only using your camera’s built-in screen, opt for a camera that has a large, high-resolution LCD screen.
Resolution
A higher resolution screen ensures that the displayed image is sharp and detailed. Look for screens with a resolution of at least 1920×1080 (Full HD).
Brightness
Vlogging often takes you outdoors. A screen that is not bright enough will be difficult to see in sunlight. Aim for a screen with at least 400 nits of brightness, and preferably 1000 nits or more for outdoor use.
Touch Functionality
Touch controls can significantly improve the user experience, allowing you to quickly adjust settings, focus, and navigate menus.
Viewing Angle
A wider viewing angle will ensure that the screen image doesn’t change colors or get dark when viewed from different angles, especially when you need to film yourself.
Articulating Screen
If you are using a camera integrated screen, an articulating screen (flip-out) is crucial for vlogging so you can see yourself while filming.
Additional Tools
For external monitors, features like waveform, vectorscope, focus peaking, zebras, and LUT support will make the filming process much more precise and easy.
Choosing the Right Vlog Screen for Your Needs
Your choice will depend heavily on your personal needs and resources:
Beginners
If you’re just starting, the camera’s built-in screen, if it has the proper features, will often be more than enough. Look for a camera with a large, articulating screen that has good brightness and touch controls. If you have the budget, consider a small, affordable external monitor to help monitor focus and exposure.
Intermediate Vloggers
At this level, an external monitor becomes invaluable, especially if your camera has a smaller or less versatile screen. You will benefit from the advanced monitoring tools and the flexibility it provides.
Advanced Content Creators
Experienced vloggers will likely benefit from a high-quality external monitor with all the bells and whistles, including high brightness, a range of monitoring tools, LUT support and, perhaps, built in recording capabilities. This can help push the production quality significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vlog Screens
What is the difference between a monitor and a screen?
While the terms are often used interchangeably, a monitor typically refers to an external display with more advanced features like waveform and vectorscope. A screen usually refers to the built-in display of your camera or a basic LCD panel.
What size vlog screen is best?
For most vloggers, a 5- to 7-inch screen provides a good balance between visibility and portability. If you primarily film at home, you might prefer larger sizes.
Is a touch screen necessary for vlogging?
While not strictly essential, touch functionality makes the process much more intuitive and efficient, especially for beginners.
Can I use an external monitor with my phone?
Yes, some external monitors are compatible with smartphones. However, make sure both are compatible before purchase.
What’s a good budget for a beginner’s vlog screen?
If you’re relying on your camera’s integrated screen, budget anywhere between $500 and $1,000 for a good vlogging camera. If you opt for a basic external monitor, aim to spend between $150-$300.
How do I clean a vlog screen?
Use a microfiber cloth and a screen-cleaning solution that is safe for electronics. Avoid harsh chemicals.
How do I connect an external monitor to my camera?
You can connect an external monitor using an HDMI cable. Always ensure both your camera and the monitor are compatible with the resolution and frame rate.
“Investing in a good vlog screen is not just about seeing what you’re filming; it’s about enhancing your entire creative process,” says Elias Vance, a renowned video content creator. “It’s an investment that really pays off in the long run.”
Making the Final Decision
Choosing the right vlog screen is a very important step to improve the quality of your vlog. Think about your filming needs, your budget, and the different features that are crucial for your workflow. Whether you opt for a camera with a great built-in screen or add an external monitor to your kit, ensure that you choose an option that supports your creative process and elevates the quality of your content. The perfect vlog screen is out there waiting for you. Now, go out there and create your best work yet!
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for personalized advice on choosing the right vlog screen for your specific needs. We’re here to support you in enhancing your vlogging journey. Additionally, if you are new to vlogging, you might want to check out how to make a vlog with phone to get you started.
Conclusion
The right vlog screen is a transformative tool for any content creator. By considering factors like size, resolution, brightness, and additional features like touch controls and monitoring tools, you can make an informed choice that enhances both your filming experience and your content. Whether you are using the screen of your camera or adding a dedicated external monitor, it is important to make a decision that is aligned with your needs and budget. Remember, a quality vlog screen is an investment in your work and can make a significant difference in the final output. Now you are well equipped to go out and create some amazing content!
FAQ
What is the ideal brightness for a vlog screen used outdoors?
For outdoor use, aim for a screen brightness of at least 400 nits, with 1000 nits or more being ideal for direct sunlight conditions. This will ensure you can see your screen clearly and monitor your framing.
How does the screen’s resolution affect my vlogging?
Higher screen resolution means a sharper and more detailed image, which is essential for accurately judging focus, and exposure, and framing the shot. At least Full HD (1920×1080) is recommended.
Should I invest in an external monitor if my camera already has a screen?
Yes, if you want more flexibility in the location of the screen or more advanced monitoring tools. A camera’s built-in screen can be limited, especially for more advanced projects.
Are touch screen controls essential for a vlog screen?
While not strictly required, touch controls can make adjusting settings, focusing, and menu navigation faster and more intuitive, especially when filming yourself.
What other features should I consider when choosing a vlog screen?
Look for features such as a wide viewing angle, articulation (flip-out screen), and additional monitoring tools (focus peaking, zebras, waveform). Additionally, if you opt for an external monitor, consider if it supports LUTs and has a robust build quality.
Is there a difference between an LCD and an OLED screen?
Yes, OLED screens offer better contrast, deeper blacks, and wider viewing angles than traditional LCD screens, though they can come at a higher price point. If budget allows, they are the preferred option.
Can I connect my phone to an external monitor for vlogging?
Yes, many external monitors offer HDMI connections or can connect to your phone through a specific app, allowing you to view your phone’s screen on a larger display.
Additional Resources
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