Portkeys has just released the LH7C, a 7-inch monitor with a maximum brightness of 1,000nits, powered by MOVNORM OS, with all the monitoring tools you could ask for, and wired camera control capabilities. This monitor comes with Portkeys’ new TA03Y USB-C/HDMI combo cable, which lets you use a single cable from your camera to the monitor. So, let’s take a closer look at it!
Only a week after announcing a plethora of firmware updates for most of their on-camera monitors, Portkeys is already back with the LH7C, a new addition to their on-camera monitor lineup that can be seen as a bigger, brighter version of the LH5C.
Portkeys LH7C – features
The Portkeys LH7C features a 7″ LCD touchscreen with a maximum brightness of 1,000nits, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and a wide 170° viewing angle, which should make it daylight-viewable. The 1920 x 1080 resolution panel covers 100% Rec.709 and uses an 8+2 FRC 10-bit process, promising precise colors and smooth gradients with no banding.
The monitor measures only 17.6 x 10.3 x 1.8cm (6.93 x 4.08 x 0.72in) and weighs just 245g (8.64oz). According to Portkeys, the LH7C is up to 30% lighter than most competing 7-inch monitors.
Portkeys LH7C top and bottom. Image credit: Portkeys
All connections are found on the monitor’s underside, including HDMI in and out ports. The monitor supports resolutions up to DCI 4K at 24P, 4K UHD at 25P, or 1080P at 60P. Furthermore, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack, a 7-24V DC input, and a USB-A port for loading up to 20 custom LUTs and saving freeze frames.
At the top of the monitor, you’ll find four user-assignable buttons, a touchscreen lock switch, and a power switch.
Power-wise, the LH7C sips just 8W and can run off a standard Sony L-Series battery at the back of the monitor, or from the 7-24V DC input if you want to power it externally.
In terms of mounting points, you’ll find three 1/4″-20 mounting points with locating holes at the monitor’s bottom, left, and right sides.
MOVNORM OS powers the Portkeys LH7C. Image credit: PortkeysMonitoring tools
The LH7C runs on MOVNORM OS, which is Portkeys’ custom operating system. It features every monitoring tool you can expect, including:
3D LUT monitoring with HDMI output capabilities. Up to 20 custom LUTs can be loaded via the USB-A port.Anamorphic image de-squeeze with 10 standard aspect ratios, including 1.33x, 1.5x, 1.8x, and 2.0x, as well as custom ratios from 0.25x to 4.0x.Freeze Frame feature: allows users to save a frame to a USB stick and compare it with the current image signal. This feature is especially useful for stop-motion filming.Vertical extension: when shooting in portrait mode, the lower section of the image can be elongated. The stretch leg tool can also be output through HDMI.Focus tools include peaking, custom peaking frame, and gesture zooming functions, making pulling focus a breeze.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.Log Stops: this Portkeys exposure-monitoring tool uses the camera’s light-stop data. The LOG signal is automatically identified and divided into multiple exposure level zones. Each exposure level can be displayed in a customized mode (false color or zebra) and enabled or disabled. The current version supports Sony LOG auto-recognition matching. LOG auto-recognition matching for other brands will be updated in future firmware.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).
The LH7C comes with the new TA03Y combo cable. Image credit: PortkeysPortkeys TA03Y combo cable
As with other recent Portkeys models, the LH7C supports wired camera control for various Sony, Canon, and Panasonic cameras. It is compatible with well-known models, including the Sony FX3/FX30, the A7S III/A7 IV/A7V/A9 III mirrorless cameras; the Canon EOS R1, R5 Mark II, R6 Mark III; and Panasonic S1/S1R and S5II/S5IIX, to name a few.
However, wired camera control will now be easier thanks to the new TA03Y USB-C/HDMI combo cable included in the box. This ultra-thin (just 2.5mm) cable combines HDMI and USB-C connections on the camera side, merging video and control signals into a single plug for the LH7C. The cable supports video resolutions up to 8K.
Focus Tracking Frame feature for Sony shooters. Image credit: Portkeys
Once your camera is connected to the monitor, you can change ISO, aperture, shutter, white balance, AF mode, and hit record, all from the LH7C’s touchscreen. You can even set the camera’s focus area with a tap. Last but not least, Sony shooters get a new Focus Tracking Frame feature that lets you drag the AF tracking box directly on the monitor. According to Portkeys, support for other brands is coming soon via a free firmware update.
Image credit: PortkeysPrice and availability
The Portkeys LH7C is available now for $249. The monitor ships with a safety box, sunshade, the coldshoe mount, mini USB stick, screen wipe, two screen protectors, and the TA03Y video control cable.
For more information, please visit Portkey’s website here.
What do you think about the LH7C? Have you ever used Portkeys monitors? Do you like the new combo cable? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!