SmallHD's Tiny 5" 1080p Monitor Just Got a Cheaper HDMI-Only Version

The SmallHD 502 is one of the smallest, lightest, and sharpest external monitors out there. With HDMI, HD-SDI, and cross-conversion (and a number of other features), it's got a ton of stuff packed into a tiny package. But for people who don't really need or want the HD-SDI, they've just announced a new version, the SmallHD 501, which ditches the HD-SDI ports to shave $300 off the price, bringing everything down to $900. You can also get it for $1,200 with the loupe/viewfinder attachment at some point soon, but the monitor itself is shipping right now.

For a quick recap, here was their launch video for the previous 502 — most of the features are identical with the 501 except for the HD-SDI (and cross-conversion to go along with that):

And a look at the specific features of the 501:

• 5" 1920 x 1080p Screen (441 PPI and 85% NTSC Color)
• Framing Guides, Focus Assist, False Color, Zebra, Histogram
• Waveform, Vectorscope, RGB Parade
• Pixel Zoom (2x & 4x with smooth pan via joystick)
• 3D LUTs with LUT Downstream (So you can send a separate non-log image out of the HDMI port)
• HDMI (in), HDMI (out), Accepts signals up to 1080p 60fps
• Takes 2 Canon LP-E6 Batteries (Voltage Range: 6 - 8.4 volts)
• Audio: 1/8in Mini Stereo Headphone
• SD Card Slot
• USB 5V Port at .5A 
• Power Consumption: 6 Watts 
• H/W/D: 2.9" (7.37cm), 5.8" (14.73cm), .8" (2.03cm)
• Weight: 7oz (198.45g)
• Price: $900 and Shipping now ($1,200 with loupe)

The panel on the monitor does look pretty good as we saw it during NAB 2015 (and I'm sure some of you already own the 502). I'm personally not as crazy about the viewfinder attachment, but for bright environments or when you prefer operating with a viewfinder, it's going to be an option, and the profile stays pretty thin even when the optical piece is attached:

If you're looking for the original with all the bells and whistles, the 502 is also shipping now.

SmallHD 501

SmallHD 502