PortKeys LH5P II Review - HDMI Monitor with Wireless Camera Control! 

CONNECTION PROBLEMS Since installing the latest FX3 Firmware the method to connect via WiFi has changed. In order to be able to connect and control the camera you now need to go to Network>Network Option>Access Authen Settings and change that to Off. Once you've done that you should be able to connect and control the camera. > FIRMWARE UPDATE Portkeys have released firmware (LH5P-V3.07.09.C28.B34) Link: www.portkeys.com/download-category/lh5p-ii-firmware/ 1.Added image acquisition, image overlay, and custom JPG image overlay functionality (onion skin). 2.Removed TINT control bar from BMPCC(BLE) control page and added a playback control bar. 3.Resolved occasional disconnection issues and problems with controlling shutter and exposure compensation for SONY A1 and SONY ILME-FX30 during the control process. 4.Resolved an issue where the status is incorrect after pressing the record button on the monitor when the SONY camera has no storage card or has a storage card but cannot record (storage card speed is not sufficient for recording format speed). 5.Improved SONY gear control. 6.Added Panasonic DC-S5M2 control. 7.Fixed the issue of brightness attenuation in black and white mode of the PEAKING function. 8.Fixed the problem of not being able to control the Panasonic BGH1 menu through the monitor's touch control. 9.Modified the issue of vertical lines appearing during cold boot on some machines. 10.When there is no signal, the display of battery power and recording red frame is added. > FIRMWARE UPDATE Since producing this review PortKeys have released a new firmware (LH5P-V3.05.05.C20.B27) . Link: www.portkeys.com/download-category/lh5p-ii-firmware/ The following is a list of changes with my comment about each one... 1. Modify the Gesture Zooming function so that it is independent of Rectangle Crop function, and you can only move the image with one finger after the gesture is zoomed in; "Gesture zooming works much better now and I find this feature much more useful. Likewise the rectangle punch in also works well" 2. Support displaying battery level (maximum 5 bars), and add the display of the battery level icon of the camera; "Battery level is displayed using bars on a battery icon. I have not yet been able to figure out whats meant by displaying the battery level of the camera though" 3. Add the option of menu display time on the system settings page; "Confirmed, this automatically hides the menu after the set amount of time although it seems a little inconsistent!" 4. Add Q1 and Q3 options to BMPCC Bluetooth controller, and fixed disconnection/ reconnection/ scan related issues; "Cannot test" 5. Adjust the layout of the WIFI control page of SONY ILCE-7SM3; "Cannot test, FX3 seems the same as previous" 6. Change the default state of auto Color Calibration and Black Level to off; "Confirmed" 7. Add zebra "Middle" mode, adjustable IRE -7~109, the range is 0-30 IRE; "Yes! This makes using zebras for exposing middle grey or skin tones much easier on this monitor" 8. Add the display of the total working time of the monitor; "Confirmed, this is shown on the firmware update page" 9. Fix the problem of Zebra, False Color, Peaking capture Grid lines, Guide frame and Cross Hair; "Confirmed, this is now fixed" 10. Optimize the Waveform position to avoid being covered by UI; "Waveform is now a little smaller and is away from UI however this leaves the waveform sitting further in to monitor once UI is closed. I would prefer it to move to edge once UI is not there" 11. Modify the problem that SONY A7C cannot display the recording status normally. "cannot test"

Thank you for such a terrifically in-depth review! It’s really helpful.

Thanks Paul for this very thorough and useful review !

Great review. It gave me all the information I needed to pull the trigger on this monitor. Thanks.

Fantastic review, Paul! I was highly considering this option after first watching and am really happy to see that further firmware updates have seemed to fix most of the issues that you have with it as they would have been annoying to me. Great work!

Thanks so much for the in depth guide 💚

great review, thanks from Poland!

Looks like a nice device. Consider a product update video if they fix the issues you've noted. Of note, DJI has attained nearly full control of Sony camera menus with their recent transmitter/monitor device. They've done this by leveraging (reverse engineering?) Sony's Bravia controls, which were designed to allow Sony TVs to control Sony cameras through the HDMI connection.

Excellent video. I’m getting this for my zcam. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to try it out next weekend and after watching this, I have a good idea as to how it works. Thanks!

Yes absolutely superb review.

Great video! Thank you!

Great review as ever. Makes up for the Portkeys documentation! Touch Focus only works in Spot and Expandable Spot, whereas touch tracking works in all. I hope the can fix this so that Touch Focus works in Wide Area. The high level Zebras are good - anything over 94 IRE show the clip and matches the camera monitor. Lower level is a disaster and I’ve been to asking Portkeys why?! Not one of their techs could explain it as you have in this video! Eg: setting 41% (IRE) will not ‘target’ 41% for grey card (or skin at another % setting) but everything below it. My brain nearly exploded getting Portkeys to understand this. Hope the sent you the monitor as you made the video that they should have!!

This monitor is so terrific when we applied lut on it… the picture the color have really bad color banding even I’ve got the latest firmware update.

I bought this today, now, just gotta learn it with this video.

Hey Paul, very nice review, straight to the point !! One question tho, I noticed that the Touch Focus it kinds of took some time to change focus, is it because u set this way, to take a bit of time, because I use this function quite a lot and would be nice if the Touch focus would answer/react a bit faster... thank u :)

Outstanding review and very helpful. Just a quick question. Is the monitor interface compatible with the new Cine EI feature of the FX3 (toggle between the native ISO's ). Thanks

Useful video , this is the only monitor I know to have touch focus tracking with Sony, also zv-e10, a7c ...

@22:00, wow, amazing functions in this monitor. It's staggering to wonder WHY Atomos and other brands aren't doing this, adding camera control, and a basic red recording ring... heck @DJI is the worst. I can't believe I still miss shots because I can't tell if I'm recording on the little screen.

Awesome review! Which would you rather have, this or the Shinobi?

Great video! Very complete and straight to the point. I just have one question: do you have to manually connect the camera to the monitor every time you turn the monitor or the camera on and off? Or does it always connect automatically? (the wireless control that is.?

Super review I think you have certainly answered all my questions. Is there a less expensive version of this port keys monitor. That will use the Sony NP battery ? Due to my diminishing eyesight I really need to see the camera settings on that monitor. If there is a less expensive version Will it let me use the cameras controls such as focus Iris etc that I can see changing on the monitor ? Thanks Again Keith

Thank you for so detailed review! Touch options still far away from phones quality, so it’s better to use old buttons)

Great video. Is the speed of the touch focus determined by the autofocus settings in the FX3? Or by the monitor?

Amazing review... I'm super frustrated actually as I bought the BM5III one year ago for my FX3 and this monitor has a lot of super useful options like seing camera settings, record frame and button, TOUCH FOCUS!!! .. that my BM5 III has not... despite being more than 100 euros more expensive..

Thank you for this thorough review. I have a question, will it also display a picture if I film in 50p? Using the fx3 and fx6.

Hi, great review! Which HDMI cable would you recommend to connect to a SONY A7S3 ? Thanks.

Great review. I have been looking to ditch my Ninja 5+. They are not interested in updating their products.

Great Job Michael, baut where is the battery level?

Great Video thanks. Couple of questions; in your experience Shinobi or this Monitor? And which has the fan that is most quiet?

Hello Paul. Thanks for the video. I have an A7IV, I see you have thee camera and you also reviewed both monitors. Would you recommend this one over the Ninja V? they are both the same price now. I don't need the recording option on the monitor. Just considering the Ninja works with 4k 60p. Would love to hear your opinion. Thank you very much!

Thank you for the video! In terms of connecting to the camera, do you have to type in the password each time for wifi? Or does it auto-connect after that first initial connection?

Thx for the review. So it has touch focus vs the bm5, right? But 1-is there remote control wirelessly of the camera and if not 2-would you recommend adding something like a holly land transmitter + this over the bm5 for touch focus plus other features? 😊

Paul, as you suggested I've connected my FX30 with Wifi PC. All working brilliantly. However, apparently when I try to playback in camera; I get a black screen on the FX30 screen that says "This operation or setting not available as follows; Still Img. Save Dest. and PC Only. So yes the Wifi connection through the PC protocals works more reliably but with the caveat that the camera will not playback clips. I also tried the hardwire approach, a disappointment as it is a rudimentary arrow menu (more and less) on some limited functions like iris and iso etc...

Awesome tutorial. Bravo! Perhaps you can help? I recently received a FX30, I also have the a7siii-- I have the LHP II and it worked brilliantly on the a7siii. However, the FX30 needs to reinitiate the WiFi Smartphone procedure after I have turned off the camera or phone. I'm thinking that the Sony FX30 doesn't have an "Always Connected" option. Does the updated firmware on your FX3 have an option to "Wifi Always Connect?" Also the LHPII touch focus only seems to work when I select focus tracking, and although I can select on the PortKeys the Spot Focus, Focus Tracking and OFF--the Spot Focus does not function, So in the same vein; does your FX3 do both? I know you demonstrated it, I'm wondering if its something that survived or was overlooked with the firmware update? Of course it just may be a FX30 issue all together... Thank you, and please keep cranking out the videos!

Any insight on viewing recorded clips with the monitor. Seems like neither the on cam display or the portkeys will allow you to view the playback. I have had to turn off the monitor in order to view playback. Thanks and great video.

Hey paul great review ! since the making of this video do you know if firmware updates were made for the zebras and the banding ? im looking to get a monitor for my a7iv and stuck between this one or the Atomos shinobi .

Thank you so much for the detail review. One thing I wanna know that how do I preview my footage when my Fx30 is connect to monitor via wifi? I can't find a way to preview my videos on Portkeys even on my camera because it says its on PC mode. Please help. Thank you

I recieved mine today! wanted to add some information for anyone struggling to connect. I had to switch WiFi to 2.4hz on my Fx3 to connect to the monitor. 5ghz didn't show up when searching for available devices.

might seem like an obvious question to most.. but, I'm looking to get this for my new Z Cam S6.. its been years since I've been into film.. digital has come a long way for the price.. So, this doesn't come with an HDMI cable right? So I need to buy a full size HDMI cable? I wonder... with all the options out there,, which one I should get for 4 and 6k video..

Are you not able to use the touch to focus feature without the wifi menu being open? It's annoying to lose even more screen space on an already small monitor.

Hello Paul I just subscribed and hit the Bell I have a question.I use I use a Sony nx5u video camera. I was just wondering if when you hook up this monitor. Are you able to see the cameras menu on the big monitor screen ? Talking about are you able to see the cameras settings on this screen ? If so are you able to change the camera settings by way of the monitor ? Another thing please. Can I attach a Sony NP battery to this monitor for power ? Thanks Keith

Hi Paul, whereabouts can you order /buy this monitor in the UK? The dealers seem to have the previous version not the mark II. I absolutely love the toggle MF/AF option for Sony Alpha cameras on the screen!!! Will be so bloody useful when using this monitor on a gimbal.

hi, great review! just bought mine, having a small issue, can't visualize the display on my fx3 as you soon both devices, any advice ?

Dear Paul, is it true the LH5P doens't have the freeze-frame function? I want that function. The Shinobi has it. I don't want to pay double for the BM III just because that one does have the freeze-frame function.. (the one where you overlay a picture in half opacity or something).

QUESTION: How do you connect to LH5P II to Sony camera via the USB-C cable? WiFi works fine but I wish to use USB to save on battery life. I turn on PC remote function, when connected, the monitor shows black screen while showing IRIS Shutter and ISO values.

I have a sony a74 with the sigma 24-70. For some reason, the touch to focus button is not an option on the monitor. Is this a settings/firmware issue? Looking for some help, thanks.

Nice review. I’m looking for something better than the shinobi for the fx3. I would like better colour accuracy (my shinobi is a bit warm in cast, and brighter screen. These features seem great but are they more likely to get in the way of the simple buttons on the camera?

hi there! I love your video, and made me decide to buy the monitor. But I've got an issue: when turning on the aspect ratio guides, it doesn't appear the "MASKS " option, so it's only two lines marking, but without the black mask, that helps a lot to frame. Do you know why is that? Thank you!

Does the wireless connection between the LH5P II and the FX3 still work after updating the FX3 to 2.02 firmware? I didn't have a chance to test the LH5P II yet, but I just rented the BM5 III WR and I wasn't able to connect it wirelessly to my Sony FX3. I wonder is it because of the new firmware on the FX3, or did I miss some setting.

Hey Paul, was wondering if you could help answer this. Would the WIFI connection with the camera work simultaneously with a Bluetooth connection to the camera as well? For example if I wanted to use this monitor and also connect it via Bluetooth to the DJI RS3, would functions on both devices still work with the camera?

Hi Paul. I just got this monitor, but no matter what, I can't seem to correctly connect wireless to my FX3. Under "My Devices" it is saying I'm connected to the FX3, but none of the camera settings (ISO, Shutter, Focus) show up on the monitor. I've tried everything, and I'm just about to send it back, but is there any last resort you would suggest?? Is it because I'm on firmware 3.0 and it's not supported?

Hi, thanks for the useful review. Does it keep eye af and face detection working on Sony a7iv while recording 4k in camera?

Thanks for such a great review. I am considering this monitor for my FX3. However from teh PortKeys website it says that it can only display up to UHD at 30p. Does that mean you can't use the monitor if you are shooting in higher frame rates or in S&Q mode? Thanks.

Hi Paul I have a quick question would your pick LHP5 ii over the atomos ninja V ?

Hi, thanks for your video. I have a problem I’m trying get into the focus option but it doesn’t show on my screen the focus, i can see the iris, kelvin… but not the focus option. Could you please help me

So I figured out the problem. You can only get functions lije focus and exposure to work from the FX3 to work via wifi. You can only start and stop record with the cable.

too bad you can't see the focus rectangle both in normal and tracking af. Is there a delay on focus operations compared to when you touch the camera's display ?

This monitor is amazing for my bmpcc6k only down AT ALL is there is no way to Dec text battery life unless batter has a gauge already

In this video the camera ist still connected to the monitor via hdmi for the whole time. I guess it's possible to use the portkey just as a monitor via wifi, right? so there is no hdmi connection needed for monitoring or control. Any experience with the working distance for a wifi setup? I am thinking of using this monitor on a gimbal to control the shot without touching the camera.

Would you say the image and color on this monitor compare to a SmallHD monitor? Just tried the Shinobi and it was no where near as good.

Just curious would the camera controls also work if you use a a wireless transmitter like hollyland mars ?

Maybe he said it in the video but since I'm using the subtitles I missed it (I speak Spanish). Is it possible to send a 4k 60p signal to this monitor? If you can't, what options are there? Thank you!

hey, how do you check its battery level? i cant seem to check it out? also, is this updated? theres no black in my guide option? please reply

will the auto focus square box show on the monitor after firmware 2.0 like it now does on the phone apps for the FX3?

Awesome. But all your pictures show it connected via cable. Can we operate it wirelessly from 5 meters away with no cables?

My Portkeys Monitor has the color profile set to flat, without using the LOADED Luts, i cant get the true colors to display, is there a setting i can use to change this?

Great video! I have the Sony FX3 and also the A7IV and I want this monitor. Noticing some differences in the way B&H and Amazon sell this same monitor. Need some advice from people who have purchased this monitor. B&H sells multiple different versions of this monitor? This implies that you need a specific version of this monitor to be compatible with your specific brand of camera and it's not in stock for Sony cameras either so you must wait 2-4 weeks for it. The same exact make and model monitor is advertised as in stock on Amazon for the same price but it says that their single advertised model is: "Compatible with Canon, Sony, Panasonic, BMPCC, ZCam and Gimbals." Can't find the reasoning for this on either website or the web. Can someone smarter than me please help me figure this out??????????????

Thanks for you video. I followed almost all your reviews. A qq. I am in the market to buy monitor for my automotive videography. Should i go for - Portkeys LH5p ii - Ninja Atmos 5 / 5+ thanks in advance !

How is the WiFi connection when you need to turn monitor and camera on and off multiple times? Do you have to reconnect every time ?

Thank you, can change the fps on the monitor?

LH5P Version 1 vs Version 2? Version 2 seems not to be available in Europe as of now.

I can’t figure out or if it is possible to send 4K log in Flexible ISO mode out the HDMI port of FX3 while recording to the internal SD card of the FX3?

How did you get your third line guides to be black? I don’t have a black option on mine.

Hi Paul, just one more questions, can you adjust the fan on this monitor for low noise mode or even to off?

Hi I’m having trouble in connect my FX3 to the monitor the image is not mirroring any ideas? Would appreciate the help

Hi paul , I have a fx30 and a portkey monitor but when I use phantom luts on the monitor it looks so dark, what setting should I do could you please help me?

I am so confused. I have the same exact monitor on my Sony A7iv and the touch focus option is not showing.

A7IV: connecting wifi via smartphone interface isn't as reliable as connecting wifi via PC remote interface (and I wish I knew why they were different!). If connecting via smartphone interface, turning off the monitor, or camera, means usually reinitialising the wifi connection on the camera. But connecting the A7IV via the PC remote interface is far better: I can turn off the monitor, or camera, or both, and reliably get a wifi connection again once they are on. Now I really want to know how to _remove_ a saved wifi connection on the monitor, so I have only one listed under "My Device". Any ideas? ps. hugely helpful video, thanks very much for putting it here for us.

So in 4K 120fps with an a7s3 or fx3 it won't be able to pick up the signal ?

I just got my monitor today and I’m not able to screw in the antenna to the back of the unit. Did your monitor come with antenna already attached to the monitor?

I have fx3 and will it support 4k 60fps shooting?

im wanting to be able to do touch focus. i have the multi cable but it doesnt display anything that allows me to do touch screen focus on the monitor? is this maybe a firmware problem?

The new update has to make this the main Sony monitor to get today!?

Hi wondering if u have any signal cur out issue when u hit playback button on fx3 paired up with portkeys monitor? thanks

Hi Paul, great video but for some reason my spot focus button is not displaying on the Lh5P ii monitor and i can't use this function. I am also using an FX3 and it is wirelessly connected as instructed in the video, i have all the other functions available but not touch/track focus?! Has anyone else encountered this problem? Without it i can't use the touch focus on the monitor which was the reason for buying it

Good morning I have an LH5p II monitor and a Sony A7sIII When using to record video all ok. But when I go to take pictures with the Wifi on. The camera keeps recording a photo on the camera's internal SSD for several minutes, crashing the entire system. When I turn off the Wifi on the monitor everything goes back to normal. It seems that the camera wants to record the photos on the monitor and cannot. Anyone else with this problem? thanks

Can you playback on this monitor with the fx3. It won’t let me from my camera…..

My display doesn't fill the entire screen, black bars from my fx30, any ideas?

Becareful, i bought it, when i change the brightness, contrast, color of this monitor and i switch on the waveform or the zebra, the LH5PII switch of my parameter. I think it’s a really bad thing and really unconfortable. I could resolve it with a personnalise 3D LUT Thanks for your video

Does the touch focus so slow or is you camera settings?

my firmware update won't even open. having issues with the .bin file

Would you prefer this or the Ninja V?

How bad is the fan noise?

Battery life is kind of lame. That definitely should be on there.

FIX LH5PII PROBLEMS!! This monitor does not work with Sony fx3 firmware v2.00 Wifi does not see the camera when the phone sees it. Disgusting monitor update support. Firmware LH5P-V.3.05.05.C20.B27. I bought a monitor for normal work with focusing - now it is not available due to irregular updates. There were 3 hot pixels out of the box. The quality and attitude to the consumer is not clear. I hope that at least the firmware will be corrected.

$400 for a device like this? I prefer to pay $4 to get a USB-C TO HDMI by using a cable to connect to camera. Then download an app, DSRL controller to tablet. Work great with me.