Best built-in LCD screen?

[QuickHitRecord]

I have a few "work" cameras, but I'm thinking about getting a "play" camera. Something small and lightweight that I can carry around with minimal or no accessories. One thing that I'd really like is a nice opposable and/or flippable LCD that is bright and clear enough for critical focus, and at least somewhat viewable outdoors.

All other camera specs and characteristics aside, what are some of the better built-in LCDs out there? Which ones would you avoid?

 

[Ebrahim Saadawi]

The worst LCDs are:

Canon and Nikon DSLRs that have fixed LCDs (5D D810 7D)

All black magic cameras (great for checking your hair though)

The best designed out of the box LCD amd EVfs are on:

Panasonic GH4,

Sony A7s

Samsung NX1

Canon/Nikons with rotating screens (D5300/D750)

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One thing I have found with getting a play/fun camera with no accessories, is that it MUST have image stabilization, otherwise its use will be significantly limited and impossibly hard to shoot, it's a small thing but really makes or breaks the ''play'' camera.

-GH4: great body to use as is with an EVF and LCD that are good, but to get IS you need one of the stabilized native m43 lenses like the 12-35mm 2.8, which in my opinion the combination of native m43s lenses and 2.3x 4K image gives one of the most videoish images one could get, and the only way to get a filmic image is using a SB and vintage primes for example, which wouldn't be an option for a play camera for the loss of stabilization. Anyway, if you like the GH4 + m43s lens look then it's a very good choice.

-A7s: also great body to shoot as is, especially the EVF, which is huge and makes getting critical focus and composing an absolute breathe, much better than GH4. But again, to get image stabilization, you need a native FE 24-70 F4 lens for example, which don't give an ideal aesthetic at f4. The second option is a SB plus Canon lenses with IS which works great and has IS. Downside is the cost of that combination (A7s + Metabones adapter or SB plus Canon FF IS lens)

-Samsung NX1: great to use too as is, but doesn't have any IS adapters to any lenses, and the only way is Samsungs expensive glass like the 16-50mm 2.8 IS, a great lens however and the combination works great as a small handheld shooter with great IS.

-Nikon DSLRs: No EVF but great rotatable LCD, something like a D5500 or a D750. The amount of cheap and available VR lenses are enormous, and makes it the best choice fora play camera since it's better at stills too than all the previously mentioned ones an
d does produces very high quality HD video. Also a similar option is a Canon Eos M3 or aT6s with Canon great IS lenses like the 10-18mm IS, and 18-135mm IS, this option gives great stills and great looking HD video with IS and good AF even in video mode,

For me as a play camera, it will depend on the budget, if it's a low budget, I'd get a D5300/D5500 with a VR lens/lenses or an Eos M3/T6s plus 10-18 IS ultra wide + 18-135 IS for general use + a prime or so if needed, These Nikon/Canon options doesn't need any accessories and produces wonderful results easily, just with a body plus an 18-135 IS or an 18-140mm VR can be all you shoot with.

If budget allows, and if VF is a concern, I'd get a Sony A7s and a 24-70mm f4, or if I need faster I'd go for an EF active adapter + Canon IS lens. The 35mm IS paired with the A7s is a small beast for shooting handheld prime lens quality video with a great EVF.

I discarded the GH4 because I hate the image overall, but this is subjective, I hate small sensors. If you like its image then a GH4 + 12-35mm or a Canon EF IS lens is a choice too. I also discarded the NX1 because it has one IS lens option and it's a Samsung lens, plus the transcoding thing.

I hope this helps.

 

[QuickHitRecord]

Good points, Ebrahim. As a side note: your head-to-head comparisons are (refreshingly) objective. You should start a blog. I would read it!

I've read that the NX1's LCD is especially nice. I have yet to hold one in my hands though.

Actually, since I first posted, I have been seeing rumors that the announcement of the Panasonic G7 is right around the corner. I've been more intrigued by the image that I have been seeing out of the lowly GX7 than any of the "main contenders" at the moment. Rumor has it that the same sensor will be featured in the G7, and if it's anything like the G6, it will have a flippable LCD. So, we'll see.