Sony CLM-V55 is 5-inch clip-on preview display for your HD DSLR

Sony has announced a 5-inch clip-out LCD preview display, the CLM-V55 LCD video monitor, intended to give DSLR videographers a change to see their footage in higher resolution than most camera screens provide. The 800 x 480 panel has a tilt/swivel mount that fits onto an auto-lock accessory shoe or ISO shoe, is powered either by an independent battery or AC adapter, and hooks up to the camera itself via HDMI.

It's not just a dumb LCD screen, however; there's a pixel magnification mode which ofers an enlarged view of a selected portion of the Full HD image, together with a colour peaking function that highlights the edges of accurately-focused areas of the video image. Meanwhile there's adjustable aspect ratio (16:9/4:3), volume, brightness, contrast, colour tone (phase), colour temp and auto dimmer.

A mono speaker – and headphone jack – together with a sun hood round out the main specs. No word on pricing, but the Sony CLM-V55 LCD video monitor will go on sale in March 2011.

Press Release:

Clip-on LCD monitor from Sony for HD video shooting with Interchangeable Lens Digital cameras 13 January 2011

CLM-V55 gives big, high-resolution view of video footage

• Clip-on LCD monitor attaches to DSLR camera

• Large (5") WVGA panel offers superb high-resolution view while shooting HD video

• Tilt/swivel for comfortable viewing at any angle

• Colour peaking and pixel magnification for precise focus confirmation

A new clip-on LCD monitor from Sony gives DSLR camera owners a bigger, better view of their footage while shooting HD video.

The CLM-V55 is a portable video monitor featuring a high-resolution WVGA (800 x 480) (5") LCD panel. Attaching easily to most Interchangeable Lens Digital cameras and compatible HD camcorders via the supplied adaptor, it displays video footage during shooting/playback with excellent clarity and a wide viewing angle.

The clip-on screen tilts and swivels to any angle for comfortable framing in any position – even self-shooting when you're in the picture.

The CLM-V55 is loaded with pro-style features to help photo enthusiasts and videographers shoot high-quality HD video footage with their Interchangeable Lens Digital camera.

Pixel magnification mode assists with accurate focus confirmation, giving an enlarged pixel-perfect view of a selected portion of the Full HD image. It's complemented by a colour peaking function that highlights the edges of accurately-focused areas of the video image.

An intuitive control wheel allows quick, positive adjustment of a wide range of monitor settings without interrupting shooting. Adjustable parameters include aspect ratio (16:9/4:3), volume, brightness, contrast, colour tone (phase), colour temp and auto dimmer. On-screen markers aid precise framing by giving precise indication of a TV's 16:9 or 4:3 actual display area. The LCD monitor's on-board mono speaker is complemented by a headphone jack for accurate audio monitoring during shooting.

The CLM-V55 attaches easily to a wide range of Interchangeable Lens Digital cameras from Sony and other manufacturers that support HD video shooting. The supplied adaptor simplifies mounting on any camera or HD camcorder that features an auto-lock accessory shoe or ISO shoe. Signal connection from camera to monitor is via the supplied HDMI cable, while power can be supplied using a battery pack or AC adaptor (both optional). The CLM-V55 comes with a detachable LCD hood for more comfortable viewing when shooting outdoors in bright sunlight.

The CLM-V55 LCD video monitor by Sony is available from March 2011.