SmallHD has launched the Focus 504, a 306-gram, 5-inch touchscreen monitor priced at $999 USD. Built with an aluminum chassis and 1000 nits of brightness, the device features both 3G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 connectivity, aiming directly at lightweight handheld and gimbal setups.
Engineering the Thinnest SmallHD Monitor to Date
Measuring 136 x 88 x 20 millimeters, the Focus 504 establishes a new physical baseline for the manufacturer’s on-camera display lineup. CineD reported that the unit utilizes an 8-bit panel processing video at 10-bit, featuring a 4.97-inch IPS touchscreen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 443 ppi pixel density, and a 60Hz refresh rate. The edge-lit backlight hits 1,000 nits of maximum brightness with a 1000:1 contrast ratio, making it daylight-viewable while consuming roughly 10 watts of power independently, or up to 35 watts at maximum load.
SmallHD has launched the Focus 504, a 5 in on-camera monitor that is just 20 mm (0.8 in) thick. It offers up to 1000 nits, SDI and HDMI connections, and PageOS for $999, with camera control licenses to follow. https://t.co/kSElF3ku1B #SmallHD #Monitors #Filmmaking
Physical rigging relies on four integrated 1/4”-20 mounting points equipped with ARRI locking pins. To supply power and handle auxiliary gear, the hardware incorporates a built-in Sony L-Series battery slot, a locking 2-pin DC input accepting 10V to 17V, and a locking USB-C port capable of handling power, video, and communication (PVC) between 5V and 20V up to 25W. Two additional locking USB-C ports provide 5V / 1.5A outputs for external accessories or USB flash drives.
Software Architecture and I/O Cross-Conversion
The monitoring hardware runs on PageOS 6, providing access to SmallHD’s image-assist toolset via the touchscreen, a rear joystick, and two function buttons. According to Newsshooter, the operating system supports a dedicated Vertical Mode portrait interface that automatically re-orients tools and menus when the display is rotated 90 degrees.
Connectivity options bypass the need for external adapters by offering full-size physical ports rather than micro or mini variants. The hardware features one 3G-SDI BNC input, one 3G-SDI BNC output, one HDMI 2.0 input, and one HDMI 2.0 output, enabling simultaneous bi-directional cross-conversion. An internal 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi module is integrated to support cable-less wireless camera control.
Market Positioning and Component Licensing
Sitting below the Cine 5 and Ultra 5 models in the manufacturer’s current ecosystem, the Focus 504 operates at a lower brightness threshold than its 2000-nit and 3000-nit siblings. While the hardware ships with an included 16GB USB flash drive and a screen protector, certain core software capabilities require additional investment. CineD noted that the wireless camera control functionality for ARRI, Sony, RED, and Canon systems is slated for a future firmware rollout, with specific control licenses sold separately.
Matt Eidenbock, SmallHD product manager, noted the design constraints of the release in official statements, explaining that the hardware merges an aluminum build and professional I/O with joystick and touchscreen navigation. The unit carries a recommended price of $999 USD or €914.71, positioning it as an entry point into the company’s current 5-inch professional ecosystem following a challenging financial period for parent company Videndum.
