I bought a Vitrox DC-550 Camera Monitor in 2025 and found it to be extremely good value for money. The 1920×1080 screen was sharp and bright, at 1200-nit. The included sunshade was well designed, allowing extremely clear monitoring even in bright sunshine.
Unfortunately after just six months the monitor stopped working. I had lengthy exchanges with the supplier, AliExpress, who flatly refused to accept that the monitor was broken. I contacted Viltrox directly and their response was rapid and impressive. They agreed that Ali Express was clearly at fault and generously supplied me with a replacement monitor, in this case the latest DC-550 Pro II, which I’m reviewing here.
The original DC-550 was rich in features, all of which were useful in a wide variety of filming situations. The new Series II version takes the feature list to a new level.
DC-550 Pro II Features
- 1400-Nit 5.5-Inch display for clear outdoor monitoring
- Camera Control and Onion Skin Functions
- Full-screen touch control combined with a precision control dial
- Three custom shortcut keys for faster workflow access
- Comprehensive monitoring tools for professional video production
- HDMI 2.0 Input/Output supporting 4K 60Hz signal transmission
- SD card slot for firmware updates and custom 3D LUT import
- Triple power supply support via NP-F Battery, Type-C, and DC Input
- Integrated ventilation design for improved heat dissipation
Camera Control
Perhaps the most innovative new feature for a camera monitor is the ability to control many of your camera’s functions via the touch screen and control wheel. Shutter speed, ISO and aperture can all be controlled directly from the monitor via either USB, Wi-Fi, or the touch screen. Check with Viltrox to see which cameras are currently compatible. This functionality will be invaluable in those tricky filming situations such as low-angle or crane shots where the camera’s own controls may be difficult to access.
Even brighter monitoring
The new monitor has a higher 1400-nits brightness which makes outdoor filming even more precise. The acceptable viewing angle is a wide 160 degrees, which is great when other team members need to view the monitor. Of course the monitor features 4K HDMI output as well so additional monitoring or display options are easy to set up.
The monitor’s backlight is adjusted by swiping the right side of the screen. Audio volume is similarly adjusted by swiping the left half of the screen.
Onion Skin overlay
This new feature is brilliant. While filming, you can save a screenshot from the monitor to an inserted SD card. This image can then be accessed and overlaid on your camera image. In this way you can easily line up shots very accurately, making framing and exposures incredibly simple to match. This nifty feature will find all sorts of uses in both video and still photography. It really makes you ask ‘Why hasn’t this feature been available for years?’
4K 60Hz input and output
HDMI 2.0 is now supported meaning there is lossless video transmission of 4K@60Hz for both input and output. Smooth, low-latency video monitoring is now easily available to a variety of downstream devices.
Improved touch menu logic
With even more functions available via the touch screen, improvements to its menu system are welcome. Functions are grouped intuitively meaning features are accessible with fewer steps. All your key tools such as brightness, contrast, peaking, zebras, false colour and so on are right at your fingertips whether the monitor is on your camera or placed remotely.
Real-time LUT preview
LUTs can be loaded via the SD card and displayed as you film. Comparisons of various LUTs is easily achieved without having to wait until colour grading on post-production.
Multiple Power Options
The DC-550 Pro II can be powered in three ways: from a DC 12-18V mains adapter, from a USB 5V supply or from a SONY NPF series Li-ion battery. A groovy white NP-F550 battery is supplied.
Conclusion
Using the DC-550 Pro II is a breeze and this monitor makes setting up your shots so much simpler and more accurate, especially in bright sunshine outdoors. The new functions including camera control and onion skinning are fantastic and will find all sorts of innovative uses in real filming situations. The ability to monitor 4K HDMI is welcome as is the headphone jack for audio monitoring.
The only really obvious thing missing is a record tally light. Obviously your camera will have one or several of those, but a simple on-screen recording light is the one thing I kept looking for and not finding. Hopefully this will be added in future firmware upgrades.
As a minor point it would be great if the supplied NP-F550 battery had its charge status button and LEDs on the back or side of the battery. As it is they face the monitor and are not accessible when the battery is installed.
In my experience Viltrox support has been excellent, which is as it should be for a manufacturer of high quality products such as this. Finally, the DC-550 Pro II, at USD$218 represents extremely good value for money.
Dr David Smith is a writer, documentary film maker and decades long contributor to Creative Content and Australian Videocamera Magazine.