Shimbol has just released a stripped-down version of its Memory I Pro monitor/recorder: the Shimbol M5. If you only use mirrorless cameras with HDMI outputs and don’t need the 3G-SDI input/output ports, as well as the external recording capabilities, the Shimbol M5 is a great, budget-friendly 5.5″ monitor that retails for only $169. So, let’s take a closer look at it!Shimbol Technology is a Chinese manufacturer specializing in wireless video solutions and on-camera monitors/recorders. We first reported about their Shimbol ZO600M wireless monitor, an HDMI-only system with a maximum brightness of 2,000nits, a transmission range of 150m/500ft, and an aggressive price tag of only $399.The company is now back with its first “monitor-only” product that packs a lot of features at an affordable price: the Shimbol M5.Image credit: ShimbolShimbol M5 – featuresThe Shimbol M5 is a 5.5″ on-camera monitor with a maximum brightness of 1,200nits, which is daylight-viewable. The monitor is made entirely out of aluminum, and it measures 146.6 x 87.6 x 26.5mm/5.77 x 3.40 x 1.04in and weighs 278.5g/9.82oz.The screen has a resolution of 1920 x 1080, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and, according to Shimbol, the M5 covers 100% of the Rec.709 color space. Furthermore, the company claims the M5 is color-calibrated in their factory with a maximum Delta E of only 0.6. As a reminder, a Delta E below three is considered imperceptible by the human eye, so the M5 should be perfectly color-accurate out of the box!The left side of the M5. Image credit: ShimbolOn the left side of the Shimbol M5, you’ll find one HDMI input, one HDMI output, and a 6.5-16.8V DC input port. The monitor can take resolutions up to 4K DCI at 25p or 4K UHD at up to 30p. You’ll also find a built-in Sony NP-F battery plate at the back.Bottom and right side of the M5. Image credit: ShimbolAt the bottom of the M5, you’ll find a 1/4″-20 mounting point with locating pins. Also, there is a USB Type-C port for firmware updates.On the right side, you’ll find another 1/4″-20 mounting point, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an SD card slot to load custom LUTs (cube files, 17*17*17 or 33*33*33).Image credit: ShimbolMonitoring functionsThe Shimbol M5 has all the monitoring tools you can expect from an on-camera monitor in this day and age, including:False color.Waveform, vectorscope, histogram.Peaking.Anamorphic image de-squeeze.Masks and framing tools, audio levels.As mentioned previously, 3D LUT support.Image credit: ShimbolTo navigate inside the menu, you’ll have to use the touchscreen. However, on top of the monitor, there is a power button and three user-assignable function buttons that you can assign to your favorite monitoring tools.Image credit: ShimbolPrice and availabilityThe Shimbol M5 is available now for $169. The monitor comes with a carrying case, a screen protector, a user manual and cleaning cloth, a monitor mount, and two HDMI cables. At this price point, it’ll be a hard-to-beat on-camera monitor!For more information, please visit Shimbol’s website here.What do you think about this new Shimbol monitor? Have you already used Shimbol products? What is your go-to on-camera monitor? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!
