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The A7S II outputs 8-bit 4:2:2 over HDMI versus 8-bit 4:2:0 internally, so an external recorder is a real upgrade for S-Log2/S-Log3 grading headroom — and like the GH4, the A7S II uses a Micro HDMI (Type D) port, so budget for an adapter cable with any recorder here.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atomos Ninja TX | $700-$900 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Atomos Ninja TX Go | $500-$650 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Atomos Ninja RAW | $500-$600 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Atomos Shogun Connect | $1,299 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Blackmagic Video Assist 5″ 12G HDR | $500-$600 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Blackmagic Video Assist 7″ 12G HDR | $700-$800 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | Video Devices PIX-E7 | $900-$1,100 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Atomos Ninja TX
Atomos’s current 5.2-inch monitor-recorder, replacing the long-running Ninja V with 8K ProRes RAW capture and dual SDI/HDMI I/O.
- 5.2-inch 1500 cd/m2 display
- SDI and HDMI in/out
- Up to 8K ProRes RAW (from supported sources)
- Wi-Fi, camera-to-cloud, timecode sync
- Direct successor to the Ninja V with a brighter panel and more I/O
- Bright enough to judge S-Log2/S-Log3 exposure outdoors
- More recorder than the A7S II’s 8-bit HDMI signal strictly needs
- Priciest of the Ninja-line options here
Atomos Ninja TX Go
The same core recorder minus the SDI ports and wireless timecode, still capable of up to 6K 30p capture over HDMI.
- 5.2-inch high-brightness display
- HDMI-only I/O
- Up to 6K 30p recording
- AtomOS Linux interface
- Cheaper than the full Ninja TX since the A7S II only needs HDMI anyway
- Same core recording engine as the flagship TX
- No SDI input if you later switch to an SDI camera
- No wireless timecode sync
Atomos Ninja RAW
A stripped-down Ninja TX variant with the Wi-Fi antenna removed, aimed at shooters who don’t need cloud or streaming features.
- 5.2-inch display
- No Wi-Fi/camera-to-cloud/NDI
- ProRes RAW recording (from supported sources)
- Lighter than the Wi-Fi-equipped models
- Simplest, most focused member of the new Ninja line
- No wireless radios to worry about on set
- Loses live monitoring/streaming features some shooters want
- Still new enough to have a smaller track record than the outgoing Ninja V
Atomos Shogun Connect
A larger 7-inch monitor-recorder with a built-in connect module, for A7S II shooters who also want cloud review or live streaming.
- 7-inch daylight-viewable screen
- Built-in Connect module for cloud and streaming
- ProRes/ProRes RAW recording
- SDI and HDMI I/O
- Bigger screen than the 5.2-inch Ninja line for critical S-Log focus and exposure checks
- Cloud connect is genuinely built in, not a bolt-on accessory
- At $1,299 the most expensive option on this list
- Bulkier 7-inch form factor for a mirrorless-camera rig
Blackmagic Video Assist 5″ 12G HDR
Blackmagic’s compact recorder, with a 2500-nit HDR screen and 12G-SDI plus HDMI 2.0 input for pairing with the A7S II.
- 5-inch 2500-nit HDR display
- 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 in
- Records ProRes/DNx to SD or USB-C SSD
- Built-in scopes and 3D LUTs for log monitoring
- Very bright screen for outdoor monitoring
- Records straight to affordable UHS-II SD cards, not just SSDs
- No Wi-Fi or cloud features like the Atomos line
- Menu system is less beginner-friendly than AtomOS
Blackmagic Video Assist 7″ 12G HDR
The same recorder in a 7-inch panel for shooters who want a bigger screen without moving to Atomos’s pricier Shogun Connect.
- 7-inch 2500-nit HDR display
- 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 in
- Records ProRes/DNx, plus Blackmagic RAW from supported cameras
- Tally light and 4 built-in scopes
- Bigger screen than the 5-inch Video Assist for the same feature set
- Cheaper than the Atomos Shogun Connect for a comparable 7-inch size
- No cloud/streaming features
- Larger footprint on a mirrorless rig than a 5-inch monitor
Video Devices PIX-E7
Sound Devices’ 7-inch stablemate to the PIX-E5H, with a larger 1920×1200 touchscreen for the A7S II’s fully manual, log-heavy workflow.
- 7-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen
- Records DCI 4K up to 30fps in ProRes
- Records to SpeedDrive SSD media
- Built-in scopes for log exposure work
- Bigger screen than the PIX-E5H for judging S-Log2/S-Log3 exposure
- Same Sound Devices reliability pedigree
- Same proprietary SpeedDrive SSD cost as the PIX-E5H
- Bulkier than the Atomos or Blackmagic 5-inch options
Buying tips
- The A7S II uses a Micro HDMI (Type D) port, just like the GH4 — budget for a micro-to-full-size HDMI cable with any recorder here.
- Recording externally captures the A7S II’s 8-bit 4:2:2 HDMI output instead of its 8-bit 4:2:0 internal file — a real upgrade for S-Log2/S-Log3 grading headroom.
- If you shoot S-Log, a monitor with built-in LUT loading (all of the Atomos and Blackmagic options here) is worth prioritizing so you’re not framing on a flat, washed-out log image.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.