ngl if you're looking for bang for buck, I would skip the big names and grab the Desview R6 UHB 5.5 Inch 2800nit Touchscreen Monitor. Honestly, 2800 nits is overkill but it means you can actually see in midday sun. It takes NP-F batteries and has solid false color tools. Use smaller batteries like the Neewer NP-F550 2-Pack 2600mAh Li-ion Batteries to keep that gimbal weight manageable.

Since you're worried about that micro-HDMI, my biggest tip is to grab the SmallRig HDMI Cable Clamp for Canon R5. It's cheap and basically prevents your port from getting trashed or disconnected mid-shoot. For a budget-friendly alternative to the big brands, I've been using the Feelworld LUT7 7 Inch 2200nit Daylight Viewable Monitor. It's actually 2200 nits so it's bright enough for literal noon sunlight without even needing a sunhood. It's pretty light, uses standard NP-F batteries, and has all the false color tools you need without the Atomos price tag. Just be aware it pulls a lot of power, so stick to the larger NP-F970 style batteries if you can. It's a solid workhorse for someone starting to build a professional rig on a budget.

Building on the earlier suggestion about protecting that micro-HDMI port, I found the stock connection on the R5 incredibly disappointing for professional use. Even with basic clamps, I had signal drops that ruined several takes. I eventually had to DIY a more rigid solution using a full cage combined with a high-quality right-angle adapter to keep the profile slim for gimbal work. I initially went with the Atomos route but it was honestly not as good as expected because of the weight and the annoying fan noise that picked up on my scratch mics. I switched to the Portkeys LH5P II 5.5 Inch 2200nit Touchscreen Monitor because it allows for camera control, though the menu system is unfortunately quite unintuitive. Quick tip: prioritize weight over capacity for gimbal setups. Use the Sony NPF550 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack instead of the larger ones to prevent motor strain. Also, use Velcro ties to DIY your cable runs along the gimbal arms to stop the micro-HDMI from tugging during pans.

I totally feel your pain with the R5 screen. It is a fantastic camera but that back LCD is basically useless for critical focus once you step outside into the sun. I agree that the built-in tools feel a bit limited for higher-end commercial jobs and honestly, a bigger screen is a total game changer for the client experience too. One small point I would add though is to keep an eye on the actual power draw. High brightness panels eat batteries for breakfast, so even with NP-F units, you might find yourself swapping more than you expect. When I am out in the field with my RF setup, I prioritize the signal processing speed. The R5 outputs a heavy 10-bit signal and some cheaper monitors actually struggle to process that without introducing a slight lag, which is a nightmare for gimbal work. You really want a 5-inch display that has a high pixel density—around 400 ppi—so you can actually see if that 50mm prime is hitting the iris. Also, since the R5 has that micro-HDMI port, please do yourself a favor and get a cage with a cable clamp. Its a literal lifesaver for data integrity. A solid 1000+ nit screen with false color is mandatory, but make sure the monitor has a decent cooling system because high-nit displays can get surprisingly hot and start to throttle their brightness during long takes.

Came here to say the same thing lol. Great minds think alike I guess.

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Regarding what #6 said about "Building on the earlier suggestion about protecting that..." - honestly the port design on the R5 is a total disaster. I've gone through two cables already because the clearance is just garbage. So far people have touched on the cheap high-nit panels like Feelworld and Desview plus some cable hacks. Ive been doing this a long time and unfortunately most mid-range options either feel like toys or the colors are totally shifted. Here is what I have actually lived with:

• Portkeys LH5P II 5.5 Inch 2200nit Camera Control Monitor : This is my daily driver. 2200 nits is legit for outdoors, but the best part is the camera control for the R5. You can actually trigger recording and change settings on the screen. It gets super hot tho, like almost too hot to touch sometimes.
• SmallHD Action 5 5 Inch 2000nit Daylight Viewable Monitor : I really wanted to love this because of the brand name, but it was not as good as expected. The feature set is way too stripped down compared to their higher-end stuff and the mounting points felt flimsy for professional use. If you're on a gimbal, definitely go for the Portkeys for that control integration, just dont expect it to stay cool.