Front screen
Also known as: selfie screen, front display, dual screen
A second color display on the lens side of an action camera, so you can frame yourself for vlogs and selfie shots without guessing what the camera sees.
Updated
What it means
Early action cameras had no screen at all, then a single rear touchscreen. A front screen adds a second display next to the lens, facing the subject. When you point the camera at yourself, you can see the live preview and check that your face, the background and the horizon are where you want them.
It changed how people use action cameras for travel and talking shots. Instead of recording blind and discovering later that half your head was out of frame, you can line up a shot on a selfie stick or grip almost instantly, and reshoot only when something genuinely went wrong.
How it works in practice
The front screen usually offers a few modes: a full preview, a cropped preview, status only, or off. Full preview is best for framing, while status only saves battery and still shows recording time and mode. Some cameras let you swap which screen is active with a tap.
For riding footage the front screen matters less, because the camera faces forward on a helmet or bike. It shines for vlog-style clips, group shots, and setting up a follow cam or a tripod angle where you are the subject and nobody is behind the camera to help.
What to watch out for
Two screens drain the battery faster, especially at full brightness. On long days, set the front display to status only or switch it off, and lower the brightness of both screens. In cold weather the extra drain adds to the already reduced battery life.
A bright screen facing outward can also show up in reflections, such as a car window or a mirror, and it draws attention in places where you want to film discreetly. Screens also scratch and crack in crashes, so a protector or a protective frame is worth the small extra bulk.
How RawClip handles it
The front screen only helps you frame shots, and the clips it records are normal video files. Upload talking shots and riding clips together, and RawClip mixes them into one highlight with the best moments of the trip.