BenQ X500i vs Optoma UHZ35ST
Every published specification for both, with the brightness standard shown beside each figure and the screen geometry worked out from each maker’s own throw ratio. Rows where the two differ are tinted.
BenQ
BenQ X500i
A short-throw gaming projector that puts a 100-inch image up from about six feet, which is what makes it work in an apartment.
Best for: A small room where the projector has to sit close to the screen
Optoma
Optoma UHZ35ST
A 0.50 throw ratio puts a 100-inch picture on the wall from about three and a half feet, which is closer than anything here except the true ultra-short-throws.
Best for: A gaming room barely deeper than the screen is wide
| Specification | BenQ X500i | Optoma UHZ35ST |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$1,999 | ~$1,849 |
| Type | Gaming | Gaming |
| Brightness | 2,200 lumensANSI | 3,500 lumensANSI |
| Imaging tech | DLP | DLP |
| Native resolution | 4K pixel-shift | 4K pixel-shift |
| Light source | LED | Laser-phosphor |
| Light source life | 20,000 h | 30,000 h |
| Throw ratio | 0.69–0.83:1 | 0.5:1 |
| Screen at 10 ft | 166–200 in | 275 in |
| 100-inch screen at | 5 ft–6 ft | 3 ft 8 in |
| Zoom | 1.2x | Fixed lens |
| Vertical lens shift | None | None |
| Horizontal lens shift | None | None |
| Dynamic contrast | 600,000:1 | 500,000:1 |
| Max signal | 1080p240 | 1080p240 |
| Input lag | 8 ms | 8 ms |
| HDR formats | HDR10, HLG | HDR10, HLG |
| 3D | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in streaming | Google TV | None |
| Speakers | 10 W | 15 W |
| HDMI | 2 × 2.0 | 2 × 2.0 |
| Fan noise | — | 30 dB |
| Weight | 7.9 lb | 6.6 lb |
| Battery | None | None |
| Released | 2023 | 2023 |
BenQ X500i: what it gives up
- 2,200 ANSI lumens is the dimmest of BenQ's 4K models and needs the lights down
- No lens shift at all, so the projector has to be placed precisely
- HDMI 2.0 only — no 4K/120
- BenQ does not publish a fan-noise figure for this model
- The lowest input-lag figures require no digital correction in the signal path, so the projector has to be physically square to the screen
Optoma UHZ35ST: what it gives up
- The lens is fixed: no zoom, no shift, so the screen size is set by where the projector sits
- HDMI 2.0, so 4K tops out at 60 Hz
- No smart platform at all
- At $1,849 it costs more than the brighter UHZ66 with a real zoom
- Optoma's standard warranty is one year in most markets, shorter than several rivals offer
Full specifications: BenQ X500i · Optoma UHZ35ST