Native 4K Projectors, No Pixel Shifting

Almost every projector sold as 4K puts a 1080p or 2716×1528 device on screen and shifts it two or four times per frame. A handful use imaging devices that are genuinely 4096×2160. The visible difference is smaller than the price gap suggests, but these projectors also carry the highest native contrast figures published by anyone, and that difference is not subtle.

How this list is ordered: Every projector with a native 4K imaging device, ordered by price. 5 of the catalog’s projectors qualify.

1. 

   1JVC

   ~$5,999

   JVC DLA-NZ500

   The cheapest way into a genuinely native 4K imaging device.

   Brightness

   2,000lumensANSI

   Screen at 10 ft

   68–109 in

   Light source

   Laser-phosphor

2. 

   2Sony

   ~$5,999

   Sony VPL-XW5000ES

   Three native 4K SXRD panels driven by the X1 Ultimate processor from Sony's televisions, in the smallest and lightest chassis Sony has ever used for a native 4K projector.

   Brightness

   2,000lumensISO 21118

   Screen at 10 ft

   62–100 in

   Input lag

   21 ms

   Light source

   Laser-phosphor

3. 

   3JVC

   ~$8,999

   JVC DLA-NZ700

   The NZ500 with double the native contrast and a motorized lens.

   Brightness

   2,300lumensANSI

   Screen at 10 ft

   68–109 in

   Light source

   Laser-phosphor

4. 

   4Sony

   ~$9,999

   Sony BRAVIA Projector 7

   Sony's renamed successor to the XW5000ES, and the fix for its two biggest limitations: 4K/120 now works, and input lag drops to 12 ms.

   Brightness

   2,200lumensANSI

   Screen at 10 ft

   62–100 in

   Input lag

   12 ms

   Light source

   Laser-phosphor

5. 

   5JVC

   ~$16,999

   JVC DLA-NZ800

   Third-generation native 4K D-ILA with 8K e-shiftX on top: the panels are 4096x2160 and the shift takes the addressed resolution beyond that.

   Brightness

   2,700lumensANSI

   Screen at 10 ft

   50–101 in

   Light source

   Laser-phosphor