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Earlier last year I had a chance to test the BenQ SW320 monitor, which turned out to be a solid choice for my photography needs. I was able to calibrate the display using both BenQ’s native Palette Master Element software and DisplayCAL, which provided me with great results at the end (you can see my calibration results in my detailed BenQ SW320 Review). I wanted to explore BenQ’s product line even further and this time I will be taking a closer look at the smaller 27″ version of the monitor, the SW271. Quite a few things have changed since last time I looked at BenQ monitors and with the most recent updates to calibration software, it seemed like I could get even more out of these wide gamut displays. Let’s take a look at what I was able to achieve with the BenQ SW271 in my environment. Update: It seems like all the issues are related to the MacOS version of Palette Master Element. After trying out the same display on my Windows PC, I was able to successfully calibrate the screen in Panel Native gamut without any issues! The white point was also being saved properly on the PC, but not on the MacOS version. If you are a Mac user, my recommendation would be to find a PC to do the initial hardware calibration. After that, connect to your Mac and perform software calibration using DisplayCAL for the best accuracy. Unfortunately, until BenQ fixes the MacOS version of the software, this is the only workaround I can think of. Where to Buy
SW271 | công nghệ ÍP, 99% - BenQ Màn hình nhiếp ảnh SW271 | công nghệ ÍP, 99% - BenQ
Overall, it looks like the uniformity results for the SW271 looks pretty decent, especially when compared to the BenQ SW320 that demonstrated fairly poor uniformity, particularly in the corners. Still, I did not expect to see a sharp drop in uniformity right outside the center zone – as you can see, the right side of the center area looks quite a bit different. A built-in SD memory card reader adds to the flexibility of the SW271’s connection options. (Image credit: Australian ProPhoto) Putting it togetherWe were also able to confirm BenQ’s claims that this monitor boasts a Delta E of less than two in pretty much every color patch we could test. Using the new Delta E 2000 standard, the monitor records a maximum Delta E of just 1.51; using the older (but often referenced) Delta E 1976 standard, two patches peak over 2.5, but nothing ever got close to 3. We used BenQ's Palette Master Element software, set the colour mode to Calibration 1, 120cd/m2, 6505K colour, and ran the calibration, with an i1 Display Pro. The results for colour temperature was 6527K, and brightness is very close to the requested 120 cd/m2 value, at 121 cd/m2.
BenQ US SW271C Specifications | BenQ US
Adjustments include a full 90-degree swivel for working in the portraiture mode. The supplied modular hood is easily reconfigured. (Image credit: BenQ) You want more? Keep in mind that this is what you normally get with most budget options on the market. Unless you are ready to move up to NEC and Eizo monitors that offer good overall uniformity and uniformity compensation features, most other monitors are going to struggle in this department. Verifying Factory CalibrationThe SW271C has a 27-inch display with 3840x2160 (UHD) resolution. It's using an IPS panel for wide viewing angles, and its matte finish helps reduce glare from overhead lights. A shade hood is included, with all the parts for a horizontal or vertical orientation. The display is, as expected, downright gorgeous. It's mostly the same as the older SW271, with 100% sRGB, 100% AdobeRGB, and 95% DCI-P3 color reproduction, as measured with a SpyderX Pro colorimeter. I selected a 5×5 grid and measured each part of the square, placing the X-Rite i1Display Pro colorimeter in the middle of each one. Below is the result, showing DeltaC deviations: On the one hand, there are no missing features I can point to as deal-breakers, and the monitor has passed all of our tests with flying colors. Not only does color and uniformity measure up to the marketing, but the monitor also comes with some cool creator-focused features like Paper Color Sync, support for third-party hardware calibration if you use Calman Studio or ColourSpace, and better video editing support than its predecessor. As you can see, the right bottom side is just a tad more pink compared to the left side, which is a common issue with many BenQ monitors. Although it is not as bad as on the SW320 I reviewed previously, it is still definitely there. Overall brightness uniformity is also a problem and you can see a bright hotspot in the middle, which is quite common to see on most monitors of this level. However, greys are good, with them looking grey, with minimal tint, unless you've moved the image to the left or right of the screen. We found the best colour results were from using a calibration device in combination with the Palette Master Element software, which meant the software was able to write the calibration results to the monitor's LUT.
BenQ Japan 仕様｜BenQ Japan
The main performance claims that BenQ makes with the SW271C is that it can deliver 10-bit color with 99% coverage of AdobeRGB and 90% coverage of DCI-P3 at a Delta E of 2 or less. The company also claims that the display can be used to edit HDR content. This is all technically true, but there are some caveats. Bit Depth and Brightness On the surface, there is essentially no difference between the almost 4-year-old SW271 and the brand new SW271C. You get the same plastic exterior, the same chunky bezels, the same circular menu buttons, and the same 5-piece monitor hood. They both also use the same massive monitor base, which is almost comically large for a 27-inch 16:9 monitor. If I were keeping this for longer than the few weeks it took to review, I’d definitely put the SW271C on a monitor arm and save myself the desk space. Viewing angles are 178 degrees for both vertical and horizontal, which is very good. Although the viewing angle is typical for a high-end display using IPS panel technology, those who are used to the older TN panel technology will be impressed by the difference this makes. Colour and brightness remain fairly consistent, although can change towards the left and right if you are not positioned in front of the middle of the monitor. Validation Report - Using the advanced mode on Palette Master Element, you are able to measure the monitor's colour performance (Calibration 1), and we measured an averageΔE of 1.72, and a maximumΔE of 3.81, which is good. The SW271C's wide gamut support, UHD resolution, and accurate color reproduction make it a top choice for photography professionals.I have looked at the Dell UP2720Q which was well reviewed by Nasim but there is a 6 week wait time from Dell to get it. My NEC Multisync PA241W just died (3 blinking lights and a blank screen) and NEC tells me it can no longer be repaired so I am in the market. I have a custom built PC per Nasim’s spec in another article and currently do still photos but want to move to video as well and hope to find a monitor to do both. I plan to move to either a 27″ or 32″ monitor and possibly 4K While BenQ may have bent the truth a little bit with the claims of HDR and 10-bit color, there was no need to do the same for color gamut coverage and Delta E. Color accuracy on this display is top-notch. First, I want to thank you for such a wonderful and well rounded review of the BenQ SW271. I rarely see anyone take the time and effort to thoroughly inspect and test products like you. A cable tidy is included on the rear of the stand for keeping everything neat once it’s set up how you like. There's also a handle at the top, making it easier to lift the monitor if needed.
SW271 Download - BenQ SW271 Download - BenQ
Using BenQ's software Palette Master Element you need to use a calibration device to calibrate the monitor, such as the X-Rite i1 Display Pro. This resolution provides more than enough space for working with several programs on at the same time, and you can view a full 8-megapixel photo at 100% on the screen. If you regularly deal with large images or need to view a lot of an image, in detail, then the high-resolution will be particularly useful. For 4K (UHD) video, the monitor's resolution is ideal, letting you view the full detail in the video. First and foremost, the monitor now supports third-party hardware calibration for those using CalMan Studio or Light Illusion’s ColourSpace. This is a “good news, bad news” situation. Good, because hardware calibration is superior to software calibration, and third-party solutions are more widely supported than proprietary software like BenQ’s own Palette Master Element; Bad, because these are two of the most advanced and expensive color calibration solutions on the market and they’re aimed squarely at the high-end cinema crowd. Thank you for your time, extraordinary knowledge and opinions. What you recommend will greatly influence my final decision on a monitor. FYI, for the most part, I use PS and LrC to edit in Windows 10. In other words: the BenQ SW271C is easy to recommend… but it’s hard to recommend at this price. Are There Alternatives?I had looked at the NEC PA271Q as I could continue to use the NEC branded i1 calibrator, which apparently will only work with NEC monitors but your review gives me pause. The connection options comprise a pair of HDMI ports (Version 2.0), Display Port, USB 3.0 (upstream for hubbing) and USB Type C plus a 3.5mm stereo audio headphone output. Two downstream USB 3.0 ports are located on the rear left side of the monitor along with a slot for SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards which, apart from the convenience factor, also frees up one of the main USB ports for the great many photographers using this format. A circular port in the support column serves as a cable run to keep everything tidy. Performance
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