Photographers at work use more equipment than any other equipment. No, this is not their camera. It's not their favorite lens either. I'm talking about their photo editing monitor.
Unless you plan to outsource post-production, the time spent staring at the monitor may be much longer than looking through the viewfinder. Therefore, high-resolution, color-accurate display is absolutely essential, although we will definitely continue to release
it's here
, This review will help readers who need a quick overview and some buying advice.
Unlike the daily news and individual product reviews you see on the website, this article will be updated regularly as new products and more advanced display technologies are put on the market, so you can use it every time you want to upgrade the photo editing function . Set up. Whether you are looking for the best curved monitor, the best monitor for HDR, or the best monitor on a budget, we can meet your requirements.
The best photo editing monitors can find the right balance between resolution, color depth, color accuracy, and price. When evaluating the best photographic monitor, we will prioritize color depth and color accuracy, then resolution, and then determine whether the price can make this combination reasonable. For example, real 10-bit panels, high AdobeRGB coverage and 4K resolution monitors are hard to find under $4,000... but they do exist.
Other factors also play a role: USB-C connection is almost expected, power transmission will be a big advantage, the ability to check different color spaces in real time is its main advantage, and high-end features (such as extremely high peak brightness, full Function) Array local dimming and built-in colorimeter help justify some expensive options, especially if you want to edit HDR content.
We divide the reviews into 8 categories:
27 inches
4K
250 nits
10 people
100% AdobeRGB (declared), 98% DCI-P3 (declared)
Built-in colorimeter, monitor shadow
$2,000 (as of this writing, the price is $1,600)
When you look at all the factors: size, resolution, color accuracy, color depth, cost performance, and the spread of photo-centric features, these are all useful, so it is difficult to compete with them.
. The price of the BenQ SW321C is the same, but the price is not high, but it lacks a built-in colorimeter. We can confirm that it uses an 8-bit panel with FRC.
A real 10-bit panel like Dell.
In fact, Dell is a rare product in this price range-most displays that claim a 10-bit price of around $2,000 almost use 8-bit + FRC, which is a way to create 10-bit color depth from 8-bit Skills. The panel flashes quickly between the two colors. Another 10-bit option in this price range is
.
If you need to edit video, especially when working with HDR10 or Hybrid Log-Gamma, you can use a better monitor to achieve higher peak brightness and a full-array local dimming function. Check out the "Best for HDR" category below, it can really burn the retina and achieve the desired contrast. If you want a professional company to provide unparalleled color and uniformity, then the best category is "Best Final Color Accuracy". But for the typical readers of the site, they want a large, high-resolution display at a reasonable price, including all the fancy things,
Is our first choice.
2K
350 nits
8-bit
100% sRGB (declared)
Quick installation of virtual scales and built-in ProArt presets
$ 290
The terms "budget monitor" and "color accuracy" are usually not used at the same time, but ASUS has adopted
. After factory calibration and Calman certification, it may not let you get the amazing AdobeRGB or DCI-P3 number (not even mentioned), but with the main competitors-
.
It lacks some complete functions, such as USB-C connection, 4K resolution or frame rate control (FRC). Many companies use these functions to upgrade affordable 8-bit panels to 10-bit analog. But the price is correct, the DeltaE of the ad is less than 2, and the 100% coverage of sRGB will take you to where you need it, especially if you only produce content for online consumption. As the display technology advances by leaps and bounds, we hope to see more competition in this price range soon. Currently, if you are looking for the best budget monitor for photo editing,
Is the way to go.
300 nits
8-bit + FRC from 16-bit LUT
99% AdobeRGB (declared), 97% DCI-P3 (declared)
Control disc, display hood
$800
It is the successor to the incredibly popular SW2700PT. As far as the core specifications are concerned, the two monitors have several key features: 2K, 99% AdobeRGB coverage, convenient ball control, etc.
However, the additional $200 can provide you with some important upgrades: 16-bit LUT, USB-C connection with 60W power output, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, 97% DCI-P3 coverage, and a newer version of the control panel. In other words, you will benefit from all the small incremental upgrades that make the SW2700PT look obsolete, and use this 16-bit LUT to add a bit of juice to your color accuracy library.
If you want to save some cash, you can still buy
It only costs $600, but you have waived all of the above conditions, which is worth the extra $200 in our estimation.
32 inches
400 nits continuous, 600 nits peak
10 bits from a 14-bit LUT
USB hub, picture-in-picture mode, DisplayHDR 600 certification
$ 1,150
The best mid-range eventually led to fierce competition between the two.
with
. Both have excellent color accuracy, but Asus, with its true 10-bit panel, 100% AdobeRGB coverage, higher video editor DCI-P3 coverage, and 600 nits of peak brightness, can to a certain extent View or edit HDR content to win, and the 32-inch screen, all prices are the same as BenQ.
The monitor also has a USB-C connection and 60W power output, a built-in 4-port USB-A hub, a picture-by-picture mode, allows you to compare color spaces side by side, and is VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified. All the extremely useful features in our book.
Your main problem is to find a product to buy because
Since its release, it has been "out of stock" many times. However, if you can find one, it will be the best choice, unless you can afford our "best overall" choice.
40 inches
Ultra HD 5K x 2K
98% DCI-P3 (declared), 100% sRGB (declared)
A KVM switch with 4 USB-A ports, one USB-C port and one Ethernet port. 9W speakers.
$ 2,100
It is the latest product in curved, color-accurate displays. U4021QW made its debut at CES last month and is hailed as the world’s first color-accurate 40-inch WUHD 5K2K monitor with excellent color accuracy (similar products), 98% DCI-P3 coverage and 100% With sRGB coverage, the screen has a resolution of 5,120×2,160 pixels. Compared with a typical 32-inch 16:9 4K monitor, the screen area has increased by 33%.
It also provides every connection you may need, including Thunderbolt 3 with 90W power output, an additional USB-C port, two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort, and a built-in KVM with 4 USB-A ports Switcher, an audio-out and an Ethernet port. Even built-in 9W speakers.
When using such a monitor, there are always one or two trade-offs. First, you should make sure that the computer/GPU can actually drive it at full resolution, and you will almost always give up
For color performance, replace your 2-monitor setup with a large-size single monitor. Dell does not list AdobeRGB performance, and we have not had the opportunity to test it (coming soon). But in terms of pure efficiency, it’s hard to beat a 40-inch curved display, and
It is currently the best choice for photo and video editors.
6K
Continuous 1000 nits, peak 1600 nits
100% DCI-P3 (measured), 89% AdobeRGB (measured)
Built-in presets, full array local dimming (576 areas)
$5,000
If you want the ultimate photo editing monitor tailored for Mac, then you can't escape the troubles of the Apple ecosystem. Yes, this monitor costs up to $5,000 without installing hardware, which is ridiculously expensive, but its combination of 6K resolution, VESA HDR1000 performance, 100% DCI-P3 coverage and ridiculous 1600 nit peak brightness makes it Become one of the best photo and video editing monitors in the market, period.
However, these are not the main reasons why we call it "best for Mac lovers". Pro Display XDR has won the title with its seamless integration with the parent operating system and unique Apple-style design.
There are no controls on the monitor, so all its settings can be controlled from the macOS monitor settings. Here, you can change the zoom ratio, adjust the brightness, configure settings like "Night Shift" and "True Tone", and choose from many Apple presets built into the display, including photography, HDR, Digital Cinema, and Design&Print .
Overall, it may not be the best monitor for photographers and photo editors, especially if you don’t like video editing or HDR, but
For those who like to play in the apple walled garden, it is the best choice.
10 bits in 16-bit LUT
99% Adobe RGB (declared), 98% DCI-P3 (declared)
$ 5,739.00
It is one of the most respected professional display brands for good reason. Their display is an elite display that puts color accuracy and uniformity above everything else. It can provide true 10-bit color from a 16-bit 3D look-up table (LUT), 99% Adobe RGB color space coverage, special "Digital uniformity equalizer" to prevent fluctuations in brightness and color reproduction, and a built-in colorimeter, so your display quality never slips.
Another noteworthy feature is the speed at which the monitor warms up and stabilizes. Most high-end monitors recommend that you warm up for 15-30 minutes before performing any work that has strict color requirements, because the brightness and color of the LCD need to be stabilized. EIZO claims to be able to complete this operation within 3 minutes, so you can start business without further delay.
The disadvantage can be boiled down to one word: price. The jaw-dropping $5,739 places it in the Pro Display XDR field. It may be too much for many people, especially when
Claim to have similar color performance. However, what you have to pay for this is rock-solid reliability and performance guaranteed by a brand that professionals clearly trust.
Lasts 1000 nits
100% DCI-P3 (measured), 94% AdobeRGB (measured)
Built-in colorimeter, monitor shading, full array local dimming (2,000 areas)
If you want to get true HDR performance, you need three things, and you need two-thirds. They are: brightness, contrast and color accuracy.
Provide you with the best choice in three worlds: continuous full screen brightness of 1000 nits, amazing 2,000 Mini LED backlight and full array local dimming, as well as 100% DCI-P3 and 94% Adobe RGB coverage. This is a real display certified by VESA DisplayHDR 1000 and has more local dimming areas than any other place on the market. Therefore, before OLED technology can maintain this continuous brightness and uniformity, this is processing HDR content The best choice.
Other important features include built-in Calman-powered colorimeter, included display hood, built-in USB-A hub, Thunderbolt 3 connection with 90W power output, and a mode that allows you to compare two color spaces side by side on the same display. All of this is packaged in a 32-inch 4K display with a real 10-bit panel that will not play.
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