BenQ SW321C Monitor Review | Good Performance for the Price?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2022
- How does the BenQ SW321C monitor stack up against the legendary EIZO CG318? Here’s my honest, no-holds-barred review.
In this video, I put the new BenQ through its paces, looking at tonal range, sharpness, uniformity and much more.
Covering the calibration process, native contrast, and other key elements, I tell you exactly what I think of this monitor.
Most importantly, I tell you how it compares with an EIZO monitor that costs more than twice as much. The answer may surprise you!
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Thanks Karl for a great review, just what I needed.
I'm really glad you like the Benq and very grateful for the calibration info as I've just bought one and yet to get it out of the box.
Great review.
Thanks for sharing.
We make today the same test, with a BenQ sw321C and a EIZO CG318 from 2015 with 10.000 hours. We checkt both systems with a Jeti Specbos and with our eyes. The Contrast from the old Eizo is 1200:1 from BenQ sw321C 600:1. The image homogeneity is still significantly better with the used EIZO than with the brand new sw321C. This, in connection with a miserable black level with the sw321C, makes me very happy about the good investment in the EIZO CG318.
great video Karl, thanks
You haven't said anything about the scheduled calibration of the Eizo. You program it once for the day and time you want, and it self-calibrates itself. It's a joy to see how he does it. Then you forget but you know that your monitor is perfectly calibrated, and the money you have spent is dedicated to having free time for other things
I value your opinion, now i'd love more reviews, like which pro printer to buy
Great review, Karl - would love to learn more about your image processing workflow, i.e., shooting in RAW/Adobe RGB? ... what color profile are your edits/retouching in - sRGB? AdobeRGB? Both?. I use the puck on my BenQ to quickly switch between AdobeRGB and sRGB so I know how 'off' the sRGB is when it's exported out for web.
Hi Karl, thanks for such a good rewiew. I wonder when you calibrate your screens what light do you have in your room / studio? How strong is the light? I guess you use 5000K lamps, but how do you know how strong light you should have when calibrating? Then, I am always thoughtful when I calibrate my screen, how strong should the lighting of the screen be? I noticed that the X1 sets the lighting itself, so I hope it's ok. By the way, really think if you could make a video when calibrating screen with X1 then many of us would be very grateful. Thanks in advance!
Liked your review, in fact I like a lot of your videos and have to say the time spent watching them is a good investment, so thanks for that.
I've have had an SW 270c for the past 18 months and am hugely impressed with the quality/price ratio. The sad thing is PME software leaves some of the actual performance these monitors are capable of untapped, even at the lower end of the SW line. More recently both Portrait Display Software as well as ColorSpace can hardware calibrate some of the SW line, but those aren't solutions an average Joe is going to entertain as fact remains adding one of those software suites to the price of an SW321c makes the Eizo downright cheap.
There are solutions I wish BenQ would entertain, one that comes to mind is DisplayCal, a hardcore tweakers delight... free!
Guess I'm saying when you can get that close to reliably bang on why settle for near perfect?
Great review! Man, it's great to see so many brands in the professional space these days. When Eizo made a name for themselves there was not a whole lot of competition, now we have BenQ, Asus, LG, Samsung and whatnot to pick and choose from. I do hope that Eizo can survive in this market and still push the envelope but even if money is a finite resource (which for most people it is, obviously) nobody has to settle for crap displays anymore.
It's unfortunate NEC left the market though.
Nice video. What about Flanders Scientific ?
I've been in the market for a new monitor and I came across the BenQ SW321C. It boasts a contrast ratio of 1000:1 in its specifications, but in reality, it only achieves a ratio of 600:1 when tested in real-world conditions and with Uniformity Technology enabled. On the other hand, the Dell UP2720Q presents as a superior option, offering a contrast ratio of 1000:1 as proven in actual use. It's important to note that reviewers should not merely recite specifications from a data sheet. Instead, they should validate these claims through independent testing and measurements to provide accurate and reliable reviews.
NICE COMMENT!
It seems likely that if you used the BenQ profiling software first, you were doing a HARDWARE calibration, which modifies the internal LUT and primaries of the monitor. And then you followed that up with a SOFTWARE calibration with i1Profiler. You didn't do anything wrong, but the BenQ hardware calibration got it probably 97% of the way there, and i1Profiler put on the finishing touches with a higher patch count, and then it created an ICC profile. Hardware calibrated monitors don't technically need an ICC profile within the OS (mac/win). I have done this myself by using Basiccolor Display to perform a hardware calibration (works with NEC, Eizo and DDC-compatible monitors), and then follow it up with a software calibration with DisplayCal. DisplayCal has basically stopped being updated, and Basiccolor Display Pro 6 has come a long way since, so now I only use Display Pro 6.
Just tried your "Basiccolor Display Pro 6", does not work, I press Calibrate and it does nothing
This is technically a slight misconception about hardware calibrated displays. An icc / icm profile is still needed to let the GPU knows what color gamut, white point and gamma to output to the display. No color adjustment is happening none the less the other components are still needed. Also BasICColor software works but I would be careful when using it, there are some calibration anomaly that I found out with color shifts on certain display tech.
Hello. Thought you might be interested, Asus just released (The paper release was last November) the pa32dc. It's a 32" OLED with a built-in calibrator. I like the idea of the SD-card reader on the BenQ as I am a desktop user and like to avoid dongles etc.
I got a BenQ SW240 recently and am a bit confused regarding the color-space of the display. Even after the calibration, the display on the Rec709 profile seems too dark. sRGB looks better. What am I doing wrong?
Very interesting review indeed. I have tried dual monitor setups in the past, and with one of them always being my Eizo and the other being from different (albeit reputable) brands, I've never been really happy with the differences in color and contrast, even after calibrating. That the BenQ delivers a result this close to the Eizo is really remarkable.
You mention that you do see differences, but are they at a level where using the two monitors in this test side by side would be confusing? I mean, where you start to second guess wether one or the other monitor is closest to the print version? - or would you be comfortable trusting either of them to be close enough since there is almost always a bit of difference in colors between monitor and print anyway?
I assume that using the BenQ alone you would very quickly adapt to whatever minor differences, there is between the monitor and the print color - correct?
Hello Taylor. Thanks for the video and your advice. I just wanted to confirm that you are able to save your calibrated profiles to one of the calibration slots on the puck (1-3 buttons).
Can you confirm in System Setting, in Display panel (on your Mac) that the color profile was activated to the one you wanted, when pressing the corresponding button on the puck?
I have the same monitor, SW321C, and it is not switching between the calibrated color profiles that I had it set to. Visually, on the monitor, a change is noted between color spaces/profiles, but when I open the system setting within the OS, it is still on prior color profile, or default BenQ color profile, not my latest calibrated profiles. Is it switching between your calibrated profiles? Double check!
Tech support from BenQ is telling me that I cannot save any calibration profiles to any of the 1-3 buttons on the control puck!
This explanation goes against everything that I read about the monitor and seen from others on the net. I am thinking that there is a glitch with the Palette ME or hardware of the monitor. Probably monitor hardware is not saving the profile to the desired buttons on the puck that I want. I had editing work completed under the wrong color profiles, and it was not fun redoing everything again. Can't send projects to clients in such manner.
Awesome & Thanks :)
Thanks Karl for taking the time to do this review.
Yes Eizos are pricy but damm they look so good. Maybe having BenQ nipping at their heels will help them become a tad bit more price competitive while retaining their FAB look.
Karl what do you think about this monitro Eizo monitor ColorEdge 24" CG247X.... I do not need the big 32inch one....and the price for this 24inch is still in my range.Thanks
Karl, are you sure about the 321c not having rec 2020 ?
I'll check mine again when I get home tonight.
did you make it home safe?
I own a BenQ 270C monitor with a Xrite X1 for hardware calibration with the Palette Master software. Is it worthwile to use the Xrite software for better quality images? Is using Xrite software hardware or software calibration?
if you switch to costum in the monitor settings, the calibration with the benq software is no longer used or am i seeing this wrong? that means you no longer use the hardware calibration but only the software calibration
Quick question:
For picture post-processing (No video), do you recommend a 32 inch or 27 inch monitor?
Thanks in advance for your comments or remarks.
depends on your viewing distance and your eye-sight
hello sir... pls tell me one think.. What you think about apple 5k retina display??can apple dispaly screen compete with benq and eizo
My main objection with Benq ( in my case SW270C) is that it takes between 7 to 12 seconds to wake up from sleep. Which is unbearable for my sanity :) Any IEZO took 1 second. I know it is not the most important feature on photography monitor but unless you use it only for photography it's important one.
Thanks for the complete review. If I do the calibration with Xrite, can the resulting profile be stored in the hardware? I would like to change my CG2420 and I'm undecided on the Benq having read conflicting things regarding contrast and brightness.Do you think it could be a good expense? Thanks....
I would consider the new Eizo CG2700X 4K monitor which hopefully I will be reviewing in January
@@VisualEducationStudio Thnaks, Only problem is the price.
@@VisualEducationStudio still planning on reviewing the CG2700X?
Hi, interesting your comparison, I think you also left out something important about the Eizo brand and that is that if you have a problem even if it is minimal within the 5 years of your warranty, they send you an equal one of susritution so you can continue working, they pick up yours (without any cost for you) if it is not fixed they will give you another equal or superior. do you know of another brand that does that? no, it does not exist...how much is that worth? greetings from valencia
For that price it is an awesome monitor.
Did you do a backlight bleed test (backlight glow)? How does iz compate to EIZO? Thank you.
When I plug my laptop into my Benq, it's pretty common that it does not load the proper ICC profile into the Mac OS. That has NEVER happened with the Eizo. The Eizo software is more reliable and well thought out. Everytime I choose a different calibration on the Eizo, it also changes the system ICC. With the Benq I always had to double check, because quite often the wrong ICC would be selected. I tried saving money by switching to Benq, but now I'm back to Eizo because it just works.
Thanks, Dear Karl
Welcome
My SW271 started burning into the edges. it goes away after a moment but if the static elements on the screen stays for too long, especially on the right edge, it'll be visible for at least 5 minutes after being gone. This monitor is almost 4 years old.
Ho there, please tell -Do you use only PME to calibrate or as Karl you used i1profiler on top?
I always use Palette Master Elements. Could you please make a Tutorial in how to calibrate it with Xrite Software. I find this a very complex topic with many options to make mistakes!
You should check out Artisright videos here on TH-cam. I love Karl’s videos, but he really should of read the manual prior to doing a review.
The only problem with the BenQ is that they possibly sent you their best copy, but Eizo on the other hand is still made in Japan with a much higher level of quality control.
See my recent review of the Eizo 27inch 4k
Great information and thank you for clarification that Pallete master $ucks. I just bought brand new Color checker display pro and tried running it on my 271C which is connected to MacMini M2 pro and it kept crashing no mater which PM version I used. It would start initially but as soon as I hit 'CONTINUE' after the 'Start Measurement' Panel it would crash. Ended up downloading Calibrite software from their website and running it was pretty easy. Now my BenQ and iMac 27 (late 2012) are 99% matching. Only difference I see is that iMac has more brightness output. Wrt other devices - my iPhone 13 pro also shows 98% matching but the image pops more on iPhone given it is an OLED panel. And my iPad 8 is only one that is not matching the image as close and it has more magenta effect which I think might be due to the way iPads color profile is responding and I can live with that. THANK YOU so much ! fyi : I did not calibrate my iMac and am using default color profile on it which is also called 'iMac'.
I've been looking for a 2nd monitor to pair with my 2019 BenQ PD2720U. I only use it for video editing. Would you recommend getting one of the SW-monitors even though the PD2720U only has ICC profiles? Or would it be wiser to buy another PD-range monitor (the exact same model or this year's refresh?)
Eizo have a new 27 inch 4K monitor with built in calibration, it's price competitive and looks very good on paper, I should be reviewing it in January.
@@VisualEducationStudio Thank you for your quick reply, I'll be patiently waiting for the review!💪
Can i get a monitor hood for any monitor out there or just some? I sit next to a window at work and sometimes the glare is a bit too much.
You could buy some black mounting board and make one to size with some gaffer tape if you don’t find any. Could fit it with some velcro. A bit of crafting/DIY. I would recomend to get a blind for the window though, as if light hits you, you (and anything with light behind you) will be reflected on the monitor.
@@Charlie-tl4dv I've thought of DIY since it does look simple enough... but i'm not very handy and i'm afraid it will look ghetto LOL
@@SiphesihleKhoza PCHD001 Pro Hood for 15-26 inch Monitor available from varoius places including Amazon
if my final output is printed definitely Eizo, but if its for a online job...I dont use Benq at all but use other manufacturers... my biased opinion but the actual print you get and what you see on screen Eizo does it better
I want one
Interesting to hear that your copy of the BenQ also had a green colourcast when using PME software. I had the same issue. I was also able to get great results using the X rite workflow. I returned the BenQ but kept the calibrator.
Hallo there is an option at Color pallete on the palette master software which you can choose between two palettes!The default has more green on the triangle!You had to change it!!!Either way benq is not eizo!!!Theor prices went also high!Look their 271c vs the cs2740.Eizo is way better at slightly better price and not Chinese!!!!!Also in their online seminars they are lying I believe about prizes and they just want to promote their products
I believe that the SD card reader can be used for firmware updates
If BenQ would send me a free copy i would absolutely use this monitor.
The whole point of the BenQ SW321C -and the SW line over teh PD line - is that you have hardware calibration built in, no? So why use an external device? Is the built in hardware calibration bad? I would have been interesting if you showed how the internal calibration worked and how it performed. I'm looking at SW and PD monitors from Benq, but if you the SW also needs a hardware calibration with an external color meter, the USP of those monitors is smaller, to me.
There is no hardware with this monitor (Ben Q) you have to purchase a separate calibration sensor to use with their built in software or the one that comes with the calibrator, unless they have now included one. That's what I said in this video.
Most important to me is how does the calibrated image compare to your print?
Pretty close but this will also depend on the lab you use and how good they are with their calibrated process. Sometimes I add a bit more contrast and slightly lighter before I send to print but even the choice of paper material has an effect.
Eizo CG series is calibrated from the hardware level. Other monitors be calibrated only the LUT, only the output side of the colors. Completely different calibration methods! So use of large patch calibration often create bandings if the hardware calibration is no available like Eizo. (I think some NEC monitors have the hardware calibration)
Good review. Funny. We aren‘t paid, but we can keep the £1500 monitor if we like. At least honest.
Do you know of a pro level photo editing monitor that is 120hz?
Respect for Eizo. Even paying more, dividing it for the years that it will last, I'm good. Decades for the competition trying to sabotage Eizo while not reaching the level. I'm sorry, bit simply because of that, I'll continue buying Eizo.
sabotage ? 🤣
The eizo from hiw the clip starts I can alredy tell even before watching videos doesn't have good viewing angles like the benq
When I started on photography and saw the calibration of monitors, thought that I needed one of that screens, but after listeing that you can work on the calibration of the monitor to achieve the best quality of colours to send the image to the magazine, and they print the picture however they want, I saw that is no so important this kind of monitors.
And, up today, I have not had any problem between the image on my "standard" monitor and the printing enterprise. (Of course I don't have the top level of Karl Taylor and my customers are no so exacting). And with the money saved using my standard monitor, I can invest in courses, masterclasses or other photograpy items.
I’ve used both brands for many years and I’ve always come to the same conclusion every time, the price of Eizo isn’t worth the very niche features you get from it. Especially compared to offerings from BenQ and others. I own an Eizo but I didn’t pay full price for it. If I had, it would have been a very hard sell.
Im impressed by the fact you said "GOOD PERFORMANCE FOR THE PRICE" talking about a 1800$ + tax monitor
沒有中文翻譯
Again great video thank you, and If you receive a monitor for every review, you might not have enough space for so many monitors, so how about gifting one to me too :D
To EXPENSIVE @ !2K!
It's worth noting to NOT use HDMI leads where calibration is important to you. Here is a link to the expert th-cam.com/video/Z_MLLONK_9w/w-d-xo.html. Thanks for the video.
벤큐는 대한민국에서 서비스 기준 (좌녹우적, 우녹좌적 등 백색균일도 불량 인정하지 않거나 신속하게 처리하지 못함) 이
전문가에 맞춰줘 있지 않아 위험! ex) 미국벤큐는 좌녹우적 등의 백색균일도를 불량으로 인정 - 2021. 기준
단, 2023. 01. 26. 확인한 바, 벤큐코리아는 "고객만족도와 품질기준을 강화하였다"고 공개적으로 밝힘.
과거 SW320의 불만족 댓글이 뒤덮었던 다나X 게시판에서 SW321C의 패널 불만이 없는 사실 주목해야!
If ever watch a Karl Taylor video I turn the sound off and read his lips imagining his voice is like Stitch.
Nope, not pronounced I-ZO. It is correctly pronounced AY-ZO per EIZO's own corporate video. Also see the correct pronunciation in the EIZO Wikipedia, which also shows AY-ZO. And one more reference... see the 2021 Scientific & Technical Awards EIZO Acceptance Speech video where Masato Nakashima, the Senior Product Manager at EIZO, pronounces it as AY-ZO. In Japanese, the "ei" together is usually pronounced as an AY sound just like when we say the Japanese word Sensei - Senˈsā.