Optoma UHD50x VS BenQ TK850 – Comparison Of Performance
Today I will review the Optoma UHD50x VS BenQ TK850 comparison. Both are 4k Projectors and under budget.
Having a theater experience without leaving the comfort of your home is easier than you think. There’s nothing like dimming the lights, popping a cold one, and watching your favorite film or TV series, or sports team on a massive, 100-plus-inch screen!
But with all the options out there, choosing a projector can be a bit overwhelming.
I am breaking down the two best home theater devices on a budget. The Optoma UHD50x and the BenQ TK850.
If you’re looking for an affordable 4K projector, you must consider these two devices. Both these models come in the sub-$2,000 category, deliver Ultra HD clarity in easy-to-use packages, and offer a range of useful features that are perfect for gamers and smart homeowners.
The main difference between the Optoma UHD50x and the BenQ TK850 is that Optoma UHD50x has a much higher refresh rate and significantly lower input lag with bright pictures, making it the ideal option for gaming.
Optoma UHD50x VS BenQ TK850 Comparison
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Detailed Comparison
Both these TVs have their advantages and disadvantages. So, how can you decide which one to purchase? Let’s take a closer look at both of them.
Similarities
So, side-by-side both these projectors look pretty similar in features. They are both marketed as 4K projectors with bright lamps and high color contrasts.
Also, they both come in the budget-friendly category and work really well as home theaters as well as gaming projectors.
Likewise, they both use the same DLP technology and use a micro-mirror device in combination with a rotating color wheel to create the images on the screen.
Differences
The Optoma UHD50x gives 400 lumens brighter light output and a higher contrast ratio. This means images will be brighter and sharper in color. It also has richer black levels and more depth in darker areas of the screen.
Optoma also has 58ms less response time and a higher refresh rate.
It also supports HLG and has stereo speakers, with less audible noise than BenQ TK850.
Installation and setup
No matter how you use it, the Optoma UHD50x is easy to install. The relatively long throw distance can be a problem in tight spaces. However, as long as you have the space, easy manual zoom and lens shift controls allow flexible installation.
BenQ TK850 is lightweight and durable enough for outdoor backyard movie watching, home theater, and media room use. Again, the quick and easy setup with features like lens shift and keystone correction makes it easier to fit the image to the screen.
BenQ TK850 3000 Lumens
Specifications
- Resolution: 4K UHD (3840×2160)
- Brightness: 3000 ANSI
- Contrast ratio: 30,000:1 (Dynamic Iris)
- Input lag: 83.34ms (1080p@60Hz), 83.34ms (4K@60Hz)
- Throw Distance: 100” @ 2.5 m
- Zoom Ratio: 1.3X
- Screen size: 30″ – 300″
- Speakers: Dual 5W speakers
BenQ TK850 is an affordable 4K projector with rich colors and a simple interface that you can use at home in any living room. Despite the branding, this is not a native 4K projector. It reproduces 4K resolution by quadrupling the 1080p output to get more detailed images than lower-res models.
The BenQ TK850 puts out 3,000 lumens, offers exceptional brightness and supports above-average color performance, thanks to BenQ’s Cinematic Color processor.
As a DLP projector, the TK850 saves costs by using a micromirror device in combination with a rotating color wheel to create the image. However, the rainbow effect is occasionally seen. So you won’t be able to perfectly create monochrome photos and videos.
It has a 1.3x zoom, which means you can get a 100-inch projection from just 8 feet away, or move the projector closer to the wall for a smaller, more intimate size.
There’s also a vertical lens shift feature that moves the image slightly up or down (great for avoiding furniture and picture frames). A stand at the bottom of the projector can be unscrewed to angle it in a specific direction.
BenQ markets this model for watching sports, so you might have your eye on the BenQ TK850 Sports Mode in particular.
The strong contrast is definitely a treat for watching players on the football field, especially if you use the dedicated sport mode to further enhance the contrast. Motion handling is also good enough, and Sport mode also optimizes the basic 10W audio output so that the sound of live people isn’t lost in the background.
BenQ TK850 is not a true 4K projector, but BenQ’s magic is technically the same, giving the impression of Ultra HD. This is especially useful when using the TK850 at its largest image size. And it prevents large, blocky pixels from appearing.
There’s a bit of video hiss that you have to tolerate regardless of the resolution of the content you’re viewing, but I wouldn’t call it a deal-breaker at this price point.
Optoma UHD50X 3400 Lumens
Specifications
- Resolution: 3840×2160
- Brightness: 3,400 ANSI
- Contrast ratio: 500,000:1
- Input lag: 16 – 25ms
- Throw Distance: 4.0′ – 26.6′
- Screen size: 34″ – 303″
- Speakers: Mono 5W
If you’re primarily looking for a projector that can handle the demands of gaming, Optoma UHD50X offers it.
The Optoma UHD50X is an UltraHD 4K DLP projector. It uses a 1080p digital micromirror device and four-way pixel shift to produce true 3,840 x 2,160 pixels.
As a home-theater projector, it has a fairly basic feature set. It does not provide motion smoothing. But with Dynamic Black on (it’s off by default), dark scenes are impressive and blacks are beautiful and deep.
Color accuracy is also a big piece of the puzzle when it comes to image quality, and the Optoma UHD50X excels at that as well.
It uses the DCI-P3 color space, supports the full color gamut of content, and supports HDR10. The depth of color and vibrancy of tone match those experienced in the cinema, so you can enjoy true cinema-quality content in your own home.
Equally impressive is the Optoma UHD50x’s gaming performance. Enhanced Game Mode reduces input lag to 16ms, but even 4K content lags around 26ms. This is less than a frame of lag and is imperceptible to all but the most serious gamers. Again, the UHD50x’s high frame rate helps his 240 Hz handling of Full HD content.
Final Verdict
With vibrant colors and responsive gaming performance, the Optoma UHD50x is the perfect projector for versatile spaces like living rooms and media rooms.
Fast frame rates aren’t just for gamers. It also eliminates motion blur and other issues when watching sports or fast-paced action sequences, making it a great all-around projector for whatever you enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Optoma UHD50x good for movies?
The Optoma UHD50X is clearly an UltraHD projector for gamers and offers what gamers really need. Cinema performance is somewhat sluggish with jerking, especially with PAL sources (UK/AU/EU). However, the results for most UltraHD Blu-rays and his regular Blu-ray content are very good, with sharp, detailed images and strong color performance.
What is the difference between TK850 and TK850i?
The main difference between BenQ TK850i and TK850 comes down to connectivity and pricing. If you want the option of device casting or streaming, the TK850 will give you that option right away. However, this feature costs a little more money than just buying a streaming stick — it’s up to you, whether you think the added convenience is worth the higher price.
Is Optoma UHD50x native 4K?
The Optoma UHD50X is a true UltraHD 4K DLP projector. It uses a 1080p digital micromirror device and four-way pixel shift to produce true 3,840 x 2,160 pixels.
Is BenQ TK850 native 4K?
Despite its branding, the BenQ TK850 is not a native 4K projector. It duplicates 4K resolution by quadrupling the 1080p output. It’s not the best option for true Ultra HD reproduction, but it has a 4K effect that looks more detailed than lower-resolution models.
