True color monitor for photography
Best Monitor For Photo Editing In 2022
(Image credit: Shutterstock)The best monitors for photo editing will make your photographs look their very best, and are important purchases for photographers, no matter if you're a professional, or just getting started.
A great monitor for photo editing will offer exceptional image quality, and will ideally have been professionally calibrated to ensure colors are as accurate as possible. Offering wide color gamut and high resolutions are also key features for a photo editing monitor.
However, there's a huge amount of monitors out there, and not all of them are ideal for photo editing, so to make things as easier as possible, we've gathered the best monitors for photo editing right here, from the best 4K monitor to the lower resolution yet more affordable options. We've compared key factors including resolution, screen size, connectivity, and aesthetics to allow you to make an educated choice.
While it’s true that many of these monitors are pricey, there are some affordable ones, giving photographers with different budgets a variety of options.
- Looking to print and store your edits? Check out our best photo book guide.
- These are the best laptops for photo editing
- A smaller setup? These are the best portable monitors
The best monitor for photo editing in 2022 in full
(Image credit: BenQ)1. BenQ SW321C PhotoVue
Best for 4k pro-level affordability
Specifications
Screen size: 32-inch
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Brightness: 250 cd/m2
Response time: 5ms
Viewing angle: 178/178
Contrast ratio: 1,000:1
Color support: 99% AdobeRGB, 95% P3, 100% sRGB
Weight: 25.6kg
Screen Size
32-inch
Colour
Black, Silver
Screen Type
LED
Today's Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Improved brightness and colour uniformity
+
USB-C connectivity
+
Hardware calibration with 16-bit LUT precision
Reasons to avoid
-
Main connection bay is hard to reach
-
‘Paper Color Sync’ needs refining to be truly useful
Pro-level displays are no longer the premium-priced, inaccessible purchase they started out to be.
At least as far as the BenQ SW321C PhotoVue is concerned. This 32-inch 4K photo monitor is up a step or two in terms of both performance and usability, featuring an incredibly wide color gamut of 99% of the Adobe RGB color space and 95% of DCI-P3.
The monitor also boasts a new and very effective anti-reflection coating that ensures excellent color accuracy and contrast.
If you’re in the cinematography or photography sphere, that’s exactly what you need. And, that’s on top of all the other features this monitor boasts. This is among the best monitors for photo editing you’ll find, and the best part is you’re getting it for cheaper than all others.
Read the full review: BenQ SW321C PhotoVue
(Image credit: LG)2. LG UltraFine 24MD4KL-B
Ideal for those with less desk space
Specifications
Screen size: 24-inch
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Brightness: 500nits
Response time: 14ms
Viewing angle: 178/178
Contrast ratio: 2,000:1
Color support: P3 Wide Color Gamut
Weight: 15.
4 lbs
Screen Size
24-inch
Colour
Black
Screen Type
LED
Today's Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Incredible color accuracy
+
Bright and vivid
+
USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 compatibility
Reasons to avoid
-
Expensive
-
Thick bezels
Fledgling content creators will find great value in the LG UltraFine 24MD4KL-B, if they’re looking for the best monitor for photo editing that won’t break the bank. This 4K display’s high resolution and color accuracy get things done while its USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 is a boon for Apple fans, with its buttonless design and relatively lightweight build making it practically designed for Macs and Ultrabooks.
It’s still pretty pricey, especially for everyday users. However, it’s a pretty good purchase for content creators, especially if you’re used to more expensive models.
Though you do have to compromise with a smaller screen size and thicker bezels, which are around 13.9mm on the sides and 15.5mm on the top and bottom – pretty sizeable by today's standards.
If you’re working with a smaller desk space, this is definitely ideal.
Read the full review: LG UltraFine 24MD4KL-B
3. Eizo ColorEdge CG318-4K
Overall best pick for photo editing
Specifications
Screen size: 31.3-inch
Resolution: 4096 x 2160
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Panel technology: IPS
Inputs: 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x Mini DisplayPort, 2 x HDMI, 1 x VGA
USB: 4 x USB 3.0
Today's Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Outstanding color accuracy
+
Includes hardware calibration tool
+
Includes monitor hood
Reasons to avoid
-
A new car costs the same
The 31-inch ColorEdge CG318-4K is our current pick for the best monitor for photo editing.
This is mainly down to its color accuracy, which is essential for professional photographers who edit their photos. It features full sRGB coverage, 99% of the Adobe RGB spectrum and 98% DCI-P3. It fully supports 10-bit colour, taken from a 16-bit look-up table.
The CG318-4K has a 4096 x 2160 resolution, compared with the 3840 x 2160 resolution used in other 4K computer displays.
All of these features come together to produce a jaw-dropping image, making your photos really stand out. There's also a built-in calibration tool to constantly keep the colors as accurate as possible.
It's also brimming with connectivity options, with one DisplayPort, one Mini DisplayPort, two HDMI ports and one VGA combining with a whopping four USB 3.0 slots.
4. Dell UltraSharp UP3216Q
Ideal if looking for pro-level color accuracy
Specifications
Screen size: 31.5-inch
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Panel technology: IPS
Inputs: 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x Mini DisplayPort, 1 x HDMI
USB: 4 x USB 3.
0
Screen Size
32-inch
Colour
Black
Screen Type
LED
Today's Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Great colour accuracy
+
10-bit IPS panel with 16-bit look-up table
Reasons to avoid
-
Pricey
Dell's top-end 31.5-inch 4K display packs in a lot of professional-grade features for superb color accuracy. It is a pricey monitor, however, but then this is a large 4K screen, so you should expect to pay a bit more.
Unlike some of the other monitors featured in our list of best monitors for photo editing, all of its ports are restricted to the back of the monitor rather than options on the site. Combined with a restrictive pivot, this doesn't provide the easiest of access.
You'll recognise the matte-black and silver trim design from Dell's previous model (the UP3214Q), and the same goes with its chunky three-quarter-inch bezels.
But where Dell have added some magic is in its razor-sharp UHD colour performance. It comes with support for the DCI-P3 color spectrum. It has a specification that almost rivals Eizo's monster CG318-4K, as it hits 99% Adobe RGB coverage and 87% DCI-P3, delivering great picture quality.
5. BenQ PD3200U
Best suited for creators
Specifications
Screen size: 32-inch
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Brightness: 350 cd/m2
Response time: 4ms
Viewing angle: 178/178
Contrast ratio: 1,000:1
Color support: sRGB 100%
Weight: 8.5kg
Screen Size
32-inch
Colour
Blue
Screen Type
LED
Today's Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
4K resolution
+
Large screen
Reasons to avoid
-
Design may seem dull to some
-
Some features a bit niche
BenQ has added the PD3200U, which features a massive 32-inch Ultra HD display, to its Designer Monitor range.
The PD3200U is best suited for creators. 3D designers, for instance, will be grateful for the inclusion of a CAD/CAM mode, while photographers and photo editors will love in the factory-calibrated color accuracy and Rec. 709 adherence.
Aesthetically, the BenQ PD3200U has a simple yet elegant design, with work and productivity clearly the priority here. So don't expect any flashy design flourishes that you might expect on some gaming displays, with the company itself describing the monitor as a ‘simple, functional design for increased efficiency’.
That focus on pragmatism over panache is evident in the very handy KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse) switch, allowing you to plug in a second PC and switch between the two while using a single monitor, keyboard and mouse. It's therefore an excellent option if you tend to use multiple machines for your photo editing.
Read the full review: BenQ PD3200U
(Image credit: MSI)6. MSI Prestige PS341WU
A cut above the 4K norm
Specifications
USB-C: Yes
Screen size: 34 inches
Resolution: 5,120 x 2,160
Aspect ratio: 21:9
HDMI inputs: HDMI 2.
0 x 2
Display ports: DisplayPort v1.4 x 1
Screen Size
34-inch
Screen Type
LED
Today's Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Glorious 5K2K resolution
+
Superb Nano IPS panel
+
Great feature set
Reasons to avoid
-
Patchy build quality
-
Mediocre HDR performance
If you’re looking for a monitor that’s a cut above the 4K norm, then you’ve got the MSI Prestige PS341WU. Showing up any impeccable 4K monitor is by no means an easy feat, but this monitor does so with the huge 5K2K native resolution (and 21:9 ultrawide aspect ratio) of its luscious 34-inch IPS screen.
That’s 5,120 by 2,160 pixels and fully three million more than a standard 4K or UHD monitor. This provides a pixel density of 163DPI.
It doesn’t come cheap, but it does have a great feature set to make up for that, including a Nano IPS panel with DCI-P3 color gamut, HDR support and comprehensive connectivity.
All that packed in a beautiful white aesthetic, and you’ve got yourself one of the best monitors for photo editing.
Read the full review: MSI Prestige PS341WU
(Image credit: BenQ)7. BenQ EX3501R
The best ultrawide monitor for photo editing
Specifications
Screen size: 35-inch
Aspect ratio: 21:9
Resolution: 3,440 x 1,440
Brightness: : 300 cd/m2
Refresh rate: 100Hz
Response time: 4ms
Viewing angle: 178/178
Contrast ratio: 2,500:1
Color support: sRGB 100%
Weight: 23 pounds
Condition
Refurbished
Today's Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Huge display
+
HDR
Reasons to avoid
-
Needs a bit of tweaking
If you want a lot of space to work on editing multiple photos at once, then you'll want an ultrawide monitor, and the BenQ EX3501R is in our view the best ultrawide monitor for photo editing.
It comes with a 3,440 x 1,440 resolution that gives you a huge desktop to work on, and its 2,500:1 contrast leads to bright and vibrant images, as well as for HDR (High Dynamic Range).
Crucially, it also has 100% sRGB support, making this a great choice for photographers when looking for the best monitor for photo editing, thanks to its excellent color reproduction.
Unlike the whistles and bells one has come to expect from monitors designed to appeal to gamers, the BenQ EX3501R describes itself as a ‘video enjoyment monitor’, which means the large screen, and the content it displays, grab the limelight ahead of any snazzy aesthetics, which remains smart, yet sedate.
Read the full review: BenQ EX3501R
8. BenQ GW2270H
Top pick for minimalists
Specifications
Screen size: 21.5-inch
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080
Brightness: 250 cd/m2
Response time: 5ms
Viewing angle: 178/178
Contrast ratio: 20mM:1 (DFC)
Colour support: SRGB 91%
Weight: 7.
5 pounds
Today's Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Two HDMI ports
+
Affordable
Reasons to avoid
-
No speakers
-
No USB hub
BenQ offers the most affordable full HD monitor with an HDMI connector and it doesn't look that bad. The company embraced the Bauhaus "less is more" philosophy to deliver "a celebration of minimalist" lifestyle. Those are their words, not ours.
It has some standout features though, including BenQ's exclusive 'eye-care technology' that is intended to reduce flicker (PWM technology) and a low blue light mode designed to reduce eye strain. BenQ confidently claim this helps prevent headaches and sleeping disorders caused by spending so long looking at a screen.
Althought it comes with ultra-high 3000:1 native contrast and 178°/178° wide viewing angles, with 'just' a 1080p resolution, this isn't as fancy as other monitors on this list, but it allows you to edit your photos without having to spend loads on a new screen.
It's also among the lightest on this list of best monitors for photo editing.
9. Dell UltraSharp UP3218K
Great for photo editors prioritising resolution
Specifications
Screen size: 32-inch
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 7,680 x 4,320
Brightness: 400 cd/m2
Response time: 6ms
Viewing angle: 178/178
Contrast ratio: 1300:1
Colour support: 100% AdobeRGB, 100% sRGB, 100% Rec. 709, 98% DCI-P3
Weight: 23.14 pounds
Screen Size
32-inch
Colour
Black
Screen Type
LED
Today's Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Huge 8K resolution
+
Amazing image quality
Reasons to avoid
-
Very, very expensive
-
8K may not be useful for many people
The Dell UltraSharp UP3218K is an absolutely amazing monitor for photo editing.
It features a huge 32-inch screen and 8K resolution that equates to 7,680 x 4,320 pixels, making it perfect for photographers and video editors, and the amount of screen real estate that high resolution offers makes it an excellent productivity tool.
The screen is professionally calibrated so it looks amazing out of the box, with a tool-free assembly that means it's quick and easy to securely attach the screen to its base. The base and neck of the monitor are made of durable-feeling brushed aluminum.
Its 32-inch screen doesn't take up as much desk space as you might expect. But be warned: this is a very expensive monitor. Depending on your needs, this will either be a brilliant buy, or an expensive folly.
Read the full review: Dell UltraSharp UP3218K
Should you go for a curved monitor for photo editing?
We chatted with Brett Barbour, VP at US monitor vendor, Viotek, to find out whether it makes business sense to opt for a non-flat monitor for photo editing.
When you think of the types of people that use – and love – curved monitors, three types of people come mind: gamers, gamers and gamers. But why should gamers have all the fun? Curved monitors could bring a fair bit of ergonomic benefit for office workers too. After all, our eyes have a nice curve to them. We might as well have a monitor that comes with a nice curve to match, right? Especially if we’re expected to use them at least 6-8 hours a day. Ergonomics isn’t the only benefits to curved monitors for the office.
Most of us are spending a lot of time staring at a screen, be it for work or for play. And this brings additional health risks for our eyes. Headaches. Eye strain. Eye fatigue. But research has shown that curved panels yield less eye strain and fatigue than flat panels. So they’re easier on the eyes – especially helpful if you spend most of your day in front of a monitor (or expect your employees to).
This benefit can also be further leveraged by software integrated into the monitor.
For example, ASUS has their Eye Care technology; Viotek has their “Viotek Protect”; and Samsung features a proprietary “Eye Saver Mode.” These all provide a range of eye-saving benefits, including reducing the amount of harmful blue light radiation from hitting your eyes – particularly helpful when you’re looking at the screen for extended all day.
You can expect less glare and distortion with a curved monitor. Its corners are closer to you, replicating the natural curvature of the human eye. In most workspace setups, the curved monitor won’t reflect light at all, effectively reducing glare from other sources of light. The only exception being if a window is directly behind you at a certain angle. This is a rarity, but it can certainly happen.
But that's not all; normally, how nice a monitor looks is purely a question of personal preference. You like what you like – simple as. But the reality is that a curved monitor might take up less desk real estate than its flat counterpart.
It might be nominal depending on the stand that it uses, but the curved ends will definitely give you some extra space to place odds and ends on your desk, from phone charging pads, pen holder or what have you.
However, it is worth looking at the potential issues they might come from. In most cases, a curved monitor still costs a bit more than its flat-screen counterpart. An LG 34WK650-W is a 34-inch flat-screen IPS monitor with 2560x1080p resolution that goes for about $396.99. Or you could grab an LG 34GL750-B 34-inch curved monitor with the same resolution and faster refresh rate for around $449.99.
The difference might be as little as $50-75 per monitor. Still, if you’re trying to fill up an entire office, that can add up.
But Is It Really a Con? Well, for now, maybe. But the cost gap is closing quickly, as manufacturing costs are dropping fast and certain brands (Samsung, ASUS, Viotek, et al.) find ways to pack a lot of features in quality monitors without sending the price through the roof.
There's also talks about the fact that curved monitors could hinder straight-line perception. This is another possibly niche drawback with curved monitors. It certainly won’t apply to every office. Professionals in engineering, drafting or drawing industries may find that their straight-line perception is slightly skewed because of the curvature of a monitor. There is software that can “fix” this issue, but if you’re in one of these industries, you may be better off sticking with a flat screen monitor for now.
How to choose the best monitor for photo editing for you?
Prioritizing the right features and specifications is critical when picking a panel for photo editing. Firstly, the best mainstream screen technology for photo editing is IPS. It’s more color accurate than VA or TN panel tech, while OLED screens remain niche in PC monitor terms.
Next up, don’t be distracted by gaming-centric features like high refresh rates and ultra-low response times. They will not help with editing images.
However, you do want to consider color accuracy. A useful metric involves coverage of various important gamuts, including sRGB, Adobe RGB and DCI-P3.
For any remotely serious image editing work, a screen with at least 100 percent coverage of sRGB and over 90 percent for both Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 is a decent starting point. But the higher those numbers the better. The best screens will be in the high 90s. With regard to HDR support, if you’re not already aware you need it, you probably don’t.
Native resolution is a slightly trickier topic. You don’t necessarily need an ultra-high resolution panel to edit images. But higher resolutions will allow more accurate editing and make it easier to judge details such as focus with less need to zoom in and out of images. We’d say 1440p or 2,560 by 1,440 is a decent baseline but full 4K is both preferable and now relatively affordable.
The final major concern is connectivity. At minimum, you want both DisplayPort and HDMI, the latter can be especially important for laptops which lack DisplayPort.
We also highly recommend USB-C with power delivery, again especially if you have a laptop that supports it. The consequent single-cable connectivity for everything is a genuine joy.
The best monitor for photo editing: How we test
In comparing the best monitor for photo editing we begin by looking at screen size and resolution. Screen size is measured diagonally in inches, while resolution measures the number of pixels that make up the display. But a bigger monitor doesn't necessarily mean greater resolution; the 24-inch Eizo has a higher resolution than the 27-inch NEC, for example.
Instead, a more useful measure of the 'crispness' of a display is pixel density, measured in pixels per inch (ppi). The NEC is 82ppi, the Eizo 94ppi, while Samsung and Dell weigh in at 109ppi.
Monitors increasingly offer more than just a simple display for your computer, and we've also looked at additional features including built-in speakers, USB hubs, card readers and multiple inputs, such as HDMI, for use with a variety of devices.
While true-to-life colour reproduction is very important in image editing, you may need to compromise to get all the features you want within budget. LED backlighting allows thinner displays, while IPS (or Samsung's PLS) allows for greater viewing angles.
We'd always recommend using a digital interface like DVI or HDMI, but it depends on what your computer has. Do you want to plug in multiple devices? Make sure your new monitor has the same input as your computer has output!
Several of these displays enable you to swivel the monitor from side to side and turn the screen 90 degrees into portrait mode.
Most monitors are now capable of Full HD resolution (1920x1080) but more and more can do higher resolutions - many here are capable of 2560x1440, for example.
With so many devices plugged into our computers these days, a USB hub really is something you'll wonder how you lived without.
So many monitors - including several of these - are just plain ugly. Also see what people are saying about the button controls and menu system.
Ensure it is usable.
- The best USB-C monitor.
Round up of today's best deals
BenQ SW321C
$1,999
View
See all prices
Reduced Price
LG 24MD4KL
$494
$463.58
View
See all prices
Dell UltraSharp UP3216Q
$744.80
View
See all prices
Reduced Price
BenQ PD3200U
$679.
99
$646.90
View
See all prices
Reduced Price
MSI Prestige PS341WU
$1,450.16
$1,324.09
View
See all prices
Dell UltraSharp UP3218K
$3,769.99
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See all prices
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Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Computing and Entertainment, looking after two of the best, and most exciting, channels on the site. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Format, there's no aspect of technology that Matt isn't passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming.
Ever since he got an Amiga A500+ for Christmas in 1991, he's loved using (and playing on) computers, and will talk endlessly about how The Secret of Monkey Island is the best game ever made. He's also a huge film and TV fan and Marvel geek, and his favorite recent film is Dune.
BenQ PhotoVue SW271C review | Digital Camera World
Digital Camera World Verdict
The BenQ PhotoVue SW271C is an outstanding monitor which performs almost flawlessly - it's very hard to fault. If you're after an exacting and reliable screen for precise image or video editing, this is a superb choice. However, the price you pay for this level of imaging fidelity is high, and for the average user - or even many enthusiast - there are rival monitors which offer similar specs to the SW271C and almost as much image quality, but for a lot less cash.
TODAY'S BEST DEALS
Pros
- +
Superb color accuracy
- +
Excellent build quality
- +
Useful included extras
- +
Lots of connectivity options
BenQ's new PhotoVue SW271C is the company's latest entry in its already extensive range of high quality monitors for photo editing and video editing .
It joins two existing 27-inch screens in the PhotoVue range: the BenQ SW271 and SW270C . The latter is a 2560 x 1440 panel, but the differences between the new SW271C the older SW271 are more subtle, as both are very similar 4K (3840 x 2160) IPS (in-plane switching) LCD screens.
Key features
The primary enhancement over the old SW271 is BenQ’s third-generation color Uniformity Technology, which fine-tunes the color and brightness of sub-regions across the screen for a more consistent viewing experience. The SW271C is also a USB-C monitor , with up to 60W Power Delivery – and handy boost compared to the 10W USB-C PD rating of the SW271.
(Image credit: BenQ)
- BenQ SW271C at Amazon for $1,599.99
Elsewhere, the new SW271C mostly matches the specifications of the older SW271. It's a 4K (3840 x 2160) display that boasts superb color space coverage thanks to its 10-bit color technology that means it’s able to show up to 1.
07 billion colors. This results in an impressive 99% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB/Rec.709, and 90% DCI-P3/Display P3 color space coverage.
BenQ SW271 full review • BenQ SW270C full review
(Image credit: BenQ)Hardware color calibration should ensure a high color accuracy of Delta E ≤ 2 for Adobe RGB and sRGB content, and the monitor boasts Pantone and CalMAN validation, with support for standalone monitor calibrators . The SW271C also supports two HDR formats - HDR10 and HLG - making it suitable for video editing and color grading.
(Image credit: Future)The monitor comes with BenQ’s 2nd-generation Hotkey Puck remote control dial for faster and more efficient on-screen-display navigation, plus it enables easier switching between different color spaces for a side-by-side comparison.
If you have a Canon Pixma Pro-10 or Pixma Pro-100, Epson SureColor P600 or SureColor P800 printer and you like using Canon Matt Photo Paper, Photo Paper Pro Platinum, Photo Paper Pro Luster or Photo Plus Semi-gloss or Epson Premium Semi-gloss Photo Paper or Velvet Fine Art Paper, BenQ also supplies its free Paper Color Sync software that’s designed to match the on-screen image to the final print.
However, this does use a generic profile system rather than a custom one that’s designed to match individual printers.
- Panel Type: IPS LED
- Panel Size: 27" (16:9)
- Display Area: 596.16 x 335.34mm
- Max. Resolution: 3840x2160
- Pixel Pitch (mm): 0.15525
- Brightness (Typ.): 300 nits
- Contrast Ratio (Typ.): 1000:1
- Viewing Angle (H/V): 178/178 degrees
- Display Colors: 1.07 Billion
- Response Time: 12 ms (Tr+Tf)
- GtG response Time: 5 ms
- Color Gamut: Adobe RGB 99%, sRGB 100%, P3 90%
Build & handling
The SW271C is supplied in a very large and bulky box, but once you've assembled the high quality two-peice stand and attached it to the monitor panel, this isn't an overly dominating screen and you should find it provides generous screen real estate while still being comfortable to view at typical working distances.
The panel's 59.6 x 33.5cm display area equates to a 16:9 aspect ratio, which while not suiting the native stills output (3:2 or 4:3) from most cameras, works well by the time you’ve factored in things like the toolbox and control panel in software packages like Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom.
(Image credit: BenQ)
It’s also possible to rotate the PhotoVue SW271C so it’s in portrait orientation, which seems like a major bonus for editing portrait images, but the 16:9 aspect ratio doesn’t work actually work so well for processing vertical stills. The screen seems a lot longer and thinner in portrait orientation. Nevertheless, it’s a nice to have feature just in case - and it helps with the set-up process.
(Image credit: BenQ)A plastic bezel of around 2.5cm surrounds the screen, giving it overall dimensions of around 64.7 x 38.8cm. Although it can be mounted on a VESA monitor arm , it only takes a couple of minutes to assemble the included stand and clip the monitor into place.
Also, because the screen rotates, there’s easy access to the connection ports. If the rotation weren’t possible, these connection points would a pain to reach as they’re on the back of the monitor facing downwards when it’s in landscape orientation. Before you can rotate the screen, you need to lift up and then turn it in a clockwise direction, it won’t go counter-clockwise from horizontal.
BenQ also supplies a 5-piece hood to fit around the monitor whether it’s in landscape or portrait orientation (one reason why the shipping box is so huge!). This slots neatly into position and is a useful inclusion if your viewing environment has a nearby window which could cast unwanted reflections onto the display surface.
This has the potential to be particularly problematic as the SW271C isn't the brightest display you can buy. Its maximum brightness of 300 nits means its best suited to use in rooms with subdued lighting, but that’s not uncommon, and around 120 nits is often recommended as an ideal brightness for serious image editing, as it allows your eyes to easily see detail in both shadow and highlight areas.
And it's not just the hood that improves the SW271C's ergonomics. Also included is the Hotkey Puck G2. A BenQ exclusive, this circular wired remote control is an easier, more ergonomic alternative control input to the conventional buttons on the screen's lower bezel. You can use it to switch between input sources, and to change the monitor's pre-set display modes and settings. While the buttons on the screen bezel work well enough for these functions, the size and shape of the Hotkey Puck takes convenience to another level.
Performance
Thanks to is IPS (in-plane switching) technology and matte panel finish, the PhotoVue SW271C doesn’t suffer from troublesome glare and there are wide horizontal and vertical viewing angles to ensure color accuracy and contrast don't vary according to the angle from which you view the screen. Compared with a freshly-calibrated iMac, the SW271C looks a little warmer and more vibrant while subtle colocolours r transitions are more apparent.
High contrast images also have greater dynamic range and images generally look a little brighter.
Although the screen looks excellent straight from the box, BenQ recommends downloading its Palette Master Elements calibration software to calibrate the monitor’s color and brightness. However, there’s no measurement device in the box so you'll still need a monitor calibrator. Helpfully, you can calibrate the monitor in several different color spaces and easily swap between the profiles using the Hotkey Puck. So while Adobe RGB is the natural choice for photographers, you can switch to Rec. 709, for example, for video editing.
Lab data
Brightness & contrast:
(Image credit: Future)
BenQ claims the SW271C has a maximum brightness of 300cd/m2 and a max contrast of 1000:1. We recorded 275.8cd/m2 and 700:1. The latter is likely due to max contrast only being available by manually selecting User Mode in the Picture Mode menu.
Color Gamut:
(Image credit: Future)
BenQ claims 100% sRGB, 99% Adobe RGB and 90% DCI-P3 color space coverage, and we concur. We actually achieved a slightly higher 100% Adobe RGB result, which is highly impressive, and we were able to exactly match the advertised 90% P3 coverage.
Color uniformity:
(Image credit: Future)
Color uniformity is excellent across the entire screen, with only a maximum 3.2% deviation from optimal.
Color accuracy before calibration:
A high quality monitor for photo editing should have accurate color, so we measure how close a monitor's color output is from perfect. A perfect result on the charts below would be zero, with no visible color bars on the chart below. A higher Delta-E score and longer bars on the chart indicate a larger deviation from ideal color accuracy, and therefore a worse performance.
Short bars and a low Delta-E number are what we're after here.
BenQ advertises the SW271C as being factory calibrated with a Delta-E average of less than 2. Our testing found this to be rather conservative, as our monitor recorded an exceptionally accurate Delta-E figure of 0.77 straight out of the box.
Color accuracy after calibration:
(Image credit: Future)
After calibrating with a Datacolor Spyder X Elite colorimeter, the SW271C managed an even more impressive Delta-E of 0.55. With this degree of color accuracy, you can be assured that your images are being displayed with near-perfect color rendition, regardless of the color space in which you're editing.
Verdict
The BenQ PhotoVue SW271C is an outstanding monitor which performs almost flawlessly - it's very hard to fault. Color accuracy is superb straight out of the box, and can even be made slightly more accurate with a monitor calibrator .
Brightness uniformity is also first class, and while the monitor may not have the sexiest exterior, it's extremely functional, easy to use, and very well made. The substantial included stand is anything but an afterthought, and the additions of a full shade hood and the useful Hotkey Puck remote controller further help to justify the premium price tag.
But it's that price tag which is the only downside with the SW271C. If money's no object and you want an exceptionally color-accurate, high quality monitor for serious image or video editing work, go right ahead and buy an SW271C. However, if you're after maximum visual bang per buck, the choice isn't quite so clear cut. BenQ itself offers the equally impressive SW271 (non 'C'), which is almost identical to the SW271C but costs around 20-40% less. You'll have to do without 60W USB Power Delivery and BenQ's third-generation color Uniformity Technology, but if they're not deal-breakers for you, then the SW271 is a better value proposition.
Likewise, a screen such as the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q offers the same size and 4K resolution, along with almost as good color accuracy, but for less than half the price of the SW271C in some regions.
Read more
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Ben is the Imaging Labs manager, responsible for all the testing on Digital Camera World and across the entire photography portfolio at Future.
Whether he's in the lab testing the sharpness of new lenses, the resolution of the latest image sensors, the zoom range of monster bridge cameras or even the latest camera phones, Ben is our go-to guy for technical insight. He's also the team's man-at-arms when it comes to camera bags, filters, memory cards, and all manner of camera accessories – his lab is a bit like the Batcave of photography! With years of experience trialling and testing kit, he's a human encyclopedia of benchmarks when it comes to recommending the best buys.
Photographer Monitors: Models with Accurate Color | Articles | Computer
Whether you're a professional photographer or an amateur, it's always important that your pictures look their best. The first step to this is editing photos on a monitor with accurate colors. There is nothing worse than sending pictures to a printer or a client and finding out that the colors on them are wrong because your monitor cannot display them correctly.
We will tell you about the models of monitors that are well suited for photo editing in different price categories.
A calibrated monitor with sufficient color gamut is essential for correct color grading.
Budget monitors for a photographer
Monitors for a photographer for an average budget
monitors for photography
Xiaomi Mi Desktop Monitor 1C 23.8"
Resolution 1920x1080 is the most common among budget models. With a diagonal of 23.8 inches, the monitor does not take up much space on the table. Source: gadgetren.com
Xiaomi Mi Desktop Monitor 1C is an elegant monitor with good color reproduction and brightness.
The screen has a matte finish that reduces glare for better viewing in bright light.
Despite the low price, the monitor is very thin - only 7.3 millimeters. True, in the lower part, where the internal components are located, the thickness is greater.
Benefits of Xiaomi Mi Desktop Monitor 1C:
- IPS panel;
- premium minimalist design;
- slim stand.
Disadvantages of Xiaomi Mi Desktop Monitor 1C:
- no DVI connector;
- no VESA mount for brackets.
AOC 27'' 27B1H
AOC 27B1H is one of the most affordable 27" monitors with a three-sided borderless design. Source: nix.ru
The manufacturer AOC, although not as well known as Xiaomi, specializes in the production of monitors and has established itself well in this area around the world.
Monitor resolution is 1920x1080, for this diagonal it can be considered low. Therefore, the pixel density is low, the image when viewed up close will be quite grainy. If you need to, for example, often work with text, the monitor does not fit well.
Built-in speakers let you remove the speakers from your computer desk while still enjoying the sound of your work.
The AOC 27B1H features Flicker-Free Technology to reduce flickering and Low Blue Light Technology to block harmful blue light without compromising color reproduction. These technologies reduce eye fatigue while working and protect your eyesight.
Advantages of AOC 27B1H:
- large diagonal for its price category;
- built-in speakers;
- 3-sided frameless design;
- technologies that reduce eye strain.
Disadvantages AOC 27B1H:
- 1920x1080 resolution, small for this diagonal.
Philips 23.8" 241V8LA
Budget monitors can be used not only for work, but also for games. sensor that boasts high contrast due to deep blacks, which makes the picture more vivid and also greatly enhances the expressiveness of dark scenes in photos and videos, especially when viewed in the dark.0003
Philips 241V8LA benefits:
- deep black;
- high contrast;
- refresh rate 75 Hz;
- good, according to reviews, workmanship for its price.
Philips 241V8LA disadvantages:
- worse viewing angles than IPS.
Monitors for a photographer on an average budget
Monitor AOC 27'' U27P2
If the choice of resolution was uncontested in monitors of the budget category — 1920x1080, then this model uses 4K resolution. Therefore, the 27-inch AOC U27P2 has four times as many pixels on the screen. That is, with a 100% viewing of photos, you will already see four times more information compared to previous models.
Plain black matt plastic monitor housing. Source: zoneofgames.ru
The AOC U27P2 also has the ability to rotate 180 degrees relative to the table, so it is suitable not only for photographers, but also for typesetting.
Advantages of AOC U27P2:
- high resolution and pixel density;
- excellent ergonomics;
- built-in speakers and USB hub.
Disadvantages AOC U27P2:
- small color gamut.
LG 27" 27UP650-W
The monitor has an original design with a crescent-shaped silver stand. Source: rtings.com5% DCI-P3, which is much wider than regular sRGB and is commonly used in video processing. Thus, the monitor is well suited for videographers.
This model supports HDR technology, thanks to which the picture when viewing photos and videos will look more contrast. You can not only work with it, but also simply get more pleasure when viewing various content.
LG 27UP650-W benefits:
- 95% DCI-P3 color gamut;
- 4K resolution and HDR for multimedia functions;
- screen height, angle and orientation are adjustable.
Disadvantages of LG 27UP650-W:
- poor backlight uniformity on a white field.
The best monitors for photography
Apple Studio Display
The design and build quality of the Apple monitor are on top.
Source: rtings.com
If you're using a MacBook or Mac Mini, the best monitor for photo editing is the Apple Studio Display.
Studio Display has a very accurate sRGB mode that can only be used with a macOS device. Thanks to this, the monitor does not require calibration and is ready for use immediately after connection.
Apple Studio Display fully covers sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces, that is, it supports all the colors necessary for working with digital photo and video content.
The monitor has a resolution of 5K, or 5120x2880. Therefore, there is excellent clarity when working with text, graphics and photographs.
Apple tries to provide users with everything they need right out of the box, so the monitor can be found with a built-in webcam, three noise-canceling microphones and speakers.
Benefits of Apple Studio Display:
- excellent resolution and color reproduction;
- high brightness and anti-reflective coating;
- wide viewing angles.
Apple Studio Display Disadvantages:
- cannot rotate to portrait;
- no HDR support;
- high price and specialization for the Apple ecosystem.
ASUS ProArt PA27AC
ASUS ProArt PA27AC is a 27" Ultra HD 2K (1440p) monitor designed for photo and video editing.
The monitor has a four-sided bezel-less design that makes other models look archaic. Source: gadgetmtech.com
ASUS has its own ASUS ProArt Calibration program to adjust the color reproduction, which at the hardware level allows you to calibrate the monitor and correct the uniformity of brightness and color balance over the area. This contributes to a more accurate reproduction of each shade of the image.
Advantages of ASUS ProArt PA27AC:
- factory calibrated and the ability to calibrate using a proprietary application at the hardware level;
Additional functions HDR 400DCI-P3 95% Webcammerebolt THUNDERBOLTPO Calibration connector Conclusion
.
However, you don't have to spend a lot of money on it. Even inexpensive monitors, being new, from the assembly line, do not have big flaws in color reproduction. Ideally, of course, properly tune it with a calibrator. The higher the size and resolution, the more comfortable it will be to work on the monitor, other things being equal.
Budget monitors are 23 - 27 inches with a resolution of 1920x1080. For example, this is Xiaomi Mi Desktop Monitor 1C. The main disadvantage of such models is that manufacturers do not pay enough attention to quality control. On individual copies, there may be different revisions (factory versions) of matrices, the factory settings in them may be inadequate. Also, models with uneven illumination are common. This drawback is noticeable when using the monitor in a dark room on a black image. Such a monitor, most likely, will not be able to be returned under warranty. Therefore, when buying, it is better to connect the monitor to the computer.
After that, you need to turn on the black background and examine the picture more closely. Monitors of the middle price range are more interesting because there is a wider choice of models in terms of resolution, aspect ratio and matrix size. Here there are options with a wide color gamut, like the LG 27UP650-W. If you plan to use such a monitor for serious color work, we recommend that you calibrate it with a calibrator yourself or entrust it to specialists.
Expensive photo monitors are factory calibrated. They have advanced customization options, high reliability and build quality, as well as additional connectors for easy connection of various devices.
What is the ideal monitor for a photographer?
Photography is an ever-evolving industry in which competition is primarily associated with equipment and technology. At the same time, few people think about the right choice of such a really important “detail” for editing and printing photos as a monitor.
When it comes to real professionalism, it is necessary to think globally and comprehensively. It is the monitor that determines the quality of the workflow - and to a much greater extent than most of us think. So, how do you choose a monitor that can meet all the requirements of the photographer in terms of editing and printing photographic images? There are many factors to consider, but all of them are closely related to the size, resolution, contrast, image quality and some other features of various types of monitors. Below are seven questions that will tell any photographer what to look for when choosing a monitor. - Question 1: Is “bigger is better” really when it comes to monitor size?
- Question 2: How can I make full use of the entire screen area of the monitor?
- Question 3: Is it true that an IPS monitor is the best choice for any photographer?
- Question 4: At what resolution is the monitor capable of reproducing even the smallest details of the reproduced image?
- Question 5: What is PPI and how important is it for a photographer?
- Question 6: There are two types of contrast.
How does each of them affect the image displayed on the monitor screen? - Question 7: Which monitor surface is best for professional photographers? Glossy or matte?
Question 1: Is “bigger is better” really when it comes to monitor size?
It doesn't matter who chooses a monitor: a professional photographer or just a person who is passionate about photography - the first thing that comes to mind when choosing a monitor is, of course, the size. Previously, monitors with a diagonal of 19 were especially popular.and 21 inches, now 27- and 32-inch panels receive the greatest non-proliferation. From the photographer's point of view, working with images on a large screen provides a much higher degree of satisfaction from the process itself. In addition, the larger screen can accommodate more windows, which also increases productivity when using professional imaging software. So with that said, is "bigger is better" really when it comes to monitor size? Unfortunately, it is not.
The optimal distance between the user and the monitor is directly proportional to the size of the monitor. Ideally, this distance should exceed the size of the monitor (viewport diagonal) by 1.5 times. In other words, the larger the monitor, the greater the distance from it to the user should be. If the user is too close to the monitor, the image on the screen will look blurry, which will at least lead to discomfort, and ultimately adversely affect vision. On the other hand, a user who is too far away from the monitor will simply not be able to distinguish image details or even text. Thus, when it comes to choosing a monitor, it turns out that “more” is not always “better”. The ideally sized monitor delivers optimal viewing and viewing experience with maximum visual comfort.
27-inch monitors are the most common among photographers. This size is also recommended by experts. This choice is due to two reasons. First of all, 27 inches is a large enough size to provide the user with optimal comfort when working and viewing images.
It is also great for when users use professional software for image processing: the overall work efficiency is greatly improved. In addition, if two images are opened simultaneously on a 27-inch monitor, the area of each of them will be sufficient to easily process and compare them. Second, the optimal distance between a 27-inch monitor and the user is 100cm, which is where most of us work when processing images.
The advantage of large monitors is their ability to fully display all open windows and other content, which increases the user's satisfaction when viewing images. Smaller monitors have lower native resolution and larger pixel spacing, forcing the user to constantly scroll or drag elements on the screen to find the desired content or feature.
Question 2: How can I make full use of the entire screen area of the monitor?
Most monitors have an aspect ratio (the ratio of the monitor's width to its height) of 16:9. A monitor that is 16 units wide by 9 units high is considered widescreen and has an aspect ratio of approximately 1.
78:1. Compared to traditional 4:3 monitors (1.33:1 aspect ratio), 16:9 monitors are more in line with the anamorphic ratio (2.39:1) used in the film industry. Another advantage of widescreen monitors, in addition to a full field of view for watching movies, is the ability to display all the necessary windows and toolbars at once for users who use special software for photo editing (for example, Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop). This greatly reduces the need for scrolling and constantly switching between windows and allows you to fully use the entire screen area.
The advantage of using a 16:9 aspect ratio monitor is that you can fully utilize the display when working with photo editing software (such as LR or PS), which in turn improves work efficiency.
Question 3: Is it true that an IPS monitor is the best choice for any photographer?
The main element of the monitor is its liquid crystal display or LCD panel. It is the LCD display that is responsible for the reproduction of content and color reproduction.
At the same time, different types of LCD displays have their own pros and cons, which largely affect the final result and the accuracy of image reproduction. In general, there are three types of LCDs on the market today: TN (Twisted Nematic Liquid Crystals), VA (Vertical Alignment), and IPS (In-Planar Switching). Features of these three types of matrices are described in detail below.
IPS monitors offer a wide 178° viewing angle and high color fidelity, making them the number one choice for many professional photographers.
TN matrices
The main advantage of TN matrices is their low cost. In view of this, TN matrices are commonly used in solutions for home or other non-professional use. Another advantage of TN matrices is the fast response time, which is why most of the simplest monitors for professional gamers are made on the basis of TN technology. At the same time, however, the performance of the TN-matrix in terms of color reproduction, contrast and viewing angle is relatively weak.
In particular, due to the small viewing angle, the image viewed on a TN monitor from different angles looks different (a phenomenon known as color shift). In view of this, monitors based on TN-matrix for image processing cannot be recommended.
VA panels
The main advantage of VA technology is the high contrast between white and black. In particular, the VA-matrix provides the ability to reproduce unsurpassed deep blacks. In addition, the 8-bit VA matrix delivers up to 16.77 million colors (8-bit red, green, and blue), far exceeding the color reproduction and color transitions of a 6-bit TN matrix capable of outputting only 260 000 colors. However, VA matrices have their drawbacks, the two most significant of which are a long response time and a viewing angle that is larger compared to TN matrices, but smaller than that of matrices manufactured using IPS technology.
IPS panel
IPS panel is the type of LCD most commonly found in professional imaging monitors.
The main feature of IPS matrices is the 178° viewing angle, which ensures color consistency when viewing images from any angle. Thus, this technology effectively combats color shift - one of the most common problems of TN-matrices. In addition, some relatively recent IPS panels used in professional imaging monitors offer 10-bit color depth and are capable of displaying up to 1.07 billion colors with a span of 99% of the AdobeRGB color space, which, in general, guarantees more than realistic color reproduction. It is for these reasons that most monitors designed for professional imaging are equipped with IPS matrices.
Most high-end professional monitors are equipped with 10-bit IPS panels capable of reproducing more than 1 billion colors for maximum color fidelity.
Question 4: At what resolution is the monitor capable of reproducing even the smallest details of the reproduced image?
Resolution refers to the number of "dots" a particular monitor can display. If you look at the LCD monitor through a macro lens or a magnifying glass, you can see that it is made up of a large number of "dots".
All images and texts displayed on the monitor consist of these "points". Thus, the more "dots" are in a given area of the screen, the more detailed and clearer the image. If a monitor is labeled Full HD - which for most people is self-explanatory - that means the monitor holds 1920 dots (pixels) in width and 1080 dots (pixels) in height. Multiplying the indicated numbers by each other, we get the resolution of the monitor - 2,073,600 pixels.
Comparison of QHD, UHD, FHD and HD. 4K UHD monitors offer greater detail and better color reproduction than Full HD monitors.
Question 5: What is PPI and how important is it for a photographer?
The PPI or Pixel Density per Inch indicates how many "dots" there are per inch. In fact, PPI and resolution are practically the same thing. The only difference between them concerns the area unit: in the first case it is an inch, and in the second it is the entire surface area of the monitor. Similarly, the higher the PPI, the sharper the image can be reproduced by the monitor.
The equation for calculating PPI is as follows: 90.5/Monitor size (inches)
This equation shows that PPI is determined by monitor size and resolution, and that a large monitor does not always have a high PPI. For example, imagine two different monitors with the following settings:
PPI of a 27" 16:9 aspect ratio monitor with 1920 × 1080 resolution is 82.
PPI of a 24" 16:9 aspect ratio monitor with 3840 × 2160 is 184.
It's not hard to guess which of the two monitors will display the clearest image. Photographers are advised to choose professional monitors with a PPI of at least 100, as this will provide a high level of precision sufficient to edit image details.
Left: The PPI of a 27" 16:9 aspect ratio monitor with 1920 × 1080 resolution is 82.
Right: The PPI of a 24" 16:9 aspect ratio monitor with 3840 × 2160 resolution is 184.
PPI means the number of "dots" per inch of the monitor. A monitor with a higher PPI is capable of displaying a clearer and more detailed image.
Question 6: There are two types of contrast. How does each of them affect the image displayed on the monitor screen?
“Contrast” is a general term used both in photography and in monitors. The contrast ratio is determined by the ratio between the brightness values of the lightest (white) and darkest (black) parts of an image that the monitor can display. In general, the higher the contrast, the greater the range of brightness displayed by the monitor, on which the quality (naturalness and consistency) of the final picture depends. Two other factors that require special attention are native contrast ratio and dynamic contrast ratio, which can often be found in device specifications. What is the difference between native contrast and dynamic contrast? In short, native contrast is determined at the factory when the display is manufactured. Typically, manufacturers set their own device contrast depending on its position in the market and the requirements of the target audience.
After the monitor is made, experts use a color analyzer to measure the maximum and minimum brightness in the center of the screen. The quotient of dividing the two obtained values by each other is the native contrast of the monitor. On the other hand, there is dynamic contrast, which refers to the use of a chip built into the monitor to control different settings depending on the dynamic content shown on the screen (videos, games, etc.), and, ultimately, to enhance the contrast of the image. For photographers and users looking to purchase a monitor for processing and viewing images, contrast is a key factor in choosing the right model. In this case, it is the own contrast that should be taken into account. Most monitors used for image processing have a native contrast ratio of 1000:1. Professionals should always keep this fundamental rule in mind and choose the right monitor within the available budget, taking into account individual requirements.
As a rule, monitors with a high native contrast ratio also have a high dynamic contrast ratio, which ensures perfect picture reproduction when viewing and editing video content.
Question 7: Which monitor surface is best for professional photographers? Glossy or matte?
When you walk into a hypermarket, have you ever noticed that some monitors (glossy) look like a mirror, while the surface of others (matte) seems to be covered with some strange dark layer? The difference between these two types of monitors lies in the use of different technologies for the surface treatment of their screens. Although glossy monitors look "prettier" visually, in practice, such gloss can lead to glare and reflections when used in the area exposed to light sources. There is currently no way to fix the issue of glare and reflections on glossy monitors.
In addition, glossy monitors tend to be more susceptible to fingerprints and accumulate more dust, which in general has a negative effect on the analysis and processing of images by users for whom image accuracy and color reproduction are of paramount importance. At the same time, matte monitors are made from crystalline silicon, which accounts for their ability to efficiently diffuse ambient light while suppressing glare and reflections.
