DLP vs LCD Featherweight Projectors

DLP vs. LCD: Featherweight Projectors
03/04/2006-Art Feierman

Overview and Technology
DLP vs LCD Home Theater Projectors
DLP vs LCD Featherweight Projectors (under 5lbs.)
DLP vs LCD Portable Projectors
DLP vs LCD Fixed Installation projectors
A look at other technologies: LCOS, LED, CRT, Laser (coming soon)

If your requirements call for one of today's smallest and lightest projectors, you not only have to choose between a significant number of models, but should first, figure out which technology will work best for you, DLP or LCD.

In summary, the very smallest and lightest of the projectors in this class use DLP technology from Texas Instruments. They can be as light as just under two pounds, and physically tiny. (The smallest of the DLP projectors, the 1100 lumen InFocus LP-120, measures just 2.1" high, by 9.8" wide, by 3.7" deep, or less than 1/4 the size of a typical laptop. Weighing not much more is Optoma's new EP 729, at only 2.2 lbs, but it offers a significant jump in lumens, to 1600. These smallest and lightest, up until recently (like the EP729), tend to be a bit underpowered, with lumens ranging from about 1000 to 1500. Today, however, (Feb '06) we are seeing under 5 lb. DLP projectors with over 2000 lumens, even though the smallest are still around 1000 - 1600. Still 1000 to 1200 lumens is plenty for small screen presentations (a 5 foot diagonal screen), even with a good amount of ambient light in the room. If you are willing to carry 3.5 to 5 lbs, though you have a wide range of both DLP, and LCD projectors to choose from, some with lumen ratings as high as 2500.

Because LCD projectors have better color saturation, they hold up better in rooms with significant ambient light. As a result, if you need the maximum "horsepower" out of a sub- 5 pound projector, you probably should look at those with LCD technology. About as bright as it gets in this class, are Epson's Powerlite 760 and 765 projectors - both under 4 lbs, and both with 2500 lumens. They are sufficient for large rooms with audiences of 100 or more with moderate room lighting.

Review continues below this advertisement.

Typical Featherweight Projectors:
SVGA resolution:

BenQ PB2120: DLP World's smallest and lightest Under $1000 projector (for now) - 1200 lumens, 3.8 pounds, SVGA (most featherweights are XGA)
Panasonic LM2: LCD 1200 lumens, The lightest LCD projector yet, and the first under $1299, 2.9 . LCD projector. SVGA resolution.

XGA resolution

Epson Powerlight 760c: LCD, 2500 lumens, and 3.8 pounds, pound for pound the most powerful projector on the market, and the highest performance sub 4 lb. projector. The 760c, and it's wireless networking version, the 765c, are the most powerful, sub-5 pound XGA resolution XGA projectors currently shipping.
BenQ PB2240: DLP Currently the most powerful sub-4 pound projector with 2000 lumens, and 3.8 pounds
Epson Powerlight 750 and 755c: LCD. These two are essentially iIdentical to the 760c and 765c projectors, but offer only 2000 lumens, for a significantly lower price than the "60" series.
InFocus LP120 DLP World's lightest projector DLP, 1.98 pounds - low power, limited features, but as small and light as it gets
InFocus LP70+: DLP A compact, 2.4 pound DLP projector, with XGA resolution
NEC LT30: DLP 2600 lumens, 4.4 lbs.
Optoma ExPro 729: DLP, 1600 lumens, and 2.2 pounds

It should be noted that there is a new breed of projectors out there using LED technology. Mitsubishi, BenQ, and others have shown, or are shipping one of these. They weigh as little as one half pound, but like those little LED flashlights, they aren't very bright. None of the manufacturers so far, (to my knowledge), are providing a lumen rating, but from what I have seen at shows, most would seem to be under 100 lumens. Not very viable unless you are projecting to a very small screen (40" or less) in a virtually pitch black environment. Also, so far they have been lower resolution devices. But, you never can tell. In a year or two the technology may be bright enough, so that traveling presenters who present to small groups, may be able to lug around a projector that weighs only 8 ounces, and fits in the palm of your hand.

QuickTip: Very few featherweight projectors are SVGA. Generally you pay a premium for the small size, so SVGA buyers, who mostly choose SVGA because of budget constraints normally will purchase heavier projectors (5-8 lbs.), to keep their purchase price down.

Projector Reviews