Compare Projectors - VPL-HW10 vs PT-AE3000 - 3

Color accuracy

Neither projector is perfect, but both are impressively good. After our calibration, the Panasonic is a touch pinkish red, and the Sony, the opposite, with the slightest shift to brown and blue. A different calibration of both, might result in different results. In other words, both calibrate equally well, and the slight differences between them are almost arbitrary, based on final calibration settings. Between the two, with our settings, I am hard pressed to pick a winner, but it might well be the Panasonic. That call is based on my impressions during individual viewing of both projectors, rather than trying to make a call looking at the two side by side, where they are more different than better/worse.

Sony VPL-HW10 vs. Panasonic PT-AE3000: Overall Picture Quality

Despite the Sony's slight advantage in terms of black levels, I have to consider these two a tie.

Projector Performance

Projector Brightness

The Sony is a classic LCoS projector. As such, there is almost no difference in brightness between Best and Brightest modes. The Sony is definitely brighter (604 lumens) than average in "best" mode, and about twice as bright as the Panasonic, when comparing those modes. On the other hand, when you need a bright mode to cut through ambient light, the Panasonic has the definite advantage. One thing the PT-AE3000 has going for it is a very good intermediate mode, with brightness rivaling the Sony's "best" mode. Still, this mode cannot match the Sony in black level and overall picture quality, though it comes close.

In brighest modes, the Panasonic measures 824 lumens compared to the Sony's 629 lumens.

Overall, this makes the Sony the stronger projector (in terms of brightness) for those who are focused on movie viewing. Those who will be watching a wider array of content, including sports and general HDTV viewing will favor the Panasonic for the extra almost 25% more lumens in "brightest."

What about sharpness