Sanyo PLV-Z3000 - Competitors 3

Posted on December 7, 2008 by Art Feierman

Sanyo PLV-Z3000 vs. Sanyo PLV-Z700

This is easy. You get better black levels, up to 120 fps output, and creative frame interpolation from the top of the line PLV-Z3000.

Both projectors are similar in brightness.

Bottom line: Get a better overall image with the Z3000, and less motion blur, but overall, these two projectors are pretty much identical, including brightness. If you are image performance oriented, the Sanyo PLV-Z3000 will be worth the extra $500 or so.

Sanyo PLV-Z3000 vs. BenQ W5000

Here Sanyo's PLV-Z3000 3LCD projector takes on a really very good, low cost DLP projector. It was our Best in Class, Runner-Up winner, last March. At that time it was in a more expensive category. Selling for $3000+.

The Sanyo wins the placement flexibility game, with a 2:1 zoom vs. the BenQ's 1.2:1 zoom. Both projectors offer vertical lens shift, although the Sanyo has more range (and it has horizontal lens shift).

The BenQ has an exceptionally sharp image, even better than the Sanyo, and is far brighter in best mode especially if you don't keep the manual iris mostly closed (its default). Even without TI's Brilliant Color, the W5000 can put out 670 lumens in best mode.

The projectors are similar in brightness, in brightest mode, with the Sanyo having a slight edge.

The BenQ calibrates better, resulting in slightly better color accuracy and balance.

The BenQ W5000 is a solid choice, and probably the best lower cost DLP in overall performance. I favor it, despite the Sanyo having the better black levels. Oh, it has more audible noise (not surprising for a DLP projector). The Sanyo, though, has the better warranty, and quieter operation. Many enthusiasts favor the feel of a DLP image, and the BenQ offers that. Again, all those "newer features" favor the Sanyo, not just the up to 120 fps, and creative frame interpolation, but also the not that new of a feature - a dynamic iris, which gives the Sanyo the black level advantage, although not a great one.

Sanyo PLV-Z3000 vs. Epson Home Cinema 6500 UB

The Home Cinema 6500 UB, is likely to be a cut above the Sanyo, overall. That's OK, as it will likely command at least a $600, and possibly $800 higher price, so the Epson may well cost a third more than the Sanyo projector.

The Epson Home Cinema 6500 UB, claims to have even better blacks than the 1080 UB it replaces, which means it should easily best the Sanyo. It is likely to be brighter in both best and brightest modes, by up to 25%.

Like the PLV-Z3000, it supports 96 and 120 frame per second, and has creative frame interpolation. Unlike the Sanyo, this Epson does not support an anamorphic lens. The more expensive, otherwise almost identical Pro Cinema 7500 UB does.

This new Epson is claiming to have a slightly sharper image than the 1080 UB, which was strictly average of the 1080p projectors. If this is true, it may well be as sharp as the Z3000.

With a new cabinet, the Epson Home Cinema 6500 UB, is likely to be a little quieter than the older 1080 UB, but probably still noticeably noiser than the Sanyo (purely a guess).

Warranty differences, are Sanyo's 3 years, vs. Epson's two years, but with overnight replacement. I'd say each warranty has advantages, but are roughly equal in overall value.