Sanyo PLV-Z3000 Projector – Black Levels & Shadow Detail

Posted on December 7, 2008 By Art Feierman

First is a seriously overexposed shot of the starship in The Fifth Element. Immediately below it, is a less overexposed version, for better comparing with the same image in older reviews. In the first image, I have left in part of the letterboxing, so you can see the basic black level more easily.

Overexposed shot of the starship in The Fifth Element

Less Overexposed shot of the starship in The Fifth Element

Image from the Mitsubishi HC6500

The Panasonic PT-AE3000, which slightly bests the Sanyo PLV-Z3000

The JVC DLA-RS2

Previous Next

As you can see, the PLV-Z3000 has a long ways to go to catch the JVC RS2, in terms of black levels. The Sanyo’s black levels are very good, but the least impressive of these high contrast projectors, most similar to the Panasonic, but not quite that good.

OK here’s what many of you have been waiting for, side by side images for comparing black levels. I had the opportunity to shoot the PLV-Z3000 against the Panasonic, the Mitsubishi HC7000, and the Sony VPL-HW10. All three are more expensive projectors, with only the Panasonic close to the price of the Sanyo.

The image below is just slightly overexposed. The Sanyo in all of these, is on the right. Don’t worry about color shifts – at these long exposures (up to 10 seconds) subtle differences in color are exaggerated. Note, the Sanyo being a little less bright, is a bit dimmer, so fewer stars are visible.

Sanyo PLV-Z3000 (right), Panasonic PT-AE3000 (left):