Canon Announces New REALiS 4K501ST 4K LCOS Projector

The REALiS 4K501ST offers full support for true 4K (not just home theater 4K - 3840 wide x 2160) but out to 4096 x 2400 resolution. It has an almost $60K price tag which will give many AV/IT folks pause.

Canon REALiS 4K501ST rear input panel

It does have lots of inputs, but it does not have a built in media player. It uses LCoS technology for a bright, detailed picture, and it is equipped with a variety of image adjustment settings (including built-in edge blending, motorized lens shift, 360-degree vertical installation, and keystone correction) that'll ensure it can handle a number of presentation applications. One more huge perk? It only weights 39.6 lbs., making it one of the most compact and lightweight high brightness 4K projectors on the market (normally, it takes a bit more real estate to pack in that much punch).  This Canon supports DICOM SIM for reproducing medical images for teaching.

The 4K501ST is especially compact - a trait of Canon projectors, which gives it a real advantage in some installations.  There are six lens options.

Canon says that, by October, the REALiS 4K501ST should be available through authorized Canon dealers. It'll come with a 3-year advanced warranty with exchange service and loaner program, so that you're virtually never without.

Also of note, the $60K price tag is about right for true 4K, as Sony has a 5000 lumen 4K projector - the VPL-VW5000ES (click here for a blog about it) - at $60K as well.  However, that one is often considered on the “home side,” but it is fully capable for both business and state-of-the-art home theater.  Sony also has two other 4K projectors - the GT270 and G280, with apparently similar price ranges, one geared for video the other for specialty applications.

That about covers it for true 4K projectors, with 5000 lumens or more, at least without spending over six figures.