Benq SW320 is a monitor which is specifically aimed at imaging professionals. It does a good job of managing requirements of all still photography and image processing requirements, which makes it quite unique for the Indian market. Given the professional requirements, its been priced competitively and this model is a part of Benq’s colour management displays series.
Design and Built Quality
BenQ bundles a set of sturdy detachable shading hoods to reduce screen glare and this is extremely helpful given the lighting at our homes and offices. This also includes a set for portrait orientation, which impressed us, clearly indicating the attention to detail displayed by the brand to enhance the user experience.
The SW320 measures 502.25 x 747.2 x 223.61 mm without base and shading hood and weighs 20.3 kg with pivot stand. The Pivot stand is easily manoeuvrable and sturdy to manage the monitor effectively in both orientations.
Features
The SW320 is a ~32-inch (31.5 inches), 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution monitor designed for photographers, and also appropriate for graphic designers. The device uses an IPS panel and reproduces 99% Adobe RGB colour space, which represents the most widely-used gamut for photo editing globally. BenQ monitors are designed with a colour expert onboard and the company works with international bodies such as ICC and ISO to establish standards in colour. The SW320 produces realistic colours and the 10-bit panel produces over one billion colours for smooth and natural gradations. A 14-bit 3D look up table (LUT) enhances RGB colour reproduction. BenQ ensures a Delta E≤2 in both Adobe RGB and sRGB colour spaces, ensuring consistency in colour reproduction, which is critical for photo editing and image correction.
Like all BenQ professional photography monitors, the SW320 features hardware calibration allowing adjustment of monitor’s internal image processing chip with the help of a colorimeter (purchased separately), without altering the graphics card output data. This helps in maintaining image consistency irrespective of the graphic settings.
The bundled Palette Master Element calibration software helps you to tune and maintain the monitor’s colour performance at optimal state, tracks the accuracy of calibration and alerts you when it is time for a re-calibration. The software supports popular calibrators such as X-Rite i1 Display Pro, i1 Pro, i1 Pro 2, Datacolor Spyder 4 and Spyder 5. The monitor comes factorycalibrated to ensure precise Delta-E and Gamma performance. The monitor is Technicolor Colour Certified for broadcast, film, animation, and entertainment applications.
The SW320 is capable of displaying HDR content. The SW320 masters HDR technology for enhanced contrast. HDR also increases the overall dynamic range between black and white, making the image appear as close to what our eyes see in the external world. The included Hotkey Puck (earlier known as OSD controller) allows you to switch between Adobe RGB, sRGB and Black & White modes via dedicated buttons. The buttons can also be customised to access other modes or OSD settings, such as brightness and contrast. A GamutDuo setting enables you to view images in different colour spaces side-by-side. The SW320 features anti-glare and eye-care technologies that reduce eye fatigue during extended use. The monitor supports landscape and portrait orientations, which is very useful given the variety of video content being shot these days for different platforms.
After Sales Service and Warranty
Benq grants a three-year warranty for the BenQ SW320 including on-site replacement service. This is very important for such high-end equipment, in addition they might also have extended warranty plans in future. We understand that they also provide on site installation (if its within a city with service network) and also help provide a trained technician who can help you understand all the features. In addition Benq has also tied up with various specialists like Bodhi Institute of Colour Management, which conducts free and paid workshops at regular intervals, to ensure that all users can get the maximum out of their systems. The MRP of the monitor is Rs.1,50,000, but its available on some online websites for Rs.1.25lacs, but please check if warranty is valid if purchase and other benefits like access to training workshops, etc would be available. |SP
KEY SPECIFICATIONS
Screen Size: 31.5
Panel Type: IPS
Backligh Technology: LED backlight
Resolution (max.): 3840×2160
Brightness: 350
Native Contrast (typ.): 1000:1
Viewing Angle (L/R;U/D) (CR>=10): 178/178
Response Time: 5 ms (GtG)
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Display Colors: 1.07billion
Color Gamut: 99% AdobeRGB, 100% sRGB,
Display Area(mm): 697.92×392.58
Pixel Pitch (mm): 0.182
PPI: 140
DCR (Dynamic Contrast Ratio) (typ.): 20M:1
Color Bit: 10bits
Design and Build Quality 17/20
Key Features 18/20
Warranty and Support 18/20
Value for Money 16/20
FINAL SCORE : 86.25%
KEY FEATURES
• 99% Adobe RGB Colour Space With IPS technology
• 31.5” 4K UHD Resolution
• High Dynamic Range (HDR)
• Hardware Calibration with Palette Master Element Software
• Hotkey Puck for switching different picture modes effortlessly
Conclusion
If you are a professional photographer or person involved in image processing this monitor is a great investment.
