Best monitor for photo editing? BenQ SW272U review

Reviewing the new BenQ PhotoVue SW272U, a 4K IPS LCD display designed for photo editing. Video includes an overview of its specifications, how it differs from the previous model (the SW271C, which I've been using the past three years), and how it compares to other displays including the 5K Apple Studio Display.

Disclaimer: BenQ provided me with the SW272U featured in this review. They have not paid for nor sponsored this video, and have had no editorial input. All opinions shared in this video are my own.

My SW272U Factory Calibration Report:

📦 PRODUCTS MENTIONED

BenQ SW272U 4K 27"

BenQ SW272Q 2K 27"

📕 CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro
1:09 Display size
1:38 Resolution
1:58 Hardware
2:18 Panel
3:02 Brightness and HDR
3:50 Bit depth
4:33 Matte finish
4:45 Base
5:39 Stand
6:11 Hood
6:30 HotKey Puck
7:37 Ports
8:28 Connectivity
8:54 Back design
9:24 Color gamuts
10:21 Gamut Duo mode
11:17 Color calibration
14:02 Delta E
15:08 Paper Color Sync
17:43 Is it worth buying?
20:28 Apple Studio Display?

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[WildwithSam]

Great review Todd! Thanks for sharing such helpful details.

[sochin]

Great review! You targeted all of my questions and covered all of the pertinent info... calibration, profiles stored in hardware, etc. All of the issues that have driven me to seek out a new monitor. Thank you.

[steverosenblum]

Wonderful and timely review. I have been told by a couple of photographers who are kind of photo editing masters (Adobe alpha testers, teach workshops, etc.) that one of the drawbacks to getting a 27 inch 4K display is that non-photo editing tasks are made more difficult because text, dialog boxes, etc. are rendered too small. They have suggested that for 4K one should use at least a 32 inch monitor and for a 27 inch monitor 2K would be better. So I am between the SW272U and the SW272Q as my choices. I don't do video editing. I don't shoot with MF digital cameras. Any comment on this?

[Shalin-tg]

After Art is Right, you are the only presence on YouTube that has tremendous knowledge of colors! :) In my opinion not to mention.

[robkcra]

Helpful Todd! Thanks.

May I risk a question?

I am a pro photog who is researching for an upgrade to a new computer/monitor combo (Mac) for direct printing....both in studio and via pro lab. Colour and clarity are big on my menu of

While I hear your message in this review as it relates to a monitor designed specifically for photographers, I also note that here in Canada, the SW272U retails at $2050 Can, while the Benq PD3225U (which has "for Designers" on the box) is a "mere" $1400 Can.

Are you opined that the 272's performance is $650 better than the larger 3225?

I would value your import a great deal. Thank you.

[Light_Quill]

What a clear, articulate, informative and all-around great review: thank you Todd. I am deciding between the BenQ and the Eizo CS2740 and your review has been very helpful.

[rogalaphotography]

I use the BenQ EX3501R Ultrawide Wide 35 Inch QHD which is only $419 on Amazon right now. I paid $600 a couple years ago....PERFECT color after calibration

[jimrookphotos]

Enjoyed the details and practicality as you explained this new monitor compared to others. Not all of us have delved into the higher priced monitors before and it is helpful to see and hear perspective of someone who has experienced various levels of the monitor spectrum. Thanks Todd.

[memoriessomeonewewillnever]

Thank you, Todd, for the great review. I've learned a lot—remarkably organized and meticulous information.

[peterkoppenaal]

THANK YOU for a Great review! I can't afford this monitor, BUT you are the ONLY reviewer to mention Frame Rate Control (FRC) that boosts(?) 8-bit to 10-bit displays. I was previousley looking at the Dell 2723QE (which you mention as a lower cost alternative), but when I realized the BenQ's and Eizo's had 10-bit color, I thought I'd be compromising. After seeing your review I went back to look at the Dell specs again, and it says 8-bit FRC! I have subscribed to your channel now, as I like the thoroughness, detail, and common sense approach to this review. Hope to learn a lot more watching more in the future.THANKS YOU for a THANKS YOU for a

[BrooklynAL]

Exceptionally helpful review. Thanks! After reading a considerable amount of reviews, I'm concerned that BENQ's lack of customer support might be an issue at some point, which is very concerning given the price of this monitor.

[jbickel]

I’m a pro-consumer hobby photographer. I gravitate towards the lower end of professional equipment. I’m looking to upgrade a 13-15 year old computer/monitor. I’m Apple for the computer, but totally conflicted about 2k vs 4k! The issue for me is scaling. My eyes aren’t what they were years ago so I’m wondering which way to go. Any advice is appreciated.

[armondobbabone]

Thanks, outstanding review. What model of the Spyder X Calibrator are you using ?

[photobydrea]

Nice review. I'm upgrading from my SW271C. Considering this model for Portrait mode and poss the 2k for Landscape. Not sure about that theory. Re: Hotkey, Big improvements, chargeable would have been wise. Color Gamut use w/Soft Proofing, Did you create your "print" profile on the Hotkey using just by dropping your whitepoint solely to D50 or did you use your lab's profile? I like that idea. Any notes?

[sergiorti]

Congrats on your videos. Very nice. Would you go for Eizo cs2740 or the BENQ 272u?

[MDanceInc]

I have ordered mine...!! Also ordered a calibrite display plus HL....

[kevinkenmoe]

@dominey thanks for the great review. Is it true that this display can only be calibrated through USB-C?

[salvirji]

Thanks for the video, wonderfully explained

[davidligon]

I have 321c and I love it. Some good minor improvement, but I don’t see a strong reason to upgrade. I love seeing the image larger image on the 32” display, and the larger real estate comes in handy with editing menus on the same screen. 2 x 27” displays would be nice, though.

[oriwo]

SW-270C and C-240 have been my dual monitor equipment on LRC for a while now. Previously I had NEC MultiSync PA271W and EIZO monitors, but the new models have become very expensive. I still have a Dell WideGamut on a Win11 machine, but this is no longer available and the successor models have also become considerably more expensive.

In this respect, I found the prices for the BenQ monitors still reasonable in relation to the performance for a wide gamut monitor and have been very satisfied with them so far.

I had been using the NEC MultiSync PA271W since 2011, which broke down two years ago. However, the device was so good that we had it repaired for 150€ and now my son works with it, mainly in the video sector.

However, the new SW-270U with 4K would be an attractive replacement for the SW-240 at some point ... :)