Is A 32' 4K Display Too Big for a Photographer? BenQ SW271 and SW320 4K Monitor Review

I've been using a 27" display for 7 years for photo editing. Now that I'm upgrading to a new, faster system, and a 4K display, should I go for a 32"? Or stick with the 27"?

BenQ loaned me their SW271 and SW320 to perform side-by-side tests to see which size was right for me. I hope you enjoy, and be sure to drop a comment below if you have any questions!

2018 Apple MacBookPro / 2.6ghz i7 / 32GB RAM / Vega 20 graphics / 1TB SSD

Instagram: @calebkerr

[michaelxz]

my god this man is a genius... this is the first video I've watched comparing monitors where it goes back and forth between the different monitors in the exact same location - so you can really see the difference.

[Athenalve]

This was really helpful! I had been using an old 22" monitor and recently decided to update. So I tried out a 27" but also wondered whether going up to 32" would make sense. I agree about distance. Sitting up to 2' away from the screen, I found that a 27" is already quite a lot to look at, but I also wanted to see how I would feel about watching a show/movie or play a game from 6' away. I decided the latter wasn't really ideal, which is why I entertained the idea of a 32" monitor. But at the end of the day the primary use for the monitor is productivity. So after watching this, I suspect that for me, 27" is already plenty and I would likely be better off watching videos/play games on a my bigger screen TV.

[joelwolski]

This is exactly the type of discussion I was looking for. With my eyesight, I can't sit too close (I hate getting older), and if I sit too far away, I need my glasses, which are really for "long distance", not long "close up". Personally, I like the idea of the tighter pixel pitch. I have two 32" 1440 monitors at work running AutoCAD at about 32" away from my normal seated position, and I find myself leaning in often to get get the detail I need. But at only 92ppi, I just don't get the crispness I'm looking for. At home, doing photo editing, I'll be able to position myself closer, and the constant scanning left to right you mentioned seems like a deal breaker for me. So glad I found this video.

[LavaLake]

Nice real-world review, refreshing to hear someone talk about something other than gaming! It's especially rare anybody talks about pixel density in relation to viewing distance and that's actually pretty useful info when trying to make a buying decision.

[adso]

Even having both sizes to try, you still couldnt decide, that shows how difficult the decision actually is!! I'm still not sure myself.. but really appreciate the video, and something focussed on productivity > gaming.

[xeniavader]

this is a great video
27inch all the way. Everything looks sharper given the better pixel density. A larger screen means more eye tracking and increased fatigue. On most desks the monitor needs to be fairly close so the smaller screen if perfectly fine.

[garydunken]

27" or 32" ?
Get 27" if you keep your monitor at arm's length or less. But if you are a person like me, who position the monitor far enough (for example, while typing on keyboard, stretch your hand towards the screen and you still can't touch it), then I think 32" is better. I found on 27" screen, the windows icons to be a bit small, unless I do scaling or sit closer. On 32" with 4K resolution, I think there's no need to do up scaling of desktop to make icons bigger. I hope that helps.

[zzdoodzz]

I have a 24 inch, whenever I feel I need a "big screen" I just pull the monitor closer by 3-4 inches, now I have a 27 inch. LOL.

[delukxy]

If your wall is suitable for a wall mounted cantilever mount you can use a 32" and move it to a distance to suit you. Photowork maybe in one position and films, sports and games at another. Wall needs to be robust to cope with a heavy 32" and the leverage it makes on the arm. The 23" LG I have on an arm works well but it's going to be upgraded for 4K along with a matching graphics card pretty soon. I may need a stronger arm but will probably stick to a 27" or 28".

[Will-be-free]

When I changed to a larger display, I felt like it was too large at first. I was used to lean forward to be close to the screen and after using the new display for a while, I got used to leaning back. When trying out a new display, make sure it's not just your bad habits that makes you uncomfortable with the change.
Also as an older guy who needs glasses to watch at close distance, I can tell you that it is not the same to watch small screen at close distance as watching a large screen far away.

[NickSiekierski]

About a year ago I upgraded from my 2010 27" 1080p HP display to a new 28" 4k HP monitor, it seems to be the sweet spot and for about $350 I can't complain.

[pastuh]

For 10 years used 23" monitor.
Recently got 42" and it's ok only for gaming..
Next plan just go to shop and check 32" and 27" monitors..

[windmaomao]

to be honest, I'm really impressed by the conclusion, especially after seeing so many youtube video using huge monitor for their perfect desk setup. I always think they just have a bigger pocket than knowing how to work.

[greatwanna]

What a lovely review that still holds up in 2022, thanks dude!

[OniMirage]

GF is a graphic designer and edits photos and advertisements via mac and pc (greatly prefers PC performance and owns both). Uses a calibrated 43" 4k @ 3ft distance. Sony recently researched the distance required to perceive realism with higher resolution displays rather than the traditional distance considered to be optimal. They found the distance is actually half of the traditional "optimal" viewing distance because the density is so high with 4k and beyond that the limitations the formula was designed for no longer applies.

[SamerMatti]

One of the few non-biased reviews on YouTube. In most other videos the products provided are just perfect and everything comes down to your budget. This review sounds like a much more honest take. Thank you!!!

[LetsBuildThatApp]

Yeah you look way too cramped up on that 24" table top. I recommend getting a 29" deep standing desk with a monitor arm attached to the back. With this setup, you can simply pull the monitor closer when you need to, or push it back when watching a movie. Moreover the arm allows you to put the screen flush against the back wall, give you even more depth.

[kaede_jing]

Very on point! It's the distance between you and your monitor will decide the screen size to buy!!!

[SonickPhotographie]

I can't imagine how much time you've spent on this video. What a great job! And you only have 3K subscribers? That's a shame. Thanks a lot!

[hybridownzDK]

While I was watching the video I thought you already had like 100k or million subs because of the quality of this video and effort. I was shocked to see so little subs. Is this really your video? if it is you need more