Sony 2018 4k Projector Comparison (295ES, 695ES, 995ES)

READ OUR COMPARISON: bit.ly/2PILQkZ
SHOP THESE PROJECTORS
Sony VPL-VW295ES: bit.ly/2M2Fyul
Sony VPL-VW695ES: bit.ly/2M4QuHN
Sony VPL-VW995ES: bit.ly/2NnUYOD
When you think of Sony, you might think of TVs, portable audio players, or maybe even Playstation. But did you know that Sony is also one of the largest manufacturers of high-end cameras and studio equipment in the world?
Walk into any modern movie theater to watch the newest blockbuster, and not only is it likely that it was shot and edited on Sony equipment, but more often than not, you’ll be watching it on a commercial Sony 4K projector. Simply put, if you want to see the picture the way it was meant to be seen, your best bet is Sony. Now, let’s run through the three new models.
First, we have the Sony VPL-VW295ES, which we believe sets a new standard for 4K projectors. At just under $5,000 for a true 4K projector, it will also likely be the best-selling of these three models.
With 1,500 Lumens of light output, this projector produces a super bright image that would have been impossible in even the top-of-the-line projectors from only a few years ago. The lamp should last around 6,000 hours and is relatively inexpensive to replace when the time comes.
Moving on to video processing features, the 295ES includes both Motionflow and Reality Creation.
Motionflow eliminates some of the jumpiness you may have noticed in sports, fast action sequences, or video games. Reality Creation is a technology that upscales non-4K content by employing a digital signal processing algorithm and mapping pixels to a patterning database. It may sound like a bunch of mumbo jumbo, but the fact is that it dramatically enhances the colors, contrast, and textures of your non-4K content without creating artifacts.
The 295ES also includes the latest technology for HDR, or High Dynamic Range. Sony pioneered this technology, which makes your colors appear richer and more vivid than ever before. The content itself has to be HDR content, but due to the huge difference it makes, more and more HDR content is available all the time. You won’t be able to believe your eyes!
To take full advantage of the highest possible HDR, you need a video processor that can display 60 frames per second and can take an incoming speed of 18Gbps. As recently as last year, this feature was only available in the very top of the line Sony projectors, but it’s included here in this entry-level 4K model.
Another new feature is the option to use an external anamorphic lens! You can now do vertical stretch mode with 4K content so that it will work with a 2:35 widescreen, which is great for people who may have an older lens.
Finally, for any of you gamers out there, Sony has drastically decreased lag -- the time between when you push a button and when you see the action take place on screen.
If you have a 16:9 screen up to about 150” diagonal and want the best 4K projector you can buy for $5,000, you should seriously consider the VPL-VW295ES. You will not believe how great this projector is!
The VPL-VW695ES is next up. It includes all of the features found in the 295ES, plus several upgrades. First, light the output is increased to 1,800 Lumens for an even brighter picture. Sony also uses an advanced Iris system in the 695 to greatly improve contrast. You’ll get finer detail, better realism, and deeper blacks with this system.
While the VPL-VW695ES offers significant picture improvements over the VPL-VW295ES, the bigger deal in our opinion is its lens memory, which allows you to watch movies shot in a wider ration than the standard 16:9, without the black bars.
With this widescreen ability, the latest in HDR, and the advanced Iris system, the VPL-VW695ES is an incredible value for the avid home theater enthusiast!
While these first two projectors are great, your jaw will hit the floor when you see the picture that comes out of the new VPL-VW995ES! Sony has taken all of the amazing features found in their $60,000 top of the line laser projector and cut the price almost in half!
With the VPL-VW995ES you’ll get the exact same lens as found in Sony’s $60,000 flagship 5000ES projector. With the VPL-VW995ES you’ll also get Sony’s new laser light engine with 2,200 Lumens of output and 20,000 hours of life.
If your screen size is around 160” or smaller and you want the absolute best picture you can get, there is simply nothing on the market that can top this projector. If you’re looking to go bigger, the 5000ES is still the way to go. With it’s 5,000 Lumen output, it will remain the best 4K home cinema projector on the planet for 2019.
MUSIC - Ryan Little: bit.ly/2NNDuYS

[@benrub]

My understanding is that the cheapest one (295) has both powered zoom and powered focus. So you can zoom in on a Cinemascope movie and view it correctly on a cinemascope screen. It just doesn't have "lens memory" so you can't save those settings. (annoying)

[@AGC828]

I look forward to your review of one of these projectors with an on-screen demo.

[@williamreichold1545]

I bought a nice used 695ES with really low hours, loving it so far, but I can't find anything anywhere about the air filter inside..On my 45ES I had to clean the filter every so often. The owners manual just mentions wiping the air intake from time to time.

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad you are liking it. We don't recall a user accessible filter in that one. Thanks for watching

[@williamreichold1545]

@@AudioAdvice Thanks for the reply.

[@christopherbrown5338]

None have keystone adjustment so unless you mount the projector directly in line with the screen your image will be a trapezoid instead of rectangular. Why would Sony drop this feature???

[@TheJimmyjaimitog123]

I currently have The Sony 385 ,what is the difference,? Thanks

[@joeboxer9772]

when you say 160" max for the 995ES, is that image width or diagonal assuming a 16.9 aspect ratio? If so, assume equivalent size at 2.35 with an anamorphic lens would still apply. Looking to go max screen size without having to get to the 5000ES

[@AudioAdvice]

Joe- great question, probably better answered in a real conversation. Can you email [e-mail] so we can connect and discuss? thanks

[@amarsingh-yo9vv]

Do 995es is capable of 200 inch plz shares

[@AudioAdvice]

That would be pushing it, plus the 995 is now 5 years old, the newer models can do very large screen sizes. Thanks for watching

[@DasSigma660]

What is the lamp life on high mode?

[@tarunprakashsingh]

In 695 can i do 2.40:1 ,160” inch? Will the image be bright enough??

[@Fluterra]

Tarun Singh depends on your screen, room, and throw distance. And at 160”, you should be sitting about 1.5x that away from the screen. Is your room that big?

[@tarunprakashsingh]

Fluterra room has 22 ft distance

[@gunnarsandberg8132]

eight people have JVC!!

[@tarunprakashsingh]

295 doesnt have lens memory? How can we watch 2.35:1 movies on it?

[@AudioAdvice]

Tarun- with the 295 you need an anamorphic lens. The 295 does support 4k in vertical stretch mode for this, the 285 did not

[@georgepopescu1327]

like you do with all modern projectors that don have lens memory, you just adjust manually every time

[@ryanwilliamson7657]

What will the input lag be?

[@Sabidox-]

Ryan Williamson 33 ms

[@minimustang2197]

motion flow cant impact video games like it does with movies...

[@ZackCrain]

If anyone has a 995es they want to get rid of, I'm looking to buy

[@jimcameron1234]

Audio Advice, Hello from Munich Germany, i for my self will go/buy JVC DLA RS3000/NX9 including 8K e-Shift for less 7000€/$ than VW995/870 + much better high class lenses + worlds only 100% perfect motion flow (clear motion drive) function + JVC DLA typical deep black/contrast 2200 Lumen (lamp!) too as SONY Laser 2018 model + more quieter than Sony at high lamp mode

[@NoahWilson98]

Super!

[@kascnef]

The amc projectors are crap