A SHARPER IMAGE AND SOFTER PRICE
All projectors require compromises and tradeoffs. The trick is to find one with strengths and weaknesses that match what you want to do with it. The Canon REALiS SX80 breaks from the pack of me-too projectors to combine an SXGA+ resolution (1400 x 1050), strong output (3000 lumens) and excellent color. It’s also the first projector to offer PictBridge connectivity.

Like Canon’s other REALiS models, the SX80 uses an LCOS imaging system. On the plus side, you won’t suffer the rainbow effect associated with single-chip DLP projectors or the screen-door effect associated with LCD projectors. On the minus side, the contrast ratio is rated an anemic 900:1 — though that may not be as bad as you might think. Unless you’re projecting in a room with low levels of ambient light, the deep blacks will become dark grays anyway, no matter what the contrast range might be. Because of its 3000 lumens, the SX80 exceeds the image quality of many higher-rated projectors when there’s even a modest amount of background illumination.

The SX80 is one of the quietist LCOS projectors I’ve ever evaluated. Rated conservatively at 31dB in quiet mode with a roughly 20-percent drop in brightness, I was able to position the SX80 just outside arm’s length and not hear the fan. Even in quiet mode, there were enough lumens to cut through a significant amount of reflected light.

Keeping It Consistent
The PictBridge feature connects the SX80 directly to consumer-based devices via a USB cable. The standard hasn’t been widely adopted, though there are some PictBridge-compatible cameras, camcorders and cell phones. Alternatively, you can use the SX80’s USB port to display JPG files directly from a flash drive. Another notable feature is the version 1.3 HDMI input, which supports the Deep Color specifications.

If you can count on having a dark room, you may be better off with a projector with a superior contrast range. Otherwise, the Canon REALiS SX80 provides a combination of brightness, resolution and image quality that’s hard to beat for the price.

SUMMARY: If you can’t count on having a dark room, you may be better off with a projector with a superior contrast range. Otherwise, the Canon REALiS SX80 provides a combination of brightness, resolution and image quality that’s hard to beat for the price.

TARGET APPS
Video or PowerPoint presentations for corporate, educational and governmental environments; high-resolution photos, medical scans, maps, blueprints and other detailed visual content; home theater

WHAT IT COSTS YOU
$3,999

WHAT’S COOL
SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) resolution; 3000 lumen output; first projector with PictBridge connectivity; version 1.3 HDMI input; quiet mode really is quiet, while retaining significant brightness; powered 1.5x zoom

WHAT’S MISSING
Because it’s an SXGA+ projector, the SX80 can’t display 1080i or 1080p without scaling the video. This model has a relatively narrow 900:1 contrast range, which could be an issue for rooms with ambient light.

Specs
SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) resolution; 4:3 aspect ratio; 900:1 contrast range; 88-percent uniformity; powered 1.5x (16.6mm – 24.8mm) zoom lens; 3.9 – 29.9 feet throw distance; 40 – 300-inch screen size; ±20 degrees vertical digital keystone; standard, presentation, movie, sRGB color modes; dynamic gamma, six-axis (RGBCMY) color adjustment; 35dB (31dB quiet mode) fan noise, 1 watt mono speaker; 11.5 pounds; three-year parts and labor warranty.