TechRadar Verdict
Very pricey for what is effectively an SDR panel.
But the accuracy is breathtaking and the feature set is perfectly optimised for content creation professionals.
So, what makes the new BenQ PhotoVue SW272U stand out in this crowded segment?
The core panel specs look pretty standard at a glance.
IPS, 4K, 60Hz, 400 nits, you’ve seen it all before.
Actually, so does the pricing, which is rather high at around $1599 / 1199.
That pricing is particularly painful given this isn’t a trueHDRmonitor.
It does support HDR10 and HLG.
The stand in particular is very nicely engineered and supports height, swivel, tilt and rotate into portrait.
Another notable design feature is the flat base with an inlaid leatherette pad.
The pad itself is a little hard and feels cheap.
However, the finer details place it in a much higher class than more affordable competition.
The full list of features is phenomenally long.
However, its not perfect, and not professional-grade.
As for connectivity, you get dual HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4 and USB-C with 90W power delivery.
There’s also an SD card reader and a dual-port USB-A hub.
Final flourish is the hotkey puck.
The basic idea isn’t novel.
Chiefly, it allows easier access to the OSD menu, plus three quick-jump calibration slots.
The novel bit is that it’s wireless and communicates over IR.
That’s a genuine benefit in terms of minimising cable clutter.
The puck also ties in with BenQ’s Palette Master Ultimate or PMU hardware calibration app.
The info button on the puck is handy, too.
Useful if you regularly swap between workflows and calibrations.
BenQ PhotoVue SW272U: Performance
Make no mistake, this is a beautifully calibrated display.
Out of the box, it’s one of if not the most accurate displays we’ve seen.
Of course, this is an IPS display with a monolithic backlight, so it does have limitations.
So, there’s inevitably a degree of light bleed.
The viewing angles are also excellent.
It genuinely does and without impacting perceived contrast.
It’s a definite will.
Less successful is the panel’s HDR performance.
However, what is impressive is SDR content rendering in HDR mode.
As with every other mode, the HDR mode is brilliantly calibrated for both HDR and SDR content.
That’s another 27-inch 4K panel aimed at content creators.
It matches BenQ’s monitor with 99% coverage of both Adobe RGB and DCI-P3.
But it cost one third the price.
Likewise, compared to true professional class monitors, the BenQ PhotoVue SW272U arguably isn’t that expensive.
Ultimately, then, it comes down to the sort of content creator you are.
More casual, semi-professional creators are probably better off with the likes of the cheaper Asus ProArt PA279CRV.
But for really serious professionals, there’s an awful lot to like with this BenQ.
It’s almost certainly worth the extra investment.
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