BenQ V7050i Vs. Epson LS500 Ultra Short Throw Comparison Shootout

The goal of Epson was to make an ultra short throw projector bright enough for just about any room. With the Epson LS500 EpiqVision they accomplished that.

BenQ may have been a bit later than other projector manufacturers to the laser TV game, but they came out strong with the BenQ V7050i ultra short throw projector. This unit offers an impressive picture and unique features. Read all about them in our BenQ V7050i review.

So which is better the Epson LS500 or the BenQ V7050i?

Read our comparison of these two fantastic ultra short throw projectors to find out.

	Epson LS500	BenQ V7050i	Our Thoughts:
Brightness	4000	2500	The Epson LS500 is clearly a brighter projector. Though when it comes to color brightness the BenQ UST takes full advantage of the 2500 lumens.
Throw Ratio	0.29:1	0.23:1	The Epson LS500 sits further than other USTs. The V7050i sits closer than most.
Chipset	3LCD	.47" DMD ECP	LS500 uses the 3LCD chipset which provides a brighter output and avoids the rainbow effect. The V7050i uses an advanced DLP chip that provides a sharper image.
Light Source	Single Blue Laser	Single Blue Laser	Both projectors use a single blue laser light source.
Color	91% DCI-P3	98% DCI-P3	The BenQ V7050i offers a superior color gamut and it shows in the vibrancy of the colors on the screen.
Contrast Ratio	2,000,000:1	2,000,000:1	Both manufacturers claim to have the same contrast ratio but when watching content the V7050i has noticeably better contrast.
ALR Projector Screen	Available Bundled With 100", 120" Screen, or on its own	Projector screen sold separately	One of the best values of the Epson LS500 is that it can come with a bundled ambient light rejection projector screen. Where you'd need to buy it separately with the V7050i UST
Input Lag	16.7 ms	83 ms	The Epson UST is significantly when it comes to input lag. The BenQ UST is not a great projector from a gaming perspective.
Audio	(x2)10W Speakers	(x2)5W Chamber Speakers	The LS500 has a better sound system than the V7050i. But both aren't strong.
Price	##PRICE##	##PRICE##	The BenQ UST comes in at a somewhat lower price point. That said when you bundle the LS500 with the screen the value of the Epson UST increases.
	Add to Cart	Add to Cart

BenQ V7050i Vs. Epson LS500 Side By Side Comparison

We put together this video of the BenQ V7050i and the Epson EpiqVision LS500 comparing these UST Projectors side by side to show you how the image looks in a well lit room. We'll break down this video at a later time so make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Epson LS500

The Pros

Brightest UST projector on the market
Best UST projector for video gaming
Can be purchased bundled with 100 or 120 inch ALR screen
No rainbow effect
Supports 3D
Available in either black or white casing

The Cons

Colors are not as vibrant as other UST Projectors
Further throw distance than other USTs
Less sharp of an image
Telescoped lens isn't aesthetically pleasing

BenQ V7050i

The Pros

Colors are super bright and extra vibrant
Great contrast shows up in the content
Motorized lens cover
Supports 3D
Uses the more advanced .47" DMD ECP chipset
Very easy to set up

The Cons

Only has 2 HDMI ports
Uses an external media player that sticks out from the back and takes up one of the two HDMI ports
Not great for gaming
Speakers aren't as good as other laser TVs
Doesn't have Netflix app

So Which Is Better, The Epson LS500 Or The BenQ V7050i?

Without a doubt these are two of the better more affordable ultra short throw projectors available on the market. You'll be thrilled with either one you choose. But ultimately a decision had to be made. So between the BenQ V7050i and Epson LS500 the winner is………

The BenQ V7050i!

Why You Should Buy The BenQ V7050i

The BenQ definitely has a big advantage over the Epson when it comes to the color brightness and vibrancy. The V7050i is one of the most vividly colorful projectors we've seen yet. It also sits significantly closer to the screen. The motorized lens cover is incredibly useful if you've got kids or pets.

Why You Should Buy The Epson LS500

While we do feel the BenQ V7050i is better than the Epson LS500, if you're looking to use your projector in a much brighter room, the Epson LS500 is the way to go. You also want to pick the LS500 if you want the best gaming UST or if you are susceptible to the rainbow effect. Another advantage of the Epson EpiqVision is that it can be bundled with a 100 inch or 120 inch ambient light rejecting screen for an extra value.

Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you can get notified when our shootout goes live and other great content in our pipeline.

If you have any questions on these projectors or anything else projection related don’t hesitate to hit us up at ProjectorScreen.com. Thanks for reading and keep on projecting!