BEST 4K Display for Video & Photo Professionals

I’ve recently added second editing and color grading workstation to my office. While building my new set-up, I was looking at the latest and best options for my monitors. I know I wanted to have a dual monitor set-up with a ultra-wide monitor for my editing timeline, and the second monitor that I can use for my full screen display and color reference.

I still haven’t found the perfect ultra-widescreen monitor for my video editing needs. Most of the ultra-wide displays that have good specs are also curved. If you seen my post about my search for the best ultra-wide monitor for video editing, you will remember me say that a curved display is not good for photo and video professionals, as it distorts the image, making it very hard to tell if you have straight lines or not.

In short, I still have not found the perfect ultra-wide monitor. The best option I found right now is the LG monitor I show in today’s video. It’s the LG 34UM88-P 34″ 21:9 UltraWide FreeSync IPS Monitor.

I did however find the perfect second display. It’s actually almost identical to the BenQ monitor I showed in my first editing desktop (model SW2700PT) which I reviewed here. The new monitor I got is the BenQ SW271, which is also a 27″ IPS display like my previous monitor.

The key difference is the resolution. It’s a full UHD 4K display (3840 x 2160 pixels), while my my older monitor is QHD (2560 x 1440 pixels). The SW271 also has a USB-C connection that uses only one cable to transmit the video signal and data for built-in USB hub / card reader.

Here’s my review of the BenQ SW271

    Here are some of the specs for the BenQ SW271:

  • 27″ In-Plane Switching (IPS) Monitor
  • USB Type-C / HDMI / DP Inputs
  • 3840 x 2160 Resolution
  • 1000:1 Contrast Ratio
  • 350 cd/m² Brightness
  • 178°/178° Viewing Angles
  • 5 ms Response Time (GtG)
  • 1.07 Billion Colors
  • 99% Adobe RGB Color Coverage
  • Built-In USB Hub
  • VESA Wall Mount (100mm)
  • Color Gamut of 100% Rec.709 / sRGB | 99% Adobe RGB | 93% DCI-P3
  • High Dynamic Range (HDR) and HDR10

I love this monitor and can highly recommend it to other video and photo professionals because of its beautiful and accurate colors.

You can buy the BenQ SW271 27″ 16:9 4K IPS monitor on B&H, Adorama, eBay, Amazon

If 4K resolution is not important to you, then it makes a lot of sense to look at the QHD version that I own. Here‘s my review of the BenQ SW2700PT monitor.

If you are interested, then here are some of the other things I use in my new video editing workstation. The very comfy chair I use is the Spieltek Admiral Gaming Chair.

Also, I use a control surface from Palette to help me quickly navigate different settings in my video editing programs. This works for both Mac and Windows inside various applications for video and photo retouching.

Finally, don’t forget to enter our weekly Gear Tip Line giveaway, if you would like a chance to get free camera gear of your choice from over 4000 items and up to $500 dollars per week! You can enter the giveaway here.

4 thoughts on “BEST 4K Display for Video & Photo Professionals”

  1. Tom, this is quick and i think easy for you to
    give me a tip on affordable “reliable camera
    monitors” that, i will not have to take out a
    loan. Have TV News Sony 400 cam.

    Monte

    1. I can help you but I would need to know what budget and what type of monitor? Are you looking for a 16:9 screen or ultrawide? Also is it for editing, graphics, or doing final color grading? Finally are you looking for a specific size?

  2. Hi Tom.
    Been following your blog for a while, highly appreciated videos and articles. This was a particular interesting read as I am looking for a second monitor for my iMac Pro. I know color correction is a personal thing but it has to be reliable. Most of my work ends up on the big screen or at broadcasters. Do you find the Benq SW271 to be reliable in this regard? Color correction I mean? I have also been looking at Eizo monitors but they are more expensive and less resolution within the same price range. Looking at broadcast grade monitors as well, but they are quite costly.

  3. Hi Tom,

    I second Svein’s Comments. Currently using an iMac Pro and looking for a color accurate monitor for coloring only basically with HDR/Raw Content from the Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro. Any help would be appreciated.

    Honestly I don’t think a great monitor is needed for editing but for coloring HDR stuff, short films and even feature films for the big screen then its probably necessary for a color grading monitor.

    If you could send different budgetary options, thank you.

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