Versione in Italiano QUI
Introduction
When it comes to technology applied to photography, I’m drawn to it like bees to flowers, especially when it involves my latest obsession: colour.
That’s why, as soon as I heard that BenQ had released its first 5K-resolution monitor, I found myself literally counting down the days until I could put it to the test.
Today, I’m excited to share my experience with the BenQ PD2730S, the latest addition to BenQ’s PD series.
Key Features of the BenQ PD2730S
Before even taking it out of the box, let’s take a look at the main features of this monitor.
The BenQ PD2730S is a 27-inch monitor with a native 5K resolution (5120×2880). The display is specifically designed for designers and creatives in general, which is why it features an IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel that ensures consistent colour and contrast regardless of the viewing angle.
More specifically, it uses a brand-new IPS Black panel, allowing it to reach an impressive 2000:1 contrast ratio for truly deep blacks.
It reaches a peak brightness of 400 nits and features a 60Hz refresh rate, with HDR10 support and VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification.
Something relatively new (and welcome) for me given the type of monitors I usually use – it also includes two 3-watt speakers, which certainly don’t hurt.
As for connectivity, it offers more ports than I could ever need, spread between the rear panel and the lower edge. Specifically, we have:
- 1 x HDMI (v2.1)
- 1 x DisplayPort (v1.4)
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4
- 2 x USB-C
- 3 x USB-A
- 1 x Headphone jack
One of the Thunderbolt ports delivers 90W of power, which means that when connecting a laptop via that port, you can charge it at the same time, keeping your workspace free of unnecessary cables.
As for colour gamut – we’ll dive into that separately 🙂
On paper, the BenQ PD2730S looks like an absolute powerhouse, and unsurprisingly, it aims to go head-to-head with none other than Apple’s Studio Display – Cupertino’s 5K heavyweight.
But why this obsession with 5K resolution? Let’s find out together.
Why 5K Resolution in the BenQ PD2730S?
In a landscape dominated by the 4K monitor standard (3840×2160), which is already more than sufficient for most photographic needs, BenQ has chosen to introduce a 5K display. But why?
BenQ’s PD series monitors, unlike the SW series, are specifically designed for graphic designers, illustrators, and video editors. A significant number of professionals in these fields today work within the Apple ecosystem.
That’s exactly why Apple introduced Retina display technology (technically, HiDPI), where interface elements are shown at optimal sizes but with such a high pixel density that they appear perfectly sharp to the human eye. The ideal is achieved when each logical point (what we actually see) is rendered using a 2×2 grid of physical pixels. This ensures incredibly crisp text, icons, and details without any visible artifacts.
If we take QHD resolution (2560×1440 pixels) as a reference—universally accepted as ideal for 27-inch displays—the Retina scaling logic works flawlessly on a 5120×2880 panel. Each visual detail is rendered using four actual pixels, with no blurring or scaling artifacts. That is the true rationale behind 5K.
What happens if you connect a monitor that isn’t QHD, 5K, or an equivalent multiple to a Mac? Contrary to what is often claimed in low-quality YouTube videos, macOS renders the interface at a higher intermediate resolution, which is then downscaled to match the monitor. This can result in a slight loss of sharpness, particularly noticeable in text, compared to a true Retina experience. In terms of computational load, this operation is negligible on modern Macs.
Therefore, working with a 5K monitor not only allows you to view images and design projects with greater clarity, but, if you’re using an Apple ecosystem, it also provides what Apple defines as visual excellence according to its Retina standard.
The Gamut of the BenQ PD2730S
Now that we understand why a 5K monitor is more than welcome, let’s take a look at the gamut this monitor covers—in other words, how many colours it’s actually capable of representing.
The BenQ PD2730S is officially rated for 100% coverage of sRGB, 100% of Rec.709, and an impressive 98% of Display P3. As you may have noticed, there’s no mention of AdobeRGB coverage—and that’s absolutely intentional and appropriate, since the PD series is primarily targeted at graphic designers, illustrators, and video editors.
Let’s try to frame the topic in a very simplified way (you’ll find more in-depth discussions on my blog, of course).
As we all know (right? right??), getting a monitor to actually display colours—and not just some random visual noise—is far from trivial. Specifically, to generate colours accurately by mixing the R, G, and B “lights,” we need to follow certain “rules.” These rules can be arbitrarily defined, which is how standard colour spaces are developed to meet specific needs.
One of these specific needs came around 2002, when the American film industry faced the “problem” of digital cinema projectors appearing in movie theatres. These projectors were perfectly capable of projecting images on a screen, but the issue was the lack of consistency between one projector and another. The viewing experience for the audience was completely different compared to traditional film projection.
Since budget is never really a problem in Hollywood, it is not hard to imagine that at some point, much like Microsoft and HP did back in 1996 with sRGB, the Digital Cinema Initiatives consortium sat around a table to find a solution. This led to the creation of the DCI P3 colour space.
But of course, that is not where the story ends. Since this space became the cinematic standard, someone eventually asked a new question that sounded more or less like this: “how can we make it so that these beautiful films we see in theatres can also be watched comfortably from our laptops in bed, with a viewing experience not too far from the cinema and compatible with today’s computer technology?”
That is how, thanks to Apple leading the charge along with Netflix, YouTube, and other video content providers, the Display P3 colour space was born. It is closely related to DCI P3 but is mainly characterised by a different white point (D65) and a gamma of 2.2.
Over time, Display P3 has become (and is becoming) a new standard in the video world, and thanks to Apple and its ecosystem, also in the graphic design world.
At this point, companies can either pretend nothing is happening (as unfortunately many still do), or like BenQ, they can remain attentive to technological evolution and continue offering cutting edge products to their customers. That is how the renaissance of BenQ’s PD series comes to life, with the PD2730S undoubtedly standing as a crown jewel.
Using the BenQ PD2730S for Photography
One of the myths I always enjoy debunking is that the PD series is not suitable for us photographers. While it is true that the SW series is undoubtedly the best choice for us, as it allows us to meet not only the needs of image viewing and online publishing but also those of printing thanks to its near complete AdobeRGB coverage, the BenQ PD2730S is still a Wide Gamut monitor, and therefore absolutely excellent for viewing and publishing images online.
Looking at the images above, we can observe two very interesting aspects. The first is that, as declared, the monitor has full sRGB coverage. This means that if we prepare our images for online publishing, we will have no issues at all.
Then we see that volumetrically the AdobeRGB and Display P3 colour spaces are not too different, but they are spatially shifted. This means that “the total number of available colours” (quotation marks because I am shamelessly simplifying) is approximately the same. However, in the printing world we would lose some colours (not all!) that our printer can reproduce, in favour of other colours that the printer cannot reproduce and are therefore “useless” to us.
In short, if you are not focused in the world of printing, the BenQ PD2730S remains an absolutely outstanding monitor for photography too.
The Design of the BenQ PD2730S
After talking way too much about all those nerdy details that I love so much, let us now take a look at the aesthetics of the BenQ PD2730S.
I have to say that in real life, the monitor looks even better than the images you can find online.
The design is minimal and clean, with a flush-mounted panel, a base and stand made of matte metal, and a white back panel with clean and essential lines. I must admit that compared to it, my beloved SW272U looks like an odd duck, even though it is also designed with a clean and essential style.
I truly believe this is not just a nice monitor, but a genuine design object that looks great on a desk. You can really tell that a lot of attention has gone into its design with a clear “Apple style” approach, and I appreciate that a lot.
Overall, the build quality is excellent. The materials feel premium, and there is absolutely no plasticky feel.
In terms of ergonomics, the stand allows for a height adjustment of up to 150 millimetres and can tilt by default from 5 degrees to 20 degrees, with smooth rotation up to 60 degrees. I say “by default” because I always find it amusing how Apple accessories work, where making the Apple Studio Display adjustable requires an extra kit that costs around 400 euros.
Included in the package is also the iconic Hotkey Puck, the programmable wireless controller designed to offer quick and intuitive access to the monitor’s settings, now in a lovely white version. The only note is that it still works with standard AA batteries, whereas I would have preferred an internal rechargeable battery via USB C. Not a big deal, I would say.
The BenQ PD2730S in Use
At first startup, the BenQ PD2730S immediately shows its character, delivering an impression of absolute sharpness and a brightness uniformity that BenQ has long accustomed us to through its Uniformity Technology.
Thanks to IPS Black technology, not only are the blacks incredibly deep, but the visual perception remains unchanged regardless of the viewing angle.
Opening CaptureOne to view my images is a joy for the eyes, and the “Retina Effect” is definitely noticeable thanks to the density of 218 PPI.
Spending many hours in front of the screen, I am really glad that BenQ has also included in the PD2730S all the Eye Care technologies aimed at reducing eye strain, such as flicker reduction and Low Blue Light.
The BenQ PD2730S is also noteworthy from both an aesthetic and technical point of view for its special matte screen finish, made possible by nano Matte technology. Thanks to this, the screen’s reflectance index is extremely low, allowing us to work without issues even in environments that are not completely dark or with uncontrolled lighting. Even when pointing a flashlight directly at the screen (something that should obviously be avoided) it becomes immediately clear how the light is “absorbed.”
BenQ Palette Master Ultimate Calibration and Profiling Software
The BenQ PD2730S is factory calibrated before shipping, and it comes with a calibration certificate. This is a great feature because it allows us to appreciate the display’s quality right out of the box.
However, if you know me, you already know that although factory calibration is useful and important, it is absolutely essential to repeat the calibration and profiling process with the screen connected to your own computer. That is because the monitor’s colour response does not depend solely on the display but also on the computer’s graphics card.
The good news is that PD series monitors, including the BenQ PD2730S, are now compatible with the free BenQ Palette Master Ultimate software (PMU), allowing calibration and profiling previously available only to owners of SW series monitors.
Thanks to PMU, we can intuitively and in just a few minutes achieve truly optimal profiling and calibration. I managed to achieve on the first try a DeltaE value lower than 0.1x, which (overly simplified) means the difference between the colour displayed and the expected colour is imperceptible to the human eye. This would have been impossible to achieve with the software bundled with the colorimeter (not because that software is not good, but because PMU is made specifically for our monitor).
Unlike the version for SW monitors, BenQ Palette Master Ultimate for PD monitors offers a simplified interface where you simply select the preset that best fits your needs, optionally adjust the brightness setting, and proceed with profiling and calibration.
To make life easier, BenQ has assigned names to the various presets. However, do not be misled if you do not find a preset that matches your specific creative activity. What truly matters are the parameters that will be applied during calibration. If you are unsure which one to choose, feel free to reach out to me by email.
BenQ Display Pilot 2 and Display ColorTalk Software
As seen with other PD series monitors I have already reviewed, the functionality and potential of the BenQ PD2730S are further enhanced by the free applications Display Pilot 2 and Display ColorTalk.
The BenQ Display Pilot 2 application is a software designed to improve productivity through efficient management of monitor settings. This tool allows you to customise the interface according to individual preferences, making it easier to access different functions such as ICC profile synchronisation (ICCsync), brightness control, and software dimming adjustment. Thanks to Application Mode, it is possible to assign specific settings to each application used, ensuring that the monitor always operates with the optimal parameters for the type of content being displayed. This flexibility not only simplifies the workflow but also saves valuable time by avoiding the need to manually change settings every time you switch from one application to another.
BenQ Display ColorTalk, on the other hand, is an application developed by BenQ to facilitate colour management between monitors and Mac devices without the use of an external calibrator. With this application, it is possible to attempt achieving a consistent and accurate colour match between, for example, a MacBook and the BenQ monitor, thus improving colour consistency across multiple devices. Display ColorTalk allows you to visually align colours from a primary monitor to a secondary one through manual adjustments using a step by step process. This functionality is particularly useful when we do not have access to an external calibrator, which I always recommend using.
Differences between BenQ PD2730S and Apple Studio Display
If you have made it this far into the review, you have probably already asked yourself a question that we have in some way already hinted at: what are the actual differences between the BenQ PD2730S and the Apple Studio Display, which both compete in the 5K monitor segment?
Let us start from the end, meaning the price. At the time of writing, the BenQ PD2730S has a suggested retail price of 1209 euros (which can drop further if you write to me and ask for a discount code) while an Apple Studio Display starts at 1799 euros and goes up to 2509 euros if you want adjustable stands and the nanotexture glass option.
If you think the BenQ PD2730S is missing something compared to the Apple Studio Display, keep in mind that the BenQ PD2730S offers by default:
- Contrast ratio of 2000:1 (versus 1000:1 for the Studio Display)
- HDR10 support
- Nano matte screen surface
- Display P3 gamut with 98% coverage (and confirmed by my own measurement)
- Calman and Pantone certification for colour accuracy
- Thunderbolt 4 connectivity
- Support for ICC profiles (Studio Display uses fixed “reference modes” which are difficult to modify)
- Built in colour modes for specific uses (including CAD CAM, animation, and more)
- Hotkey Puck
- Ergonomic stand
On the other hand, Apple Studio Display offers a higher brightness that reaches 600 nits (compared to 400 nits on the BenQ PD2730S) which in the vast majority of cases is unnecessary, and six audio speakers instead of two.
Not to mention that the BenQ PD2730S includes Uniformity Technology and all the management software such as Palette Master Ultimate, Display Pilot 2, and Display ColorTalk.
In short, unless you are particularly attached to the bitten apple logo on the back, I do not see many other advantages.
Conclusions
The BenQ PD2730S is one of the most interesting offerings in recent years in the field of professional monitors, and not just because of its impressive 5K resolution. It is a product that clearly shows how BenQ has intelligently interpreted the needs of a new generation of creatives, managing to combine colour accuracy, refined design, advanced connectivity, and daily usability in a single solution.
While it is not specifically designed for fine art photographic printing, it proves to be a more than reliable ally for any activity related to imaging, graphic design, and video. In my opinion, this is not a monitor that aims to impress with extreme specifications, but rather to offer consistency and overall quality that are rarely seen in this price range.
And it is precisely in this market segment that the BenQ PD2730S positions itself in an incredibly competitive way. Its official price is significantly lower compared to competing solutions with similar features, and if we take into account the high build quality, software support, and usage versatility, it becomes hard to find equally complete alternatives. In a time where we often pay (a lot) more for (a lot) less, the PD2730S shows that there is still room for products that focus on real value and substance.
