OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Projectors Methodology v3.0
Projectors Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Projectors Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Projectors Methodology v3.0

Sony VPL-ES4 review: 86 specs compared

Avg. price:~£70Native panel resolution:800x600ANSI lumens:2200Throw ratio:1.44-1.76:1Lamp life:3000 hours

Sony VPL-ES4 Review: Compare 86 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony VPL-ES4
6.6/10

Overall score

Score
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
Score components

35%

4.9

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

?

Reviews scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–¼Worse than 82% of projectors
7.6

Value for money

Value for money
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 78% of models
Score components

70%

6.6

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–²Better than 78%
4.9

Technical score

Technical score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components

42%

4.9

Image Quality

22%

5.6

Projection & Lens

12%

4.8

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.2

Audio & Features

8%

3.6

Connectivity

6%

3.7

Design & Power

â–¼Worse than 99%
?

Reviews score

Reviews score
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (0)
We have not found an independent test of this model yet. Until we do, its review part counts as 7.8.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
No expert tests yet
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • sony-vpl-es4-svga
sony-vpl-es4-svga
Where to buy
    N/A~ £70
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of projector Sony VPL-ES4

Technical score
Technical score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components:

42%

4.9

Image Quality

22%

5.6

Projection & Lens

12%

4.8

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.2

Audio & Features

8%

3.6

Connectivity

6%

3.7

Design & Power

4.9
Reviews score
7.8
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 78% of models
Score components:

70%

6.6

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.6
ANSI lumens
2,200
Market range: <280 – >4k
This projector reaches 2,200 ANSI lumens, brighter than 46.2% of projectors and equal to 4.3% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
300:1
This projector has a contrast ratio of 300:1, lower than 99.1% of projectors and equal to 0.9% of projectors.
Native panel resolution
800x600
This projector uses a native resolution of 800x600, lower than 97.7% of projectors and equal to 1.4% of projectors.
Output resolution
800x600
This projector supports output resolution up to 800x600, lower than 97.9% of projectors and equal to 1.4% of projectors.
Projection technology
3LCD
Show more
Throw ratio
1.44-1.76:1
Min throw distance
1.2 m
Market range: <0.5 m – >1.651 m
This projector needs a minimum throw distance of 1.2 m, longer than 62.1% of projectors and equal to 7.4% of projectors.
Max projection size
300 inch
Market range: <120 inch – >301 inch
This projector supports projection sizes up to 300 inch, larger than 51.5% of projectors and equal to 38% of projectors.
Zoom ratio
1.2
Market range: <1.1 – >2.06
This projector offers a zoom ratio of 1.2, narrower than 59.8% of projectors and equal to 21.6% of projectors.
Motorized zoom
no
This projector does not have motorised zoom. 14.8% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Input lag
?
Auto low latency mode (ALLM)
no
This projector does not switch to low-latency mode automatically. 16.1% of projectors offer this.
Variable refresh rate (VRR)
no
This projector does not support variable refresh rate. 1.8% of projectors offer this.
HDMI version
N/A
Max HDMI bandwidth
N/A
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N. of HDMI ports
0
Market range: <1 – >2
This projector has 0 HDMI port/s, fewer than 97.2% of projectors and equal to 2.8% of projectors.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This projector does not connect to Wi-Fi networks. 53.4% of projectors offer this.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
no
This projector does not support Bluetooth. 50.7% of projectors offer this.
Bluetooth version
N/A
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Smart TV features
no
This projector does not have built-in smart TV features. 43.9% of projectors offer this.
Operating system
none
Android OS
no
This projector does not run Android OS. 19.1% of projectors run Android OS.
Dedicated smartphone app
no
This projector does not come with a dedicated smartphone app. 36.8% of projectors come with a dedicated smartphone app.
Remote control
yes
This projector includes a remote control. 1.5% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Light source type
lamp
This projector uses lamp light source technology, less advanced than 66.5% of projectors and equal to 33.5% of projectors.
Laser light source
no
This projector does not have a laser light source. 26.8% of projectors offer this.
Lamp life
3,000 hours
Market range: <3.5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers lamp life of 3,000 hours, longer than 91.9% of projectors and equal to 4% of projectors.
Lamp life (eco mode)
4,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers eco-mode lamp life of 4,000 hours, longer than 93.8% of projectors and equal to 2.7% of projectors.
Operating power consumption
220 W
Market range: <57 W – >390 W
This projector uses 220 W of power, less than 50.8% of projectors and equal to 1.1% of projectors.
Show more

Sony VPL-ES4 vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • 2 more audio input ports
    This projector has more audio input ports than the average projector (2 vs 0). The average projector has 0 audio input ports.
    2 vs 0
  • 50 inch larger image size
    This projector has a higher projection size than the average projector (300 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    300 inch vs 250 inch
  • 9.43x cheaper
    Sony VPL-ES4 is cheaper than the average projector (£70 vs £660).
    £70 vs £660
  • VGA input included
    This projector supports VGA input, while the average projector does not. 44.1% of projectors support VGA input.
  • 9.43x cheaper
    Sony VPL-ES4 is cheaper than the average projector (£70 vs £660).
    £70 vs £660
  • 50 inch larger image size
    This projector has a higher projection size than the average projector (300 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    300 inch vs 250 inch
  • VGA input included
    This projector supports VGA input, while the average projector does not. 44.1% of projectors support VGA input.
  • 2 more audio input ports
    This projector has more audio input ports than the average projector (2 vs 0). The average projector has 0 audio input ports.
    2 vs 0
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (800x600 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    800x600 vs 1920x1080
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (800x600 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    800x600 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (300:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    300:1 vs 10,000:1
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (lamp vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    lamp vs laser
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • 2 fewer HDMI ports
    This projector has fewer HDMI ports than the average projector (0 vs 2). The average projector has 2 HDMI ports.
    0 vs 2
  • 2 bit lower color depth
    This projector has a lower color depth than the average projector (8 bit vs 10 bit). The average projector has 10 bit of color depth.
    8 bit vs 10 bit
  • No Wi-Fi connectivity
    This projector does not connect to Wi-Fi networks, while the average projector does. 53.4% of projectors offer this.
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (800x600 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    800x600 vs 1920x1080
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (800x600 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    800x600 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (300:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    300:1 vs 10,000:1
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • 2 bit lower color depth
    This projector has a lower color depth than the average projector (8 bit vs 10 bit). The average projector has 10 bit of color depth.
    8 bit vs 10 bit
  • No 3D video
    This projector does not support 3D video, while the average projector does. 55.4% of projectors support 3D video.
  • 14 earlier release
    This projector was released earlier than the average projector (2007 vs 2021). The average projector was released in 2021.
    July 2007
    2007 vs 2021
  • No 3D glasses support
    This projector does not display 3D with glasses, while the average projector does. 54.4% of projectors offer 3D with glasses.
  • 0.19 m longer throw distance
    This projector has a higher throw distance than the average projector (1.2 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    1.2 m vs 1.0055 m
  • 0.1 2x narrower zoom range
    This projector has a lower zoom ratio than the average projector (1.2 vs 1.3). The average projector has 1.3 of zoom ratio.
    1.2 vs 1.3
  • 2 fewer HDMI ports
    This projector has fewer HDMI ports than the average projector (0 vs 2). The average projector has 2 HDMI ports.
    0 vs 2
  • No Wi-Fi connectivity
    This projector does not connect to Wi-Fi networks, while the average projector does. 53.4% of projectors offer this.
  • No Bluetooth connectivity
    This projector does not support Bluetooth, while the average projector does. 50.6% of projectors offer this.
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This projector has fewer USB ports than the average projector (0 vs 1). The average projector has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • 90% weaker audio output
    This projector has a lower audio output power than the average projector (1 W vs 10 W). The average projector has 10 W of audio output power.
    1 W vs 10 W
  • No sleep timer
    This projector does not have a sleep timer, while the average projector does. 82.4% of projectors have one.
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (lamp vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    lamp vs laser
  • 17,000 hours shorter lamp life
    This projector has a lower lamp life than the average projector (3,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life.
    3,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 5 dB louder operation
    This projector has a higher audible noise than the average projector (36 dB vs 31 dB). The average projector has 31 dB of audible noise.
    36 dB vs 31 dB
  • 16,000 hours shorter eco lamp life
    This projector has a lower lamp life in eco mode than the average projector (4,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life in eco mode.
    4,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 1 dB louder eco mode
    This projector has a higher audible noise in eco mode than the average projector (29 dB vs 28 dB). The average projector has 28 dB of audible noise in eco mode.
    Eco mode figure.
    29 dB vs 28 dB
  • 4.5 W higher standby power
    This projector uses more standby power than the average projector (5 W vs 0.5 W). The average projector uses 0.5 W of standby power.
    5 W vs 0.5 W

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sony VPL-ES4

  • Good picture quality for movies and presentations, especially when projected on plain walls
  • Relatively quiet operation (36 dB) compared to older office models
  • Extremely easy to set up and configure for home or office use
  • Great value for money, often cited as a more affordable alternative to high-end home theatre units
  • Highly reliable with no major performance issues reported by long-term users
  • Motorized zoom feature allows for convenient image adjustment via remote

What customers don't like about Sony VPL-ES4

  • Native SVGA resolution (800 x 600) is low by modern standards, leading to less detail on large screens
  • Color balance is not perfect out of the box and may require manual experimentation to look natural
  • Brightness (2200 ANSI lumens) is limited in rooms with ambient light, where the image quality degrades significantly
  • Short lamp life (approximately 2,000 hours) requires more frequent bulb replacements
  • Discontinued status means replacement parts and official support may be harder to find
  • Lacks modern connectivity options like HDMI, relying primarily on VGA and older analog inputs

Verdict

The Sony VPL-ES4 is a portable SVGA projector utilizing a 3LCD projection system to deliver a native resolution of 800 x 600 pixels and a brightness of 2,200 ANSI lumens. Designed for versatile use in offices, classrooms, and homes, it features a 1.2x manual zoom lens, a short throw distance capable of projecting images up to 300 inches, and a quick start-up time of approximately four seconds. Main pros include its whisper-quiet operation at 29dB in standard mode, efficient front-exhaust cooling, and multiple security features such as password protection and a physical security bar. However, its primary cons are the dated SVGA resolution, a low native contrast ratio of 300:1, a relatively short lamp life of 2,000 hours, and the lack of modern digital inputs like HDMI.

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