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Sony VPL FHZ55 Review | 84 Data compared

Avg. price:~£210Native panel resolution:1920x1200ANSI lumens:4000Throw ratio:1.39-2.23:1Lamp life:20000 hours

Sony VPL FHZ55 Review: Compare 84 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony VPL FHZ55
6.6/10

Overall score

Score
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the projector's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best projectors on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 51% of models
Score components

90%

6.5

Technical score

10%

7.7

User score

â–²Better than 51% of projectors
7.5

Value for money

Value for money
7.5/ 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
★ Better than 92% of models
Score components

70%

6.6

Overall score

30%

9.4

Price

★Better than 92%
6.5

Technical score

Technical score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Projectors category across these key areas: Image Quality, Projection & Lens, HDMI & Gaming, Connectivity, Audio & Features, Design & Power.
When it matters
When you want to compare projectors based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 51% of models
Score components

42%

7.5

Image Quality

22%

6.6

Projection & Lens

12%

5.8

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.0

Audio & Features

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

6.6

Design & Power

â–²Better than 51%
7.7

User score

User score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the projector.
When it matters
When you want to know how a projector performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components

70%

10

User ratings

30%

2.0

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 76%
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  • sony-vpl-fhz55
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Where to buy
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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 FHZ55

Technical score
Technical score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Projectors category across these key areas: Image Quality, Projection & Lens, HDMI & Gaming, Connectivity, Audio & Features, Design & Power.
When it matters
When you want to compare projectors based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 51% of models
Score components:

42%

7.5

Image Quality

22%

6.6

Projection & Lens

12%

5.8

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.0

Audio & Features

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

6.6

Design & Power

6.5
User score
User score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the projector.
When it matters
When you want to know how a projector performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components

70%

10

User ratings

30%

2.0

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.7
Popularity
Popularity
2.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the projector.
When it matters
When you prefer to buy a product chosen and reviewed by many other consumers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Popularity:
Sony VPL FHZ55 has a popularity score of 2 points, which is lower than 61.8% of projectors.
2.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.5/ 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
★ Better than 92% of models
Score components:

70%

6.6

Overall score

30%

9.4

Price

7.5
ANSI lumens
4,000
Market range: <250 – >4k
This projector reaches 4,000 ANSI lumens, brighter than 85.9% of projectors and equal to 5.2% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
8,000:1
This projector has a contrast ratio of 8000:1, lower than 56.2% of projectors and equal to 0.7% of projectors.
Native panel resolution
1920x1200
This projector uses a native resolution of 1920x1200, higher than 85.9% of projectors and equal to 3% of projectors.
Output Resolution
1920x1200
This projector supports output resolution up to 1920x1200, higher than 66% of projectors and equal to 3% of projectors.
Projection technology
3LCD
Show more
Throw ratio
1.39-2.23:1
Min throw distance
1.19 m
Market range: <0.5 m – >2 m
This projector needs a minimum throw distance of 1.19 m, longer than 61% of projectors.
Max projection size
600 inch
Market range: <100 inch – >300 inch
This projector supports projection sizes up to 600 inch, larger than 98.8% of projectors and equal to 1% of projectors.
Zoom ratio
1.6
Market range: <1.1 – >2.1
This projector offers a zoom ratio of 1.6, wider than 58.4% of projectors and equal to 18.6% of projectors.
Motorized zoom
no
This projector does not have motorized zoom. 16.3% of projectors have motorized zoom.
Show more
Input lag
?
Auto low latency mode (ALLM)
no
This projector does not support ALLM. 17.2% of projectors support ALLM.
Variable refresh rate (VRR)
no
This projector does not support VRR. 1.6% of projectors support VRR.
HDMI version
1.4
This projector supports HDMI 1.4, older than 54.8% of projectors and equal to 34% of projectors.
Max HDMI bandwidth
10.2 Gbps
Market range: <10 Gbps – >50 Gbps
This projector supports HDMI bandwidth up to 10.2 Gbps, lower than 52.5% of projectors and equal to 45.2% of projectors.
Show more
N. of HDMI ports
1
Market range: <1 – >6
This projector has 1 HDMI port/s, fewer than 55.1% of projectors and equal to 41.6% of projectors.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This projector does not support Wi-Fi. 52.9% of projectors support Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
no
This projector does not support Bluetooth. 50.5% of projectors support Bluetooth.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Show more
Smart TV features
no
This projector does not have smart TV features. 43.8% of projectors have smart TV features.
Operating system
none
Android OS
no
This projector does not run Android OS. 18.8% of projectors run Android OS.
Dedicated smartphone app
no
This projector does not come with a dedicated smartphone app. 35.2% of projectors come with a dedicated smartphone app.
Remote control
yes
This projector includes a remote control. 1.6% of projectors include a remote control.
Show more
Light source type
laser
This projector uses laser light source technology, more advanced than 74% of projectors and equal to 26% of projectors.
Laser Light Source
yes
This projector uses a laser light source. 72% of projectors use a laser light source.
Blue laser with phosphor.
Lamp life
20,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers lamp life of 20,000 hours, shorter than 34.4% of projectors and equal to 27.6% of projectors.
Laser light source life.
Lamp life (eco mode)
20,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers eco-mode lamp life of 20,000 hours, shorter than 36.3% of projectors and equal to 19% of projectors.
Operating power consumption
220 W
Market range: <50 W – >400 W
This projector uses 220 W of power, less than 51.5% of projectors and equal to 1.1% of projectors.
Show more

Sony VPL FHZ55 vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • 81.8% brighter image
    This projector has higher ANSI lumens than the average projector (4,000 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    4,000 vs 2,200
  • High native resolution
    This projector has a higher native panel resolution than the average projector (1920x1200 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1920x1200 vs 1920x1080
  • 353.5 inch larger image size
    This projector has a higher projection size than the average projector (600 inch vs 246.5 inch). The average projector has 246.5 inch of projection size.
    600 inch vs 246.5 inch
  • Supports geometric warping
    This projector supports geometric warping, while the average projector does not. 5.4% of projectors support geometric warping.
  • Higher output resolution
    This projector supports a higher output resolution than the average projector (1920x1200 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1920x1200 vs 1920x1080
  • 3 more audio input ports
    This projector has more audio input ports than the average projector (3 vs 0). The average projector has 0 audio input ports.
    3 vs 0
  • Supports frame interpolation
    This projector supports frame interpolation, while the average projector does not. 37.1% of projectors support frame interpolation.
    Via Motionflow.
  • Uses laser light source
    This projector uses a laser light source, while the average projector does not. 28.1% of projectors use a laser light source.
    Blue laser with phosphor.
  • 14.7% better value for money
    Sony VPL FHZ55 has a higher value-for-money score than the average projector (7.46 vs 6.5).
    7.46 vs 6.51
  • 3.67x cheaper
    Sony VPL FHZ55 is cheaper than the average projector (£210 vs £770).
    £210 vs £770
  • 81.8% brighter image
    This projector has higher ANSI lumens than the average projector (4,000 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    4,000 vs 2,200
  • High native resolution
    This projector has a higher native panel resolution than the average projector (1920x1200 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1920x1200 vs 1920x1080
  • Higher output resolution
    This projector supports a higher output resolution than the average projector (1920x1200 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1920x1200 vs 1920x1080
  • 9.4% higher refresh rate
    This projector has a higher refresh rate than the average projector (93 Hz vs 85 Hz). The average projector has 85 Hz of refresh rate.
    93 Hz vs 85 Hz
  • 353.5 inch larger image size
    This projector has a higher projection size than the average projector (600 inch vs 246.5 inch). The average projector has 246.5 inch of projection size.
    600 inch vs 246.5 inch
  • Supports geometric warping
    This projector supports geometric warping, while the average projector does not. 5.4% of projectors support geometric warping.
  • 0.3 2x wider zoom range
    This projector has a higher zoom ratio than the average projector (1.6 vs 1.3). The average projector has 1.3 of zoom ratio.
    1.6 vs 1.3
  • 2 % more horizontal lens shift
    This projector has more horizontal lens shift than the average projector (32 % vs 30 %). The average projector has 30 % horizontal lens shift.
    32 % vs 30 %
  • Supports frame interpolation
    This projector supports frame interpolation, while the average projector does not. 37.1% of projectors support frame interpolation.
    Via Motionflow.
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    This projector has more RJ45 ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 RJ45 ports.
    1 vs 0
  • Includes DVI
    This projector includes DVI input, while the average projector does not. 6% of projectors include DVI input.
    DVI-D input.
  • Includes VGA
    This projector includes VGA input, while the average projector does not. 45.3% of projectors include VGA input.
  • 3 more audio input ports
    This projector has more audio input ports than the average projector (3 vs 0). The average projector has 0 audio input ports.
    3 vs 0
  • Uses laser light source
    This projector uses a laser light source, while the average projector does not. 28.1% of projectors use a laser light source.
    Blue laser with phosphor.
  • 0.2 W lower standby power
    This projector uses less standby power than the average projector (0.3 W vs 0.5 W). The average projector uses 0.5 W of standby power.
    0.3 W vs 0.5 W
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 56.5% of projectors support HDR10.
  • 1 fewer HDMI ports
    This projector has fewer HDMI ports than the average projector (1 vs 2). The average projector has 2 HDMI ports.
    1 vs 2
  • 43.3% lower HDMI bandwidth
    This projector has a lower HDMI bandwidth than the average projector (10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps). The average projector has 18 Gbps of HDMI bandwidth.
    10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps
  • No Wi-Fi support
    This projector does not support Wi-Fi, while the average projector does. 52.9% of projectors support Wi-Fi.
  • No Bluetooth support
    This projector does not support Bluetooth, while the average projector does. 50.5% of projectors support Bluetooth.
  • Older HDMI version
    This projector has Old HDMI standard than the average projector (1.4 vs 2). The average projector supports HDMI 2.0.
    1.4 vs 2.0
  • 5 dB louder operation
    This projector has a higher audible noise than the average projector (35 dB vs 30 dB). The average projector has 30 dB of audible noise.
    35 dB vs 30 dB
  • 3.3% lower user score
    User score
    7.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the projector.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how a projector performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony VPL FHZ55
    the average projector
    Sony VPL FHZ55 has a lower user score than the average projector (7.74 vs 8.000).
    7.74 vs 8
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 56.5% of projectors support HDR10.
  • No 3D support
    This projector does not support 3D playback, while the average projector does. 55% of projectors support 3D playback.
  • No 3D glasses support
    This projector does not support 3D glasses, while the average projector does. 55.1% of projectors support 3D glasses.
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (8000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    8,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • 0.17 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 1.025 m of throw distance.
    1.19 m vs 1.025 m
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • 43.3% lower HDMI bandwidth
    This projector has a lower HDMI bandwidth than the average projector (10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps). The average projector has 18 Gbps of HDMI bandwidth.
    10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps
  • Older HDMI version
    This projector has Old HDMI standard than the average projector (1.4 vs 2). The average projector supports HDMI 2.0.
    1.4 vs 2.0
  • Old HDCP version
    This projector has Old HDCP version than the average projector (1.4 vs 2.2). The average projector supports HDCP 2.2.
    1.4 vs 2.2
  • 1 fewer HDMI ports
    This projector has fewer HDMI ports than the average projector (1 vs 2). The average projector has 2 HDMI ports.
    1 vs 2
  • No Wi-Fi support
    This projector does not support Wi-Fi, while the average projector does. 52.9% of projectors support Wi-Fi.
  • No Bluetooth support
    This projector does not support Bluetooth, while the average projector does. 50.5% of projectors support Bluetooth.
  • 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
  • No built-in speaker
    This projector drawback: no built-in speaker. 85.3% of projectors have a built-in speaker.
  • No sleep timer
    This projector does not have a sleep timer, while the average projector does. 80.6% of projectors have a sleep timer.
  • 5 dB louder operation
    This projector has a higher audible noise than the average projector (35 dB vs 30 dB). The average projector has 30 dB of audible noise.
    35 dB vs 30 dB
  • 3.55x heavier weight
    This projector is heavier than the average projector (11 kg vs 3.1 kg). The average projector weighs 3.1 kg.
    11 kg vs 3.1 kg
  • 7 dB louder eco mode
    This projector has a higher audible noise in eco mode than the average projector (35 dB vs 28 dB). The average projector has 28 dB of audible noise in eco mode.
    35 dB vs 28 dB
  • 90 mm wider body
    This projector is wider than the average projector (390 mm vs 300 mm). The average projector has a width of 300 mm.
    390 mm vs 300 mm
  • 8 older model
    This projector was released earlier than the average projector (2013 vs 2021). The average projector was released in 2021.
    August 2013
    2013 vs 2021

Video reviews

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

8.0
FOCUS online
≈ estimated
31/03/2014
Video review · picture, noise and feature checks
Verdict
Sony VPL-FHZ55 has a strong picture and long-life laser, but a basic remote and menus; it is best suited to a large, fixed installation.
Shop video

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: October 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Sony VPL FHZ55

  • Long-lasting laser light source rated for 20,000 hours of maintenance-free use
  • High brightness of 4,000 lumens, suitable for rooms with ambient light
  • Excellent color saturation and overall image quality for presentations
  • High flexibility for installation, including 360-degree mounting and lens shift
  • Rapid power-up and nearly instant shut-off capabilities
  • Edge blending feature for creating seamless super-sized displays
  • Special DICOM simulation mode for medical training purposes
  • Quiet operation in standard/eco lamp modes

What customers don't like about Sony VPL FHZ55

  • Large and heavy unit (12kg), primarily designed for permanent installation
  • Lacks modern connected features like built-in Wi-Fi, apps, or media players
  • Manual lens shift system is described as jerky and hard to adjust precisely
  • No automatic keystone correction feature
  • Weak black levels make it less ideal for dedicated home theatre setups
  • Higher initial purchase price compared to traditional lamp-based models

Verdict

The Sony VPL-FHZ55 is a high-performance 3LCD laser projector featuring a native WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution and 4,000 lumens of brightness, making it suitable for professional installations and large venues. Key characteristics include an 8,000:1 contrast ratio, a mercury-free laser light source with a 20,000-hour lifespan, and versatile setup features like 360° tilt-free installation, edge blending, and manual lens shift (vertical +60%, horizontal ±32%). Main pros consist of its near-instant power on/off, exceptionally low maintenance requirements, and excellent colour stability provided by BrightEra™ technology. Notable cons include the lack of built-in Wi-Fi, the absence of an automatic keystone feature, and manual-only lens adjustments that may require physical access for focus or zoom changes.

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