OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
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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-SW526C review: 86 specs compared

Avg. price:~£1,140Native panel resolution:1280x800ANSI lumens:2500Throw ratio:0.27-0.29:1Lamp life:4500 hours

Sony VPL-SW526C Review: Compare 86 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony VPL-SW526C
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 80% of models
Score components

35%

5.0

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 80% of projectors
6.0

Value for money

Value for money
6.0/ 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–¼ Worse than 78% of models
Score components

70%

6.6

Overall score

30%

4.5

Price

â–¼Worse than 78%
5.0

Technical score

Technical score
5.0/ 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 98% of models
Score components

42%

6.0

Image Quality

22%

2.9

Projection & Lens

12%

5.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

6.0

Audio & Features

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

3.8

Design & Power

â–¼Worse than 98%
?

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-sw526c
sony-vpl-sw526c
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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-SW526C

Technical score
Technical score
5.0/ 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 98% of models
Score components:

42%

6.0

Image Quality

22%

2.9

Projection & Lens

12%

5.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

6.0

Audio & Features

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

3.8

Design & Power

5.0
Reviews score
7.8
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
6.0/ 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–¼ Worse than 78% of models
Score components:

70%

6.6

Overall score

30%

4.5

Price

6.0
ANSI lumens
2,500
Market range: <280 – >4k
This projector reaches 2,500 ANSI lumens, brighter than 52.8% of projectors and equal to 3.9% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
2,500:1
This projector has a contrast ratio of 2500:1, lower than 69.4% of projectors and equal to 1.6% of projectors.
Full on/off contrast ratio.
Native panel resolution
1280x800
This projector uses a native resolution of 1280x800, lower than 73.7% of projectors and equal to 8.2% of projectors.
Output resolution
1280x800
This projector supports output resolution up to 1280x800, lower than 74.8% of projectors and equal to 8.4% of projectors.
Projection technology
3LCD
Show more
Throw ratio
0.27-0.29:1
Min throw distance
0.416 m
Market range: <0.5 m – >1.651 m
This projector needs a minimum throw distance of 0.416 m, shorter than 92.1% of projectors.
Max projection size
133 inch
Market range: <120 inch – >301 inch
This projector supports projection sizes up to 133 inch, smaller than 78.7% of projectors.
Zoom ratio
1.05
Market range: <1.1 – >2.06
This projector offers a zoom ratio of 1.05, narrower than 98.7% of projectors and equal to 0.2% 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
1.4
This projector supports HDMI 1.4, older than 54% of projectors and equal to 35.7% of projectors.
Max HDMI bandwidth
10.2 Gbps
Market range: <10.2 Gbps – >48 Gbps
This projector supports HDMI bandwidth up to 10.2 Gbps, lower than 51.2% of projectors and equal to 46.5% of projectors.
Show more
N. of HDMI ports
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This projector has 1 HDMI port/s, fewer than 54.2% of projectors and equal to 42.9% 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
Show more
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.
Mercury lamp.
Laser light source
no
This projector does not have a laser light source. 26.8% of projectors offer this.
Lamp life
4,500 hours
Market range: <3.5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers lamp life of 4,500 hours, longer than 75.8% of projectors and equal to 3% of projectors.
Lamp life (eco mode)
6,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers eco-mode lamp life of 6,000 hours, longer than 78.8% of projectors and equal to 7.3% 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.
Normal mode power draw.
Show more

Sony VPL-SW526C vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • 0.59 m shorter throw distance
    This projector has a lower throw distance than the average projector (0.4 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    0.416 m vs 1.0055 m
  • 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
  • 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
  • 1 more USB ports
    This projector has more USB ports than the average projector (2 vs 1). The average projector has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • 60% stronger audio output
    This projector has a higher audio output power than the average projector (16 W vs 10 W). The average projector has 10 W of audio output power.
    16 W vs 10 W
  • 13.6% brighter image
    This projector has higher ANSI lumens than the average projector (2,500 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    2,500 vs 2,200
  • VGA input included
    This projector supports VGA input, while the average projector does not. 44.1% of projectors support VGA input.
    Mini D-sub 15-pin input.
  • 13.6% brighter image
    This projector has higher ANSI lumens than the average projector (2,500 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    2,500 vs 2,200
  • 0.59 m shorter throw distance
    This projector has a lower throw distance than the average projector (0.4 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    0.416 m vs 1.0055 m
  • 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
  • 1 more USB ports
    This projector has more USB ports than the average projector (2 vs 1). The average projector has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • VGA input included
    This projector supports VGA input, while the average projector does not. 44.1% of projectors support VGA input.
    Mini D-sub 15-pin 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
  • 60% stronger audio output
    This projector has a higher audio output power than the average projector (16 W vs 10 W). The average projector has 10 W of audio output power.
    16 W vs 10 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
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (lamp vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    Mercury lamp.
    lamp vs laser
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% 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
  • 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
  • 60 % less vertical lens shift
    This projector has fewer vertical lens shift than the average projector (4 % vs 64 %). The average projector has 64 % vertical lens shift.
    4 % vs 64 %
  • 28 % less horizontal lens shift
    This projector has fewer horizontal lens shift than the average projector (2 % vs 30 %). The average projector has 30 % horizontal lens shift.
    2 % vs 30 %
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • 16% worse value for money
    Sony VPL-SW526C has a lower value-for-money score than the average projector (5.99 vs 6.9).
    5.99 vs 6.95
  • 72.7% more expensive
    Sony VPL-SW526C is more expensive than the average projector (£1,140 vs £660).
    £1,140 vs £660
  • 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
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (1280x800 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1280x800 vs 1920x1080
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (2500:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    Full on/off contrast ratio.
    2,500:1 vs 10,000:1
  • No 3D video
    This projector does not support 3D video, while the average projector does. 55.4% of projectors support 3D video.
  • 8 earlier release
    This projector was released earlier than the average projector (2013 vs 2021). The average projector was released in 2021.
    2013 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.
  • 60 % less vertical lens shift
    This projector has fewer vertical lens shift than the average projector (4 % vs 64 %). The average projector has 64 % vertical lens shift.
    4 % vs 64 %
  • 28 % less horizontal lens shift
    This projector has fewer horizontal lens shift than the average projector (2 % vs 30 %). The average projector has 30 % horizontal lens shift.
    2 % vs 30 %
  • 117 inch smaller image size
    This projector has a lower projection size than the average projector (133 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    133 inch vs 250 inch
  • 0.25 2x narrower zoom range
    This projector has a lower zoom ratio than the average projector (1.1 vs 1.3). The average projector has 1.3 of zoom ratio.
    1.05 vs 1.3
  • 25 degrees less vertical correction
    This projector offers less vertical keystone correction than the average projector (5 degrees vs 30 degrees). The average projector offers vertical keystone correction of 30 degrees.
    5 degrees vs 30 degrees
  • 26 degrees less horizontal correction
    This projector offers less horizontal keystone correction than the average projector (4 degrees vs 30 degrees). The average projector offers horizontal keystone correction of 30 degrees.
    4 degrees vs 30 degrees
  • 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.
    1.4 vs 2
  • More outdated HDCP support
    This projector supports an older HDCP version than the average projector (1.4 vs 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 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.
  • 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.
    Mercury lamp.
    lamp vs laser
  • 4 dB louder operation
    This projector has a higher audible noise than the average projector (35 dB vs 31 dB). The average projector has 31 dB of audible noise.
    35 dB vs 31 dB
  • 15,500 hours shorter lamp life
    This projector has a lower lamp life than the average projector (4,500 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life.
    4,500 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 14,000 hours shorter eco lamp life
    This projector has a lower lamp life in eco mode than the average projector (6,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life in eco mode.
    6,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 2.35x heavier weight
    This projector is heavier than the average projector (7 kg vs 2.98 kg). The average projector weighs 2.98 kg.
    7 kg vs 2.98 kg
  • 273.4 mm thicker body
    This projector is thicker than the average projector (423.4 mm vs 150 mm). The average projector has a thickness of 150 mm.
    423.4 mm vs 150 mm
  • 87.4 mm wider body
    This projector is wider than the average projector (384.4 mm vs 297 mm). The average projector has a width of 297 mm.
    384.4 mm vs 297 mm

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sony VPL-SW526C

  • Excellent for small rooms due to ultra-short-throw lens (0.3:1 ratio)
  • Interactive dual-pen support allows multiple users to write on-screen simultaneously
  • High brightness of 2,500 lumens suitable for well-lit classrooms
  • Rich, loud 16W built-in speaker eliminates the need for external audio
  • Vertical lens shift provides greater installation flexibility
  • Long lamp life of up to 6,000 hours in Eco mode reduces maintenance

What customers don't like about Sony VPL-SW526C

  • Native WXGA (1280x800) resolution is lower than modern Full HD or 4K standards
  • Discontinued by manufacturer, which may impact part availability
  • Relatively high fan noise (35 dB) compared to home cinema models
  • Wireless connectivity requires an optional USB module (not built-in)
  • Higher power consumption compared to newer LED or laser-based models

Verdict

The Sony VPL-SW526C is an ultra-short-throw 3LCD projector featuring native WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution and 2,500 lumens of brightness, capable of projecting an 80-inch diagonal image from just 47cm away. Its primary characteristics include dual-pen interactivity for collaborative learning, Sony's BrightEra technology for enhanced colour stability, and a 2500:1 contrast ratio. Main pros include its energy-efficient design with an ECO mode that extends lamp life up to 6,000 hours, vertical and horizontal lens shift for flexible installation, and a powerful 16W built-in speaker. However, potential cons include its reliance on a traditional mercury lamp rather than a long-lasting laser source, a lack of native Wi-Fi without an optional module, and a relatively high operating noise level of 35dB in standard mode.

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