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

ViewSonic PA503W review: 86 specs compared

Avg. price:~£560Native panel resolution:1280x800ANSI lumens:4000Throw ratio:1.55-1.70:1Lamp life:6000 hours

ViewSonic PA503W Review: Compare 86 technical specifications, 2 expert and video reviews and 2 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

ViewSonic PA503W
6.3/10

Overall score

Score
6.3/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components

35%

6.2

Technical score

30%

6.2

List score

25%

6.2

Reviews score

10%

?

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

▼Worse than 92% of projectors
6.7

Value for money

Value for money
6.7/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 60% of models
Score components

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

7.6

Price

▼Worse than 60%
6.2

Technical score

Technical score
6.2/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components

42%

7.6

Image Quality

22%

5.5

Projection & Lens

12%

5.7

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.7

Audio & Features

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Design & Power

▼Worse than 61%
6.2

Reviews score

Reviews score
6.2/ 10
✕
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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 78% of models

6.2

Mark 8.0 is below the typical mark 8.2 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.4

Average grade

20%

6.1

Popularity

Grades by review (2)
2 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▼Worse than 78%
6.2

List score

List score
6.2/ 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 (2)
List score: in 2 of 110 lists (2%)
▲Better than 87%
  • viewsonic-pa503w
viewsonic-pa503w
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 ViewSonic PA503W

Technical score
Technical score
6.2/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components:

42%

7.6

Image Quality

22%

5.5

Projection & Lens

12%

5.7

HDMI & Gaming

10%

5.7

Audio & Features

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Design & Power

6.2
Reviews score
6.2
List score
6.2
Value for money
Value for money
6.7/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 60% of models
Score components:

70%

6.3

Overall score

30%

7.6

Price

6.7
ANSI lumens
4,000
Market range: <250 – >4k
This projector reaches 4,000 ANSI lumens, brighter than 83.9% of projectors and equal to 6.6% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
22,000:1
This projector has a contrast ratio of 22000:1, higher than 63.8% of projectors and equal to 1.1% of projectors.
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
DLP
Show more
Throw ratio
1.55-1.70:1
Min throw distance
0.99 m
Market range: <0.5 m – >2 m
This projector needs a minimum throw distance of 0.99 m, shorter than 60.2% of projectors and equal to 0.5% of projectors.
Max projection size
300 inch
Market range: <100 inch – >300 inch
This projector supports projection sizes up to 300 inch, larger than 51.5% of projectors and equal to 38% of projectors.
Zoom ratio
1.1
Market range: <1.1 – >2.1
This projector offers a zoom ratio of 1.1, narrower than 82.4% of projectors and equal to 16.1% of projectors.
Motorized zoom
no
This projector does not have motorised zoom. 14.8% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Input lag
37 ms
Market range: <8 ms – >68 ms
This projector has input lag of 37 ms, higher than 65.6% of projectors and equal to 2.3% of projectors.
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
?
Max HDMI bandwidth
?
Show more
N. of HDMI ports
1
Market range: <1 – >6
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.
Laser light source
no
This projector does not have a laser light source. 26.8% of projectors offer this.
Lamp life
6,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers lamp life of 6,000 hours, longer than 66.8% of projectors and equal to 3.6% of projectors.
Lamp life (eco mode)
15,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers eco-mode lamp life of 15,000 hours, longer than 60.9% of projectors and equal to 1.5% of projectors.
Operating power consumption
260 W
Market range: <50 W – >400 W
This projector uses 260 W of power, more than 56.9% of projectors and equal to 1.9% of projectors.
Show more

ViewSonic PA503W 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
  • 10 degrees more vertical correction
    This projector offers more vertical keystone correction than the average projector (40 degrees vs 30 degrees). The average projector offers vertical keystone correction of 30 degrees.
    40 degrees vs 30 degrees
  • 0.18 inch larger DMD chip
    This projector has a higher DMD chip size than the average projector (0.7 inch vs 0.47 inch). The average projector has 0.47 inch of DMD chip size.
    0.65 inch vs 0.47 inch
  • 41.2% higher refresh rate
    This projector has a higher refresh rate than the average projector (120 Hz vs 85 Hz). The average projector has 85 Hz of refresh rate.
    120 Hz vs 85 Hz
  • Higher contrast ratio
    This projector has a higher contrast ratio than the average projector (22000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    22,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • 1 more audio input ports
    This projector has more audio input ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 audio input ports.
    1 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
  • VGA input included
    This projector supports VGA input, while the average projector does not. 44.1% of projectors support VGA input.
  • 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
  • 0.18 inch larger DMD chip
    This projector has a higher DMD chip size than the average projector (0.7 inch vs 0.47 inch). The average projector has 0.47 inch of DMD chip size.
    0.65 inch vs 0.47 inch
  • Higher contrast ratio
    This projector has a higher contrast ratio than the average projector (22000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    22,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • 41.2% higher refresh rate
    This projector has a higher refresh rate than the average projector (120 Hz vs 85 Hz). The average projector has 85 Hz of refresh rate.
    120 Hz vs 85 Hz
  • 10 degrees more vertical correction
    This projector offers more vertical keystone correction than the average projector (40 degrees vs 30 degrees). The average projector offers vertical keystone correction of 30 degrees.
    40 degrees vs 30 degrees
  • 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
  • 0.02 m shorter throw distance
    This projector has a lower throw distance than the average projector (1 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    0.99 m vs 1.0055 m
  • VGA input included
    This projector supports VGA input, while the average projector does not. 44.1% of projectors support VGA input.
  • 1 more audio input ports
    This projector has more audio input ports than the average projector (1 vs 0). The average projector has 0 audio input ports.
    1 vs 0
  • 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.
    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
  • 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
  • 18.4% lower list score
    List score
    6.2/ 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 (2)
    List score: in 2 of 110 lists (2%)
    6.2 vs 7.6
  • No Wi-Fi connectivity
    This projector does not connect to Wi-Fi networks, while the average projector does. 53.4% of projectors offer this.
  • 18.4% lower list score
    List score
    6.2/ 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 (2)
    List score: in 2 of 110 lists (2%)
    6.2 vs 7.6
  • 16.2% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.2/ 10
    ✕
    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
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▼ Worse than 78% of models

    6.2

    Mark 8.0 is below the typical mark 8.2 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.4

    Average grade

    20%

    6.1

    Popularity

    Grades by review (2)
    2 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    6.2 vs 7.4
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • 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
  • 4 earlier release
    This projector was released earlier than the average projector (2017 vs 2021). The average projector was released in 2021.
    2,017 vs 2,021
  • 0.2 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.
    1.1 vs 1.3
  • 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
  • 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
  • 10 ms higher input lag
    This projector has a higher input lag than the average projector (37 ms vs 27 ms). The average projector has 27 ms of input lag.
    37 ms vs 27 ms
  • 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.
  • 80% weaker audio output
    This projector has a lower audio output power than the average projector (2 W vs 10 W). The average projector has 10 W of audio output power.
    2 W vs 10 W
  • 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
  • 10 dB louder operation
    This projector has a higher audible noise than the average projector (41 dB vs 31 dB). The average projector has 31 dB of audible noise.
    41 dB vs 31 dB
  • 14,000 hours shorter lamp life
    This projector has a lower lamp life than the average projector (6,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life.
    6,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 5,000 hours shorter eco lamp life
    This projector has a lower lamp life in eco mode than the average projector (15,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life in eco mode.
    15,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 68 mm thicker body
    This projector is thicker than the average projector (218 mm vs 150 mm). The average projector has a thickness of 150 mm.
    218 mm vs 150 mm

Video reviews

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

8.0
Techi Geek
≈ estimated
11/09/2024
Quick review · key features, pros and cons
Verdict
ViewSonic PA503W is a budget projector for bright rooms, but its colours and sound are weak.
Overview video

Third-party reviews

What customers like about ViewSonic PA503W

  • A 0.99 m minimum throw distance suits a small room.
  • 4000 lumens is bright enough with the lights on.
  • At 2.2 kg it is easy to carry between rooms.
  • It can be mounted on a ceiling.
  • Eco mode is quiet at 27 dB.
  • The lamp is rated for 6000 hours, or 15000 hours in eco mode.

What customers don't like about ViewSonic PA503W

  • At normal power the noise is 41 dB, which is loud in a quiet room.
  • The zoom is only 1.1.
  • The 2 W speaker is too quiet to rely on.
  • There is no Wi-Fi, so every source needs a cable.
  • The focus is set by hand each time.

Verdict

Its 0.99 m minimum throw distance and 4000 lumens make the ViewSonic PA503W a practical choice for a small room that gets daylight. The picture is 1280x800 with 10-bit color and a 22000:1 contrast ratio. The 120 Hz refresh rate keeps fast action smooth. Eco mode drops the noise to 27 dB, but at normal power it runs at 41 dB, which you will hear. The zoom is only 1.1 and the focus is set by hand, so setup takes patience. The 2.2 kg body is light enough to move between rooms, and it can be mounted on a ceiling. It suits a teacher, a home office or a student who wants a bright screen and can put up with some noise.

Compare ViewSonic PA503W with other products in the Projectors category

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