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 PRO850 review: 86 specs compared

Avg. price:~£1,400Native panel resolution:1024x768ANSI lumens:5000Throw ratio:?Lamp life:4000 hours

ViewSonic PRO850 Review: Compare 86 technical specifications to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

7.2/10

Overall score

Score
7.2/ 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–² Better than 52% of models
Score components

35%

6.5

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–²Better than 52% of projectors
5.9

Value for money

Value for money
5.9/ 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 80% of models
Score components

70%

7.2

Overall score

30%

3.1

Price

â–¼Worse than 80%
6.5

Technical score

Technical score
6.5/ 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–² Better than 51% of models
Score components

42%

6.6

Image Quality

22%

7.3

Projection & Lens

12%

5.6

HDMI & Gaming

10%

7.4

Audio & Features

8%

5.4

Connectivity

6%

4.5

Design & Power

â–²Better than 51%
?

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
  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £1,400
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of projector ViewSonic PRO850

Technical score
Technical score
6.5/ 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–² Better than 51% of models
Score components:

42%

6.6

Image Quality

22%

7.3

Projection & Lens

12%

5.6

HDMI & Gaming

10%

7.4

Audio & Features

8%

5.4

Connectivity

6%

4.5

Design & Power

6.5
Reviews score
7.8
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
5.9/ 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 80% of models
Score components:

70%

7.2

Overall score

30%

3.1

Price

5.9
ANSI lumens
5,000
Market range: <280 – >4k
This projector reaches 5,000 ANSI lumens, brighter than 92.9% of projectors and equal to 2.5% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
5,000:1
This projector has a contrast ratio of 5000:1, lower than 59.1% of projectors and equal to 1.9% of projectors.
Native panel resolution
1024x768
This projector uses a native resolution of 1024x768, lower than 88.6% of projectors and equal to 5.6% of projectors.
Output resolution
1024x768
This projector supports output resolution up to 1024x768, lower than 89.4% of projectors and equal to 5.6% of projectors.
Projection technology
DLP
Show more
Throw ratio
?
Min throw distance
?
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
1.5
Market range: <1.1 – >2.06
This projector offers a zoom ratio of 1.5, wider than 58% of projectors and equal to 3.4% of projectors.
Motorized zoom
yes
This projector has motorised zoom. 85.4% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Input lag
10 ms
Market range: <8 ms – >68 ms
This projector has input lag of 10 ms, lower than 82.1% of projectors and equal to 1.4% 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
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
?
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.
UHP.
Laser light source
no
This projector does not have a laser light source. 26.8% of projectors offer this.
Lamp life
4,000 hours
Market range: <3.5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers lamp life of 4,000 hours, longer than 78.8% of projectors and equal to 9.6% of projectors.
Lamp life (eco mode)
?
Operating power consumption
350 W
Market range: <57 W – >390 W
This projector uses 350 W of power, more than 84% of projectors and equal to 2% of projectors.
Show more

ViewSonic PRO850 vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • 2.27x brighter image
    This projector has higher ANSI lumens than the average projector (5,000 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    5,000 vs 2,200
  • 0.23 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.
    0.7 inch vs 0.47 inch
  • 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
  • Motorised zoom
    This projector has motorised zoom, while the average projector does not. 14.7% of projectors support motorised zoom.
  • 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
  • Includes stereo speakers
    This projector has stereo speakers, while the average projector does not. 47.8% of projectors have stereo speakers.
  • Advanced focus control
    This projector offers more advanced focus control than the average projector (motorized vs manual). Typical projector: manual.
    Remote-controlled electronic focus.
    motorized vs manual
  • 17 ms lower input lag
    This projector has a lower input lag than the average projector (10 ms vs 27 ms). The average projector has 27 ms of input lag.
    10 ms vs 27 ms
  • 2.27x brighter image
    This projector has higher ANSI lumens than the average projector (5,000 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    5,000 vs 2,200
  • 0.23 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.
    0.7 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
  • Motorised zoom
    This projector has motorised zoom, while the average projector does not. 14.7% of projectors support motorised zoom.
  • 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
  • Advanced focus control
    This projector offers more advanced focus control than the average projector (motorized vs manual). Typical projector: manual.
    Remote-controlled electronic focus.
    motorized vs manual
  • 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
  • 0.2 2x wider zoom range
    This projector has a higher zoom ratio than the average projector (1.5 vs 1.3). The average projector has 1.3 of zoom ratio.
    1.5 vs 1.3
  • Motorized focus
    This projector supports motorized focus, while the average projector does not. 45.6% of projectors support motorized focus.
  • 17 ms lower input lag
    This projector has a lower input lag than the average projector (10 ms vs 27 ms). The average projector has 27 ms of input lag.
    10 ms vs 27 ms
  • 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
  • VGA input included
    This projector supports VGA input, while the average projector does not. 44.1% of projectors support 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
  • Includes stereo speakers
    This projector has stereo speakers, while the average projector does not. 47.8% of projectors have stereo speakers.
  • 2x stronger audio output
    This projector has a higher audio output power than the average projector (20 W vs 10 W). The average projector has 10 W of audio output power.
    2 x 10W.
    20 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.
    UHP.
    lamp vs laser
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (1024x768 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1024x768 vs 1920x1080
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (1024x768 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1024x768 vs 1920x1080
  • 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
  • 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 connectivity
    This projector does not connect to Wi-Fi networks, while the average projector does. 53.4% of projectors offer this.
  • 16.8% worse value for money
    ViewSonic PRO850 has a lower value-for-money score than the average projector (5.95 vs 6.9).
    5.95 vs 6.95
  • 2.12x more expensive
    ViewSonic PRO850 is more expensive than the average projector (£1,400 vs £660).
    £1,400 vs £660
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (1024x768 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    1024x768 vs 1920x1080
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (1024x768 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    1024x768 vs 1920x1080
  • 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
  • 11 earlier release
    This projector was released earlier than the average projector (2010 vs 2021). The average projector was released in 2021.
    November 2010
    2010 vs 2021
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (5000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    5,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (lamp vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    UHP.
    lamp vs laser
  • 16,000 hours shorter lamp life
    This projector has a lower lamp life than the average projector (4,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life.
    4,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 2 dB louder eco mode
    This projector has a higher audible noise in eco mode than the average projector (30 dB vs 28 dB). The average projector has 28 dB of audible noise in eco mode.
    30 dB vs 28 dB
  • 120 W higher power use
    This projector uses more power than the average projector (350 W vs 230 W). The average projector uses 230 W of power.
    350 W vs 230 W
  • 1 dB louder operation
    This projector has a higher audible noise than the average projector (32 dB vs 31 dB). The average projector has 31 dB of audible noise.
    32 dB vs 31 dB
  • 113 mm thicker body
    This projector is thicker than the average projector (263 mm vs 150 mm). The average projector has a thickness of 150 mm.
    263 mm vs 150 mm
  • 29.5% heavier weight
    This projector is heavier than the average projector (3.9 kg vs 2.98 kg). The average projector weighs 2.98 kg.
    3.86 kg vs 2.98 kg
  • 0.5 W higher standby power
    This projector uses more standby power than the average projector (1 W vs 0.5 W). The average projector uses 0.5 W of standby power.
    1 W vs 0.5 W

Third-party reviews

What customers like about ViewSonic PRO850

  • High brightness of 5000 ANSI lumens, allowing for clear images in brightly lit environments.
  • Generous 3-year parts and labour warranty, which is superior to many competitors.
  • Versatile connectivity options, including Network Display, USB, and WiFi support.
  • Features a wide 1.5x optical zoom adjustment, providing significant mounting flexibility.
  • Integrated 20W stereo speakers that deliver punchy and clear audio for presentations.
  • BrilliantColor technology produces vibrant and well-saturated hues.

What customers don't like about ViewSonic PRO850

  • Native XGA (1024x768) resolution is lower than modern Full HD standards, which can affect detail in high-definition content.
  • Audible fan noise is relatively high (approx. 32 dB), which may be distracting in smaller, quiet rooms.
  • Standard lamp life is rated at 4000 hours, which is shorter than many modern laser or LED alternatives.
  • Contrast ratios are typical for business/education projectors but lack the deep black levels required for high-end home cinema.
  • Potential for the 'rainbow effect' due to single-chip DLP technology, which some sensitive viewers may find distracting.

Verdict

The ViewSonic Pro850 (often associated with the Pro8500 series) is a high-brightness DLP installation projector featuring a native XGA (1024 x 768) resolution and a powerful 5,000 ANSI lumens output, making it capable of projecting images up to 300 inches even in well-lit environments. It is equipped with BrilliantColor technology, a 4,900:1 contrast ratio, and a 1.5x optical zoom for versatile placement in large boardrooms or classrooms. Major pros include its exceptional brightness, integrated 20W stereo speakers, and extensive connectivity options including HDMI, VGA, and RJ45 for network control. However, notable cons include its loud operating noise (approximately 32-34 dB), a standard lamp life of 4,000 to 5,000 hours, and lack of native Full HD resolution for video-intensive tasks.

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