The VPL-ES3 is an economical multi-purpose projector. Ideal for small businesses, home offices and entertainment purposes. Weighing just 6.4 lbs, it is compact and light enough to be carried anywhere. The projector is feature rich with native SVGA resolution, 2000 ANSI Lumen Brightness, 6 selectable picture modes, a component input terminal, monitor out, front exhaust, and 3 selectable black level adjustment modes.

Video work is handled slightly better, but the colours and blacks are washed out here as well, though there is at least consistency across the range. This results in a watchable picture, which handles movement and sharpness to reasonable level. And it will handle post-PowerPoint entertainment better than it does the actual presentation.

Getting a big image out of the Sony is easy thanks to the unusually short 1:1.4 throw ratio backed with a 1.2 zoom lens. The menu system - while somewhat slow in use - offers a good range of presets and all the standard colour and brightness controls you could want. The main attraction is the 2,000 lumen’s output; it’s not unique, but it’s unusual to find it at this price. Sony’s done a good job to keep the noise under control as well.

Specifications:

Display Type:  LCD projector
Aspect Ratio:  16:9, 4:3
Resolution:  800 x 600
Additional Features:  Freeze frame
Brightness:  2000 ANSI lumens
Included Components:  Speaker
Light Source Power:  220 Watt