Welcome to our review of the Panasonic PT-LRZ35U Single-chip DLP RGB LED Projector. Panasonic designed the PT-LRZ35U and its smaller WXGA sibling, the PT-LRW35, for art and science classrooms or any setting that needs accurate color—like corporate presentations or creative work. Without giving too much away, the PT-LRZ35U excels in color accuracy and overall picture quality.
Panasonic made the PT-LRZ35U to reduce distractions in small classrooms and meeting rooms. It’s perfect for these spaces because it runs very quietly—Panasonic says as low as 24dB in Quiet mode—without losing image quality. We’ll see how it performs.
Who should consider this projector? Anyone looking for great picture quality in its price range. It’s one of the best I’ve seen lately, thanks to Panasonic’s impressive Discrete 3 LED lighting system.
The projector is lightweight and compact thanks to Panasonic’s sealed light engine. This design makes the projector quieter and filter-free. It uses a discrete RGB LED light source, so there’s no color wheel or related parts. Fewer moving parts mean better reliability. The RGB LED also removes rainbow effects and offers a wider color range, giving you richer, more accurate colors and better picture quality.
The PT-LRZ35U has a native WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200) and has been available since August 2020.
| Panasonic PT-LRZ35U Specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | $2999 MSRP $1699 ASP |
| Technology | RGB LED DLP |
| Native Resolution | 1920 x 1200, 1920×1200 |
| Brightness (Manufacturer Claim) | 3500 |
| Contrast | 35000:1 |
| Zoom Lens Ratio | 1.3x manual zoom |
| Lens Shift | Yes |
| Lamp Life | 20,000 |
| Weight | 14.77 lbs |
| Warranty | 3 Years |
OVERVIEW
The Panasonic PT-LRZ35 Series is Panasonic’s first portable projector to use a discrete RGB LED light source. This new light engine is designed to deliver excellent color accuracy and improved picture quality, making it ideal for art and science classrooms, corporate presentations, or any use that demands precise colors.
The single-chip RGB LED DLP projector offers WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200) and a brightness of 3,500 lumens. Its MSRP is $2,999 but can often be found at authorized sellers for around $1,699.
Panasonic says the PT-LRZ35U and its smaller WXGA sibling, the PT-LRW35, are the smallest and lightest RGB LED DLP projectors in the 3,500-lumen class. Weighing just 14.77 pounds, the PT-LRZ35U is easy to install, including ceiling mounts. The series is also 3D-ready with DLP® Link™ technology, although 3D viewing requires compatible glasses. It’s impressive to see a business-class projector with 3D capabilities—a feature worth exploring further.
The Panasonic PT-LRZ35 series uses a sealed light engine, which brings several benefits. Since there’s no filter, you don’t have to worry about cleaning or replacing it. The sealed, dust-resistant design also helps the projector last longer, with an estimated 20,000 hours of nearly maintenance-free use and reliable 24/7 operation.
Panasonic says the PT-LRZ35U delivers a dynamic contrast ratio of 30,000:1. It includes a USB Type-A 2A port that can power HDMI smart devices like Fire Sticks or Roku. The projector also features manual vertical lens shift, a 1.3x zoom lens, dual HDMI inputs, and a DIGITAL LINK/LAN (HDBaseT) input. With WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200), it supports high-quality content through its HDMI ports.
The PT-LRZ35U offers almost every feature you’d expect from a business-class projector at this price—and then some. Its vertical lens shift and zoom range add flexibility rarely seen in this class. After testing it, I believe this projector would also work well in a home theater. Thanks to its discrete RGB LEDs, the PT-LRZ35U delivers excellent picture quality and vibrant colors, earning it a special interest award from my editor and me.
HIGHLIGHTS
3,500 lumens (White vs Color Lumens not specified)
Light engine lasts up to 20,000 hours
WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200)
Supports 1920 x 1200 content via HDMI
R/G/B LED DMD technology for vibrant colors
30,000:1 contrast ratio
Vertical lens shift for easy mounting
Very quiet operation at just 24 dB in Quiet Mode
Quick On/Off for instant use with no cooldown time
Built-in 10W speaker, microphone input, and variable audio output
Advanced networking with Crestron, AMX, and PJLink support
Filter-free design for low maintenance
Network monitoring and control capabilities
3-year warranty included