Sony is one of the most well-known brands worldwide, so there’s no need to over-explain. Their reputation for quality dates back to the late 1960s when they invented the Trinitron TV tube. Fifty years later, anyone looking for a projector likely knows Sony leads the way in laser projection solutions, including home theater.
Today, we’ll focus on Sony’s latest laser projectors and highlight a key new feature that you should definitely consider when making your decision!
Sony has long been a leader in laser projectors—and they still are. While they didn’t create the first laser projector, they were among the first to introduce a 3LCD laser model seven years ago. Thanks to Sony and other major players like Panasonic, NEC, and Epson, 3LCD laser technology has become a top choice in the projector world.
Let’s Start with the Big Picture
Sony offers a wide range of laser projectors—24 models in total—including five brand-new ones. These latest projectors range from a budget-friendly WXGA model priced at $1,599 to the powerful 13,000-lumen VPL-FHZ131 WUXGA model at $14,999.
Today, we’ll focus on those five new projectors and one key feature they all share: Smart Settings, a helpful new function that simplifies setup and optimization.
A few months ago, we looked at Sony’s high-end native 4K projectors—designed for specialized markets like simulators and engineering—so today’s focus is more on mainstream and education applications.
With these new releases, Sony now enters the seventh generation of 3LCD laser projectors (well, maybe that’s a bit dramatic—but exciting nonetheless!).
The new entry-level model, priced at $1,599, is especially attractive. Keep in mind, this price doesn’t include any additional educational discounts, which are often available.
At the time of writing, these models are newly announced. The budget models are set to ship in April and May, while the high-brightness models, like the FHZ131L, will follow in May and June—perfect timing for summer purchasing cycles in K–12 and higher education.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what I believe are the three most important areas:
Sony’s two new affordable laser projectors
Three new high-performance laser models – ranging from 9,000 to 13,000 lumens
Upgraded technology – including Sony’s brand-new Smart Settings, which really improves setup, performance, and reliability (yes, even after cutting through the hype!)
The choice is yours—feel free to skip ahead to what interests you most. I’ll cover:
A quick product overview
A closer look at Smart Settings
The new high-brightness projectors
And finally, the new budget-friendly laser models
Whether you start with Smart Settings or save it for later, it’s definitely worth a look.
In the mid-range category, Sony recently launched three new laser projectors. While they’re powerful, they’re not Sony’s most expensive models—those go up to $14,999. Sony also offers a full lineup of native 4K laser projectors designed for scientific and engineering tasks like CAD, medical imaging, and simulation—but that’s a different market.
Sony is also a major name in commercial cinema projection, but those models aren’t our focus here. (By the way, when I mentioned Sony’s 24 laser projectors, that number doesn’t include their cinema lineup.)
These new high-brightness WUXGA projectors are designed to light up large spaces like auditoriums and houses of worship. Features like edge blending and projection mapping make them ideal for digital signage, worship spaces, and mid-to-large entertainment venues. They can even be used in multi-projector setups to double or triple overall brightness.
Most importantly, Sony’s new Smart Settings feature is built into these models. It simplifies setup, speeds up installation, and helps ensure consistent top-tier performance.
Sony’s laser projectors just got more affordable!
Sony is rolling out a new line of budget-friendly laser projectors to replace older models. The entry-level VPL-CWZ10 is priced at just $1,599. It features a laser light source and delivers a solid 5,000 lumens of brightness.
Not only is the CWZ10 cheaper than its predecessor (the PWZ10), it’s also much lighter—13 pounds lighter, in fact—and 40% smaller. That makes it a powerful yet compact option.
The CWZ10 is a great choice for higher education, conference rooms, and even well-funded K–12 classrooms, especially for schools looking to buy in volume.
If you need higher resolution, consider the VPL-PHZ12, a WUXGA (1920×1200) model that replaces the PHZ10. The PHZ10 earned top marks in our previous reviews, including our “Best Classroom Projectors” report where it won:
Best Classroom: Best High-Performance Front-of-Room Projector
(Perfect for large college lecture halls at a reasonable price)
Here’s a solid recommendation: the Sony VPL-CWZ10. It’s smaller, lighter, and more affordable—but to keep things compact and budget-friendly, Sony removed the lens shift feature. That said, it still offers plenty of keystone correction, which is a fair trade-off if portability and price matter most.
As for the PHZ12, it builds on the success of the older PHZ10 with several key upgrades over the past three years:
Price drop to $2,499
Improved 3LCD panel performance thanks to an optical compensator
Support for Sony’s Smart Settings
Now Extron XTP compatible
Two ports: one for HDBaseT, and a separate LAN port (instead of one shared port), which makes networking more flexible
Bottom Line on Sony’s Budget Laser Projectors:
Long-lasting laser engine (up to 20,000 hours)
3LCD tech = rich, vibrant color
Bright output: 5,000 lumens (color and white)
Affordable pricing
Flexible installation and supports top industry control systems (Extron, Crestron, etc.)
Reliable warranty and Sony’s strong customer support
Perfect for classrooms, conference rooms, and budget-conscious installs that still demand quality.
Smart Settings – A Real Game-Changer
Quick Overview:
Sony’s new Smart Settings make it much easier to fine-tune projector settings based on how and where the projector will be used. Traditional projector controls offer a lot of manual adjustments, but they don’t always guide you toward the best setup for your specific environment. That’s where Smart Settings step in.
Of course, AV installers usually handle custom setup to make sure everything performs at its best. But Smart Settings simplify this process by offering preset configurations designed for different use cases—saving time and improving performance. Installers will appreciate it, and large institutions with in-house teams will likely find it just as useful.
This might be one of the most exciting updates in Sony’s commercial laser projector line.
Now, let’s be clear—every company hypes its features. Many functions are basically the same across brands but come with flashy names like “Cinema Smooth” or “Motion Enhancer.” However, Smart Settings feel different. They offer real benefits tailored to real-world use.
Four Key Use Cases for Smart Settings:
Smart Settings optimize color accuracy, brightness, fan noise, and overall performance—but instead of relying on manual tweaks, the projector automatically adjusts based on how it’s being used.
Quiet Spaces (e.g., classrooms & meeting rooms):
These environments need quiet operation more than max brightness. Smart Settings prioritize a lower noise level by slightly reducing brightness to keep things quiet without sacrificing quality.Museums and Galleries:
Here, color accuracy and image fidelity are critical. Smart Settings boost these settings while de-emphasizing fan noise and brightness, creating a more visually precise experience ideal for showcasing artwork and exhibits.
These are just two of the verticals Sony has optimized for. The system is designed to adjust automatically, depending on your space and needs—no guesswork required.
In short, Smart Settings save time, reduce manual effort, and deliver better performance, right out of the box.
Smart Settings – More Use Cases That Matter
Sony’s Smart Settings aren’t just for classrooms or museums—they’re built to handle a wide range of real-world environments. Let’s look at two more key use cases:
3. Entertainment Venues
Places like bars, nightclubs, and concert halls don’t need perfect color accuracy—but they do need maximum brightness. Fan noise? Not a big deal in these loud environments.
Smart Settings optimize for these needs by boosting brightness and letting the projector run at full power without worrying about noise.
4. Multi-Projector Setups (aka Multi-Screen Mode)
This setting is perfect for large auditoriums, digital signage, and museums where multiple projectors work together to create one seamless image.
Sony’s Smart Settings for multi-projector environments automatically adjust things like:
Edge blending
Projection mapping
Constant brightness
Auto color calibration
These are essential in places like museums, where every projector in the setup must match perfectly in brightness and color for a flawless large-scale display.
Sony even shared a chart showing how Smart Settings vary depending on the room type and application. For example, some environments prioritize brightness, while others focus on color or quiet performance. The settings are pre-configured so the projector can deliver the best experience without complicated manual tuning.
Bottom line: Whether you’re lighting up a classroom or a concert hall, Sony’s Smart Settings adapt to your space—saving time, improving performance, and making setup easier than ever.
Here are some example control menus that show how the projector “focuses” on the best setting combinations based on the environment.
Just a quick glance at these Smart Settings screens, and you’ll see how easy it is!
With Smart Settings, IT and AV pros can quickly fine-tune the projector to get the best performance for different types of applications—whether it’s a classroom, museum, auditorium, or entertainment venue.
Sure, it’s not rocket science — but when you think about it, it just makes a lot of sense.
For anyone choosing and setting up projectors, Smart Settings is a real advantage. Instead of manually tweaking everything, you can quickly dial in the ideal balance of image quality, brightness, and noise based on how and where the projector will be used.
This not only saves time during setup, but also helps ensure better long-term performance, tailored to the specific environment. For example, some spaces need accurate color, others need maximum brightness. Smart Settings helps you find that sweet spot—faster, easier, and more reliably.
Plus, by optimizing for the right conditions, you can also expect better reliability and longer lifespan.
The newer FHZ models even take it a step further, with what Sony calls Smart Settings 2.0 — a more advanced version with more precision and flexibility.
Here’s a look at how settings are adjusted for museums, entertainment venues, and multi-screen setups:
Notes:
In addition to what’s mentioned above, clarity, sharpness, and other image settings are also optimized based on how the projector will be used.
After selecting a Smart Setting, you can still fine-tune the image quality to match your preferences.
Good news: We’ll soon review one of the new models with these Smart Setting features once they start shipping in May. We’ll share our detailed thoughts on how these settings work together to deliver better results.
Sony’s powerful new commercial projectors
Below, you’ll see Sony’s VPL-FHZ131L—a 13,000-lumen beast—along with its new siblings, the FHZ1010L and FHZ91L, offering 10,000 and 9,000 lumens respectively.
The VPL-FHZ131L is perfect for most large venues, offering 13,000 lumens, plenty of lens shift, eight interchangeable lens options, and Smart Settings.
Honestly, most major commercial projector brands offer high-end models with interchangeable lenses and similar features, usually between 8,000 and 15,000 lumens. The competition in this space is pretty fierce.
Sony, like many competitors, works closely with top AV system integrators, various dealers, and partners. One of our star reviewers, Phil Jones, worked at Sony for about ten years until the end of 2018. He created training materials and supported Sony’s dealer and integrator network while running technical events at trade shows.
If you’ve attended major display shows, you might have seen his demos and seminars over the years (I’ve been to many myself). Sony doesn’t just have great products—they also have a well-trained, experienced network of dealers, integrators, and partners. These folks work with businesses, education, entertainment, houses of worship, simulators, scientific and engineering fields (like high-res rendering), digital signage, and more.
Sony’s “heavy hitter” projectors
[That’s my nickname for their full-featured commercial projectors.]
I’ll mainly focus on Sony’s three new FHZ series models: the FHZ131L, FHZ1010L, and FHZ91L. Sony also offers other, more affordable FHZ models, including the popular VPL-FHZ75 and VPL-FHZ66.
The FHZ91L: Powerful, Affordable, and Smart
The FHZ91L is Sony’s most affordable projector that features the newest and most advanced version of Smart Settings (version 2.0).
Also worth noting: the FHZ66 replaces the older FHZ65, which was one of the top-rated projectors we’ve ever reviewed in its class and price range.
At the top of the FHZ lineup is the VPL-FHZ131L, a 13,000-lumen 3LCD laser projector. Two other new models—the FHZ101L and FHZ91L—offer the same features with slightly lower brightness (10,000 and 9,000 lumens) and more budget-friendly pricing.
You get eight interchangeable lenses—from ultra short-throw to long-throw—that work with all FHZ models. Plus, the vertical lens shift is a massive 107%, offering more flexibility than most competitors.
They’re also stackable, so you can double the brightness when needed. For example, stack two 13,000-lumen projectors and you’re ready for a rock concert with 26,000 lumens.
Even the FHZ91L is powerful enough for large auditoriums or lecture halls of any size. These models are a great fit for big worship spaces, and even for cathedrals.
Bottom Line: Why Sony Projectors Stand Out
Sony’s commercial projectors are competitively priced and deliver stunning color thanks to their 3LCD + laser combo—without the high cost of 3-chip DLP projectors.
What really sets them apart:
Smart Settings that simplify setup and boost performance
Full networking support, including Crestron, Extron, and HDBaseT
Sony’s well-known tech support and reliability
If you’ve been around since the ‘80s (AV pro or not), you probably remember how Sony made its name in TVs and audio/video.
“It’s a Sony.”
That tagline still holds up—it’s all about quality.