The 8.6-pound Canon Realis SX50 ($4999 as of January 11, 2006) is the only projector of the 16 we tested for our April 2006 issue's roundup that uses liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) technology--a hybrid of DLP and LCD systems. As such, the SX50 combines reflective technology (a DLP trait) with the use of three LCoS chips (similar to LCD panel technology) to display red, green, and blue colors simultaneously (as an LCD projector does) rather than using a spinning color wheel to display the RGB colors sequentially (as a DLP model does). LCoS proponents claim that this relatively new technology produces outstanding color, but LCoS projectors generally cost more than traditional DLP or LCD models.

With its powerful brightness (rated at 2500 lumens), the SX50 is suitable for use in large or small conference rooms. Its native SXGA+ (1400 by 1500) resolution enables it to deliver higher-resolution images than XGA (1024 by 768) models can, but it requires a computer capable of cranking out images at SXGA+ resolution to take full advantage of that benefit--especially when displaying text materials. In our still-image tests, the SX50 had to upscale the XGA-resolution images to fit its frame size, and that interpolation produced a slight loss of image sharpness in its text display. As a result, the text looked slightly fatter than it did on most of the XGA projectors in our test group, lowering the SX50's overall performance scores. In informal tests using native SXGA+ images, the SX50 did a better job of rendering sharp text.

The SX50 displayed graphics handsomely. A combination of accurate colors and fine details in shadows and highlights earned it fourth place on our graphics tests. For instance, it shared the best score--along with the DLP-based NEC LT35--for rendering the solid colors and subtle gradients in a color scale. It also did well at displaying the brightest image in a partially lit room. In other graphics tests, however, and in our computer graphics and DVD video playback, the SX50 earned lower scores than some of the LCD and DLP models. Ultimately, no single projector technology was superior to the others on all our tests.

In setting up the SX50, we had no trouble accessing the zoom and focus rings, or using the on-screen menu with its nicely organized options. This model's keystone correction feature handles both horizontal and vertical adjustments, and you get an on-screen pointer (with different shapes). We could move the menu anywhere on the screen, which helped us see the underlying images while making such adjustments as extensive (six-axis color) manipulation of individual RGB colors. The CX50's alternate picture modes (standard, presentation, cinema, and sRGB) generally improved its image quality, depending on the source material.

The full-size remote works well. It provides remote mouse control, a pointer, and dedicated buttons for changing the picture mode and using the pointer function. Cables bundled with this unit include USB, computer (DVI-VGA), and component video connections; for some reason, though, an audio cable is omitted. The built-in (1-watt) speaker is inadequate for enjoying movies and TV, but it may suffice for occasional sound and music effects during presentations.

Vibrant color graphics are the Canon Realis SX50's strong suit, but you'll need a computer capable of generating SXGA+ images to get the best text display.

Richard Jantz