If you appreciate accurate colors and a high-quality computer screen, Eizo is one of the better options. The company released two professional 27-inch monitors in late 2022. One of them has 4K resolution and the other has WQHD resolution. Let’s take a closer look at the following.
When it comes to a great workable computer monitor, the 27-inch size is probably the most convenient. I’ve been using one for years and find it not too small and not too big. This year, it’s time to upgrade my old Eizo monitor. My choice falls on the new ColorEdge CG 2700Sthis is a big upgrade from the old Eizo Flexscan EV 2731W I’m using.
In this review, I wanted to review my first impressions and how I feel after I’ve been using lower-end Eizo monitors for many years. Does it have enough offering to justify the price?
First of all, I want to explain what the screen is used for. As you might have guessed, it’s primarily intended for photo editing work. But I also use it for writing articles and lately, the number of video editing jobs is increasing. My viewing distance is between 70 and 80 cm. Occasionally, I watch a few videos on YouTube, but never a full-length movie. I have a TV for that. I also don’t play any video games.
Select resolution
There are two versions of this 27-inch monitor. The ColorEdge CG 2700X has a 4K resolution (4,196 x 2,160 pixels) and the ColorEdge CG 2700S has a slightly lower resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. This is called a WQHD display.
While buying a 27-inch 4K monitor sounds very tempting, I find a WQHD monitor to be a much better choice for photographers. The pixel density of 4K resolution on a 27-inch screen is 194 pixels per inch, resulting in text on small screens that can be difficult to read. WQHD offers a pixel density of 109 pixels per inch, providing a much better reading experience.
Lower resolution of ColorEdge CG 2700S renders 4K video footage impossible to display 1:1. If you’re working with video and editing videos, a 4K monitor might be a better choice. If the text on the screen becomes too small for you, perhaps a larger size 4K display is the answer to that.
Some specifications
- 27-inch WQHD IPS display with 2,560 x 1,440 pixels
- Viewing angle up to 178 degrees
- Wide color gamut covering 99% of the AdobeRGB color space and 98% of DCI-P3
- Built-in sensor allows for fully automatic calibration
- 400 cd/m2 maximum brightness and 1600:1 contrast ratio with True Black technology
- 10-bit display with 16-bit 3D Lookup Table
- Perfectly distribute brightness and color with the Digital Uniform Equalizer
- HDR-HLG and HDR-PQ-EOTF monitors
- USB-C provides DisplayPort signal and 92 Watt . power delivery
- Dedicated DisplayPort and HDMI ports
- Includes RJ-45 . LAN port
- USB hub with two USB 3.1 ports and two USB 2.0 . downstream ports
- Includes magnetic light shield
- VESA mount
- Complies with soft waterproofing requirements (ISO 12646)
The look of ColorEdge CG 2700S
The shell of the display is a new design that is slightly different from the ColorEdge CS 2731 released in early 2022. The front bezel looks the same, offering a row of touch buttons on the bottom right. These buttons are illuminated and you only need to lightly tap them to trigger a response.
It has a round paw with a relatively small footprint. It rotates 344 degrees, which is more than enough. The monitor stand is height-adjustable 15.5 cm and can be tilted back 35 degrees and forward 5 degrees. Tilt is required to rotate the monitor to an upright position. At the back you find a nice combination handle that makes it easy to lift the display.
The light shield has a simple design and attaches to the screen with a magnet. The inside of the hood is covered with felt to prevent light reflection. With a screen brightness of 400 cd/m^2, this is very welcome.
ColorEdge CG 2700S allows 178 degree viewing angle. This makes it easy to look at the screen with a small group of people. Just make sure to remove the hood lightly; otherwise it will block the screen when viewed from the side.
Connection
The main connections can be found on the back of the display. It offers DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C ports. You can use USB-C to connect and charge your laptop. It delivers 92 watts of power and it can also be used for DisplayPort signals and other data transmission. The RJ-45 LAN port on the monitor makes it possible to connect the laptop to the internet through the monitor.
The CG 2700S also has a USB Hub. There are two USB 3.1 ports and two USB 2 ports on the left side of the monitor. In theory, this allows for a clean desktop environment without the need for any other cables to your laptop, save for USB-C cables. Everything can be connected to the display.
Menus and calibration
The ColorEdge CG 2700S has an extensive menu that allows access to a variety of functions and settings. There are two customizable buttons for your most used functions. There is also a quick menu to switch between the different possible color spaces that the monitor can use. The color space can be adjusted to your personal taste if needed.
Other functions are brightness alerts to view cropping, cropping and enlarging images. And of course there’s the built-in calibrator. This is a small sensor located on the top bezel. It rotates into view when activated.
The calibrator is activated by a timer. The calibration interval is set for every 200 hours of use, but it can be adjusted to your own needs. It can even be programmed to perform calibrations when the monitor is not in use. If you’re working, the calibration won’t take up much of the screen. It will adjust the screen’s brightness a few times, but otherwise you won’t notice much about the process itself. The calibration will also take into account ambient light levels.
The screen itself
After you turn on your computer monitor, it takes time for it to stabilize and display the correct color and brightness. This only takes about three minutes with the ColorEdge CG 2700S. The monitor can display 8-bit or 10-bit color spectrum. The last one offers 99% AdobeRGB and 98% of the DCI-P3 color spectrum.
For most photographers, AdobeRGB will be the most logical choice. But if you’re also using the monitor for video editing, you can convert the color space to one of the other available spaces that suits your footage. Yes BT.2020, BT.709, DCI-P3, HLG_BT.2100, PQ_DCI-P3, etc.
The CG 2700S ships with an ex-factory report showing the results of the quality tests performed. After a long time of use, the performance of every monitor will change slightly. Eizo offers the ability to calibrate the display using the online ColorNavigator software. This way, the correct display of your work is guaranteed for years to come.
Inference
The Eizo ColorEdge CG 2700S is an amazing 27 inch WQHD monitor operating to the highest standards. It results in a price tag of $2,519 dollars. This number is more than twice as great as it is Eizo ColorEdge CS 2731 . Monitor.
With the ColorEdge CG 2700S, you get a built-in calibrator, a light cover, a 92-watt USB-C connection, and a USB hub. But more importantly, the overall display of the screen, its color accuracy, and the various color spaces are the most important things about this monitor.
What I Like
Almost everything about the screen. It’s a great monitor with lots of possibilities, such as choosing specialized color profiles for different purposes and a built-in calibration unit. The 92-watt power supply is a big plus.
What I don’t like
I have doubts about this monitor’s additional connections. Although you have a USB hub, it is a bit limited. You can connect a few USB 3.1 devices, but it’s not capable of connecting USB-C or Thunderbolt devices. If you have a lot of peripherals, you still need a dock of some kind. Especially for professional photography and video work, fast external hard drives or SSDs may be needed, and for that, you need the fastest connection speeds possible. A simple USB 3.1 won’t do.
Should you buy it?
I think ColorEdge CG 2700S worth the money if you’re working professionally and color accuracy is important to your work. It may be too expensive for people who don’t need this level of control. In that case, ColorEdge CS 2731 could be a better choice.
