Is it a graphics tablet, a monitor, or both? Let’s take a look at what a 22-inch pen screen can bring to your editing and editing workflow.
The idea of having a substantial screen that can double as a graphic pen display tablet is sure to appeal to any photographer doing detailed or compositing editing. As with any monitor for editing, resolution and color accuracy will be the main considerations besides functioning as a graphics tablet. On top of that, it can have special benefits for other tasks besides photography, such as working on documents, using media, and multitasking in general. Let’s take a closer look at Huion Kamvas 22 Plus.
Construction and Design
The Huion Kamvas 22 Plus has a matte black plastic body measuring 546 x 323 mm with a thickness of 26.7 mm. This houses a 21.5-inch (diagonal) screen behind anti-glare finish. The controls can be found in the top right corner, and the adjacent edge houses a USB-A port and two USB-C ports. The overall design aesthetic is simple and focused entirely on functionality. Aside from the menu access controls for display and color settings, the button doesn’t have any built-in programmable buttons for keyboard shortcuts. Instead, a potential functional utility to partner with this display would be an editing controller, such as Huion’s Small Key Dial sold separately.
Included in the box is a vari-angle tilting stand that attaches to the monitor’s VESA-compatible rear panel via the four screws included in the package. Once installed, the stand features a quick-release mechanism that you press on the panel to change the viewing angle and locks in place once released. The stand is exceptionally easy to use and can be adjusted with one hand as long as there are no obstructions to the movement of the stand.
Include and connect
This package includes a standard Huion pen that works without a battery that is thickest in the area closest to the tip and tapered towards the other end. The nearest 1/4 is rubberized for better grip, but tends to pick up dust. This comes with a standard pen holder that opens up to reveal 10 more tips and a tip replacement tool. The package also includes half a regular glove to reduce friction between the edge of your hand and the surface of the display tablet.
A USB-C to USB-C cable is provided for compatible devices along with a proprietary 3-in-1 cable with USB-A, full-size HDMI, and a port for power, all converging into one USB -C single input plug for your computer. Using either cable option leaves you with a USB-C port open to other devices, as well as a USB-A port, ideal for the Key Dial’s dongle if used.
Kamvas 22 Plus as Monitor
This 21.5-inch (diagonal) monitor has a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution at 102 pixels per inch, a maximum brightness of 220 nits, displays 8-bit color, and covers 140% of the SRGB color space. This completely covers the same active area of 476.64 x 268.11 mm, which means the entire display area has active compatibility for the pen as well.
Overall as a monitor, these specs could have room for upgrades, such as 2.5K or 4K resolution for a more premium version and/or an even wider color gamut. , but I personally wish that this would at least have brighter capabilities for better use in rooms with lots of ambient light. Functionally, the resolution works when considering the pixel density at 21.5 inches and also considering the price in general.
Kamvas 22 Plus as a pen tablet
As a pen tablet, the Kamvas 22 Plus has an active surface area of 476.64 x 268.11 mm covering the entire screen area. This is then housed in anti-glare and moisture-resistant glass, providing a better viewing and drawing experience.
Setting up a tablet is as simple as choosing the desktop or what part of the desktop should be in the active area. This simplicity is due to the fact that it doesn’t have any programmable shortcut buttons, unlike the smaller display Kamvas tablets or the non-display Inspiroy tablets. Since the Kamvas 22 Plus has a one-inch bezel on each side around the display area, there’s likely plenty of room for up to five buttons on each side (unless the circuit below can’t do that). Therefore, to be able to use the tablet effectively, one would have to either use a keyboard with a specific distance on the table or use a programmable editing controller such as Key Dial. mini Huion.
The Small key dial includes 18 programmable buttons for hotkeys, system shortcuts, and navigation plus a protruding dial with a toggle in the center. Overall, the device is compact and fully functional. However, to remember all the functions assigned on each of the 18 buttons is a process. Perhaps more distinguishable features or textures on the buttons would help, or the ability to have a more premium version with a display for customizable labels would do the trick.
The Kamvas 22 Plus has 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, which is more than enough in my personal experience and probably hasn’t been used in my own editing workflow. The pen offers sensitivity and accuracy up to a 60-degree contact angle in any direction, ensuring greater accuracy with manual input.
Multi-tasking
When used as a secondary display, whether with a laptop or desktop setup, having this 21.5-inch display provides more workspace for multi-tasking. The screen can also act as the preview screen for video editing while the main screen has a timeline and other browser folders, or the screen can act as the main screen for any task in the when other screens (on laptops or desktops) can be used for browsing or watching videos.
Conclusion
The Kamvas 22 Plus is a good tool that offers functions as a monitor, an editing and precision editing tablet as well as a multi-tasking device. It has a significant enough resolution that will probably be upgraded in more advanced versions of this product. Considering the cost, the only downside I personally see is that it lacks programmable buttons on the device itself, which would prevent the device from functioning as an efficient standalone device and would require use the keyboard or edit controller. All factors considered, functionality and versatility are its most appealing aspects.
What I like
- 21.5-inch fullHD screen
- Color gamut 140% SRGB
- Input accuracy with pen angle and pressure sensitivity
- 20-80 degree variable angle bracket
What can be improved
- Maximum brightness 220 nits
- No programmable buttons
- Aesthetic black plastic plain
