Panasonic 4K HDR TV choices compared: LZ2000, JZ2000, JZ1500, JZ1000 OLEDs, plus JX LED TVs
(Pocket-lint) - Panasonic has announced its flagship OLED TV for 2022 - the LZ2000.
But considering it's only going to be a few months away, how does it compare to the 2021 JZ-series OLEDs and JX-series LEDs?
Here are the Panasonic TV highlights for 2022, including some of the excellent 2021 sets still available from numerous retailers.
One thing to note about model numbering when browsing Panasonic TVs: L equals 2022, J equals 2021, H equals 2020 and so on - something to look out for when making a purchase.
Considerations when buying a TV
As a big ticket item, there's a lot to consider when it comes to buying a new TV. Size comes first. That will determine the price to a large extent - but you need to make sure the TV you buy will fit comfortably in the room you intend to put it in.
Panasonic hasn't switched to 8K, so that's not an option here. Instead, look at 4K TVs up to 75 inches in LED or 77 inches in OLED, which is where people typically buy such TVs. The OLED range is quite broad, with Panasonic wanting to emphasize how closely it works with Hollywood studios - offering OLED models from 48 inches upwards.
There are also powerful LED TVs in the range that offer much cheaper prices, but again there are LED TVs in different positions. So double-check what you're getting to make sure your TV is future-proof.
Panasonic OLED TVs
Panasonic has several tiers of OLED TVs and has offered these over the past few years, giving you plenty to choose from when choosing a new TV.
Panasonic LZ2000
- Screen sizes: 77 inches, 65 inches, 55 inches
- OLED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Atmos
Announced during CES 2022, Panasonic's next flagship OLED TV is similar to 2021's JZ2000 (below), but with some extras to boost picture and sound performance a bit, as well as some new gamer-specific features.
There's also the addition of a new screen size for the brand - 77 inches - which also gets a boost in Master OLED Pro technology, to 'Master OLED Pro - Cinema Size'.
However, one of the most important new features is a new RGB sensor for detecting the color temperature of the ambient light. This allows the Auto AI feature to change the screen's white balance to look natural whether you're watching TV during the day or when you have warm home lights on.
Also, a new strip of front-firing speakers offers more accurate and wider Dolby Atmos and surround sound support when combined with the side and top-firing speakers.
Finally, the TV's gaming ability has been significantly improved, with lower latency and a game control panel that allows instant access to settings without having to exit a game - it pops up on screen.
We're awaiting news on the availability of the Panasonic LZ2000, but expect to do so in the spring.
Panasonic JZ2000
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- Screen sizes: 65 inches, 55 inches
- OLED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Filmmaker Mode, Netflix Calibrated Mode, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Atmos
The flagship OLED TV currently available (until the LZ2000 arrives) comes with a top-of-the-line Master HDR OLED Professional Edition panel, with HDR10+ Adaptive added for good measure.
Like Dolby Vision IQ, this is an HDR technology that not only changes the color signature depending on the scene, but also takes your ambient lighting into account to present colors and contrasts in exactly the format the director intended.
The JZ2000 includes gaming too, with 4K 120Hz support via HDMI 2.1 and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology on board.
But the real key to this set is that it embeds a Dolby Atmos sound system. So if you don't have a separate or soundbar setup and don't plan to buy one, the sound quality is excellent. Not interested? The JZ1500 (below) gets lighter on the sound setup.
Panasonic JZ1500
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- Screen sizes: 65 inches, 55 inches, 48 inches
- OLED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Filmmaker Mode, Netflix Calibrated Mode, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Atmos
The JZ1500 features the same Master HDR OLED Professional Edition panel as the JZ2000, but also comes in a smaller 48-inch screen size. It also cuts the full Dolby Atmos speaker array out of the build, saving you money - which is ideal if you're looking to pair it with an existing soundbar or AV system.
Gaming is also fully supported, with confirmed features like Game Mode Extreme. This reduces latency when gaming to an imperceptible level. It also features AMD FreeSync Premium technology and two HDMI 2.1 ports.
Its HCX AI Pro processor (which is also found on the JZ2000 and other 2021 OLED TVs) has an Auto AI mode that examines and recognizes images in real time to ensure they're presented at their best, no matter what whether it is sports, cinema or any other type of genre.
Panasonic JZ1000
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- Screen sizes: 65 inches, 55 inches, 48 inches
- OLED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Filmmaker Mode, Netflix Calibrated Mode, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Atmos
The Panasonic JZ1000 offers almost the same range of features as the JZ1500, but has a different OLED panel.
Instead of the Pro Edition, it comes with the Master HDR OLED panel. Apart from that, it still comes with the updated new processing engine - HCX Processor Pro AI - Game Mode Extreme and smaller screen size option.
It's also worth noting that it also has two HDMI 2.1 ports - similar to the other 2021 and 2022 OLEDs - and has Dolby Atmos support.
Panasonic JZ980
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- Screen sizes: 65 inches, 55 inches, 48 inches
- OLED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Filmmaker Mode, Netflix Calibrated Mode, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Atmos
Again, as with the JZ1000, it's largely the panel that differentiates the JZ980. This model has Panasonic's standard OLED panel, although the feature set is largely the same.
Panasonic LED TV
Panasonic has a variety of LED TVs in many positions - and here are some of the best TVs to choose from.
Panasonic JX940
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- Screen sizes: 75 inch, 65 inch, 55 inch, 49 inch
- LED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Filmmaker mode, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Atmos
As with the 2021 OLED TVs, the currently available flagship LED runs on the HCX Processor Pro AI chip, which allows it to automatically detect the type of content being played and adjust the picture accordingly. This is intended to significantly improve sports broadcasts, for example.
It comes with the HDR Cinema Display Pro - Panasonic's best LED panel on the market to date - and features Filmmaker mode for the first time in an LED TV from the brand (as do the other LEDs of the year).
It's the only LED TV in the range that supports Dolby Vision IQ, the form of Dolby Vision HDR that adapts to the ambient lighting in your home. There's also Game Mode Extreme and Dolby Atmos on board, with the former designed to help gamers get the most out of their consoles.
The TV is also 4K 120Hz, which is a big step up, and comes with innovative tabletop stands that can elevate the set higher when placed in an alternative position.
Panasonic JX850
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- Screen sizes: 65 inch, 58 inch, 50 inch, 40 inch
- LED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Atmos
The JX850 makes a few compromises compared to the flagship model. For example, it has standard Dolby Vision on board and a slightly less powerful processor in the HCX Processor AI.
The gaming mode is less "extreme" and the panel used is Pana's HDR Bright Panel Plus.
That being said, this is another top-of-the-line LED TV for 2021 with Dolby Atmos decoding for connection to an appropriate soundbar, AV reveiver and/or speaker system.
Panasonic JX800
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- Screen sizes: 65 inch, 58 inch, 50 inch, 40 inch
- LED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive, Android OS
Further down the 2021 LED TV family comes the JX800, which loses some of the features of the ZX940 and JX850 but actually gets a new one - Android OS.
Its smart TV platform is the only TV in the range to date that features Android. It features some of Panasonic's own home screen platforms, but also gives you the best of what Google has to offer.
You don't get Dolby Atmos support on this model. Image processing is also slightly less powerful, with Panasonic's entry-level HCX processor running the show here.
Written by Rick Henderson.
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