Rusty Lens

...in post processing has been my monitor. I've finally decided to open the purse a bit to improve that area. I'm looking for 23" to 25" max size, my available space is small. Want In Line Switching(IPS), 1920X1080 at least, acceptable speed, rotatable, and decent calibration settings. My budget is $300 or less. Open to any suggestions or am I wishing for too much. Thanks in advance for your input.

Rick0747

Try looking at Benq monitors. There are many models and maybe one fits your needs and budget. B&H Photo has some but go to the Benq website (www.benq.com) to see the full line.

Ourspolair

Not sure that you will get a BenQ in that price range, but you can find some good IPS 4k monitors around that pricepoint (HP, Samsung, Viewsonic).
Check the reviews and look for sales. Make sure that it can be calibrated.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Back in 2016 I googled something like "best monitor for digital picture editing". You could spend from $150 to $1000+ for the several different monitors on a few "top 10" review sites I found via the google. A consistent entry on the rating lists as a good mix of quality to price was the Dell - UltraSharp U2415 24" IPS LED that I could order online and drive over to Best Buy and pick up, resolution 1920 x 1200.

Be sure to consider where you plan to place and use the monitor. Today in 2021 I'd be tempted to consider the Dell UltraSharp 27 Monitor instead, giving a 2560x1440 resolution. But, I'm not sure I have room here at the end of my desk for that larger monitor.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

I have two 27" monitors on a dual monitor pole, a Dell and an LG, that I use on my main PC for most work and all photo work. I calibrate both (ColorMunki) and there isn't any difference between the two in terms of rendition and sharpness. One monitor has the photo I am processing and the other has all the menus and tools I access. Never had a problem with either or previous Dells or LG's. I used to have an LG that rotated, but I rarely used it that way. Do you plan on using a calibration tool or just eye it with in monitor adjustments?

I do have a 24" LG used on another PC for Autocad work only. I calibrate that once in a blue moon. My wife has a 27" Samsung monitor in her studio, which I don't like, but she is fine with it.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Baysitter11 Loc: Cincinnati

ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV 27” WQHD (2560 x 1440) Monitor, 100% sRGB/Rec. 709 ΔE < 2, IPS, DisplayPort HDMI DVI-D Mini DP, Calman Verified, Eye Care, Anti-Glare, Tilt Pivot Swivel Height Adjustable

These run on Amazon at $289. They have the 24” version that I have now. Has met my photo editing needs and beyond.

irishrover61 Loc: Miami, FL

You might want to take a look at this:

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-PA278QV-DisplayPort-Anti-Glare-Adjustable/dp/B088BC5HMM?th=1

Though the screen resolution is higher than you requested, the price point is there.

I actually use this monitor and even though it is pre-calibrated, I still calibrate using the Data Color SpyderX Pro.

This monitor has worked extremely well for my purposes and needs.

markwilliam1

Agreed on the ASUS monitors! I have the 24 and 27” versions. Incredible colors! Best Bang for the Buck!

Baysitter11 Loc: Cincinnati

one_eyed_pete Loc: Colonie NY

I think the most important factor is to calibrate whatever monitor you use. I have had good experience using an ASUS VA24D monitor (I have dual). I just purchased one (24") for $119 on Amazon. I use a SPYDER calibration tool I think cost me around $79 a while ago. You can spend lots more but I don't think you'll get more bang for your buck.

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

Benq has a great lineup of monitors specifically for photography. The SW240 (link below) is a 24" photo monitor. The SW240 is a little over your stated budget of $300.00, selling for #399.00.

I currently own and use a 27" Benq SW2700PT and am very happy with it.

https://www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/photographer/sw240.html

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Can you stretch your budget a little bit? (That's what credit cards are for! )

Check out the BenQ SW240 24.1" Photoview IPS https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1397520-REG/benq_sw240_24_ips_wuxga.html

- IPS
- 1920x1200
- 16:10 aspect ratio, which is nice on monitors smaller than 27" when working in post-processing
software... the much more common wide screen 10:9 gets a little "tight" in 24" and 25" monitors.
- 10-bit, 1 billion + colors
- 99% Adobe RGB
- 100% sRGB
- and much more.

The only problem is that it's $369. Still, that's a bargain for such a high specification monitor.

Also, this is one of their more entry-level models and so doesn't include a sunshade, which is a very useful and helpful accessory. There's one available to fit it https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1397519-REG/benq_sh240_shading_hood_for.html, but it's another $99. (For far less $ I made one out of 8 or 9" wide, matte black 1/2" foam core and fasten it to my monitor with Velcro. Works great.)

Finally, do you have a calibration device like a Datacolor Spyder or X-Rite i1Display? Virtually any monitor will benefit greatly from using one of those. Your post-processing can only be as accurate as your monitor, and ALL monitors need occasional calibration and adjustment! Of course, it's additional cost if you don't already have a calibration device... about $170 for basic versions of either of the above. But if you do very much printing a calibration device will eventually pay for itself in savings of wasted paper and ink.

markwilliam1

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wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

FWIW, I bought a Benq monitor a year or two ago, on sale at B&H. It may have been this one, but whatever it was it handled 10-bit color and had terrific reviews, so it seemed to be a great value for the money. (It may have been $399, but it included the sun shade.) I bought it in a hurry, as the sale was about to end, and studied up on it while waiting for delivery.

What I recall learning was that the 10-bit color feature was only available if your video card put out 10 bit data. My Mac Mini did not, and of course Minis have no "video card" to replace to get it. So when the monitor arrived, I ended up returning it unopened.

Newer Macs than mine may now output 10-bit color data. If you're on a PC your video card may already do so, and if it doesn't you may be able to install a card that does (at additional cost, of course.) But it's something to be aware of in any event.