The Panasonic PT-L500U and the Sanyo PLV-Z2 are both outstanding products for the money. They both represent significant advances in image quality from their predecessors, the PT-L300U and the PLV-Z1. They are both head and shoulders above other products in their price range, and they set new standards for image quality under $2,000. In terms of pure image quality there is not a significant difference between them—one does not noticeably outperform the other. This will lead to lots of spirited arguments between happy users claiming that the one they've got is better than the one they don't have. Frankly, you can't lose with either machine.

PANASONIC PTA500 SANYO PLVZ2

With respect to pixelation, many will recall that the lower resolution Panasonic L300 had a real advantage over the Sanyo Z1 in reduced pixelation. This as much as anything contributed to the L300's ability to command higher street prices over the past year. However, Sanyo has closed the gap on this disadvantage with the release of the Z2. Though the L500 still maintains an edge in reduced pixelation, the difference is not nearly as great as it was between the L300 and Z1. Though the differences in image quality are difficult to distinguish, the dedicated videophile will find subtle refinements in the L500 that give it an edge over the Z2. And the tweaker will certainly enjoy the wider array of gamma, brightness, and contrast controls offered by the L500.

If part of your joy as a home theater enthusiast is derived from the pleasure of attaining and maintaining perfect calibration of the projector then the L500 is the better choice for you on two conditions.

First, your installation plan can be achieved with the L500's native throw distance geometry without relying on keystone correction. Second, you plan for viewing in a light controlled environment and would not need extra brightness in exchange for a reduction in contrast as is offered by the Z2's variable aperture feature. Under these circumstances we would say the L500 is the best choice you could possibly make for the investment.

If on the other hand you feel the Z2's lens shift, vertical keystone potential, and variable aperture features are going to be helpful in your installation and ongoing usage, you can go for the Z2 with the assurance that any sacrifice in image quality is subtle indeed. In point of fact, if anyone familiar with both of these machines were shown just one of them in a demo room, they'd have a 50/50 chance of guessing which one they were looking at. So we are talking about subtle differences that can only be detected in a direct side-by-side comparison.

The Panasonic PT-L500U and Sanyo PLV-Z2 are both impressive achievements. Both advance the state of the art and set new benchmarks for image quality under $2,000. Both are highly recommended, each for their respective advantages over the other.