Panasonic PT-MZ16KL Laser Projector Review

The Panasonic PT-MZ16KL is an installation class 3LCD laser projector with WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200) resolution and rated brightness of 16,000 lumens. The PT-MZ16KL uses a laser/phosphor wheel light engine rated to deliver 20,000 hours of operation.

The PT-MZ16KL is compatible with a total of seven lenses ranging from a .0.480–0.550 Short Throw model to a 4.14–7.40 Zoom unit so you have plenty of installation flexibility. Of course, the PT-MZ16KL has all the connections you would expect on a higher-end business/education class projector including a DVI-D, HDMI 2.0b, HDBaseT port, and 3G-SDI.

The PT-MZ16KL is available in a black chassis (PT-MZ16KLBU) and a white chassis (PT-MZ16KLWU). For this review, the Panasonic provide the black unit along with a mid-zoom ET-EMS600 lens.

The Panasonic PT-MZ16KL is a 16,000 lumen WUXGA installation projector with a laser/phosphor light engine which is rated for 20,000 hours of low maintenance operation.

The PT-MZ16KL is part of Panasonic’s MZ Series of WUXGA installation laser projectors which also includes the 10,000 lumens PT-MZ10KL and the 13,000 lumens PT-MZ13KL. All three models utilize the same chassis (approx. 25-19/32” W × 7-9/32” H 17-21/64” D without lens) and they each weigh about 49.2 pounds.

The PT-MZ16KL does not ship with a lens but it is compatible with a total of seven lenses ranging from a 0.480–0.550 Short Throw Zoom lens to a 4.14–7.40 Long Throw Zoom lens for plenty of installation flexibility. For this review the ET-EMS600 lens was utilized. It is a middle-throw zoom lens with a throw ratio of 1.35 - 2.10:1.

The PT-MZ16KL utilizes a 3LCD imager instead of the single DLP chip found in many business projectors for improved color reproduction. By precisely modulating the PT-MZ16KL laser light output, Panasonic claims the PT-MZ16KL can deliver a dynamic contrast ratio of 3,000,000;1.

The PT-MZ16KL has all the connection you would expect on a high installation projector including an HDMI, DVI-D, SDI as well as a DIGITAL LINK/LAN (HDBaseT) input. While the PT-MZ16KL is a WUXGA projector, it can accept up to 4K@60P content via its HDMI and DIGITAL LINK terminals (HDBaseT) for increased clarity and detail.