Monitor Buying Guide: Top Monitors for Photo Editing
Photo by gorodenkoff via iStock
If you ask me, one of the most underrated pieces of photography gear is the computer monitor sitting on your desk.
I mean, you can invest in the best cameras and lenses, but if you don't have the right photo editing gear at your disposal, it's awfully hard to bring out all the wonderful qualities in the images you take.
Now, obviously a good computer that can handle power-hungry tasks like photo editing is a must. So too is a good photo editing program. But for too many photographers, the "good" ends there, and they combine that killer computer with a bargain-basement monitor.
This is like using the cheapest filters you can find with a high-end lens...
So, let's stop using insufficient monitors and buy something that gives you the features you need to edit your photos like a pro!
My Monitor Experience
Before I get to the monitor buying guide, I want to quickly explain my monitor setup.
I have a ViewSonic VP3881 38-inch ultra-widescreen curved monitor as my primary screen and a ViewSonic VP3481 34-inch widescreen curved monitor as my secondary screen.
As you can see above and below, I have the 34-inch monitor stacked on top of the 38-inch monitor.
I've had this setup for going on a year now, and I cannot understate the difference it has made in my post-processing workflow.
For starters, with all this screen real estate, I can stack windows, which enables me to have multiple images open at the same time. What's more, as I'm editing my images, I can have my email open, a YouTube tutorial open, and so forth, so I can multitask with the best of them.
Another benefit of this setup is having curved monitors. ViewSonic bills these widescreen curved monitors as being an "immersive" viewing experience...and they aren't kidding!
Whether I'm editing photos or videos or simply attending to the mundane daily tasks of running a business, these monitors offer a beautiful, comfortable, immersive view of the tasks before me.
Additionally, curved monitors help minimize eye strain and lessen distortion as you view the screen, so the view is quite pleasing to the eye. Of course, these monitors are also high-resolution and have the ability to display 4.39 trillion colors, so that certainly helps in making these monitors a joy to look at.
So, I tell you all of this as a quick way of saying that I am a huge fan of ViewSonic monitors. They are the best I've ever had, and for that reason, I will be using ViewSonic monitors as prime examples of what to look for as you shop for a monitor for photo editing.
Without further ado, let's get to it!
Best Ultra-Widescreen Monitor for Photo Editing: ViewSonic VP3881
As far as I'm concerned, the ViewSonic VP3881 is the best bang for your buck when it comes to ultra-widescreen monitors for photo editing.
As I noted before, the curved design offers you an immersive viewing experience and the ability to produce 4.39 trillion colors gives you a view with gorgeous, vivid colors that delight your eyes.
This is also a WQHD+ SuperClear IPS monitor. What that means is that you get lifelike colors that really help you in perfecting your images in post-processing.
It has screen-wide SRGB, EBU, SMPTE-C, Rec. 709, and DICOM-SIM color spaces, so you're certainly covered there. You also get the advantage of 14-bit LUT and 3D LUT support, an integrated color uniformity function to ensure consistent color across the screen, and 6-axis color enhancement.
Add in Delta E<2 accuracy, quick and easy hardware calibration, and flexible connectivity options (including USB 3.1 Type C, HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2, and DisplayPort inputs) and you have the makings of a beast of a monitor for editing your photos!
Having ViewSplit technology is a Godsend as well - you can create your own customized work environment on the screen so you can dial in a workflow that works best for you for editing photos.
Learn more about the ViewSonic VP3881
Best Widescreen Monitor for Photo Editing: ViewSonic VP3481
If a massive 38-inch screen isn't something you want or need, then I'd highly suggest the ViewSonic VP3481 as the perfect alternative. Find out why in my ViewSonic VP3481 review!
Not only will this monitor fit into tighter spaces than its big brother, but you also don't lose any of the incredible features I discussed above...
You still get an immersive viewing experience with 4.39 trillion colors. You still get ViewSplit technology so you can multitask. You also get the benefits of less eye strain and distortion thanks to the curvature of the screen.
But let's not rehash all of the same excellent features...
Instead, let's go over a few other things that make this monitor and the VP3881 my top choices.
I don't just edit photos, I also spend a lot of time editing videos. This monitor has HDR10 support, which gives me a fuller and more engaging viewing experience whether I'm watching raw footage that I shot or the finished product on YouTube.
I also appreciate the 100Hz refresh rate when I'm doing video work. I get tear-free playback for the optimal viewing experience. If you're a gamer, this is a great feature for you too!
Of course, we can't overlook the three-year warranty with access to ViewSonic's U.S.-based customer care team. These guys are there to help you when you need it!
Not only do you get all these features, but if you're on a tighter budget, the ViewSonic VP3481 is more affordable than its larger counterpart by about $300.
Learn more about the ViewSonic VP3481
Learn More:
Best Mid-Size Monitor for Photo Editing: ViewSonic VP2785-4K
If your needs or the space on your desk necessitate a smaller footprint than the previous two monitors on this list, an excellent alternative is the ViewSonic VP2785-4K.
At 27-inches wide, this monitor is significantly smaller than the 34-inch VP3481 monitor discussed above. But a 27-inch monitor is still quite a large screen for tackling your photo editing needs.
The 4K monitor offers a resolution of 3840x2160 and uses a 60Hz IPS display that is ideal for your photography and videography editing.
This monitor offers excellent color accuracy as well - 99 percent Adobe RGB, EBU, SMPTE-C, Rec. 709, and DICOM-SIM, all of which are screenwide. You also get the same Delta E<2 accuracy and 4.39 trillion colors. There is minimal color bleeding and highly accurate color representation as well.
You can pair this monitor with laptops or PCs, as well as Macintosh operating systems. It comes with USB 3.1 Type C, HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2, DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort input options.
The VP2785-4K has productivity features like a built-in ambient light sensor, a KVM switch, and an ergonomic design as well.
Of course, this monitor also has the same three-year warranty, HDR10 content support, and hardware calibration as the VP3881 and VP3481. So, you get all the high-end features you want in a much smaller package!
Learn more about the ViewSonic VP2785-4K
Best Budget Monitor for Photo Editing: ViewSonic VX2476-SMHD
For those of you that want a beautiful display for editing your photos but simply don't have the money to invest in a professional-grade monitor, this 24-inch ViewSonic VX2476-SMHD is a very well-priced option.
It offers a full 1080p HD view with a resolution of 1920x1080. The super-clean IPS panel gives you clear, crisp views from virtually any angle while the flicker-free technology and blue light filter enhance the comfort level of long-term viewing.
The frameless design gives you more screen space for the size, so if you have precious little real estate on your desk, this frameless design will be worth a good, hard look.
This monitor will work with Macs, PCs, laptops, and desktop computers. You have the option of connectivity via VGA, HDMI 1.4, or DisplayPort inputs. You also get the same three-year warranty with U.S.-based customer service as the more expensive options on this list.
While this is not a high-end monitor, you certainly get a lot of bang for your buck - this monitor is compact, has a sharp and detailed display, and has a price tag well below $150!
Learn more about the ViewSonic VX2476-SMHD
