Comparison
ZK521ST-B vs PT-VMZ51S
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A side-by-side look at how the Optoma ZK521ST-B and Panasonic PT-VMZ51S compare on specs, accuracy, room requirements, and price. No hype — just the parts of the decision a buyer actually weighs.
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More comparisons with the ZK521ST-B and PT-VMZ51S
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Prices confirmed Nov 10, 2026 · we check every retailer daily
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Prices confirmed Nov 10, 2026 · we check every retailer daily
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Full specificationsEvery spec for both, line by line
Specifications
The numbers, lined up.
Image
| Spec | ZK521ST-B | PT-VMZ51S |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840×2160); Optoma's page says native 4K UHD but names no chip | WUXGA (1920×1200), 16:10; 3LCD (three 0.64-in panels); 4K input shown at 1920×1200 |
| Lumens | 5,000 (ISO 21118; Optoma's spec page now says 5,100, its datasheet and golf brochure 5,000; the lower figure is used) | 5,200 (ISO 21118 and ANSI; 5,500 center) |
| Picture Mode | Golf Sim colour mode (preset) | — |
- ResolutionZK521ST-B4K UHD (3840×2160); Optoma's page says native 4K UHD but names no chipPT-VMZ51SWUXGA (1920×1200), 16:10; 3LCD (three 0.64-in panels); 4K input shown at 1920×1200
- LumensZK521ST-B5,000 (ISO 21118; Optoma's spec page now says 5,100, its datasheet and golf brochure 5,000; the lower figure is used)PT-VMZ51S5,200 (ISO 21118 and ANSI; 5,500 center)
- Picture ModeZK521ST-BGolf Sim colour mode (preset)PT-VMZ51S—
Hardware
| Spec | ZK521ST-B | PT-VMZ51S |
|---|---|---|
| Light Source | DuraCore laser (30,000 hours, eco) | Laser (20,000 hours to half brightness; 24,000 in Eco) |
| Throw Ratio | 0.79:1 (short throw) | 1.09–1.77 (1.6× manual zoom) |
| Lens Shift | Vertical, 106–125% offset (Optoma's page says 104–125%, its calculator 106–127%; the overlap is used) | Vertical +44% (one direction), horizontal ±20% (manual) |
| Lens | Golf Sim Short Throw Lens (Optoma's name), fixed 0.79:1 | — |
| Dimensions | — | 15.71 × 13.7 × 5.24 in (W × D × H, with feet) |
- Light SourceZK521ST-BDuraCore laser (30,000 hours, eco)PT-VMZ51SLaser (20,000 hours to half brightness; 24,000 in Eco)
- Throw RatioZK521ST-B0.79:1 (short throw)PT-VMZ51S1.09–1.77 (1.6× manual zoom)
- Lens ShiftZK521ST-BVertical, 106–125% offset (Optoma's page says 104–125%, its calculator 106–127%; the overlap is used)PT-VMZ51SVertical +44% (one direction), horizontal ±20% (manual)
- LensZK521ST-BGolf Sim Short Throw Lens (Optoma's name), fixed 0.79:1PT-VMZ51S—
- DimensionsZK521ST-B—PT-VMZ51S15.71 × 13.7 × 5.24 in (W × D × H, with feet)
Performance
| Spec | ZK521ST-B | PT-VMZ51S |
|---|---|---|
| Input Lag | 16.8 ms at 4K/60Hz with Enhanced Gaming on (manual; the page says 16.7), 33.5 ms with it off; 8.6 ms at 1080p/120Hz (the datasheet says 8.4; the higher is used) | — |
- Input LagZK521ST-B16.8 ms at 4K/60Hz with Enhanced Gaming on (manual; the page says 16.7), 33.5 ms with it off; 8.6 ms at 1080p/120Hz (the datasheet says 8.4; the higher is used)PT-VMZ51S—
Requirements
| Spec | ZK521ST-B | PT-VMZ51S |
|---|---|---|
| Throw Distance | 100 in at about 5.7 ft, 150 in at about 8.6 ft (Optoma's manual; its datasheet says about 5.5 ft for 100 in) | 100 in (16:10) at about 7.7–12.5 ft (Panasonic's throw table) |
- Throw DistanceZK521ST-B100 in at about 5.7 ft, 150 in at about 8.6 ft (Optoma's manual; its datasheet says about 5.5 ft for 100 in)PT-VMZ51S100 in (16:10) at about 7.7–12.5 ft (Panasonic's throw table)
Room planner
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The planner draws each unit to scale with your room and your swing: where it mounts, the throw it needs, and whether your shadow crosses the light. Put in your room once, then switch units in the planner to compare.
Persona fitWho each one is better for
Who each one is better for
Honest persona fit, side by side.
Better for ZK521ST-B
- Showroom
5,000 lumens of 4K on a 150-inch screen is what a showroom room is actually buying, and this reaches it $1,100 under the ProBeam and $2,200 under the LK936ST.
- Performance Seeker
4K with published low lag and a dedicated Golf Sim colour preset. Brightness that survives a room with windows in it.
- Family Setup
Bright enough that the room does not have to be dark to be usable, which matters more in a shared space than anywhere else.
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