The Quick Verdict
Get the BenQ LK936ST 4K HDR Short Throw Laser Projector. It's the short-throw model of the two. It has a named golf mode, BenQ publishes an input-lag figure for it, and it lists at $200 less than the Panasonic. The Panasonic PT-VMZ51 is a standard-throw projector, so it mounts further back and needs a deeper room. It's the pick only if the projector has to sit well back from the screen anyway, or if your impact screen is 4:3 and you want a maker-stated 4:3 mode. Check price at The Indoor Golf Shop →
What They Have in Common
Each uses a laser light source rated for 20,000 hours in normal mode. Each has optical zoom, lens shift on both axes and keystone correction. They're close at list: $4,899 for the BenQ and $5,099 for the Panasonic. That's a $200 gap at list, with the BenQ lower.
Where They Differ
Throw and image size
Image width is the throw distance divided by the throw ratio, and that's where these two split. The BenQ's throw ratio runs 0.81–0.89:1. From 10 ft back it puts up an image 11.2 ft to 12.3 ft wide. For a 10 ft wide image it needs to sit 8.1 ft to 8.9 ft from the screen.
The Panasonic's ratio runs 1.09–1.77:1. From 10 ft back that's 5.6 ft to 9.2 ft wide, and a 10 ft wide image needs it 10.9 ft to 17.7 ft from the screen. The Panasonic mounts further back than a short-throw model and needs a deeper room. A sub-0.9 ratio is the difference between hanging the projector up near the hitting area and hanging it somewhere behind you. Measure the distance from where the lens will sit to the screen, then check it against those ranges.
For mounting slack, the Panasonic's 1.6 optical zoom gives it the wider spread of positions, against the BenQ's 1.1. The BenQ has more lens shift: BenQ lists vertical -60% to +60% and horizontal -23% to +23%. Panasonic lists vertical +44%, 0% and horizontal ±20%, both manual.
Screen shape
The BenQ is natively 16:9, and BenQ lists no selectable aspect modes at all. That means nothing is stated either way for a 4:3 or square screen. The Panasonic is natively 16:10, and Panasonic states 16:9 and 4:3 modes. 1:1 isn't among its stated modes. For a 4:3 impact screen, the Panasonic is the only one of the two with a maker-stated mode for it.
Brightness, lag and golf mode
The BenQ is rated at 5,100 lumens, and BenQ doesn't state the measurement standard. The Panasonic is rated at 5,200 lumens, ANSI. Those two figures aren't measured the same way, so I won't call either one brighter.
BenQ lists 16.7 ms of input lag at 1080p 60Hz. Panasonic doesn't publish an input-lag figure, so there's no gap to state. BenQ names a golf picture mode. The Panasonic has none.
Resolution and the rest
BenQ lists 3840x2160 but doesn't say how that 4K is produced. The Panasonic is 1920x1200 (WUXGA).
Keystone on the BenQ is 3D, at ±40 degrees vertical, horizontal and rotation. The Panasonic lists vertical ±25° and horizontal ±35°.
The BenQ weighs 15.4 lbs and measures 16.4 x 6.5 x 13.8 in. The Panasonic is 14.33 lbs, 1.07 lbs lighter, at 15.71 x 4.53 x 13.70 in.
Panasonic gives a 3-year warranty. BenQ publishes no warranty term for this model. The BenQ is a 2021 release and the Panasonic a 2022 one.
Who Should Buy Which
Get the BenQ LK936ST 4K HDR Short Throw Laser Projector if:
- The projector has to hang 8.1 ft to 8.9 ft from the screen for a 10 ft wide image.
- You want a projector with a maker-named golf mode.
- You want a published input-lag figure to work from: 16.7 ms at 1080p 60Hz.
- You need more lens shift to line the image up: ±60% vertical and ±23% horizontal.
- The $4,899 list price is the ceiling.
Get the Panasonic PT-VMZ51 if:
- The projector has to mount 10.9 ft to 17.7 ft from the screen for a 10 ft wide image, and the room is deep enough for that.
- Your impact screen is 4:3 and you want a mode the maker actually states for it.
- You want a published warranty term on the model itself: 3 years.
- You need the wider 1.6 zoom range to pick a mounting position.
- Weight on the mount matters, since it's 1.07 lbs lighter.
The Bottom Line
The BenQ is the default here. Its 0.81–0.89:1 throw ratio gives a 10 ft wide image from 8.1 ft to 8.9 ft back. It names a golf mode, BenQ publishes its input lag, and it lists for $200 less. Call it a hunch, but mounting distance decides this pair more than anything else on the sheet. The Panasonic PT-VMZ51 makes sense for a deeper room or a 4:3 screen. Otherwise, measure from lens to screen, check the BenQ's range, and go short throw.