The Best 4K Monitor for Photography

4K was once a mythical resolution when 1080p was getting popular.  I remember being amazed at my first 1080p monitor coming from a large VGA. 4K was an expensive joke and thought to only apply to professional studios and more commercial creative industries. You would also need a device that was capable of outputting a 4K resolution which was another hurdle.

As with all technology, over time the tech becomes more affordable and accessible at a consumer level. Today, computers and cameras are now capable of outputting and capturing 4K resolution at high framerates. Cameras are even coming out with 8K resolutions and computers are supporting multiple 4K monitors.

We’ve broke this article down so you can go straight to whichever section you’re interested in: 

1.  What is 4K, and why is 4K
2. How to Choose a Monitor
3. Bonus Features to Look For
4. Ideal Monitor Placement
5. Our Top 4K Monitor Picks

WHAT IS 4K?

4K refers to the approximate amount of horizontal pixels present in your media. The most common 4K resolution for monitors is 3840 x 2160, also commonly referred to as UHD. Ultra-High Definition.

WHY 4K FOR PHOTOGRAPHY?

Simply put, we can see much more of our images. This applies to any increase in resolution. Modern cameras and even some phones shoot over 40 MP these days.  Using a 1080p monitor (1920 x 1080 pixels), the max image resolution that can be shown on the monitor is limited to 2MP (1920×1080 = 2,073,600 pixels = 2.073 Mega pixels). We know our images have more resolution than 2MP, but with a 1080p monitor, that’s all you get.

4K monitors increase this viewable resolution significantly. 3840×2160 = 8.29 Megapixels. The megapixel count is still less than that of modern still image cameras, however the important factor here is how much more detail we are able to see. 8.29MP is four times the resolution, thus you are able to see four times more in each of your images compared against a 1080p monitor.

After using a 4K monitor for photo editing for over a year, I can’t imagine going back to 1080p for image viewing and editing. I find myself enjoying my images much more by seeing them at a dense resolution. There really is more to see.

I even had to go back and view images I had already taken simply to appreciate the increased viewing ability. The increase in details really make those images come to life. I can’t wait until monitors can show a full 20+MP photo in all its glory.

How to Choose a Monitor

Choosing a monitor should be done with a good amount of thought. If you are reading this, you are definitely on the right track. They are certainly investments as they are by no means cheap. They are a critical piece of gear that most photographers don’t think about right away. You want to make sure you are looking at all specifications offered to make an educated decision. Let’s go through how we should be choosing a monitor.

PORTS/COMPATABILITY

The first thing you need to check is your computer’s compatibility. The type of external display connection you have will drive what resolution and framerate your computer is capable of outputting.

For windows computers, you can simply look up the port type and version installed on your computer. This is most easily found on either the manufacturer’s website or a product listing page under ‘technical specs’.

Here is a breakdown of ports that support 4K resolutions well.

HDMI VERSIONS

• 1.4 – 30 Hz
• 2.0 – 30, 60 Hz
• 2.1 – 30, 60, 72, 120, 144 Hz

DISPLAY PORT VERSIONS

• 1.0  – 24, 30 Hz
• 1.2 – 24, 30, 60, 75 Hz
• 1.3/1.4 – 24, 30, 60, 75, 120 Hz
• 2.0 – 24, 30, 60, 75, 120, 144, 240 Hz

For Mac users, everymac.com is a great resource where you can select your Mac model, and your computers max resolution and framerate will be listed.

Learning more about your computer here will certainly pay off.  4K monitors can quickly become expensive for high framerate versions. It can easily be wasted money if your computer does not support the max framerate. Unless you are looking to upgrade your computer in the near future, it won’t make sense to buy a monitor that cannot be taken full advantage of.

The port on your computer is also important to know. Ideally, you would have a monitor with the matching port for a simple connection. If you have both HDMI and Display Ports, I recommend sticking with Display Port. If a Display Port and an HDMI port were both installed on your computer from the factory, chances are the Display Port is capable of a faster frame rate/refresh rate.

When using an adapting cable, it’s important to know that Display Port to an HDMI port is only uni-directional! You cannot connect a Display Port monitor to an HDMI computer without special adapters. You can only connect a Display Port computer to an HDMI monitor.

REFRESH RATE AND RESPONSE TIME

Unless you are also gaming, the requirements for refresh rate and response time are pretty low for photo editing.

Refresh rate is characterized in Hz, and refers to how many frames can be displayed in one second. Higher numbers here result in more expensive monitors, as they can display more frames at a time. For example if your computer and monitor are capable of 75Hz, your system is capable of showing you 75 frames in one second. For most people, a refresh rate of 60Hz is a good middle ground. The lowest refresh rates are 24 and 30Hz, which also work fine for the everyday user. Gamers these days usually use 144Hz monitors which demand much more of your wallet and computer. Photo editing does not require this performance. If you don’t play any video games, you can save money by going with a 30 or 60Hz monitor.

Response time is defined as how long it takes for each frame to update. The quicker the response time, the more expensive the monitor. Like refresh rates, response time is not critical for photo editing purposes. If you don’t game or watch many sports, a good target is around 5ms and below for the best price to performance ratio.

SIZE

Now that we have the frame rate, response time, and ports figured out, let’s find out how to choose the best screen size.

4K computer monitors can range anywhere from 20” to 65” diagonally. The most popular sizes are around 27” to 32”. There are a few things you want to think about when choosing a monitor size.

The pixel density is the main variable that changes with the monitor size. The industry uses ‘PPI’ to describe pixel density, which stands for Pixels Per Inch. If you find yourself relatively close to your monitor setup, a smaller screen would be more appropriate as it compresses those pixels into a smaller space. If you are really close to a large 4K monitor, you can see the pixels. For a large desk on the other hand that pushes you relatively far from your monitor, a small monitor with a high pixel density may not make sense, as you are too far to appreciate the pixel density.

Luckily we don’t hit the theoretical limit of PPI detection with 4K screens in sizes from 24”+. This is the gripe with mobile phones that have astronomically high resolution screens. The human eye is unable to detect higher than ~300ppi from 2.5ft away. A 24” 4K (3840×2160) screen has about 183PPI, 27” has 163 PPI and 32” has 137 PPI.

After thinking about what pixel density and distance away from your monitor you are, think about how you use your monitor. Do you only have a single monitor setup? Do you like viewing multiple windows at a time? Small 4K monitors using multiple windows can get crowded and hard to use effectively. Larger screens are better for sharing multiple windows unless you have a multiple monitor setup.

Lastly I also like to think about what size just looks good on my desk. Have your monitor match your space and compliment your room. Oversized and undersized monitors can make a workstation look funky.

For me, the sweet spot for pixel density, viewing pleasure, and cost is definitely a 27” screen.

DISPLAY RATIOS

A screen ratio compares the width of a screen to the height of a screen. For example 1920 x 1080, or 1920:1080, simplifies down to 16:9.

3840 X 2160 is the standard when we talk about 4K monitors. There are however, many display ratios on the market. 3840 x 2160 is a 16:9 ratio. This ratio works very well for photography. Images fit well and take up most of the pixel real estate, even in an editing program. Per the 4K standard, this is also the most popular ratio.

Other ratios that are considered 4K are the ultra-wide ratios, such as 21:9. These are terrific for gaming and dual window productivity, but not the best for photography. Because 4K refers to the horizontal pixels present, with an ultra-wide ratio the vertical pixel count is much less than 2160 pixels. A 21:9 4K monitor usually has a vertical resolution of 1600 pixels. I’m personally not a big fan of the reduced vertical resolution, along with a ratio that does not fit images well. You would have to go with a 5K 21:9 ratio to achieve 2160 vertical pixels. If you are on the fence between 16:9 or 21:9, keep in mind the 21:9 is usually significantly more expensive. For image editing, your pictures can’t use the pixel real estate effectively, unless you only edit panoramas.

MONITOR DISPLAY FINISH

Monitors come in both glossy and antiglare finishes. Glossy finishes are similar to our smartphones’ glass screens, and are very attractive. While glossy monitors do look fantastic aesthetically, this is not our friend for photo editing. Glossy monitors can reflect everything in front of it. Reflections require the brightness of monitor to overcome the brightness of the reflections. This makes photo editing difficult unless our brightness is maxed out. When we edit photos, we don’t want our monitors to be blindingly bright. This is also terrible for your eyes.

Regardless of the brightness of your monitor, shadows in your images will stay dark and automatically reveal your own reflection or other parts of your environment. I can go on about why glossy is the worst choice for a photo editing oriented monitor. Antiglare is by far the best choice of a monitor finish for a better editing experience with less distractions.

PANEL TECHNOLOGY

This section of the monitor specification is pretty simple as there is one panel type that shines in photography editing while staying affordable. That is IPS (In-Plane Swithcing) panels.

IPS panels offer a few advantages over older TN monitors. This includes:

• More accurate color reproduction
• More consistency in color reproduction
• Wide viewing angles.

Color performance is important to us photographers, so definitely stick with IPS type 4K monitors.

COLORS

While we’re on the topic, let’s discuss color output of different monitors. There are three main options out there: 8-Bit, 8-Bit +FRC, and 10-Bit.

To go through them briefly: 8-bit refers to a color palate of 16.7 million colors. 10-bit is a much larger palate at 1.07 billion colors. 8-Bit+FRC is basically an 8-Bit monitor pretending to be a 10-bit monitor by combining colors that give the illusion of 10-bit color to the viewer.

Most photo editing programs work with 8-bit unless you specify editing at a higher bit rate. 8-bit is plenty of color representation for the average photographer. 10-bit monitors are a bit more expensive and you have to ensure your computer is capable of supporting a 10-bit output as well. I only recommend 10-bit to professionals who require a strong attention to color accuracy and create prints often.

On a related note, many monitors do mention they are “color calibrated”, however this is more of a note to the common consumer. If you send out prints to customers, it’s still important to perform a proper color calibrat. A popular calibration tool is https://amzn.to/31yi5fP.

BRIGHTNESS & CONTRAST

The last important monitor specs for photo editing that we will cover is brightness and contrast.

The brightness requirement of monitors will depend on how much light is in your environment. Brightness is measured in cd/m2 (candela per square meter) or nt (nits). One cd/m2 is equal to one nt, so nits can be used interchangeably with cd/m2. I found that in a well-lit room, 300-350 cd/m2 is plenty bright. On my 300 cd/m2 monitor, it almost hurts my eyes to keep the display at 100% brightness. Brightness on monitors can go way up to 1000 cd/m2. If you keep your monitor indoors in a normally lit room, 300-350 cd/m2 is the sweet spot and a common offering in 4K monitors. If you are outdoors or in an otherwise bright environment, you may benefit from the increased brightness of 400+ cd/m2 monitors.

Contrast ratio is the ratio between a monitors brightest whites and darkest blacks. This is commonly used to judge how dark a monitors blacks are. The larger the ratio, the darker the blacks. I found an extremely high contrast ratio is not necessary for photo editing. In most editing programs, we have tools that assist us in viewing the darkest shadows as we can’t trust our eyes. This confirms what parts of our images are actually black and what is a dark shadow, without the need for a high contrast ratio screen. Common offerings on the market include 1000:1 and 1300:1 contrast ratios. Either of these will work well for photography, and will also save us money.

Bonus Features for a 4K Monitor

Now that we have all the technicalities out of the way, let’s look for the other less formal features that are great benefits in 4K monitors.

COLOR PROFILES

Color profiles are different settings that control the screen’s color output. Some monitors have gaming modes, cinema modes, and most useful of all, a reading mode. Reading mode saves your eyes by reducing the blue light in your monitor. Reducing blue light makes a screen less intense on your eyes. If you do a lot of reading on your computer, definitely look for this feature. If your monitor has color profiles, there is likely a photo editing color profile as well. This is the profile that can be calibrated.

AUDIO OUT

Both HDMI and Display Port carry audio as well as video. Some monitors have speakers built in, however those typically have abysmal audio quality. I always appreciate the sound of some quality speakers. An audio out connection will allow you to easily connect speakers of your choice.

CABLE MANAGEMENT

Display cables, power cables, & now audio cables. All of these will be coming out of your monitor and may not look very pretty. Many monitors offer simple built in features that allow clean cable management. This is also an important feature for making sure you have a clean and attractive desk.

USB

Some monitors come with a USB connection that extends USB ports onto your monitor. This is great if your computer is not as easily accessible as your monitor.  USB ports on monitors are a nice convenience to have. Combine this with a USB card reader for easy uploading of your images.

VIEWING FLEXIBILITY

Monitors come with a variety of viewing adjustment mechanisms. Some monitors allow you to rotate the entire screen, raise and lower the screen, and also tilt the screen. Think about what features you would benefit from at your work station. If you have a standing desk, you may want height and tilt adjustments. If the reflections in your monitor vary throughout the day, maybe a rotating base would help.

BEZEL-LESS AESTHETIC

This last item is another purely cosmetic feature that is not necessary, but is very attractive. Bezel-less monitors are becoming more common these days and are much more visually appealing than large monitor bezels. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the image meets the frame of the monitor. Bezel-less monitors the ones where no plastic framing surrounding your display. The front most panel of the monitor is simply smooth with the outer edges. Though I mentioned this is cosmetic alone, a huge functional advantage here is that the monitor is easy to wipe down when collecting dust. With bezels, you have no choice but to accidentally trap dust in bezel crevices you cannot access. Without bezels, cleaning dust off the monitor becomes quick and easy

Our Picks

The sweet spot of the best value 4K monitors for photo editing lands within $400 – $600 at the time of writing. Our favorite brands for monitors are LG, Dell, and BenQ. LG has such a wide offering of 4K monitors, which allows many models to be in our price range. Dell is very popular for their offering of IPS monitors. They also make some of the most clean looking monitors on the market. BenQ is a more premium option with 4K monitors, and are very popular in the photography community.

Keeping all of your criteria in mind, here are our picks on the best budget 4K monitors for photo editing.

1) 24″ Monitor Pick: Dell P2415Q 23.8″ Ultra HD 4K Monitor

Available on Amazon

Available on B&H

• 23.8” Display
• IPS Panel, 8 Bit + FRC
• 60Hz, 8ms Response
• 1000:1 Contrast, 300cd/m2

2) 27” Budget Pick: LG 27UL550-W 27″ 16:9 4K HDR FreeSync IPS Gaming Monitor

Available on Amazon

Available on B&H

• 27” Display
• IPS Panel, 10 Bit
• 60Hz, 5ms Response
• 1000:1 Contrast, 300cd/m2

3) 27″ Brighter, Bezel-less: LG 27BL85U-W 27″ 16:9 HDR FreeSync 4K IPS Monitor

Available on Amazon

Available on B&H

• 27” Display
• IPS Panel, 10 Bit
• 60Hz, 5ms Response
• 1000:1 Contrast, 400cd/m2
• Bezel-less

4) 27″ High Contrast: Dell U2720Q UltraSharp 27″ 16:9 HDR 4K IPS Monitor

Available on Amazon

Available on B&H

27” Display
• IPS Panel, 10 Bit
• 60Hz, 5ms Response
• 1300:1 Contrast, 350cd/m2
• Bezel-less

5) 27″ High Contrast BenQ: BenQ EW2780U 27″ 16:9 4K HDR IPS Monitor

Available on Amazon

Available on B&H

• 27” Display
• IPS Panel, 8 Bit
• 60Hz, 5ms Response
• 1300:1 Contrast, 350cd/m2
• Bezel-less