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Updated April 12, 2024·
If you prioritize high-quality color reproduction and deep blacks for tasks like print photo editing, the LG 27EQ850 with its OLED panel offers exceptional contrast and color depth, making it a good choice for HDR gaming and media consumption. However, this monitor could be less ideal for productivity due to the risk of burn-in with static images. On the other hand, the LG UltraFine 5K boasts a higher resolution, which is great for clarity during productivity tasks and digital photo editing but doesn't offer the same level of performance in HDR content. If competitive gaming is a priority, neither monitor is optimal due to lower refresh rates, but casual gamers will find both adequate. The UltraFine 5K's glossy screen can produce more vibrant images but may show more reflection, whereas the W-OLED's matte finish reduces glare. Consider the LG UltraFine 5K if you seek a balance between image quality and value, especially for productivity and photo editing. Choose the LG 27EQ850 if your budget allows and you desire top-tier HDR performance. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the LG 27EQ850 (W-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
- Best in class text clarity
- Best in class image clarity
- Good brightness
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
200 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
Unknown
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
99.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.0 %
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The LG 27EQ850 (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is only fair.
Productivity
6.6
8.7
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
163 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
218 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the LG 27EQ850 (W-OLED) is only fair.
Media Consumption
7.8
7.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
200 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
Unknown
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The LG 27EQ850 (W-OLED) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are both good for media consumption, though the LG 27EQ850 (W-OLED) is somewhat better.
Cost
$1,997
$1,179
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The LG 27EQ850 (W-OLED) has a price of $1,997 and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) costs $1,179.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The LG 27EQ850 (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The LG 27EQ850 (W-OLED) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The LG 27EQ850 (W-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing while the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Competitive Gaming
5.4
5.0
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.0 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
200 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
The LG 27EQ850 (W-OLED) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the LG 27EQ850 (W-OLED) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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How the LG 27EQ850 (W-OLED) and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| LG 27EQ850 (W-OLED) | LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,997 | $1,179 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 5120 x 2880 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | W-OLED | IPS | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 1200:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 200 nits | 500 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | Unknown | Unknown | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 99 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1 ms | 14 ms | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.6/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 163 PPI | 218 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Glossy | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.9/10 | 10/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 1 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Give feedback
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