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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 23, 2024·
If crystal-clear text and image clarity are top priorities, especially for productivity tasks like digital photo editing, the LG UltraFine with its higher resolution might be the better choice. However, the ViewSonic's high dynamic range (HDR) capabilities, with greater peak brightness and contrast, make it better suited for HDR gaming and media consumption. For competitive gaming, the ViewSonic also has an advantage with features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and a faster response time to reduce ghosting, even though it's more expensive. The right choice depends on whether you value high-resolution work tasks or a superior gaming and media viewing experience. 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 UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Best in class text clarity
- Best in class image clarity
Advantages of the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED)
- Very good response time
Key differences
Productivity
8.7
7.9
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
218 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
137 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is good.
Cost
$1,179
$2,300
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) has a price of $1,179 and the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) costs $2,300.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
6.4
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1200:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
500 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
Unknown
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1400 nits
99.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Competitive Gaming
5.0
4.6
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
14.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
3.6 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48,144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
500 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Media Consumption
7.0
6.7
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
1200:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
500 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
Unknown
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1400 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) to be good for media consumption, while the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is only fair.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) and the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) | ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,179 | $2,300 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 5120 x 2880 | 3440 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | Mini LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 1152 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1200:1 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 500 nits | 400 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | Unknown | 1400 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | ||
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 14 ms | 3.6 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | N/A | 48,144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 218 PPI | 137 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 10/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 10/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 0 | 2 | |
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
We're constantly perfecting our model
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About the monitor team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Monitors Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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