Christie Captiva DWU500S vs Optoma ZH520

Christie Captiva DWU500S is sharper. Optoma ZH520 is quieter and lighter.

	Christie Captiva DWU500S	Optoma ZH520MSRP $2,699

Key differences
White light output
White light output	5,000 lm ISO · 4,500 lm ANSI	—
Native resolution
Native resolution	WUXGA (1920 × 1200)	1080p (1920 × 1080)
Throw ratio
Throw ratio	0.25:1	1.13–1.47:1
Lowest input lag
Lowest input lag	—	8.6 msDerived
Fan noise
Fan noise	Normal 36 dB(A) · Eco 30 dB(A)	Max 35 dB(A) · Normal 29 dB(A)
MSRP
MSRP	—	$2,699
Room fit80″100″120″150″
Distance to screen
Distance to screen	0.54 m	2.5–3.3 m
Picture
White light output
White light output	5,000 lm ISO · 4,500 lm ANSI	—
Claimed brightness (non-standard)
Claimed brightness (non-standard)	—	5,500 lm
Brightness uniformity
Brightness uniformity	—	75%
Imaging technology
Imaging technology	DLP	DLP
Chip / panel diagonal
Chip / panel diagonal	0.67 in	0.65 in
Native resolution
Native resolution	WUXGA (1920 × 1200)	1080p (1920 × 1080)
Native aspect
Native aspect	16:10Derived	16:9Derived
Dynamic contrast
Dynamic contrast	—	3,000,000:1
Gamma / EOTF presets
Gamma / EOTF presets	—	2.2, 2.4
Colour management (CMS)
Colour management (CMS)	—	6-axis
3D
3D	Yes	Yes
3D formats
3D formats	Frame packing, Side-by-side, Top-bottom, Frame sequential	Side-by-side, Top-bottom, Frame sequential
3D glasses sync
3D glasses sync	DLP-Link	DLP-Link
Light source
Light source
Light source	Laser (phosphor)	Laser (phosphor)
Light-source life
Light-source life	20,000 h	Up to 30,000 h max
Light output control
Light output control	—	Steps
Cool-down time
Cool-down time	—	90 s
Optics
Throw ratio
Throw ratio	0.25:1	1.13–1.47:1
Image size
Image size	130–150 in	30.72–320 in
Projection offset
Projection offset	—	116%
Zoom
Zoom	—	Optical
Zoom ratio
Zoom ratio	—	1.3×Derived
Focal length
Focal length	—	16.9–21.61 mm
Aperture (f-number)
Aperture (f-number)	2.4	2.43–2.78
Focus
Focus	—	Manual
Autofocus
Autofocus	—	No
Vertical lens shift
Vertical lens shift	—	None
Vertical keystone
Vertical keystone	—	30°
Horizontal keystone
Horizontal keystone	—	30°
Corner correction
Corner correction	4-corner	4-corner
Lens material
Lens material	Glass	—
Motion & gaming
Max input refresh
Max input refresh	—	1080p: 120 Hz
Input lag
Input lag	—	1080p: 60 Hz 17 ms · 120 Hz 8.6 ms · 4K UHD: 60 Hz 17 ms
Inputs & control
HDMI inputs
HDMI inputs	2 × HDMI	2 × HDMI 2.0 (HDCP 2.2)
Other video inputs
Other video inputs	VGA	—
Max input resolution
Max input resolution	WUXGA	4K UHD
Audio inputs
Audio inputs	3.5 mm, Microphone	—
Control ports
Control ports	RS-232	RS-232
PJLink
PJLink	—	Class 2
Control-system drivers
Control-system drivers	Crestron, AMX	Crestron, AMX
Horizontal scan
Horizontal scan	—	15–140 kHz
Vertical scan
Vertical scan	—	24–120 Hz
Smart platform
Ethernet
Ethernet	Yes	Yes
Audio
Speaker power
Speaker power	10 W	15 W
Speakers
Speakers	1	1
Layout
Layout	Mono	—
Audio outputs
Audio outputs	3.5 mm	3.5 mm
HDMI audio return
HDMI audio return	NoneDerived	NoneDerived
Physical & installation
Dimensions (W × D × H)
Dimensions (W × D × H)	383 × 318 × 88 mm	274 × 216 × 109 mm
Weight
Weight	5,800 g	3,402 g
Colours
Colours	Black, White	—
Orientations
Orientations	Table, Ceiling, Rear, Portrait	Table, Ceiling, Rear, Portrait, 360°
Ceiling mount
Ceiling mount	—	M4, screws ≥ 10 mm
Ingress protection
Ingress protection	—	IP6X
Environment & power
Operating temperature
Operating temperature	5–40°C	0–40°C
Operating humidity
Operating humidity	10–85%RH	—
Altitude
Altitude	3,048 m · high-altitude mode	2,500 m · high-altitude mode
Power draw
Power draw	Max 350 W · Eco 250 W	Max 205 W · Eco 128 W
Standby
Standby	Up to 0.5 W	Up to 0.5 W
Networked standby
Networked standby	Up to 2 W	—
Power supply
Power supply	—	External adapter
Mains input
Mains input	100–240 V · 50/60 Hz	100–240 V · 50/60 Hz
DC input
DC input	—	19.5 V
Fan noise
Fan noise	Normal 36 dB(A) · Eco 30 dB(A)	Max 35 dB(A) · Normal 29 dB(A)
Safety & support
Laser class
Laser class	Class 1	Class 1
Risk group
Risk group	RG2	RG2
FDA laser notice
FDA laser notice	Notice 57	Notice 57
Marks
Marks	CE, FCC, UL, CCC	FCC
Warranty
Warranty	—	3 yr (light source 5 yr or 12,000 h)
User manual
User manual	https://www.christiedigital.com/globalassets/resources/public/020-001919-04-Christie-LIT-MAN-USR-Captiva-DWU500S.pdf	https://region-resource.optoma.com/products/import/Documents/7a6b0cdc-b771-4275-9e68-3d359a5c9b54.pdf
Firmware
Firmware	1.2.0 (Jun 2026)	—
In the box
In the box
In the box	Power cord, Remote	Power cord, Power adapter, Remote, Remote batteries, User manual
Remote
Remote	IR	—