Christie Captiva DWU500S vs Optoma ZH521

Christie Captiva DWU500S is sharper. Optoma ZH521 is brighter and lighter.

	Christie Captiva DWU500S	Optoma ZH521

Key differences
White light outputISO
White light outputISO	5,000 lm ISO · 4,500 lm ANSI	5,500 lm ISO
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
HDR formats
HDR formats	—	HDR10, HLG
Fan noise
Fan noise	Normal 36 dB(A) · Eco 30 dB(A)	Normal 35 dB(A) · Eco 29 dB(A)
Room fit80″100″120″150″
Distance to screen
Distance to screen	0.54 m	2.5–3.3 m
Picture
White light outputISO
White light outputISO	5,000 lm ISO · 4,500 lm ANSI	5,500 lm ISO
Brightness uniformity
Brightness uniformity	—	75%
Imaging technology
Imaging technology	DLP	DLP
Chip / panel diagonal
Chip / panel diagonal	0.67 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
HDR formats
HDR formats	—	HDR10, HLG
3D
3D	Yes	Yes
3D formats
3D formats	Frame packing, Side-by-side, Top-bottom, Frame sequential	Frame packing, Side-by-side, Top-bottom
3D glasses sync
3D glasses sync	DLP-Link	—
Light source
Light source
Light source	Laser (phosphor)	Laser (phosphor)
Emitter
Emitter	—	Blue laser + phosphor
Light-source life
Light-source life	20,000 h	30,000 h eco
Optics
Throw ratio
Throw ratio	0.25:1	1.13–1.47:1
Image size
Image size	130–150 in	30–306 in
Projection offset
Projection offset	—	116%
Zoom
Zoom	—	Optical
Zoom ratio
Zoom ratio	—	1.3×Derived
Focal length
Focal length	—	16.9–21.6 mm
Aperture (f-number)
Aperture (f-number)	2.4	2.43–2.78
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
Input lag
Input lag	—	1080p: 60 Hz 16.7 ms · 120 Hz 8.6 ms · 4K UHD: 60 Hz 16.7 ms
Inputs & control
HDMI inputs
HDMI inputs	2 × HDMI	2 × HDMI 2.0
Other video inputs
Other video inputs	VGA	VGA
Max input resolution
Max input resolution	WUXGA	DCI 4K
Audio inputs
Audio inputs	3.5 mm, Microphone	3.5 mm
Control ports
Control ports	RS-232	RS-232, 12 V trigger
Control-system drivers
Control-system drivers	Crestron, AMX	—
Horizontal scan
Horizontal scan	—	15–135 kHz
Vertical scan
Vertical scan	—	24–120 Hz
Smart platform
Ethernet
Ethernet	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 × 114 mm
Weight
Weight	5,800 g	2,900 g
Colours
Colours	Black, White	—
Orientations
Orientations	Table, Ceiling, Rear, Portrait	Table, Ceiling, Rear, Portrait, 360°
Dust filter
Dust filter	—	None
Ingress protection
Ingress protection	—	IP6X (light engine)
Sealed optical engine
Sealed optical engine	—	Yes
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
Power draw
Power draw	Max 350 W · Eco 250 W	Max 210 W · Eco 147 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
Fan noise
Fan noise	Normal 36 dB(A) · Eco 30 dB(A)	Normal 35 dB(A) · Eco 29 dB(A)
Safety & support
Laser class
Laser class	Class 1	—
Risk group
Risk group	RG2	RG2
FDA laser notice
FDA laser notice	Notice 57	—
Marks
Marks	CE, FCC, UL, CCC	FCC
Warranty
Warranty	—	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/documents/K9MwpgPSz59vAXkTCNNs6i6XlKNiiRBCCcHAz398.pdf
Firmware
Firmware	1.2.0 (Jun 2026)	—
In the box
In the box
In the box	Power cord, Remote	Power cord, Remote, Remote batteries, Quick start guide
Remote
Remote	IR	—