Panasonic Z95A OLED TV review: Brightness and brilliant colors
Photo: Ryan Waniata
Thanks to excellent image processing, details stand out, from crystal-clear 4K Blu-rays to 1080p and even upscaling to 720p. Only the dimmest SD images failed to impress, sometimes appearing a bit blocky, but that’s true of almost any 4K TV.
The only minor chinks in the armor I noticed over the course of a few days were some minor glitches or stutters when shooting challenging motion scenes and some color banding with compressed video. Otherwise, I can just sit back and enjoy the glow.
The highlight for me was the Z95A’s amazing color, so rich and stirring that it caught me off guard, even compared to all the other great flavors in Panasonic’s special sauce. I was flabbergasted from day one, which began with a random viewing of the holiday classic Scanned. From Bill Murray’s bold navy suit to Robert Mitchum’s crimson-yellow pajamas, I found myself smitten – and it wasn’t just me.
imagine is one of my wife’s most watched movies, but we were both blown away by the artistry. Sapphire blue, shimmering silver, light purple and deep gold all burn beautifully. Even something as simple as a target fish in The Valhalla Assassin’s Creed calling for attention, scorching like magma. I’m happy, but a TV this good will do that to you. There are only a few TVs on the market that can keep up with this pace.
Photo: Ryan Waniata
LG G4 is one, which offers similar delights (and four HDMI 2.1 inputs), but I’ve had bad luck with review samples so far. Sony A95L QD-OLED (September 10, WIRED recommended) is my favorite opponent. It’s not as bright but is just as impressive and has slightly better image detail. Samsung’s S95D (8/10, WIRED recommended) doesn’t stand out — and skips Dolby Vision — but its matte screen offers attractive anti-glare protection. Finally, Sony’s super bright Bravia 9 mini LED TV (9/10, WIRED recommended) is an exceptional choice for those looking for next-gen brightness, although its backlit display isn’t as balanced or balanced as OLED.
All of these competitors offer more model sizes than the Z95A’s lone 65-inch size, which could be a differentiator. Still, there’s something about the Z95A that intrigues me. Aside from the Fire TV system, it’s a top performer in every category and easily one of the best TVs you can buy. Welcome back, Panasonic. It’s been too long.
