Review of the Eizo ColorEdge CS2731

This Eizo ColorEdge CS2731 model therefore replaces the Eizo CS2730 model, which was being tested on this site but did not have a USB-C connector. In May 2020, this was becoming more and more necessary, and many will find this update welcome... especially on a display that supports hardware calibration.

To quickly introduce the Eizo CS2731, the first in the ColorEdge series, we can say that it is a 27-inch QHD (2560 x 1440 pixels - pitch 0.23 - 109 ppi) display with a satin-looking panel in the same vein as the excellent Eizo CS2730, which is more aimed at photographers and other graphic designers and we will see why, with IPS technology (white LED diodes), LUT on 10/16 bits and a wide gamut thus covering a gamut very close to Adobe RGB and finally hardware calibration with the famous ColorNavigator software. It is therefore in the category of the so-called "Graphic Arts" screens.

	In a few words...   Eizo ColorEdge CS2731 $1,229.00 This new Eizo ColorEdge CS2731 has a beautiful panel, at least as beautiful as the Eizo CS2730 which it replaces, so you get the best price/performance ratio on the market in 27 inches for photo editing. So what's left for the ColorEdge CG Series? Double contrast, a shading hood and a built-in colorimeter! - Read my conclusion
	More offers...
	$ 1,229.00 Soon... Soon...

Introduction to the Eizo ColorEdge CS2731

Here are a few illustrations of the new monitor - not so much because it replaces the Eizo CS2730 and looks a lot like it! - The ergonomics are flawless: the carrying handle is as handy as ever to lower or raise the screen, thin edges, screen rotation, electrostatic buttons... just like on the beautiful Eizo CG2420. Note that there are now only two USB 3.0 inputs on the left profile of the display, but this model is finally updated with a USB-C + 60 W recharge input.

What's in the box...

The monitor is sold with :

• The power cord... long enough!
• The HDMI to HDMI cable,
• A USB 3.0 cable for hardware calibration and powering the USB 3.0 HUB.
• One USB-C to USB-C cable,
• ColorNavigator (download the latest version).
  

The dimensions and perceived quality

The 27-inch screen is 638 mm wide and has a 60 mm wide panel. This makes the screen as bulky as the late Eizo CS2730 it replaces. This is good news for those who want to create a multi-screen work environment !

The monitor and its panel

1 - Definition/resolution - This is a satin effect IPS panel - at least as beautiful as the Eizo CS2730 -, class AAA, normal in this segment of so-called "Graphic Arts" displays, with 2560 x 1440 pixels, i.e. QHD. Its resolution is therefore 109 dpi. The backlighting is of the white LED diode type as on the old Eizo CS2730.

2 - The panel and its non-glare coating - It is as beautiful and discreet as the old Eizo CS2730 it replaces. Magnificent! Eizo indeed pushes refinement to the point of injecting a polymer on the non-glare film in order to offer a real silky finish to the rendering of its panel where you don't see the pixels coming out on a white background as on, unfortunately, many still today. I can guarantee you that some 4K displays have such a "visible" non-glare treatment (it's just a film put on the panel) that it "marks" much more the pixels, even though they are smaller than on this "only" QHD Eizo. Personally, I'm really a fan of the smoothness of this panel. A reference for photo retouching and what a technical mastery.

3 - Eizo DUE Uniformity Function - During quality control of each serial number, the uniformity of the panel is measured in order to establish the "map" of the panel. This is injected into a matrix of the LUT (look up table) on the monitor in order to display a perfectly uniform panel. Disadvantage: when this DUE > uniformity function is active (by default), the screen can no longer reach its maximum brightness of 400 cd/m2 but only 250. This is quite sufficient for photographic use but videographers may want to disable this option by choosing, in ColorNavigator, "Monitor settings > DUE > Brightness".

4 - The software for hardware calibration - This monitor is delivered with its calibration software: the well known ColorNavigator - in test on this site - It is supposed to guarantee you an ideal and especially easy calibration, for those who do not master the meaning of all the target values - but without an integrated sensor. You will therefore need a compatible sensor to use it. Nothing but excellent so - Read my ColorNavigator tutorial

		To be read - How to calibrate your Eizo ColorEdge monitor with ColorNavigator?

That said, you can also calibrate with the i1Display Pro + i1Profiler, and you'll also get a great result but without the benefits of hardware calibration. According to my observations, more interesting I think are the numbers after the decimal point, only the grayscale neutralization is even more advanced with this software. For the rest, we are so far below the threshold of human perception...Unless you want to calibrate it in hardware to benefit from its other advantages: use it calibrated on another computer or in another environment because the ICC profile is directly integrated in the LUT table of this one and not in the computer which was used to calibrate it or change calibration with different target values automatically and immediately.

Thickness of the screen edges - New

They still measure 18 mm on each side. This is not a record for thinness, but it is close to the 2020 standards for professional monitors called art-graphic monitors favouring multi-screens. (To be read : my advice to choose your photo monitor : 8 pages - Updated on June 2020 )

The connectivity

Classic in 2020: DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.0 (which can be used for hardware calibration and one to power the USB 3.0 HUB of 2 USB 3.0 plugs on the left side of the screen - see photos above) and thus the famous USB-C plug which can power a laptop in 60 W. Note that in 2020, it's already a bit low to power an Apple MacBook Pro 16 which requires 90 W in maximum charge.

Ergonomics... still at its best!

1 - Movement - Ergonomics is still a reference, especially for transport, since the handy handle at the top and back of the screen is always there. On the other hand, there are still no cable grommets in the base except for the plastic ring at the base and at the back of the stand. The range of movement of the monitor in height (over 155 mm), inclination and rotation will allow all users to find their ideal setting. Truly perfect!

2 - The buttons on the screen menu - They are still electrostatic and have a nice ringing sound (which can be turned off) when you click on them. Always so much refinement in this new monitor...

Note ! In the OSD of the display it is possible through the menu Preferences > Indicator to change the brightness of the LEDs or even turn them off for those who work in the dark. Good point!

What is the Eizo ColorEdge CS2731 worth after calibration with the i1Display Pro ?

I have calibrated this monitor - like all the monitors I test - first with the best current sensor with a simply excellent quality/price ratio: the i1Display Pro + i1Profiler 3.2.1 software in order to be able to situate this new monitor in relation to the monitors on the market tested on this site.

I chose the following screen settings :

• Gamut : Adobe RGB
• Gamma : Adobe RGB (2,2)
• Gamma 2,2 (Adobe RGB)
• Color temperature : 6500K (Adobe RGB).

And as target values in the i1Profiler software 3.2.1...  

• Display technology : Keep white diodes,
• D65 or possibly a bit less if you want a slightly warmer screen. (Please note that at D55, the screen is really warm but not yellow like low-range screens),
• Luminance : I test all monitors at 90 cd/m2 which corresponds to my luminous environment, but you can choose from 80 cd/m2 for printing to 160 cd/m2 for Web or Video use always taking into account the brightness of your room,
• Contrast : Native to see the maximum contrast of this monitor,
• Gamma : 2.2 - standard curve, (The L*, perfect for printing, is only available with ColorNavigator),
• ICC norm : V2 (to avoid problems of incompatibility with some image viewing software (images too dark) and obviously V4 if you know what you are doing.
  
  

  		To be read - How to calibrate your monitor and choose the target values?

And the result is ?

Objective data : what does the final report say after calibration ?

Before switching to Delta E, it is interesting to record the color temperature values achieved and the contrast.

My opinion! As luck would have it, the color temperature (TC) of 6496K is obviously very close to 6500K and not as close as on many lower end displays. The contrast of 660:1 measured at 90 cd/m2 is in the average of the monitors using these panels dedicated to photo retouching with a black that goes down to 0.136 cd/m2. This panel is therefore different from the Eizo CG2730, whose contrast is doubled and will be more suitable for video use. Versatility is perhaps the weak point of this display... for video editors because photo retouchers who print their own prints will not care as much as they do with their first print and will enjoy long hours without tiring.

The Delta E figures according to the 2000 standard are of course excellent after calibration with the i1Display Pro sensor, so without the need for hardware and ColorNavigator calibration.

My opinion ! Like all Eizo CS series monitors, my test unit offers, like all Eizo CS series monitors, perfect colors for a human being with excellent eyesight: 0.3 average and the worst patch at 0.6 according to the 2000 standard. One should not be far from the measurement records on this site (35 tests to date!). This Eizo CS2731 is still significantly better than the late Eizo CS2730 it replaces and is therefore in line with what you would expect from an Eizo ColorEdge monitor!

Now harmonizing tests in luminance and color temperature:

- My 35 monitor reviews!
- How to choose your monitor ?
- How to calibrate your monitor ?