Panasonic has revealed its new range of OLED and Mini LED TVs for 2023 at a launch event in Berlin, Germany. The lineup includes the flagship MZ2000 OLED TV with a custom panel that can achieve higher peak brightness than any previous Panasonic OLED, as well as the MZ1500 OLED TV with a swivel design and integrated speakers. The company also announced its first-ever Mini LED TV, the MX950, which uses a VA LCD panel with quantum dot colours.
The MZ2000 is the successor to the highly acclaimed LZ2000 from last year, and features a new Master OLED Ultimate panel that uses Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology to better focus the light from the OLEDs and increase brightness. Panasonic claims that the MZ2000 can deliver 50% higher peak brightness than its 2022 OLED TVs, which should make HDR content look stunning.
The MZ2000 also has a new multi-layer heat management system that helps reduce the risk of image retention and OLED burn-in. The TV is powered by Panasonic’s HCX Pro AI processor, which has been tuned with the help of Hollywood colourist Stefan Sonnenfeld to ensure accurate colour reproduction. The TV supports Filmmaker Mode, which aims to present the picture exactly as the director intended, as well as all major HDR formats, including HDR10+ Adaptive and Dolby Vision IQ.
The MZ2000 also boasts a powerful sound system that consists of front-firing speakers and a subwoofer, all tuned by Panasonic’s audio brand Technics. The TV supports Dolby Atmos surround sound, and has several gaming sound modes tailored to different genres of games.
The MZ2000 has two HDMI 2.1 ports that can handle 4K 120Hz resolution, low input lag, and multi-format VRR support, such as AMD Freesync and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility. The TV also supports Dolby Vision gaming from the Xbox Series X, although it’s capped at 4K 60Hz.
Note that the MLA OLED panel on the Panasonic MZ2000 is limited to the 55-inch and 65-inch versions, although the largest 77-inch model will still have a slightly upgraded screen called Master OLED Pro Cinema Size.
The MZ1500 is the sub-flagship OLED TV from Panasonic for 2023, and features a Master OLED Pro panel with a heatsink that can achieve around 1000 nits of peak brightness on a 10% window after calibration to D65 white point (only 55-inch and 65-inch models). The panel also has an anti-glare coating that reduces reflections and preserves contrast.
The MZ1500 shares many features with the MZ2000, such as the HCX Pro AI processor, Filmmaker Mode, HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos sound system, and two HDMI 2.1 ports. However, the MZ1500 has a unique swivel design that allows the TV to rotate on its stand for optimal viewing angles. The TV also has integrated front-firing speakers and a subwoofer that deliver Dynamic Theatre Surround Pro sound.
The MZ1500 will be available in 42-inch, 48-inch, 55-inch and 65-inch sizes, although only the largest two models will come to the UK.
The MZ980 is a mid-range OLED TV from Panasonic for 2023, and will be available in three screen sizes: 42-inch, 48-inch, 55-inch and 65-inch, with the largest size not coming to the UK. The TV uses an OLED.EX panel without a heatsink or MLA technology, so it won’t go as bright as the MZ2000 or MZ1500. The panel also has a matte finish with a slight magenta tint to reduce reflections.
The MZ980 is powered by Panasonic’s HCX Pro AI processor, and supports Filmmaker Mode, HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Vision IQ, and Dolby Atmos sound. The TV also has two HDMI 2.1 ports that can handle 4K 120Hz resolution, low input lag, and multi-format VRR support.
The MZ800 and MZ700 are Panasonic’s entry-level OLED TVs for 2023, and will be available in four screen sizes: 42-inch, 48-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch. These are 60Hz OLEDs with a step-down 4K Colour Engine Pro video processor, and use Android TV rather than Panasonic’s own My Home Screen Smart TV platform.
The MZ800 and MZ700 support vanilla HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, along with Dolby Atmos sound, but refresh rate tops out at 4K 60Hz. These TVs are positioned as direct competitors to LG’s A3 entry-level 60Hz OLED.
The MX950 is Panasonic’s first-ever Mini LED TV, and will be available in 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch sizes, again with the largest model not coming to the UK. The TV uses a VA-type LCD panel with quantum dot enhancement film, which should deliver high contrast and wide colour gamut. Panasonic did not reveal the exact peak brightness figures and local dimming zone count of the TV, but we will bring you these technical specs as soon as they become available.
The MX950 has many features of the high-end MZ OLED series, such as the HCX Pro AI processor, Filmmaker Mode with ambient compensation, and two HDMI 2.1 ports capable of 4K 120Hz gameplay. The TV also supports HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Vision IQ, and Dolby Atmos sound.
The MX950 should appeal to customers who may want to avoid buying an OLED TV for fear of burn-in damage.
