Contrast Ratio & Brightness

Contrast ratio

We conduct a detailed contrast ratio examination that is both rigorous and grounded in real-world scenarios. The contrast ratio refers to the comparative measure of light emitted from a screen when displaying bright white versus pure black. Generally, the contrast ratios in LCD panels vary, with a lower bound at around 150:1, considered significantly suboptimal, to an upper bound above 800:1, regarded as highly proficient.

For everyday tasks such as photo editing and Office, a contrast ratio of 400:1 or more is considered adequate. The problem is that even if you watch a movie on such a monitor in a dim location, you will realize that 'black is not truly black.' Laptop monitors are an excellent example (though much better these days), as they frequently have low contrast ratios (150:1 when viewed straight-on and below 80:1 at relatively small angles). A set of test photos with black and white luminance values are used to perform the measurement.

And then OLED, black levels are unmeasurable (the pixel is deactivated) by any currently accessible tools; their contrast is mathematically infinite. The next best option is a VA monitor, but they pale in comparison to OLED.

The contrast ratio is a property of a display system, defined as the ratio of the luminance of the brightest color (white) to that of the darkest color (black) that the system can produce. A high contrast ratio is a desired aspect of any display. The static contrast ratio is limited by the panel technology being used. A TN or IPS technology panel is limited by a contrast ratio of around 900 - 1200:1, and on a VA type panel, you might reach up to around 2000 to even 3000:1. We could not measure a whole black field in this OLED as planned because it is just too dark for our meter to register. 

Maximum brightness

We look at maximum brightness in white to see how well a monitor behaves in heavily lit areas with a lot of sunlight. You can measure the output quite easily. Overall, the screen shows a proper and decent brightness level close to the advertised range. 

A known limitation of any  OLED monitor is its lacklustre brightness performance, and the Corsair 27QHD240 lives up to that reputation. Compared to LED and Mini-LED counterparts, OLED monitors often struggle to achieve and sustain high brightness levels throughout the display. Despite this drawback, the Corsair 27QHD240 boasts a commendable SDR brightness of 240 nits, which is generally more than adequate.

I've put the value at 5000, but of course, pixels are on/off, which is an infinite value. 

In comparison, the 27QHD240 monitor excels in the area of contrast. Boasting the ability to produce perfect darkness, this display emits no light in dark scenes, significantly enhancing its ability to depict intricate details in these settings.  This monitor delivers a vivid viewing experience with high-quality content that sets it apart from the competition.