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Released in April 2025, the QS100 is the latest addition to Epson's Q Series lineup of projectors. It was developed specifically to meet the needs of the custom integration market, offering the features and functionality that professionals in this space demand. The QS100 builds upon the foundation of the LS800, adding advanced features such as IP control, panel alignment, calibration controls, and more.

Powered by Epson's QZX processor, the QS100 delivers impressive HDR performance thanks to its dynamic tone mapping, along with a bright 4,500 ISO-lumen image. Whether you are an enthusiast or a professional in the custom integration field, the QS100 is designed to satisfy.

Insights into Our Reviewer's Process

Check out this interview with Sammie Prescott discussing his review of the Epson QS 100 ISF-certified HDR ultra-short-throw laser projector.

Features

The Epson QS100 is the newly released ultra-short throw (UST) projector in the Q Series line of high-brightness projectors from Epson. It is also the company's first new UST model since the release of the LS800, which Projector Central reviewed in December of 2022. With a launch MSRP of $4,999.99, the QS100 is designed to address the needs of the custom integration market by offering a more robust feature set while maintaining the high performance users have come to expect from Epson products.

The QS100 delivers up to 4,500 ISO lumens of brightness thanks to its solid-state laser phosphor light source, while its 3-chip 3LCD technology ensures consistently high brightness and vibrant color reproduction. Our testing confirms this claim; we measured 4,479 ANSI lumens in Dynamic picture mode—just 1% below the stated specification. Given the variability inherent in handheld measurements of UST projectors, it's entirely possible the QS100 could exceed its published brightness rating.

The native contrast of the QS100 is approximately 1,800:1 measuring in at 1,775:1 in Natural picture mode without Dynamic Contrast enabled. Though once users enable this feature on/off contrast ratios from 8,000:1 to 250,000:1 can be achieved depending on setup and picture mode used.

As mentioned, the QS100 features Epson's 3-Chip 3LCD projection engine, which employs dedicated LCD panels for red, green, and blue to ensure high color brightness and vivid images. Combined with Epson's Multi-Array Laser Diode light source, the QS100 offers up to 20,000 hours of maintenance-free operation.

While the QS100 is a native 1080p projector, it uses Epson's two-way pixel-shifting 4K PRO-UHD technology to deliver a 4K UHD resolution of 3840x2160. The resulting image is bright, sharp, and detailed, offering solid 4K performance. This is further improved by the inclusion of Epson's Dynamic Tone Mapping—a feature not available on the earlier LS800. This is addition is due to the QS100's inclusion of Epson's QZX Picture Processor which handles features such as image super-sampling, dynamic contrast adjustment, and frame interpolation, in addition to the Dynamic Tone Mapping.

Since the QS100 is a UST projector, it features a fixed lens and does not offer optical zoom. However, it does include a digital zoom function. With a throw distance of 0.9 to 1.9 feet, the QS100 can project screen sizes ranging from 80 inches to 160 inches diagonally.

Aesthetically, the QS100 shares the same design as the LS800. It includes leveling feet—two in the front and one larger foot in the rear—for adjusting tilt and angle. Weighing 26.5 lbs. and measuring 27.40 x 6.20 x 13.40 inches (WHD), the QS100 maintains a relatively low profile and can be easily placed in various locations, including being mounted.

Installation is quick and straightforward: simply adjust the front feet to achieve the correct placement and use the manual focus to sharpen the image. The QS100 also offers geometric correction features, including screen adjustment and fit-to-screen using a smartphone camera and the Epson Setting Assistant app, as well as Quick Corner, Arc Correction, and Point Correction options.

While these features are valuable for more complex installations, it's generally recommended to avoid using them whenever possible to preserve image integrity. To help aid in setup of a QS100, you can utilize the ProjectorCentral Epson QS100 projection calculator.

The QS100 supports ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), enabling faster processing to reduce input lag for gaming. It is capable of 4K at 60Hz and 1080p at 120Hz with respectable input latency, though it is more suited for casual gaming. The latency is slightly higher than ideal, measuring 28ms at 1080P and 4K/60Hz and 22ms at 1080p/120Hz. Unfortunately, the QS100 is not an HDMI 2.1 device (it uses HDMI 2.0 with an 18Gbps bandwidth) so it does not support 4K at 120Hz.

Compared with the LS800, the QS100 introduces several major changes. Notably, it removes the Google/Android smart platform. Additionally, the Yamaha 2.1 speaker system from the LS800 has been omitted, although the QS100 still includes support for eARC. These changes make sense in context, as the QS100 is targeted at the custom installation market, where it would almost always be paired with dedicated media sources such as an Apple TV, Roku, or Kaleidescape, along with a dedicated audio system.

One of the most significant improvements in the QS100 over the LS800 is the addition of more advanced web and IP control features. It can now be controlled over a network and integrates seamlessly with major home automation systems like Control4, Crestron, and others. Additionally, the QS100 includes a full suite of calibration controls, enabling precise image adjustments—a feature that was notably absent in the LS800.

The included backlit remote is both functional and responsive, providing quick access to all key features. It includes transport controls such as Play, Pause, and Stop for CEC-compatible devices. The QS100's I/O is simple but comprehensive, especially considering its role in a dedicated system using an AVR or AVP. It features two HDMI 2.0 inputs with HDCP 2.3, CEC support, and eARC on HDMI 2. There are also two USB Type-A ports with power delivery and media playback support, one USB Type-B port for firmware updates, a single RJ45 LAN port, and an RS-232 connection.

Performance

The QS100 offers four picture modes: Dynamic, Vivid, Cinema, and Natural. These modes are shared across both SDR and HDR content and do not retain separate settings based on dynamic range. As a result, any adjustments made to a picture mode will persist regardless of whether the content is HDR or SDR. Users must manually switch modes based on the content type. This can be easily managed by calibrating the desired picture mode and assigning it to one of the 10 available memory slots—either using the same mode for both SDR and HDR or dedicating separate modes to each.

The QS100 provides access to a comprehensive suite of calibration controls, which is a significant improvement over the more limited capabilities of the LS800. It offers enhanced flexibility, as all calibration and picture adjustments are accessible through the QS100's web GUI, making the calibration process more efficient and user-friendly.

Standard picture settings include adjustments for Contrast, Brightness, Color Saturation, Tint, and Sharpness. The projector also features Offset and Gain controls, as well as 11-point White Balance adjustments to fine-tune color temperature and RGB balance. A full Color Management System (CMS) is included, enabling precise control over the Hue, Saturation, and Luminance of both primary and secondary colors.

Additional features include Dynamic Contrast settings (Normal or High Speed), which significantly improve On/Off contrast performance, as well as Gamma controls with preset values of +2, +1, 0, -1, and -2, along with a Custom option for fine-tuning gamma response. Blanking and panel alignment options are also available.

Out of the box, the QS100 performed well, delivering a sharp and bright image. Using the Natural picture mode for both SDR and HDR content, the QS100 provided a fairly accurate picture. There was a very subtle green tint, but it was not distracting or unpleasant. Additionally, the image appeared slightly undersaturated in SDR, particularly in the reds, though it still looked good overall.

Similar to other Epson projectors I have tested, the QS100's Vivid and Dynamic picture modes produced cooler images—Vivid had a noticeable blue bias, while Dynamic leaned more toward green. As with other Epson models, these picture modes can be fully calibrated for improved accuracy.

For users who choose not to calibrate, I recommend starting with the Natural picture mode, as it offers the most balanced image with minimal need for adjustment.

I calibrated the QS100 with Calman Ultimate calibration software from Portrait Displays, a Colorimetry Research CR-300 Spectroradiometer, a Colorimetry Research CR-100 Colorimeter, and a Murideo 8K Seven Generator. The QS100 was calibrated to 120-inch diagonal on an Elite Screens Kestrel Tab-Tension 2 CLR lenticular ALR screen, which has a 0.6 gain.

The pre-calibration measurements for the QS100 showed average Delta E (dE) errors ranging from approximately 3.2 to 4.4, with maximum errors reaching up to 6.6. These higher errors were primarily due to undersaturation caused by a white point that leaned slightly too green. These values were consistent across all measurement categories, including grayscale, gamut, saturation sweeps, luminance sweeps, and color checker tests.

HDR performance was notably strong in this regard, with both P3 and Rec.709 color spaces tracking well within the BT.2020 container. Additionally, grayscale adjustments made in SDR translated exceptionally well to HDR, resulting in remarkably flat grayscale tracking.

The QS100's measured gamut coverage was 78.25% (xy) and 83.09% (uv) for DCI-P3, while BT.2020 coverage reached 56.45% (xy) and 61.14% (uv). While I was hoping for broader P3 gamut coverage, these results are consistent with other Epson projectors I've tested, so the outcome wasn't entirely unexpected. However, considering competing options in this segment that approach near-full BT.2020 coverage, it would have been nice to see wider gamut support. Epson's explanation for this particular critique is that while competing products may reach a wider gamut measurement at one brightness setting, Epson strives to provide a consistent gamut measurement across all brightness levels.

I targeted the industry-standard D65 neutral gray white point using the Gain controls, and 11-point white balance, in addition to a full CMS.

The post-calibration DeltaE errors improved significantly for both SDR and HDR. In SDR, the grayscale average was 0.6 dE, with a maximum of 1.7 dE. A large 150+ patch color checker measured an average of 1.1 dE with a maximum of 4.4 dE. Saturation sweeps at 20% showed an average of 0.8 dE and a maximum of 2.9 dE. Post-calibration HDR results showed an average of 4.3 dE with a max of 8.9 dE, primarily due to luminance and gamut coverage of the P3 color space.

The device I used for reviewing content post calibration was the Panasonic UB820.

1080p/SDR. The first movie I watched was The Blind Side on Blu-ray, and the image produced by the QS100 was impressive. Skin tones appeared natural, and locations—such as the practice scenes before Michael's first game—were rendered realistically. The greens of the field and trees were reproduced with a natural and accurate look. The image was also sharp, delivering excellent detail during the night game, with well-balanced contrast and clear shadow detail in the background. Overall, the QS100 performs exceptionally well with 1080p SDR content.

4K/HDR10. The next film I selected to watch was Godzilla: King of the Monsters in HDR via Blu-ray. The image quality was impressively sharp and detailed. The QS100's dynamic tone mapping (DTM) also did a fantastic job of resolving various highlights—particularly during scenes like King Ghidorah's awakening and his lightning attacks. When the lightning strikes, the yellow color is preserved without clipping, which is great to see.

The QS100 also displayed no posterization in dimly lit scenes, such as when Emma and Madison escape to the helicopter after awakening King Ghidorah. In this moment, a lower-luminance red glow fills the scene from the helicopter's interior lighting, and the projector handled it smoothly.

Overall, the QS100 performed well, producing a rich image with excellent depth and highlight rendering.

4K/HDR10. The next movie I watched was Passengers in HDR via Blu-ray. It looked excellent on the QS100, with extremely sharp and crisp detail. Skin tones were also impressive, giving Aurora and Jim's faces a very natural appearance. Additionally, during the scene where the ship passes near the sun and Aurora and Jim watch together, it was noticeable that contrast was on the lower side. However, this did not detract from the moment, as the QS100 still delivered a rich image with nicely saturated colors.

4K/HDR10. The last movie I watched on the QS100 was Prey in HDR via Blu-ray. Once again, the QS100 performed exceptionally well, delivering sharp detail and clarity. The environments looked natural, with accurate color reproduction across wooded areas, streams, and mountainsides. Skin tones appeared realistic and well-balanced. Various highlights stood out as well—for example, the light reflecting off the rushing river water during the scene where the bear was eating the buck. Overall, the movie looked great, and the QS100 provided a very enjoyable viewing experience.

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Conclusion

The QS100 is an intriguing addition to Epson's Q Series projector lineup. It continues Epson's commitment to delivering high-lumen projectors while expanding the series with an entry into the ultra-short throw (UST) market. It also fulfills the brand's goal of providing custom integrators with a unit that excels in both functionality and performance.

With 4,500 ISO lumens of brightness, the QS100 delivers impressive visual performance, especially when paired with Epson's renowned color accuracy. While it may be simpler in design compared to other UST projectors, it offers solid value when considering its price-to-performance ratio.

The QS100 lacks amenities such as a built-in smart platform, RGB laser light source—which would enhance color gamut—HDMI 2.1 with 4K/120Hz support, and integrated speakers. However, this particular model was never intended to compete against smart projector platforms. Rather, the QS100 is a key component in helping custom integrators build the right system for their customers. In installations handled by these professionals, the projector is likely to be paired with dedicated sound systems and external streaming devices such as Apple TV or Kaleidescape, making built-in smart features and speakers largely unnecessary.

Compared to its sibling, the LS800, the QS100 offers more advanced setup and picture control options. While the LS800 was a capable projector, it often felt lacking in certain areas. The QS100, on the other hand, feels more like a fully-featured projector—similar to the QB1000—but in a UST form factor. With features such as Dynamic Tone Mapping, IP control, comprehensive calibration tools, and home automation support, the QS100 feels like a true upgrade over the LS800, despite the absence of some consumer-friendly features.

The QS100 is certainly worth considering for anyone shopping for a UST projector. It delivers an excellent image, performs reliably, and offers strong value for its brightness and overall picture quality.

Measurements

Brightness. The Epson QS100 is rated for 4,500 ISO lumens. The brightest picture mode is Dynamic which measured 4,479 ANSI Lumens which is 1% below Epson's listed specification. Though due to the variance of handheld measurements for UST projectors a larger amount of variance is possible.

EPSON QS100 ANSI Lumens

SDR/HDR Modes	Lumens
Dynamic	4,479
Vivid	2,867
Cinema	2,777
Natural	2,732

Zoom Lens Light Loss. The QS100 is a fixed lens design and does not feature an optical zoom.

Brightness Uniformity. The Epson QS100 projecting a 100-inch diagonal image resulted in measured brightness uniformity of 89% The brightest portion of the screen was the left bottom with the dimmest being the left center. The difference in brightness on a full white screen was not noticeable.

Fan Noise. Epson rates the fan noise at 20dB dB in Quiet Mode and 34 dB in Normal Mode. Using Room EQ Wizard software and a Umik-1 microphone, my theater room ambient noise floor is 33.3 dBA. The QS100 measured at the following dB in the following laser power settings at a distance of 3 feet.

Custom Mode 100%
Right: 38.6 dbA
Left: 40.0 dbA
Rear: 39.7 dbA

Quiet Mode
Right: 34.3 dbA
Left: 34.5 dbA
Rear: 34.1 dbA

Input Lag. Input lag measurements were done using the Fast Image Processing.
1080p/60Hz = 28ms
1080p/120Hz = 22ms
4K/60Hz = 28ms

Connections

• HDMI 2.0 (x2; HDCP 2.3; 18Gbps; eARC on HDMI 2)
• RJ45 LAN 100 base Tx (control only)
• USB 2.0 Type A (x2; 5V, 2.0A power delivery; media playback; Firmware updates)
• USB Type B (firmware updates)
• RS232 (x1)

Final Settings

Calibrated image settings from any third-party do not account for the significant potential for sample-to-sample variation, nor the different screen sizes and materials, lighting, lamp usage, or other environmental factors that can affect image quality. Projectors should always be calibrated in the user's own space and tuned for the expected viewing conditions. However, the settings provided here may be a helpful starting point for some. Always record your current settings before making adjustments so you can return to them as desired. Refer to the Performance section for some context for each calibration.

SDR Settings

Picture Mode: Natural
Brightness: 50
Contrast: 50
Color Saturation: 50
Tint: 50
Sharpness: 3

White Balance
Color Temp: 6500K
G-M Correction: 4
Custom
Offset R: 50
Offset G: 50
Offset B: 50
Gain R: 49

Gain G: 44
Gain B: 50

Grayscale

	Red	Green	Blue
Adjustment Level 11	0	0	0
Adjustment Level 10	-2	-2	-4
Adjustment Level 9	-3	-3	-3
Adjustment Level 8	0	-2	0
Adjustment Level 7	-3	-3	-1
Adjustment Level 6	-2	-1	1
Adjustment Level 5	0	0	3
Adjustment Level 4	5	4	10
Adjustment Level 3	3	14	14
Adjustment Level 2	0	8	6
Adjustment Level 1	0	0	0

Frame Interpolation: Off
Dynamic Contrast: High Speed

Image Enhancement: Off (User Preference)

Scene Adaptative Gamma: Off (User Preference)

Gamma: -2

Color Management

	Hue	Saturation	Brightness
Red	50	49	52
Green	48	51	50
Blue	55	50	50
Cyan	50	50	50
Magenta	53	52	50
Yellow	50	50	50

HDR

Picture Mode: Natural
Brightness: 50
Contrast: 50
Color Saturation: 50
Tint: 50
Sharpness: 3

White Balance
Color Temp: 6500K
G-M Correction: 4
Custom
Offset R: 50
Offset G: 50
Offset B: 50
Gain R: 47
Gain G: 44
Gain B: 50

Grayscale

	Red	Green	Blue
Adjustment Level 11	0	0	0
Adjustment Level 10	0	0	0
Adjustment Level 9	0	0	0
Adjustment Level 8	0	0	0
Adjustment Level 7	0	0	0
Adjustment Level 6	0	0	0
Adjustment Level 5	0	0	0
Adjustment Level 4	0	0	0
Adjustment Level 3	0	0	0
Adjustment Level 2	0	0	0
Adjustment Level 1	0	0	0

Frame Interpolation: Off
Dynamic Contrast: High Speed

Image Enhancement: Off (User Preference)

Scene Adaptative Gamma: Off (User Preference)

Gamma: 0

Color Management

	Hue	Saturation	Brightness
Red	47	55	50
Green	48	53	50
Blue	53	56	50
Cyan	52	49	50
Magenta	58	56	50
Yellow	52	53	50

For more detailed specifications and connections, check out our Epson QS100W projector page.

To buy this projector, use Where to Buy online, or get a price quote by email direct from Projector Central authorized dealers using our E-Z Quote tool.

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