When it comes to creating a theater-like experience at home, Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors have revolutionized what's possible in even modest spaces. I've spent considerable time evaluating both the premium Leica Cine 1 ($9,495) and the more accessible Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 ($3,448), and there's quite a story to tell about these two impressive machines.
UST projectors are a relatively recent innovation that lets you place the projector just inches from your wall or screen, rather than across the room like traditional projectors. Using clever optics and mirrors, they can project huge images from very close distances. This technology has matured significantly since its introduction around 2019, with both picture quality and reliability seeing major improvements.
The main benefits? No more ceiling mounts, no shadows when people walk by, and much easier installation. Plus, recent models like these two have gotten bright enough to use in rooms with some ambient light - something that was a major challenge with earlier UST projectors.
The Leica Cine 1, released in late 2023, represents Leica's first entry into the home theater projector market. They've brought their legendary lens expertise to the table, using a triple RGB laser system (which means separate red, green, and blue lasers) combined with their premium Summicron lens design. This approach prioritizes color accuracy and image clarity above all else.
The Epson LS800, launched in mid-2023, takes a different path. It uses Epson's proven 3LCD technology, which splits light through three LCD panels (one each for red, green, and blue) before recombining them. This typically results in brighter images and no "rainbow effect" (a color artifact some people see with single-chip DLP projectors).
The Epson boasts 4,000 lumens compared to the Leica's 3,000 lumens. In practical terms, this means the Epson handles bright rooms better. I've tested both in my living room with large windows, and the Epson clearly maintained better image visibility during daytime viewing. However, in a properly darkened home theater setting, the Leica's superior contrast and color accuracy become more apparent.
The Leica's triple laser system produces incredibly accurate colors right out of the box. Its color gamut (the range of colors it can display) covers more than 100% of the BT.2020 standard - which is impressive even for high-end projectors. The Epson, while still very good, doesn't quite match this level of color accuracy, though most viewers might not notice unless doing a side-by-side comparison.
Both projectors advertise 4K resolution, but they achieve it differently. The Leica uses pixel-shifting with a 0.47" DLP chip, while the Epson uses its own pixel-shifting technology with 1080p LCD panels. In practice, both produce sharp, detailed images, though the Leica has a slight edge in absolute clarity, particularly noticeable with fine text and detailed patterns.
For gamers, the Epson has a clear advantage with its 16.7ms input lag in game mode. The Leica, while perfectly fine for casual gaming, doesn't quite match this responsiveness. If you're serious about competitive gaming, the Epson is the better choice.
For pure movie enjoyment, especially in a dedicated home theater, the Leica pulls ahead. Its superior lens quality results in better uniformity across the entire image, and its HDR handling creates more natural-looking highlights and shadows. However, the Epson still delivers excellent movie performance that will satisfy most viewers.
Both projectors include smart TV platforms - Google TV for the Leica and Android TV for the Epson. The Epson's implementation feels more polished, with fewer bugs and smoother operation. Both support popular streaming services, though you might want to use an external streaming device for the best experience.
The price difference between these projectors is substantial - you could buy two Epsons and still have money left over compared to one Leica. Is the Leica worth nearly three times the price? For most users, probably not. The Epson delivers 80-90% of the Leica's performance at a fraction of the cost.
However, if you're building a high-end home theater and want the absolute best image quality, the Leica's superior optics and color accuracy might justify its premium price. It's similar to choosing between a luxury car and a well-equipped mainstream model - both will get you there, but one offers a more refined experience.
Consider these key factors:
The Leica Cine 1 and Epson LS800 represent different philosophies in home theater projection. The Leica aims for absolute quality with no compromises, while the Epson delivers excellent performance at a more accessible price point.
For most users, the Epson LS800 represents the better choice. It offers tremendous value, great brightness, and versatile performance that works well in various settings. However, if you're building a premium home theater and want the absolute best image quality, the Leica Cine 1's superior optics and color accuracy make it a compelling, albeit expensive, choice.
Remember, whichever you choose, pair it with a good ALR screen and take time to properly set up and calibrate your projector. The effort will be well worth it for the cinema-like experience these impressive machines can deliver.
| Leica Cine 1 ($9,495) | Epson LS800 ($3,448) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Most critical spec for daytime viewing | |
| 3,000 ANSI lumens (good for moderate lighting) | 4,000 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Projection Technology - Impacts color accuracy and image quality | |
| Triple RGB Laser with DLP (superior color accuracy) | 3LCD with Blue Laser (good colors, no rainbow effect) |
| Contrast Ratio - Affects black levels and image depth | |
| 2,000,000:1 dynamic (excellent dark room performance) | 2,500,000:1 dynamic (similar real-world performance) |
| Input Lag - Critical for gaming performance | |
| ~40ms (acceptable for casual gaming) | 16.7ms (excellent for competitive gaming) |
| Light Source Lifespan - Impacts long-term ownership costs | |
| 25,000 hours (excellent longevity) | 20,000 hours (very good longevity) |
| Lens Quality - Affects image clarity and uniformity | |
| Leica Summicron lens (exceptional, worth premium price) | Standard UST lens (good quality for price) |
| Smart Features - Affects ease of use | |
| Google TV (newer, more refined interface) | Android TV (reliable but older platform) |
| HDR Support - Important for modern content | |
| HDR10+, Dolby Vision (comprehensive support) | HDR10 only (adequate for most content) |
| Audio System - May eliminate need for separate speakers | |
| 2x25W Dolby Atmos (excellent built-in sound) | 2x5W + 10W sub (good but basic sound) |
The Leica Cine 1 ($9,495) is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its exceptional color accuracy and premium Summicron lens. However, the Epson LS800 ($3,448) still performs admirably and offers better value for most users.
The Epson LS800 wins with 4,000 lumens compared to the Leica's 3,000 lumens, making it better suited for rooms with ambient light or daytime viewing.
For most users, the price premium of the Leica Cine 1 isn't justified. The Epson LS800 delivers 80-90% of the performance at about one-third of the cost.
The Epson LS800 is significantly better for gaming with its 16.7ms input lag, compared to the Leica's higher latency of around 40ms.
Yes, both projectors perform best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen designed for UST projectors. This is essential for optimal image quality and contrast.
Both offer smart platforms, but the Leica Cine 1 has a newer Google TV interface, while the Epson LS800 uses Android TV. Both are capable, but Google TV offers a more refined experience.
The Leica offers 25,000 hours of laser life, while the Epson provides 20,000 hours. Both are excellent and should last many years of normal use.
The Leica Cine 1 features superior audio with 2x25W Dolby Atmos speakers, compared to the Epson's 2x5W speakers with 10W subwoofer.
Yes, both are Ultra Short Throw projectors that can be placed inches from the wall, making them ideal for small spaces. They can project large images from very short distances.
The Leica Cine 1 has more comprehensive HDR support, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, while the Epson LS800 supports basic HDR10.
Yes, both projectors have multiple HDMI inputs and can work with any streaming device, though both also include built-in smart platforms.
The Leica Cine 1 offers superior movie-watching experience with better color accuracy and contrast, but the Epson LS800 still provides excellent picture quality that will satisfy most viewers.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: projectorcentral.com - projectorreviews.com - leicacamerausa.com - projectorreviews.com - whathifi.com - leicacamerausa.com - bhphotovideo.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorscreen.com - crutchfield.com - leicarumors.com - projectorscreen.com - techradar.com - danamic.org - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - epson.com - dreamediaav.com - dell.com - rtings.com - avsforum.com - audiogeneral.com - news.epson.com - projectorcentral.com
