Laser Projector Trends 2026: Higher Brightness, RGB Lasers, Automatic Multi-Unit Calibration and Outdoor Projection

New models keep being announced among the projectors that power large-scale projection mapping and immersive museums. On September 29, 2026, Epson Sales Japan announced the “EB-XQ2030B,” a 30,000 lm 4K unit weighing about 35 kg. Panasonic Connect, in addition to its 42,000 lm “PT-RQ45K” series, has rolled out an RGB laser unit supporting the Rec.2020 color gamut standard. Drawing on manufacturers’ official announcements and case studies, this article sorts out developments in 2025–2026 concerning higher brightness, color gamut, multi-unit calibration and the conditions for outdoor projection.

Behind this is the spread of venues that envelop spaces in video. According to Epson Sales Japan, Rêve des Lumières, which opened in Ariake, Tokyo, on Friday, June 12, 2026, uses more than 100 projectors, including the 13,000 lm “EB-PU2213B.” At THE MOVEUM YOKOHAMA by TOYOTA GROUP in Yokohama, a total of 75 units were used for the exhibition that began on December 20, 2025. The main model is the 16,000 lm “EB-PQ2216B,” and the space covers about 1,800 m² (per the same company).

Manufacturers themselves speak of changing demand. Epson Sales Japan says that with the growth of immersive content, ever higher-definition, more lifelike imagery is in demand. Panasonic Connect explains that staging with 4K content is becoming widespread at digital museums and experiential attractions, and writes that higher brightness is in demand as outdoor mapping and large-scale events spread.

The main professional models announced by manufacturers in 2025–2026 are as follows (brightness and timing per each company’s announcements).

• Epson Sales Japan “EB-XQ2030B”: 30,000 lm, 4K (two-axis shift), about 35 kg. Orders opened September 29, 2026, with deliveries rolling out from late December

• Epson Sales Japan “EB-L800 series”: 10 laser-light-source models, 6,000–8,000 lm. Released in stages from late July 2025

• Panasonic Connect “PT-RQ45K series”: three-chip DLP, 42,000 lm per the product page specifications. Announced for release in Q2 of fiscal 2026 (July–September)

• Panasonic Connect “PT-HTQ20J”: one-chip DLP RGB laser unit, 20,000 lm (provisional). Scheduled for release in Q3 of fiscal 2026 (October–December)

• Panasonic Connect “VMQ85 series”: LCD laser units, 8,000 lm and 6,500 lm (provisional), 4K. Released in Q1 of fiscal 2026 (April–June)

• Barco “QDX-N4K RGB”: three three-chip DLP RGB laser models, 25,000–38,000 lumens. Announced February 2026

• Barco “I65”: one-chip laser-phosphor unit; 4K models 10,000–15,000 lumens. Announced June 2026

• Christie “Korus Series 4K1400-KS”: 1DLP, up to 14,250 lumens, 17.25 kg. Unveiled at a trade show in China in April 2026

Where higher brightness stands: new 30,000–40,000 lm-class models and large-scale projection abroad

Epson Sales Japan’s “EB-XQ2030B” packs 30,000 lm of brightness and 4K resolution on screen, achieved with two-axis shift technology, into a body of about 35 kg. It measures 620 × 530 × 205 mm (excluding protrusions). According to the company, its volume is about 60% smaller than that of the previous “EB-L30000U,” allowing transport and setup by a small crew.

Panasonic Connect announced that it planned to release the three-chip DLP “PT-RQ45K series” in Q2 of fiscal 2026 (July–September), with a prototype to be shown at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando, US, in June 2025. The specifications at the time of the announcement (provisional values as of June 2025) gave 40,000 lm, in a size equivalent to the 30,500 lm “PT-RQ35K2/RQ35K” series. The current product page’s specification table lists the light output as 42,000 lm.

In large-scale projection abroad, there are now examples lining up dozens of 40,000–50,000-lumen-class units. According to a Barco case study, “Seoul Light DDP 2025 Autumn” at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul, South Korea, used 26 45,000-lumen “QDX-4K45” units, projecting onto a 222 m-long exterior wall. The case study explains that brightness was raised by 50% from the 30,000 lumens of the previous configuration, which used UDX and other units. The autumn 2026 edition of the media art festival on the DDP facade is introduced in our article on Seoul Light DDP.

According to Christie, 52 “Griffyn 4K50-RGB” RGB pure laser units were used at the National Day Parade (NDP) 2026, held in Singapore on August 9, 2026. Each delivers 50,000 ISO lumens, and at the venue, the National Stadium, images were projected onto a suspended rectangular structure and five cubes. In an April 2026 announcement, the company positioned the model for large-scale events, projection mapping and themed entertainment.

After brightness, color gamut: RGB lasers and Rec.2020

Laser-light-source models fall broadly into two types according to how they produce light. According to Christie’s technical explainer, the laser-phosphor method shines a blue laser onto a rotating wheel coated with yellow phosphor and splits the resulting yellow light into red and green; blue light is used by passing it through a diffusing section of the wheel. RGB pure laser, by contrast, has no moving parts such as a phosphor wheel in the light path.

2026 saw a series of announcements widening color gamut with RGB lasers. On February 4, Panasonic Connect announced the one-chip DLP “PT-HTQ20J,” featuring its new “VIVID PRIME” technology using red, green and blue laser light sources. The company says it is the first of its projectors to cover more than 95% of the Rec.2020 color gamut. Brightness is 20,000 lm (provisional), and resolution is 4K (3,840 × 2,400 pixels).

On February 3, Barco announced it would add RGB laser models to its three-chip DLP “QDX,” launched at ISE 2024. According to the product information there are three models, ranging from 25,000 lumens for the “QDX-N4K25 RGB” to 38,000 lumens for the “QDX-N4K45 RGB,” all said to cover the Rec.2020 color gamut. In April, Christie presented the “Sapphire 4K40-RGBH” (up to 40,950 lumens), which combines RGB pure laser and laser phosphor, at a trade show in China.

There is more than one standard for color range. Christie explains that Rec.2020 can represent more than twice as many colors as Rec.709 and 41% more than DCI-P3. Meanwhile, the “PT-RQ45K,” which uses a red laser and two-wavelength blue lasers, cites 91% DCI coverage. The standards and types of figures each company presents are not consistent.

Stacking, joining and running: stacking, edge blending and media servers

To cover a large surface brightly, images from multiple units are either overlaid or joined. Epson describes overlaying images from multiple projectors into one to increase brightness as “stacking,” and seamlessly merging the boundaries between screens as “edge blending.” It says distorted projection surfaces and blending can also be adjusted by correcting a grid of points one by one. The process of measuring, creating and projecting is explained in our explainer on how projection mapping works.

What stands out in the 2025–2026 announcements is the automation of this calibration. Combined with an optional external camera, the “EB-XQ2030B” can automatically adjust geometric correction and image-quality uniformity for multi-unit edge blending and stacking. Epson Sales Japan says this automates fine adjustments made by skilled technicians, helping to address labor shortages and shorten setup time. An L-shaped “right-angle lens” that makes projecting onto ceilings and floors easier is also available.

Panasonic Connect’s “PT-RQ45K” features a “black level correction” function suited to blending adjustment on curved screens, as well as a “gradation smoother” that softens banding in image gradations. The “PT-HTQ20J” is said to share projection lenses and mounting brackets with the “PT-RQ25K” series.

Media servers handle video playback and control. In the academic journal Kogaku (Japanese Journal of Optics, 2014), Michiyuki Ishita of the Projection Mapping Association of Japan described them as dedicated computers and software that play back and control video material, music, lighting and so on, and wrote that they are also useful for mapping adjustments of video on site.

At “TAKANAWA LIGHT JOURNEY” in February 2026 (in front of Takanawa Gateway Station, Tokyo), a media processor was used to control the output of projected images. Panasonic Connect’s case study lists the “ET-FMP50” series among the related equipment, set up to receive commands directly from a master PC controlling the entire show, including sound, lighting and fountains. On site, free software capable of automatic calibration and other functions was also used to perform geometric correction and masking for distortion correction.

Models spreading to smaller spaces: the 6,000–15,000 lm class and immersive use

Alongside large units, mid-brightness models aimed at small immersive spaces are also increasing. In June 2025, Epson Sales Japan announced that it would release 10 laser-light-source models in the “EB-L800 series” (6,000–8,000 lm) in stages from late July. It says it expanded the lineup to cover small-scale spatial staging (immersive/amusement, retail and so on) and lower the barrier to spatial staging.

In January 2026, Panasonic Connect announced the “VMQ85 series” of 4K LCD laser units. Light output is 8,000 lm and 6,500 lm (provisional), and the 8,000 lm “PT-VMQ85J” weighs about 7.6 kg (provisional). The company says experiential entertainment, including museums and sports simulation, demands more realistic immersive experiences than ever.

Overseas manufacturers have also released new models in this brightness band. On June 15, 2026, Barco announced the one-chip laser-phosphor “I65,” whose 4K models deliver 10,000–15,000 lumens and are intended for museums, houses of worship, educational institutions, corporate meeting rooms and rental. At a trade show in China in April 2026, Christie unveiled the 1DLP “Korus Series 4K1400-KS” with up to 14,250 lumens. Weighing 17.25 kg, it is aimed at installation in tight spaces.

According to a Panasonic Connect case study, the German Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai used the 4K one-chip DLP laser unit “PT-REQ12JLB.” In the exhibit “Circular Living,” seven units projected images onto a tall, large screen.

There were also changes among Japanese manufacturers. Sharp Display Solutions merged with Sharp as of April 1, 2026. In April 2026, Sharp Marketing Japan said it offers 14 projector models across six series, including a 20,000 lm model that can be used for large auditoriums and spatial staging. Sony’s page for its installation-type “system use models” for businesses lists three laser-light-source models, including the 9,000 lm “VPL-FHZ91L.”

Conditions for outdoor projection: power, dust and humidity, and the projection surface

Outdoors and in existing buildings, power supply shapes equipment choices. The “PT-RQ45K” product page notes that when used on AC 100–120 V, maximum light output is limited to 21,000 lm or less. Sharp Marketing Japan’s lineup also notes that brightness drops when used on AC 100 V. An example of an exhibition that chose models running on 100 V because of power constraints is introduced in our article on equipment and spatial design for immersive exhibitions.

Manufacturers also set out protection against dust and humidity in their specifications. The “PT-HTQ20J” has coatings on its main circuit boards to reduce the effects of dust and humidity, and its filterless design is said to allow 20,000 hours of maintenance-free operation. The same board coating is to be implemented in the “PT-RQ45K” as well. Christie describes the “Griffyn 4K50-RGB” as having a built-in cooling system and a sealed optical system.

The material of the projection surface is also a factor. Barco’s case study explains that the DDP facade in Seoul has a glossy metal finish that makes projection difficult. When projecting in cities, local government guidelines must also be followed. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “Guidelines on the Display of Projection Mapping” (July 1, 2020) call for particular caution with flashing vivid red, and, in cases such as projecting across a road, require confirmation that traffic signals and road signs are not impaired. Ordinances and procedures are summarized in our article on projection mapping and outdoor advertising rules, and projection methods, securing installations and laser safety distances in our guide to installing projectors.

Editor’s perspective

Setting the companies’ announcements side by side shows that brightness figures alone can no longer describe how equipment is changing. The 2026 announcements put color gamut such as Rec.2020, body weight and volume, automatic multi-unit calibration and resistance to dust and humidity at the fore. Explanations about reducing the effort of setup and maintenance also stand out. As venues become permanent and are operated over longer periods, the weight of such operational performance is likely to grow.

On the other hand, the figures in press materials need careful reading. The light output of the “PT-RQ45K” went from 40,000 lm (provisional) in the June 2025 announcement to 42,000 lm on the product page. The brightness of the “PT-HTQ20J” and the “VMQ85 series” is also given as provisional. The “world’s smallest and lightest” claims made by Epson Sales Japan and Panasonic Connect are based on each company’s own research, limited by brightness class, scope of comparison and survey period.

Lumen figures also differ, with ISO lumens and center values among them. The case study for the German Pavilion at the Expo gave the number of units as 24 in the equipment section and 30 in the main text. When citing figures, it is worth checking what they show, as of when and under what conditions.

Frequently asked questions

How many lumens do projectors used for large-scale projection have?

It depends on scale and conditions. Among the examples in this article, Rêve des Lumières in Ariake uses more than 100 units centered on 13,000 lm models, and THE MOVEUM in Yokohama uses 75 units including 16,000 lm models. Outdoors, Seoul’s DDP used 26 45,000-lumen units and Singapore’s NDP 2026 used 52 50,000-ISO-lumen units. Sharp Marketing Japan says 4,000–6,000 lm or more is typical for bright places such as small to medium-sized meeting rooms.

What is the difference between stacking and edge blending?

Stacking overlays images from multiple units into one to increase brightness, while edge blending seamlessly merges the boundaries of adjacent screens (per Epson’s explanation). The “EB-XQ2030B,” announced in September 2026, is said to use an external camera to automatically adjust geometric correction and image-quality uniformity in both cases.

How do RGB lasers and laser phosphor differ?

Laser phosphor uses a blue laser to excite a phosphor and obtain red and green light, while RGB pure laser has no phosphor wheel in the light path (per Christie’s technical explainer). Panasonic Connect’s “PT-HTQ20J” uses red, green and blue laser light sources and is the first of the company’s projectors to support Rec.2020.

Articles organized by each stage of planning are gathered in our guide for those planning projection mapping and light events.

*Information as of October 21, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.

*Top image: “Direct stacking” using two “EB-XQ2030B” projectors (from Epson Japan Co., Ltd.’s press release)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on official announcements and public materials from each agency and organizer (as of October 21, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team

A note from the publisher

HITOHATA, INC., an affiliate of HITOHATA ASSOCIATION, the general incorporated association that operates TOKYO ART SPHERE, plans, directs, produces and operates projection mapping at National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, World Heritage Sites and urban landmarks, as well as immersive exhibitions. Consideration of staging and equipment suited to the conditions of the venue and projection surface is also within the scope of its consultations. Inquiries, including those at the stage before a budget is set, are accepted through HITOHATA, INC.’s contact form (which has an option for local government and public projects). The company’s past work is introduced on HITOHATA, INC.’s project portfolio page.