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Brightness and Contrast

To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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RCA M27PG135F — (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The M27PG135F is rated for 350 nits SDR output, and my sample achieved that. Compared to the others, it’s in the middle. There is more than enough light here. Black levels are also mid-pack, which results in an average-for-IPS 1,025.4:1 contrast ratio. Obviously, the VA panels have a significant advantage in this test.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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I lost a little contrast with calibration because I had to reduce the contrast slider to solve a clipping issue where the 100% brightness step was tinted blue. The compromise is slight, though, the M27PG135F is still about average for an IPS panel in contrast. The improvement in color accuracy is well worth this small sacrifice.

Intra-image contrast remains consistent, which speaks to the quality of the M27PG135F’s components, in particular its grid polarizer. It has a bright and sharp picture that is very colorful.

Test Takeaway: If you want more contrast than what’s offered by the M27PG135F, you’ll need a VA or OLED panel. The latter option will come at a significantly higher cost. Given the lag and response test results, I’d pick the RCA even though it has only average contrast. Its gaming performance more than makes up for that. And the super wide color gamut also doesn’t hurt.

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Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

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