Compare Sony X90L vs Panasonic Z95A

Sony X90L is a higher-end model from the Japanese manufacturer, which premiered in 2023 but will continue successfully in 2024 as well. The Sony brand and the name Bravia are associated with excellent picture quality, and this model confirms that reputation – it offers great brightness and very good black levels. Despite having fewer local dimming zones than its competitors, it makes up for it with an advanced algorithm. Additionally, after calibration, the television presents very well-rendered colors, resulting in a natural and cohesive image reminiscent of IMAX theaters. In everyday use, X90L performs excellently, mainly thanks to the image processor that effectively scales lower resolution content and the recording function from the built-in tuner, which is becoming increasingly rare in today’s televisions. Sony is also closely tied to the world of PlayStation, and in this regard, X90L Sony does not disappoint. It is equipped with HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, and a convenient Game Bar, making it a good choice for gamers who expect smooth gameplay and quick response. However, even in such a successful model, there are some drawbacks. Gamers may be disappointed by the lack of support for HGiG, which could improve image quality in HDR games. Additionally, Sony has not yet released an update that would reduce input lag in Dolby Vision mode – something that has been achieved in the higher model, the A95L. Those who prefer slimmer devices should know that although Sony X90L looks elegant due to its aluminum frame, it is not among the thinnest televisions on the market. Even though X90L has already been on the market for a year, it remains a solid device that combines good picture parameters with functionality and support for gamers. It is a successful choice for those looking for a versatile high-end television.

During the Panasonic Z95A tests, we had the impression that we were holding a television that deserves to be called one of the best on the market. When it comes to picture quality, it is outstanding! The OLED with infinite contrast, perfect black, and incredible brightness makes watching movies a pure pleasure. The micro lens array (MLA) technology really made a difference. Thanks to it, the image not only gained brightness, achieving a spectacular 1500 nits in HDR content, but also improved viewing angles - which are already quite good in regular WOLED panels. As a result, every scene looked so realistic that we felt as if we were part of it. We also checked how it performs in different lighting conditions – it impressed us without exception in both dark and bright rooms. We couldn’t complain about the sound either. The built-in soundbar with Dolby Atmos surprised us with its spaciousness and dynamics, which is usually lacking in speakers integrated with televisions. It is truly solid support for cinematic experiences. The Panasonic Z95A does not disappoint gamers either. We tested its gaming features – support for ALLM, VRR, a 144 Hz panel, and gaming in Dolby Vision at 120 Hz is something every avid gamer will appreciate. Additionally, there are practical features like the ability to record to an external drive and the PiP function, which enhance everyday use of the television. Of course, we also noticed some drawbacks. The Fire TV operating system from Amazon, while better than in older models, still has its flaws. The lack of some popular apps, such as Player.pl or TVP VOD, and poorly executed translations in the interface can sometimes be irritating, especially in a TV in this price range. The Panasonic Z95A is a television with a big "P" for premium. It impresses with picture quality, sound, and functionality. However, its high price may deter some, especially when there are devices on the market offering similar capabilities at significantly lower prices. However, if the budget is not an issue, the Z95A is a television that provides cinematic experiences at absolutely the highest level.

The Sony X90L television is equipped with a VA panel and in the tested size of 65' has 88 dimming zones. It may seem that such a number of zones does not make a great impression, but thanks to the local dimming algorithm, the television handles blacks very well. This is clearly visible in the first and third test slides, where the contrast reaches nearly 100,000:1. In more demanding scenes, the X90L does not achieve such spectacular results anymore – a contrast level of 6000:1 is simply acceptable. The light separation is really good, confirmed by the scene from the movie "Oblivion". However, the small number of dimming zones causes the halo effect to be visible, especially in the test film from "Sicario 2," where the helicopter lights cause quite a noticeable flare on a large area of the screen. Despite the small number of dimming zones, the Sony X90L does a really good job of reproducing blacks. Although it does not compare to the highest series of miniLED or OLED televisions in terms of black depth and contrast level, it offers solid results that are sufficient for demanding users in most cases.

The contrast and black level in the Panasonic Z95A television attract the attention of even the most demanding viewers. The Z95A, as befits an OLED, offers exceptional results in this regard. In every tested scene, the contrast is practically infinite, which translates to excellent picture quality in real-world conditions. During the screening of the film Oblivion, you can see how light sources, such as lamps, fall on the actor, creating an incredibly realistic effect. The Z95A Panasonic reproduces these details in black with impressive precision, making even subtle differences in brightness and lighting clear. This gives the viewer a sense of depth and naturalness in the image, which is hard to find in LED televisions that often offer various kinds of compromises.

HDR on the Sony X90L television looks promising. The luminance chart showed that the TV has a solid power reserve, reaching a maximum of 1000 nits in synthetic tests. But how does it perform in real scenarios? In scenes such as the first one from Life of Pi or the final sequence from The Meg, the TV can deliver this power on HDR content, achieving around 800 nits. Unfortunately, displaying small light elements on a black background, as in the scene from Sicario 2, poses greater challenges for the X90L – here the results reach about 600 nits. Despite this, when looking at competitive models with mini-LED technology, the effect looks very good and can shine enough to impress us. The color gamut coverage is also noteworthy, with a result of 96% for DCI-P3 and 76% for BT.2020, indicating good color reproduction in HDR content.

Panasonic Z95A demonstrates class when it comes to HDR performance. In brightness tests, it reaches a level of 1800 nits, which has a real impact on watching movies. Scenes from Life of Pi or Gemini Man look great – the television effortlessly reproduces details and the intensity of bright spots, impressing with its power. In more demanding moments, like the final scene from The Meg, one can see how bright light floods the screen. In such moments, brightness drops, which is typical for organic matrices. Nonetheless, a result around 1000 nits can still be considered excellent, still providing very good picture quality. Additionally, the television offers excellent coverage of wide color gamuts – up to 98.6% for DCI-P3 and 74.5% for BT.2020. This ensures that colors are not only vibrant but also deeply saturated, allowing full appreciation of the richness of details, especially in HDR scenes. Such coverage makes colors appear more realistic, and the HDR effect gains in intensity and accuracy. All this impressive HDR effect is thanks to MLA technology, which enables achieving such high luminance and excellent image detail. Thanks to this, the Panasonic Z95A offers HDR at a level that truly makes a difference.

The best mode in Sony televisions is the IMAX Enhanced mode. Although IMAX is mainly associated with the cinematic experience, here the color reproduction right out of the box is average. In the case of lower quality materials, such as HD – regular TV or YouTube – it is worth paying attention to the white balance. It is characterized by a deficit in red and an excessive dominance of blue, which gives the image a pinkish hue. The brightness characteristic, or gamma, for HD content is quite decent, but a slight boost may cause the image to become washed out and appear as if it is behind a light fog.

In 4K HDR content, the situation looks a bit different. The white balance shows a significant boost in blue, which makes the image appear unnaturally sharp and gives it an artificial feel. Such an exaggeration in color reproduction may not appeal to everyone, especially if one prefers more realistic shades. Additionally, the EOTF curve in Sony X90L looks quite decent at first glance. However, at the end of the graph, there are certain fluctuations that suggest the television is trying to maintain the appropriate brightness to avoid overexposing larger elements.

The best picture mode in the Panasonic Z95A is undoubtedly the Filmmaker mode. It is a mode that offers quite good image reproduction, but it is not free from certain errors that need improvement. First of all, the white balance, both for 4K and HD content, tends to show a dominance of red and blue colors. This causes a slight pinkish tint in the image, particularly noticeable in bright, white scenes. Such deviations can be seen in the comparative photo below, which illustrates this problem well. The Colour Checker test also confirms these discrepancies, showing slight shifts of the dots towards the mentioned hues.

In terms of gamma brightness characteristics, it performs very well, with only minor issues when lightening small details. The EOTF curve, which is responsible for controlling brightness in 4K HDR content, poses greater difficulty. Here, a slight boost in brightness above the reference value can be observed, making the image sometimes too bright, especially in more demanding scenes. Although the Filmmaker mode is definitely the best choice in the Z95A, these aspects require refinement to fully exploit the potential of the television.

Sony offers many tools to improve image quality, including two additional image modes that we decided to use during testing and apply calibration to them. This solution significantly facilitates the calibration work and is very effective, provided that the right tools are available. In the case of HD content, the white balance has been almost perfectly aligned – only one shade of gray exceeds the error value of "1", which is an excellent result. The same can be said about the brightness characteristic (gamma), which looks nearly perfect, with microscopic deviations of around 0.01.

In the case of 4K HDR content, the situation is not as ideal. Although the white balance has been significantly improved, it has not been possible to completely eliminate the dominance of blue color. Nonetheless, errors in the Colour Checker test only occasionally exceed the value of "2", which means that image distortions are practically unnoticeable. As for the EOTF curve, it is worth activating the filter in the upper right corner "EOTF in Movies" – the graph looks correct, but the television encounters difficulties illuminating very small elements, which results from the limited number of backlight zones. Despite these minor flaws, it is thanks to the calibration carried out that the IMAX Enhanced mode in the Sony X90L makes watching movies resemble a true cinema experience.

After calibration, Panasonic Z95A shows its full potential, offering an almost perfect image. The television provides great adjustment capabilities, which we have fully utilized. The white balance after calibration is presented almost perfectly, and errors in SDR content at the level of 0.5 fall within an absolutely reference standard. The same is true for 4K HDR content – any pink tint on the screen has been completely eliminated, and the white balance is now exemplary.

The color palette and Colour Checker test confirm the excellence of the calibration. Errors below 2 is a result that will satisfy both professional calibrators and enthusiasts of cinema-quality images. Significant changes have also occurred in brightness characteristics – the EOTF curve has been leveled, eliminating previous issues with excessive image brightness. And the small error in gamma has been reduced.

Before calibration, the image was acceptable, but now it is a completely different league. It is a true feast for the eyes, the quality of which is hard to compare to anything else. Panasonic Z95A, after fine-tuning the settings, becomes a true master of color reproduction.

The smoothness of tonal transitions in Sony X90L is outstanding. The gradation is beautiful on high-quality sources such as 4K streaming. One can only notice slight banding on more demanding gradients, but the overall effect is very good and should satisfy even the more discerning viewers.

The tonal transitions in Panasonic Z95A are not tragic, but in this class of devices, one can expect something more. The television struggles with smooth color blending, both in dark and light shades. In more demanding scenes, minor imperfections are visible, which can affect the visual experience, especially for more discerning users. Although this is not a disqualifying factor, it is an aspect that needs improvement, especially considering the price and aspirations of this model.

The Sony X90L TV features a tone transition smoothing function known as Smooth Gradation, which is incredibly effective. Even at the "low" setting, the effects are satisfactory, but at the "medium" setting, it works like a dream – we recommend using this option for the best results. The image scaling on the Sony X90L is simply excellent. The image is not overly sharpened, which gives a natural effect and makes everything look cohesive. It is evident that the engineers really put effort into this aspect, creating a solution that impresses and works well in everyday use. Because of this, even when watching content like regular television or YouTube, where the image is not inherently stunning, one can enjoy a smooth, cohesive, and visually pleasing experience.

In the case of lower quality materials, the "Gradient Smoothing" function is responsible for smoothing tonal transitions. The best results are achieved with an intermediate setting – although they are not spectacular, the function works correctly and does not introduce unwanted effects into the image. It can be rated as average, but sufficient to improve the quality of tonal transitions.

As for digital processing, or upscaling, the image looks surprisingly good. It is vibrant and pleasant to the eye, making lower quality content, such as standard television or YouTube, look quite decent. However, minor issues can be noticed, such as "jaggies" on edges, e.g. branches in the background. Nevertheless, this does not significantly impact the overall viewing experience, and the television handles this material in an acceptable manner.

Sony X90L with a 120 Hz panel is a great choice for both gamers and movie enthusiasts. The TV is equipped with the Motion Flow smoothness feature, which allows you to adjust motion smoothness using two sliders: "smoothness" and "clarity." The "smoothness" slider controls the level of motion fluidity, which helps reduce image stuttering, while "clarity" is used to reduce blurring and improve motion sharpness, which is especially useful in dynamic scenes.

Panasonic Z95A, with its 144 Hz panel, offers excellent image smoothness. For films, there is the "Intelligent Frame Creation" feature, which enhances fluidity and reduces motion blur. The user has two sliders at their disposal: "Motion Blur Reduction" – responsible for clearer and sharper details in fast-moving scenes. "Film Smoothness" – adds smoothness by creating additional frames between the originals, making the motion look smoother and more natural with a "soap opera" effect.

As a result, viewers can adjust the settings to their own preferences. Films and less dynamic materials appear smooth and natural, which should satisfy most users.

Sony X90L is a television that performs well in terms of compatibility with consoles and features for gamers. Its 120 Hz panel and two HDMI 2.1 ports with a bandwidth of 48 Gb/s allow for smooth play in high resolution and at a high frame rate. Gamers can also take advantage of the ALLM feature, which automatically switches the TV to low latency mode, and VRR, which provides smooth gameplay without screen tearing. Game Bar is an additional advantage – an intuitive tool that allows for quick access to the most important settings and gaming features, making it easier to control gameplay.

Unfortunately, in terms of HDR in games, the Sony X90L has its limitations. There is no support for HGiG, a standard that many gamers consider essential for precise HDR reproduction in games. Although the TV supports Dolby Vision, which theoretically could improve image quality in games, the practical application of this feature is problematic. Dolby Vision in game mode is associated with very high input lag, making gameplay less comfortable and precise movements more difficult. Additionally, it is not possible to enable Dolby Vision along with VRR. This means that despite numerous advantages, gamers seeking perfect HDR in games may feel a sense of disappointment.

Panasonic Z95A this year shows that the manufacturer has made a huge leap forward in terms of support for gamers. The television offers practically everything one could expect from a device in this category. Support for ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) ensures smoothness and no tearing in dynamic games. The 144 Hz panel allows for incredible fluidity, and the additional support for resolutions other than 4K provides greater flexibility, which is a significant plus for gamers using various setups.

Attention should also be paid to the unique and somewhat specific "Game Bar." Its intuitive interface stands out from the competition and allows quick adjustments to key settings such as VRR, brightness level, or picture mode without interrupting gameplay.

However, in this class of device, there is a slight disappointment – the Panasonic Z95A offers only two HDMI 2.1 ports, instead of four. This is definitely insufficient for a premium television, especially at a time when many people have more than one device requiring full HDMI 2.1 support, such as a next-gen console or a high-end computer. In this category, it is hard to accept, especially given the high aspirations of this model. Despite this, the television is an excellent choice for gamers, offering versatility and functionality at the highest level.

The input lag on the Sony X90L can be rated as decent, although it is not exceptional. In Dolby Vision mode, the television operates only at 60 Hz, and the high input lag complicates matters as it makes gameplay practically unplayable. For games at the popular 60 Hz frequency, the input lag is around 25 ms – this is an acceptable result, but for more demanding players, it may be disappointing.

However, those more advanced players who have equipment that supports higher refresh rates can expect better results. With a 120 Hz signal, the input lag drops to around 12 ms, providing significantly better responsiveness and smoother gameplay, meeting the expectations of more demanding users.

Panasonic Z95A impresses with its outstanding level of input lag, making it one of the best choices for gamers in its class. Regardless of the mode, the television achieves results of around 13 ms at 60 Hz and just 5 ms at 120 Hz, ensuring incredibly smooth and responsive gameplay. Moreover, Panasonic allows playing in Dolby Vision mode with minimal delays. Well done!

Cooperation with the PC in Sony X90L is at a good level. The X90L TV supports 4:4:4 chroma, which provides quite good font visibility, important when working or browsing content on a large screen. Although there are minimal issues with font readability on a dark background, it is not bothersome enough to be a significant problem in everyday use.

An additional advantage for PC users is the 120 Hz refresh rate and support for G-Sync functionality. As a result, gamers can expect smoother gameplay without stuttering or tearing effects, significantly enhancing comfort and gaming experience.

Panasonic Z95A works great with computers, offering full support for chroma 4:4:4, which translates into very good font readability. However, one should remember the characteristic way of displaying text typical for WOLED matrices with a white subpixel, which may be noticeable during longer work with documents or browsing web pages. This is something to keep in mind if the TV is to be used as a work monitor.

Another advantage is the support for G-Sync technology, which is a great addition for gamers using NVIDIA graphics cards. Thus, the Z95A ensures smooth gameplay without tearing and delays, making it a versatile device for both work and play.

Viewing angles on the Sony X90L are unfortunately very poor, which is typical for VA panels. The picture loses quality when viewed from an angle, which can be problematic when watching from a greater distance or with a larger group of people. It's a pity that the manufacturer did not apply a coating to widen the viewing angles, which could significantly improve this aspect and make the TV more versatile for different room layouts.

The viewing angles of the Panasonic Z95A are excellent, thanks to the use of an OLED panel with MLA technology. This ensures that the image remains clear, full of details, and without visible color changes even at large angles. In practice, this means that no matter where we watch the television from, the picture quality remains at the highest level.

In this regard, the Z95A ranks among the very best, competing for the title of leader with televisions based on QD-OLED panels (Samsung and Sony). It's hard to find anything better on the market, making this model an ideal choice for larger rooms or screenings with family and friends, where everyone can enjoy a perfect picture.

The performance of the Sony X90L television during the day is at a very good level. The matte screen effectively suppresses reflections, which minimizes glare and keeps the image clear even in bright rooms. The SDR brightness of 785 cd/m² allows for comfortable viewing of standard television and lower quality materials regardless of the time of day. As a result, the X90L performs excellently in both well-lit living rooms and more sunlit spaces.

Panasonic Z95A is equipped with a glossy panel that does quite well in minimizing reflections. However, due to the use of micro lens array (MLA) technology, the black in bright surroundings may take on a slightly cherry hue, which is particularly noticeable in well-lit rooms. In terms of brightness, the average SDR value is around 500 cd/m², which easily allows for comfortable viewing of the television in most living rooms. However, it should be noted that in very sunny conditions or under intense artificial lighting, this brightness may prove insufficient to fully eliminate reflections and maintain ideal contrast. Nevertheless, in typical home conditions, Z95A performs very well.

Sony X90L offers a rich set of features, starting with the Google TV system, which is the heart of entertainment. This solution provides access to a huge amount of apps and streaming services, and the interface is intuitive and clear. With voice assistant support, using the TV becomes even more convenient – just one command is enough to find your favorite movies, series, or music. Google TV operates smoothly and allows for full customization, making daily use enjoyable and hassle-free.

The TV also offers a range of practical features. It supports AirPlay and Miracast, making it easy to stream content from mobile devices. Additionally, other devices can be connected via Bluetooth, enhancing versatility and ease of use. For those who prefer traditional television viewing, there is even a recording function available without the need for an external decoder, which is a big advantage for fans of live shows.

In terms of design, Sony X90L may not be the sleekest, but its appearance is impressive thanks to the metal frame, which adds elegance. The TV is equipped with a stand that can be set up in three different ways, allowing it to be adjusted to various spaces and user preferences.

Panasonic Z95A introduces a new operating system, which we believe is a very good move compared to last year's MZ2000 model. The system is called Fire TV and was created by Amazon. It is a novelty in the Polish market, distinguished by its fluidity and responsiveness, providing convenient control and fast performance in everyday use.

Despite numerous advantages, the system still has a few shortcomings. We won't find some popular applications on it, such as SkyShowtime, as well as Polish streaming services like Player.pl or TVP VOD. Another drawback is the quality of the interface translation – many functions have been translated in an imprecise manner, giving the impression that the translation was done "on the fly." Some terms are incomprehensible, especially for people who have not previously interacted with other TVs, which may hinder the use of the device.

In terms of user features, the Z95A performs very well. Options such as USB recording, support for the PiP (picture-in-picture) feature, AirPlay, and Miracast can be found here. Thanks to this, the television offers versatility and meets most of the requirements of modern users, although the Fire TV system still requires refinement to fully compete with more established solutions on the market.

Sony X90L easily handles playback of most popular file formats from USB, which is a big plus for those who frequently access external content. However, it is worth mentioning a slight downside – the built-in player does not allow for changing the font color in subtitles, which can be problematic for some. Fortunately, thanks to the advanced Google TV system, users have a wide range of options. It is easy to install alternative media players that offer more personalization options.

As we mentioned earlier, the Fire TV system in the Panasonic Z95A has some issues with supporting the Polish language, which unfortunately is also visible when playing files from USB memory. The built-in media player does not allow for the correct display of Polish characters, such as "ź", "ć" or "ł", which can be inconvenient for users relying on local subtitles for movies. If correct display of Polish characters is important for the user, it may be necessary to use an external application available in the Amazon store or to stream content through other devices.

The sound in Sony X90L is pleasant and clear, and the presence of bass makes the sound fuller. The TV performs well in playing music, offering satisfying audio experiences. An additional advantage is the support for Dolby Atmos and DTS technologies, which provide a more spatial and immersive sound. As a result, movies, games, and music gain depth and realism, creating a better experience for the user.

The sound in Panasonic Z95A is one of its strong points, mainly due to the built-in soundbar, which provides impressive audio experiences. The support for Dolby Atmos makes the sound spatial and deep, perfectly fitting into the cinematic experience. Both dialogues and sound effects are clear and dynamic, which will satisfy even the most demanding users. Unfortunately, there is a lack of support for the DTS format, which may be disappointing for those using movies or content that require it. Nevertheless, the overall sound quality in Z95A is at a very high level and successfully replaces external audio systems (at a reasonable price) in most home applications.

Sony X90L vs Panasonic Z95A

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound