Panasonic TX-55FZ802B £1799
FOR Impressive blacks; vibrant colours; natural, realistic images; simple operation AGAINST Lacks the edge definition of some rivals; operating system is basic
It’s fair to say we were a little disappointed by Panasonic’s OLED efforts last year. The TX-55EZ952B was an accomplished performer, but its lack of punch and dynamism, particularly with HDR content, meant that four stars was the best it could manage.
Now, just over a year later, the TX-55FZ802B is on the hunt for that fifth star. You’ve already seen the rating, so you will have gathered that this is a significantly punchier performer than its predecessors. In fact, it’s one of the best OLEDS around, offering a remarkably LG C8-like performance at a lower price.
Understated elegance
This is one of the most stylish TVS Panasonic has produced in ages, albeit in an understated fashion. The panel itself is incredibly thin, even by OLED standards. The plastic appendage, essential for housing the TV’S connections and processing bits and pieces, covers more of the panel’s rear surface area than the equivalent does on many other OLEDS, but there’s no denying the impact of the FZ802’S design when viewed in profile, particularly if wall-mounted. Those not wall mounting will find a pedestal stand that combines solidity and weight with slim elegance.
While it’s abundantly stylish, the mattblack finish, super-slim bezels and lack of aesthetic flourishes make it look rather minimalistic. This is a TV that puts the content first, then vanishes in a room darkened for movie night.
On the subject of content, Panasonic offers plenty of ways to access it. There are four HDMI inputs (only two will handle full-fat 4K HDR signals at 50/60 Hz, but that’s a limitation that few people will bump up against) and the vast majority of app bases are covered.
Amazon Video and Netflix are both present in full 4K/HDR form, as was the BBC iplayer during its World Cup trial. The other UK catch-up services (ITV Hub, All 4, Demand 5) are also present under the Freeview Play banner, enabling fairly seamless access of on-demand content via the main EPG.
App gap
Pay-as-you-go access to streaming movies is the Panasonic’s only real weakness on the app front. Google Play Movies & TV, now available on many rival platforms, is missing here, as is Now TV. And while the increasingly common Rakuten is on board, it’s not in 4K HDR as it is via Samsung or LG TVS. Spotify is also missing, but that should be of far less concern.
Those who prefer to get their TV the old-fashioned way will be pleased to discover that, as well as Freeview, there’s also a proper, twin-tuner Freesat service. Gamers, meanwhile, will be kept happy by an input lag that we measured at less than 22ms.
Everything’s wrapped up in this TV’S My Home Screen operating system. Press the Home button on the remote and three coloured circles appear representing TV, Apps and Devices. Click on one and you’re taken to the relevant source/s.
It’s exceedingly simple, but also somewhat basic, particularly next to the slick and snazzy operating systems offered by LG and Samsung. There’s also a slight pause every time you press the Home button, which becomes quite irritating over time. The Apps portion is a pain, too, lacking an obvious search function, although you can add Apps to the main home screen.
The remote is the same core design that Panasonic has been shipping with its TVS for years. It’s responsive (that Home delay notwithstanding), but it’s also rather plasticky, cluttered and unintuitively laid out.
There are useful shortcuts for Netflix and Freeview Play (other apps are accessed via the Apps shortcut button), but no voice control.
Relative values
What’s most remarkable about the Panasonic’s picture performance – beyond it being simply excellent – is how similar it is to that of the LG OLED55C8 PLA. That may not initially sound remarkable at all – the two TVS do use the latest-generation Lg-manufactured OLED panel, after all. But the panel is just one ingredient that influences the performance. Last year’s Panasonic OLEDS were different to LG’S own models, for example, and Sony OLEDS have their own, unique picture characteristics.
Our biggest issue with Panasonic’s OLEDS last year was their lack of brightness and vibrancy with HDR content. However, it immediately becomes clear that the FZ802 doesn’t suffer the same flaw. A good backlit TV, particularly a high-end one such as the Samsung Q9FN, will go brighter, but for an OLED this is right up there. Add OLED’S pure blacks, and you’ve got genuinely stunning contrast.
Colours are superb, too: rich, vibrant and vivid, but perfectly judged to deliver natural scenery and realistic skin tones.
All of these strengths are illustrated clearly and concisely in the ‘space chase’ chapter of the Guardians Of The Galaxy
Vol 2 on 4K Blu-ray disc. Shots outside Starlord’s ship show a vista combining the inky blackness of deep space with brightly twinkling stars and gorgeously coloured nebulae, while shots within the cockpit illustrate subtlety and realism in the recreation of the skin and fur of the Guardians themselves. It’s captivating.
The Panasonic’s motion processing is pretty good, too. There’s a fair bit of soap opera-like weirdness when the Intelligent Frame Creation is on its higher settings, but at its minimum there’s a little bit of sharpening and smoothing without an abundance of unnatural shimmer.
Lower def is high-quality
Move down from 4K HDR to 1080p and even standard-def, and the Panasonic continues to put in a performance that’s strikingly similar to that of the LG C8. Again the natural, controlled colours are most notable, but detail levels are excellent too.
Despite all this, the LG has the slight edge. Compared with the C8, the FZ802 is slightly lacking sharpness and definition, and the result is a marginally softer, flatter image.the LG also goes just a touch brighter.
It’s a pleasant surprise that the FZ802’S practically invisible speakers provide a decent delivery by prevailing standards. Bass weight and depth is lacking, but the delivery is open, spacious and well projected, with direct, clear voices.
So, if the Panasonic TX-55FZ802B is so similar to the LG OLED55C8PLA, why would you buy the former over the latter? The price, that’s why. The Panasonic is £200 less than the LG – even if the LG’S greater edge definition and snazzier operating system, are arguably worth the extra outlay.
Whichever you choose, the FZ802 is a superb television, and a real return to form for Panasonic.
“Colours are superb: rich, vibrant and vivid, but perfectly judged to deliver natural scenery”