Just as we saw on last year’s GX800 models, the LCD panel appears to sit on top of, rather than within, the surrounding bezel. The TX-58HX800 is fashionably minimalist when it comes to design, but there’s some pleasing attention to detail. (Image credit: Panasonic) Panasonic HX800 review: Design & usability
Play with the Normal viewing mode, and this jumps to 140ms – fortunately, the inclusion of ALLM (mentioned earlier) means it will auto-switch to the Game mode when a console that supports ALLM tells it to (which both the PS5 and Xbox Series X will). We measured a low latency of 10.2ms (1080p/60fps) in Game mode on the HX800, which is phenomenal. Panasonic continues to over deliver on its gaming performance. This eliminates all motion artefacts, but you’ll have to live with a level of panning judder. If you’re watching movies from Blu-ray (at 24 frames per second) our advice remains to switch IFC off. Inevitably, motion artefacts are more evident on the Mid and Max settings.
We had no qualms using the Min setting for general TV content. The brand lists the strength of IFC here as 1600 Hz BMR, which is, of course, gobbledygook. Panasonic’s familiar motion handling technology, Intelligent Frame Creation, once a reason to head for the off switch, is actually very effective.
The (UK & Europe-only) 55-inch OLED754 is around the same price, so is the single biggest competitor here, and has the edge when it comes to HDR image performance overall. However, while this is good overall for sets in this kind of value range, the brightness is notably lower than the brightness of the Philips OLED754, which has the double advantage of being an OLED set, so handles contrast much better than this TV, meaning HDR performance is much better overall. Those elements in a grade designed to pop from the screen, like spot light or effects, really stand out.
Combined with an admirable level of contrast, this means the set has no problem presenting specular highlights. There’s only a marginal drop-off with other picture modes. We measured peak HDR brightness at just under 450 nits, using the Dynamic picture preset. HDR performance is in line with last year’s GX800 model. Unlike static HDR, dynamic HDR technology like Dolby Vision allows the TV to manage high brightness and shadow detail on a scene by scene basis. There’s also provision for broadcast HLG, which is finally starting to arrive, as well as HLG Photo, supported by some of Panasonic’s high-spec mirrorless cameras.
Multi-HDR support means you won’t suffer FOMO when watching Amazon Prime (for HDR10+) or Netflix (Dolby Vision).
Skin tones look sensational, with believable texture. 58-inches may sound like an inbetweener size, but the extra real estate over a 55-inch set is a treat when it comes to detail and image depth. Inevitably the panel really blooms with 4K sources.
In darker environments for movie screenings, the True Cinema mode is the best option, as it’s got more punch than the regular Cinema mode. The Normal mode remains our recommended option for most content, although perhaps surprisingly, Dynamic with controlled oversaturation also proves rather satisfying. The choice of image presets covers Dynamic, Normal, Cinema, True Cinema, Custom and Sport. The screen looks splendid with Blu-ray and other HD sources – fine detail gets a lift from the brand’s familiar HCX image processor, and the average picture level is high. The set also looks excellent with SDR content, upscaling with a gentle touch. A 2020 full-array set, such as the Samsung Q80T inevitably has more brightness and stronger black areas, but it also costs a lot more. Black letterbox bars look suitably dark, provided you maintain some level of ambient light in the room. Local Dimming enhanced Contrast is really strong for an edge-lit set. You’ll find predictable light splodges if you look hard, but with most full-screen material they’re unnoticeable. The HX800 is edge-lit, rather than full-array, but backlight uniformity is generally fine. Even the catch-all Normal viewing mode trades glare for big-screen glamour. The image doesn’t prioritise LED brightness, but it’s all the more cinematic for that. There’s a lushness to the HX800’s pictures which is immediately engaging. Panasonic does cinematic sheen better than anyone. (Image credit: Panasonic) Panasonic HX800 review: Picture performance