A good short throw setup solves a practical AV problem: big image, limited room depth, fewer shadows, cleaner installation. This Short Throw Projectors Buying Guide compares the in-stock projector and lens options provided by AudioVideoNation so buyers can match the product to the room, the mounting plan, and the budget. Some choices here are complete projectors. Others are short throw lenses for compatible projector platforms, which makes compatibility the first thing to verify. For churches, classrooms, training rooms, golf simulator spaces, and conference rooms, the right pick depends on deployment fit, availability, and price-to-performance. Start with throw type and brightness, then confirm the details on the product page before ordering.
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Top pick: The Epson PowerLite L795SE Short Throw 3LCD Projector – 16:9 – Wall Mountable – 1920 x 1200 – Front – 7000 lm [USED] is the lead recommendation because It is an in-stock short throw projector with 7000 lumens listed in the provided data and a $4,499.00 price. That puts it near the top of the list for buyers who want high brightness without moving into the highest listed price tier.
Quick Picks
- Best overall: Epson PowerLite L795SE Short Throw 3LCD Projector – 16:9 – Wall Mountable – 1920 x 1200 – Front – 7000 lm [USED]
- Best for golf simulator rooms, classrooms, and front-of-ro…: Panasonic PT-CMZ50 WUXGA Ultra-Short Throw Laser Projector – Professional Golf Simulator Display
- Best for installed AV projects that need WUXGA resolution,…: 7000 lm WUXGA Short Throw (0.8:1) Laser LCD Projector- Black
- Best for installers and AV teams who already know their co…: Epson V12H004UA3 – Short Throw Zoom Projector Lens
- Best for specialized installations built around the X141Q…: 0.55-0.75 Short Throw Zoom Lens (lens shift) for the X141Q projector
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Epson PowerLite L795SE Short Throw 3LCD Projector – 16:9 – Wall Mountable – 1920 x 1200 – Front – 7000 lm [USED] | Panasonic PT-CMZ50 WUXGA Ultra-Short Throw Laser Projector – Professional Golf Simulator Display | 7000 lm WUXGA Short Throw (0.8:1) Laser LCD Projector- Black | Epson V12H004UA3 – Short Throw Zoom Projector Lens | 0.55-0.75 Short Throw Zoom Lens (lens shift) for the X141Q projector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightness | 7000 lumens | 5200 lumens | 7000 lumens | Not listed | Not listed |
| Resolution | Not listed | WUXGA | WUXGA | Not listed | Not listed |
| Best For | Schools, churches, and meeting spaces that need a 7000-lumen short throw projector and are comfortable evaluating a used AV product before purchase. | Golf simulator rooms, classrooms, and front-of-room installs where the projector needs to sit very close to the image surface. | Installed AV projects that need WUXGA resolution, 7000 lumens, and a short throw projector in a higher-budget tier. | Installers and AV teams who already know their compatible Epson projector platform and need a short throw zoom lens for placement flexibility. | Specialized installations built around the X141Q projector where a 0.55-0.75 short throw zoom lens and lens shift are required. |
| Throw Type | Short throw | Ultra short throw | Short throw | Short throw | Short throw |
| Audio | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Smart Features | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Price Range | $4,499.00 | $4,454.36 | $10,885.00 | $3,189.00 | $7,560.00 |
| Recommended Buyer | Schools, churches, and meeting spaces that need a 7000-lumen short throw projector and are comfortable evaluating a used AV product before purchase. | Golf simulator rooms, classrooms, and front-of-room installs where the projector needs to sit very close to the image surface. | Installed AV projects that need WUXGA resolution, 7000 lumens, and a short throw projector in a higher-budget tier. | Installers and AV teams who already know their compatible Epson projector platform and need a short throw zoom lens for placement flexibility. | Specialized installations built around the X141Q projector where a 0.55-0.75 short throw zoom lens and lens shift are required. |
Product Images
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Top Projector Products from AudioVideoNation
1. Epson PowerLite L795SE Short Throw 3LCD Projector – 16:9 – Wall Mountable – 1920 x 1200 – Front – 7000 lm [USED]
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Best fit: Schools, churches, and meeting spaces that need a 7000-lumen short throw projector and are comfortable evaluating a used AV product before purchase.
Why it belongs here: It is an in-stock short throw projector with 7000 lumens listed in the provided data and a $4,499.00 price. That puts it near the top of the list for buyers who want high brightness without moving into the highest listed price tier.
Store details: SKU PL-L795SE-USED | In stock | $4,499.00
Key Features
- Short throw projector
- 7000 lumens listed
- In stock
- Price listed at $4,499.00
- Resolution: Not listed in extracted facts
Things to Consider
This product is marked [USED], so verify condition, included accessories, mount requirements, and return policy details on the product page before specifying it for a job.
2. Panasonic PT-CMZ50 WUXGA Ultra-Short Throw Laser Projector – Professional Golf Simulator Display
Best fit: Golf simulator rooms, classrooms, and front-of-room installs where the projector needs to sit very close to the image surface.
Why it belongs here: It is the only ultra short throw projector in the supplied product set, and the provided data lists WUXGA resolution, 5200 lumens, in-stock status, and a $4,454.36 price.
Store details: SKU PT-CMZ50U | In stock | $4,454.36
Key Features
- Ultra short throw design
- 5200 lumens listed
- WUXGA resolution listed
- In stock
- Price listed at $4,454.36
Things to Consider
Audio and smart features are not listed in the provided data. Confirm inputs, mounting needs, screen size, and room geometry on the product page.
3. 7000 lm WUXGA Short Throw (0.8:1) Laser LCD Projector- Black
Best fit: Installed AV projects that need WUXGA resolution, 7000 lumens, and a short throw projector in a higher-budget tier.
Why it belongs here: It gives buyers a new in-stock short throw projector option with WUXGA resolution, 7000 lumens, and a listed 0.8:1 short throw specification in the product name.
Store details: SKU PT-VMZ7STBU7 | In stock | $10,885.00
Key Features
- Short throw projector
- 0.8:1 throw ratio named in product title
- 7000 lumens listed
- WUXGA resolution listed
- In stock
Things to Consider
At $10,885.00, it is the highest-priced complete projector in this guide. Verify the room's brightness needs, mounting plan, and input requirements before approving the spend.
4. Epson V12H004UA3 – Short Throw Zoom Projector Lens
Best fit: Installers and AV teams who already know their compatible Epson projector platform and need a short throw zoom lens for placement flexibility.
Why it belongs here: It is an in-stock Epson short throw zoom projector lens at $3,189.00, useful for buyers working with a compatible projector body rather than shopping for a standalone projector.
Store details: SKU ELPLU03S | In stock | $3,189.00
Key Features
- Short throw zoom projector lens
- In stock
- Price listed at $3,189.00
- Brightness: Not listed
- Resolution: Not listed
Things to Consider
This is a lens, not a complete projector. Confirm compatible projector models, throw distance, and installation requirements on the product page before ordering.
5. 0.55-0.75 Short Throw Zoom Lens (lens shift) for the X141Q projector
Best fit: Specialized installations built around the X141Q projector where a 0.55-0.75 short throw zoom lens and lens shift are required.
Why it belongs here: It is an in-stock short throw zoom lens with lens shift named in the product title, and it gives X141Q projector buyers a placement-focused option.
Store details: SKU XP-58ZL | In stock | $7,560.00
Key Features
- 0.55-0.75 short throw zoom range named in product title
- Lens shift named in product title
- For the X141Q projector per product title
- In stock
- Price listed at $7,560.00
Things to Consider
This is a high-price lens at $7,560.00, and brightness and resolution are not listed because those depend on the projector body. Verify compatibility before purchase.
Epson PowerLite L795SE Short Throw 3LCD Projector – 16:9 – Wall Mountable – 1920 x 1200 – Front – 7000 lm [USED] vs Panasonic PT-CMZ50 WUXGA Ultra-Short Throw Laser Projector – Professional Golf Simulator Display: Main Differences
- Choose Epson PowerLite L795SE Short Throw 3LCD Projector – 16:9 – Wall Mountable – 1920 x 1200 – Front – 7000 lm [USED] if Schools, churches, and meeting spaces that need a 7000-lumen short throw projector and are comfortable evaluating a used AV product before purchase..
- Choose Panasonic PT-CMZ50 WUXGA Ultra-Short Throw Laser Projector – Professional Golf Simulator Display if Golf simulator rooms, classrooms, and front-of-room installs where the projector needs to sit very close to the image surface..
- Choose 7000 lm WUXGA Short Throw (0.8:1) Laser LCD Projector- Black if Installed AV projects that need WUXGA resolution, 7000 lumens, and a short throw projector in a higher-budget tier..
- Choose Epson V12H004UA3 – Short Throw Zoom Projector Lens if Installers and AV teams who already know their compatible Epson projector platform and need a short throw zoom lens for placement flexibility..
- Choose 0.55-0.75 Short Throw Zoom Lens (lens shift) for the X141Q projector if Specialized installations built around the X141Q projector where a 0.55-0.75 short throw zoom lens and lens shift are required..
How To Choose A Short Throw Projector For Real Rooms
Short throw projection is mainly about placement. If the projector needs to sit close to the screen or mount near the wall, short throw or ultra short throw gear can help keep the room usable. That matters in classrooms where people walk near the screen, churches where the projector cannot sit in the middle of the sanctuary, and conference rooms where table placement already fights with cameras, microphones, and displays.
First, separate complete projectors from lenses. The Epson PowerLite L795SE Short Throw 3LCD Projector, Panasonic PT-CMZ50, and PT-VMZ7STBU7 are projector choices. The Epson V12H004UA3 and XP-58ZL are lenses, so they belong in a system where the projector body is already selected or already installed. Don't treat a lens like a standalone display product. Confirm the compatible projector model before purchase.
Brightness comes next. The provided data lists 7000 lumens for the Epson PowerLite L795SE and 7000 lumens for the PT-VMZ7STBU7. The Panasonic PT-CMZ50 lists 5200 lumens. Rooms with ambient light, larger screens, or long operating hours often push buyers toward the higher-lumen options, but screen size, screen gain, wall color, and lighting control still matter. For any missing spec, check the product page before final approval.
Deployment Fit: Classroom, Church, Golf Simulator, Or Conference Room
Deployment fit beats spec-sheet shopping. A classroom often needs a predictable wall-mounted setup that keeps presenters out of the beam. A church may need brightness for a larger image and a clean install that does not distract from the room. A conference room usually needs easy front-of-room placement and enough output for lights-on meetings. A simulator room has its own geometry, especially if the projector sits close to an impact screen.
For a complete short throw projector at a lower listed price than the PT-VMZ7STBU7, the Epson PowerLite L795SE [USED] is notable because it lists 7000 lumens and is in stock. The used condition should trigger extra QA from the buyer: verify included accessories, installation needs, and any condition notes on the product page.
For ultra short throw placement, the Panasonic PT-CMZ50 stands out. It lists WUXGA resolution, 5200 lumens, and an ultra short throw design. The product name also points to professional golf simulator display use, so it deserves a look when the projector must sit very close to the image surface.
For lens-driven installs, the Epson V12H004UA3 and XP-58ZL fit a different buyer: someone building around a compatible projector body. These are not casual plug-and-play choices. They make sense when the install already depends on a specific projector platform and a short throw lens is the missing piece.
Stock, Availability, And Price-To-Performance
Every recommended product in this guide is listed as in stock in the supplied product data. That matters for installers and project teams because delays can throw off room turnover, school breaks, church event calendars, and conference room cutovers. Still, stock can change. Verify availability on the product page before you commit to an installation date.
Price-to-performance here depends on what you are buying. The Epson PowerLite L795SE [USED] lists at $4,499.00 with 7000 lumens, which makes it a strong value candidate for buyers who are comfortable with used equipment and who confirm condition details. The Panasonic PT-CMZ50 lists at $4,454.36 with WUXGA and 5200 lumens, plus ultra short throw placement. That combination gives it a clear role for rooms where the projector needs to sit close to the screen.
The PT-VMZ7STBU7 lists at $10,885.00 with WUXGA, 7000 lumens, and a 0.8:1 short throw specification. It costs more, but it also gives buyers a new 7000-lumen WUXGA short throw projector option from the provided lineup.
The lens options are harder to compare by lumens because a lens does not create brightness by itself. The Epson V12H004UA3 lists at $3,189.00. The XP-58ZL lists at $7,560.00 and includes a 0.55-0.75 short throw zoom range in the product name. For lenses, the value question is compatibility and installation geometry, not brightness alone.
Short Throw Projector Lens Choices
Short throw lenses are specialty parts. They can make sense in larger AV systems, especially when the projector body is part of a platform that accepts interchangeable lenses. That flexibility can save an installation where the projector must land in a precise position, but it also raises the risk of ordering the wrong item.
The Epson V12H004UA3 is listed as a short throw zoom projector lens. Brightness, resolution, audio, and smart features are not listed because those belong to the projector body, not the lens. Buyers should verify projector compatibility, throw distance, lens shift needs, and mounting details on the product page.
The XP-58ZL is listed as a 0.55-0.75 short throw zoom lens with lens shift for the X141Q projector. That name gives a clearer installation clue than most lens listings: it points to the X141Q projector and a short throw zoom range. Even so, the product page should be checked before purchase. Lens orders are usually project-dependent, and a small mismatch can become expensive fast.
Final Buying Guidance For Installation Projectors
Pick the product by installation problem first. If you need a complete short throw projector with 7000 lumens at a lower listed price, start with the Epson PowerLite L795SE [USED] and verify used-condition details. If the room needs ultra short throw placement, look at the Panasonic PT-CMZ50. If the job calls for a new WUXGA 7000-lumen short throw projector and the budget supports it, the PT-VMZ7STBU7 is the premium projector choice in this set.
If you already have a compatible projector platform, the lens choices may be the better answer. The Epson V12H004UA3 and XP-58ZL are not substitutes for complete projectors. They are install components. Treat them that way: confirm compatibility, throw distance, mounting clearances, and lens shift requirements before purchase.
For AV buyers and installers, the safest path is simple. Decide whether you need a projector or a lens. Confirm brightness and resolution where listed. Check stock. Then match the price to the room's real demands, not the biggest spec on the page.
Related AudioVideoNation Links
- Browse Projector at AudioVideoNation
- Best Projectors for Golf Simulators
- Panasonic Projectors Buying Guide
- Shop short throw projectors
- Shop projector lenses
FAQ
What is the best short throw projector in this guide for high brightness?
The highest listed brightness options in this guide are the Epson PowerLite L795SE [USED] and the PT-VMZ7STBU7, both at 7000 lumens. The Epson has the lower listed price, while the PT-VMZ7STBU7 lists WUXGA resolution and a higher price.
Which option is best for an ultra short throw installation?
The Panasonic PT-CMZ50 is the ultra short throw projector option in the provided product set. It lists WUXGA resolution, 5200 lumens, in-stock status, and a $4,454.36 price.
Are the Epson V12H004UA3 and XP-58ZL complete projectors?
No, the Epson V12H004UA3 and XP-58ZL are projector lenses, not complete projectors. Buyers should verify compatible projector models and throw requirements before ordering either lens.
Should a church or school choose a 7000 lumen projector?
A 7000 lumen projector is a strong candidate when the room has ambient light, a larger screen, or lights-on viewing needs. The final choice still depends on screen size, lighting control, mounting distance, and the content being shown.
Why does the used Epson PowerLite L795SE matter for price-to-performance?
The Epson PowerLite L795SE [USED] matters because it lists 7000 lumens at $4,499.00 and is in stock. Since it is used, buyers should check condition notes, included accessories, and product-page details before specifying it.
What specs should I verify before buying a short throw projector or lens?
You should verify throw distance, screen size, compatible projector model, brightness, resolution, mounting requirements, and available inputs before buying. For lenses, compatibility is the key check because the lens must match the projector platform.
Conclusion
Use this Short Throw Projectors Buying Guide comparison to match the product to the room, budget, installation requirements, and current AudioVideoNation availability. Review the linked product pages for the latest pricing, stock details, and full product information before ordering.
Products Used
| SKU | Product Name | URL |
|---|---|---|
| PL-L795SE-USED | Epson PowerLite L795SE Short Throw 3LCD Projector – 16:9 – Wall Mountable – 1920 x 1200 – Front – 7000 lm [USED] | View product |
| PT-CMZ50U | Panasonic PT-CMZ50 WUXGA Ultra-Short Throw Laser Projector – Professional Golf Simulator Display | View product |
| PT-VMZ7STBU7 | 7000 lm WUXGA Short Throw (0.8:1) Laser LCD Projector- Black | View product |
| ELPLU03S | Epson V12H004UA3 – Short Throw Zoom Projector Lens | View product |
| XP-58ZL | 0.55-0.75 Short Throw Zoom Lens (lens shift) for the X141Q projector | View product |