Graphics tablets are electronic devices designed to provide artists, designers, and creative professionals with an efficient and precise tool for drawing, designing, and editing digital content directly on a screen or touch-sensitive work area. These devices allow users to make strokes and gestures with a special light pen, called a stylus, which resembles the feeling of drawing with traditional instruments such as pencils and brushes.
Graphics tablets are used in a wide variety of applications, from creating illustrations and graphic design to photo editing, animation, and 3D modeling. They are also useful for taking notes, giving presentations, and teaching in educational settings.
The operation of a graphics tablet is based on the detection of the position and pressure of the stylus on the surface of the device. Some graphics tablets also come with additional features, such as pen tilt angle detection and the ability to assign functions to specific buttons on the pen and tablet, allowing users to customize their work experience and improve their workflow. .
The Huion Kamvas Pro 16 (2.5K) is a display graphics tablet that offers a variety of features for artists and designers. In this review, we’ll take a look at the specs, features, pros and cons of this device, and how it compares to other similar products on the market. First of all, specify that it is a graphic tablet that needs to be connected to a computer or mobile, since it replicates the content of the screen to allow drawing on it.
My review video
Before continuing, watch the video, which is always good:
design and construction
The Kamvas Pro 16 (2.5K) has a solid and durable construction thanks to its textured aluminum back. The etched anti-reflective glass display provides a tactile, paper-like surface, while full lamination technology improves visibility and line accuracy.
The tablet is lightweight and portable, weighing just 1.28kg and 1cm thick. This makes it easy to transport and use in different environments, both at home and at work.
The package includes the ST200 folding stand, which allows you to adjust the tablet in six different angles for greater comfort. Other accessories are also included, such as a glove, a USB-C to USB-C cable, a 3-in-2 cable, and a cleaning cloth.
Display and color performance
resolution and clarity
The Kamvas Pro 16 (2.5K) features 2.5K QHD (2560×1440) resolution, allowing you to see sharper and clearer details compared to other lower resolution models. With 186 PPI (pixels per inch), the tablet offers twice the clarity and detail of similar models.
color rendering
The tablet features a 145% sRGB color gamut, 1200:1 contrast ratio, 16.7 million color depth, and 178° viewing angle. Thanks to QLED technology, a brighter and deeper color reproduction is achieved, ideal for professional artists.
Pen and stroke performance
battery-free pen
The included PW517 pen is battery-free, which means it doesn’t require charging or battery replacement. This results in more convenient operation and lighter pen weight.
The PW517 incorporates Huion’s PenTech 3.0 technology, which improves stability and reduces the position of the pen nib, providing a more realistic and accurate drawing experience.
The pen supports 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and a ±60° tilt function, allowing greater precision and versatility in tracing and shading.
additional tips
Five standard pen tips and five felt tips are included, allowing you to customize the drawing experience based on user preferences and improve friction between the screen surface and the pen tip. In fact, using the felt blanks, it looks like I’m drawing on paper.
Hot keys and customization
hotkeys
The Kamvas Pro 16 (2.5K) includes eight hotkeys on the left side of the tablet. These keys can be customized with different functions, such as keyboard combinations, mouse buttons, screen switching, and connections to the computer system. This significantly improves drawing efficiency and user comfort.
Connectivity and compatibility
The tablet can be easily connected to MacBook devices, Windows and Android laptops (not all devices, I’ve tested it with a Huawei P40, but it’s compatible with various Huawei and Samsung models) via the USB-C cable to USB-C included. This allows for more convenient and portable use in different environments.
Kamvas Pro 16 (2.5K) is compatible with Windows 7 or higher, macOS 10.12 or higher, and the aforementioned Android devices. It is also compatible with a wide variety of art and design programs, both in Windows and macOS and Android DEX/PC Mode.
Installation and configuration
Although, as you can see in the video, it can be connected to a mobile to use its design apps, we can also connect it to Windows, Mac and Linux, which offers a better experience thanks to the driver that we can find in its official store, where is the manual
Once this program is installed, we can configure the shortcuts, the pen buttons, the precision, the pressure and much more:
By selecting the digital pencil part we have a section from which it is possible to modify the pressure force, obtaining different types of lines to adapt to the software we are using (Photoshop, in the example of the video) or the type of work.
The buttons can also be configured with the different actions available, both the upper and lower ones, thus offering a wide range of personalized uses.
If we select the Pen Screen option, we have the possibility to decide which part of the operating system screen we want to show on the tablet, helping to maintain concentration.
Each shortcut can be configured in different ways, either to open a specific program or to set a certain precision mode for the pen.
We can also adjust the OSD settings using the digital pen. The OSD is an on-screen menu that allows the user to adjust various settings such as brightness, color temperature, and color gamut, as well as general monitor settings.
To open the OSD menu, the user needs to hold down the power button and then use the stylus to navigate through the options. The OSD menu has a minimalist interface that presents important options such as brightness, color temperature, general settings, and exit.
As for the brightness settings, the user can select between four predefined modes: standard, game, movie and user. Additionally, you can adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation using the slider bars at the top right of the screen. When “USER” mode is selected, the user can adjust all three bars.
To adjust the color temperature, the user can select between three standard color temperatures: “6500K”, “7500K” and “9300K”, as well as the customizable “USER” mode. RGB color values can also be adjusted using the sliders at the top right of the screen. When “USER” mode is selected, the user can adjust the values of red, green and blue.
The color gamut can also be adjusted in the OSD menu. Three color spaces are available: native, sRGB, and Adobe RGB, each with a different color coverage. The user can select the desired color space and adjust the brightness and color temperature settings. However, if sRGB or Adobe RGB is selected, the brightness bar can only be adjusted in “USER” mode.
Finally, the OSD menu also allows the user to adjust the general settings of the monitor, such as the type of connection (Type C/HDMI), the viewable area (Full, 4:3 or 16:9) and the option to reset the settings of OSD menu factory.
You have more details of all these options at huion.com
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- High-resolution 2.5K QHD display for crisp, detailed viewing.
- Excellent color rendering with QLED technology.
- Battery-free pen with pressure sensitivity and tilt function.
- Eight customizable hotkeys for efficiency and convenience.
- Lightweight and portable design with included accessories.
Disadvantages
- Relatively high price compared to other models on the market.
- Some users may prefer more hotkeys for further customization.
Conclusion
The Huion Kamvas Pro 16 (2.5K) is a graphics tablet with a high-quality screen and great features for artists and designers. With its 2.5K QHD display, superior color performance, battery-free pen, and customizable hotkeys, it offers a comprehensive and comfortable drawing experience for users. Although its price may be a bit high, its features and performance justify the investment for those looking for a professional-grade graphics tablet.
Personal opinion
The Huion Kamvas Pro 16 (2.5K) is a graphics tablet that comes with many attractive features for artists and designers, there is no doubt about that. It’s the best tablet I’ve tried, but I want to be objective about it.
In terms of screen resolution, the Kamvas Pro 16 (2.5K) is superior in quality to many of its competitors on the market. The QHD (2560×1440) screen offers an impressive level of detail, which is useful for high-precision work. However, it is worth mentioning that not all users may need this resolution and therefore may opt for cheaper models with a lower resolution.
The battery-free pen PW517 features Huion’s PenTech 3.0 technology, providing a stable and realistic drawing experience. Although this is a notable advantage, some users may not notice much of a difference compared to other competing tablets that also offer high-quality pens. It depends a lot on the type of drawing you want to do.
The tablet comes with eight customizable hotkeys that can make your workflow easier. Although this is useful, there are users who prefer more customizable keys or even a dial to more easily adjust certain parameters.
Price-wise, the Kamvas Pro 16 (2.5K) falls in the upper-middle range compared to other graphics tablets on the market. While its features may justify the price for some users, those looking for a more affordable option might find other models with a different balance between price and functionality.
Links and prices
You can find it at:
