Stepping up its game, Huion has redesigned its Pro series of graphics tablets. Improved in all aspects over the previous models, the Huion Kamvas Pro 16 might just rival the industry giant Wacom.
Well, OK, if you are an avid Wacom user, the Huion does get very, very close and most definitely wins when it comes to the price point.
So, let’s take a closer look at the upgrades that have been made to the Kamvas Pro 16 graphics tablet regarding its build quality, functionality, and pen in our in-depth Huion Kamvas Pro 16 Review…
Contents
The Build & Design Changes
Many changes have been made to the Kamvas Pro 16, and the three most notable ones are the casing, work surface, and pen.
In the past, Huion used a plastic frame and body, which quite honestly made the graphics tablet feel flimsy and cheap. This distracted potential users from all of the quality aspects of the drawing pad. For the newer model, the casing has been changed to a solid aluminum back, giving it better weight, rigidity, and a more professional feel. It also has built-in rubber grips to help prevent slipping.
What else?
The working surface, which we will detail later, has been changed from smooth glass to an etched surface. This gives the user more control and a better feel.
The stylus pen is almost a whole new design in its feel and function and now operates without batteries.
A New Working Surface
The most dramatic change to the working area is that it has gone from a smooth glass surface to a slightly matted chemically etched surface. The etched surface is a large improvement in that it gives the user a tighter grip and more control when using the pen. It also helps in eliminating reflections and reducing eye strain.
Up close and personal…
The structure of the LCD has been changed as well. A layer has been removed, which allows the pen to be closer to the receptors. This reduces parallax to almost zero and the pen response time to 25ms giving the user more accuracy at drawing and working between lines.
The screen has a 1920 x 1080 (16:9) FHD resolution with 220 nits of brightness and a 178* viewing angle. There are 16.7 million display colors in gamuts of 120% sRGB, 92% Adobe RGB, and 88% NFTC. So, there will be no lack of choice when creating your project.
Wait, there’s more…
Over to the side are the power and OSD function buttons with six express keys and a slider between them. The express keys and slider are programmable to your choice of tool or effect that they will select or perform. This is fantastic and makes working with the Kanvas Pro 16 a breeze. Unfortunately, you will have to manually adjust each express key every time that you change your working program.
As a side note, when initially setting up the Pro 16, you need to use the OSD button to adjust the hue and saturation of color to your preference.
A Better-designed Pen
The stylus pen has been completely redrawn, if we may use the pun. No longer battery-operated, the awkward and bulky feel of the pen has been made to fit better in your hand. The rubberized grip has also been improved for less slippage. It has the standard side buttons that do exactly what you need them to do.
However, you may need to get used to keeping the tip closer to the screen when, for example, color sampling and dropping.
Complete control…
The PW507 pen has a resolution of 5080 LPI and has an accuracy of +/- 0.5mm at the center and +/- 0.3mm in the corners. There are 8192 pressure levels that give you complete control over your pen to create light to heavy lines and thin to broad strokes.
The pen also has tilt recognition and will work at an angle up to +/- 60*, allowing you to draw with a natural hand position.
On top of all of that…
The pen can recognize if you are working on an angled surface and will automatically calibrate itself to work correctly at that angle.
The PW507 now has a new and improved stand, referred to as the doughnut because of its shape. You can store the pen upright in the center or lay it across the trenched surface when not in use. Open the doughnut, and you will find an extra 10 PN05 pen nibs and a pen nib clip also included.
Using The Kamvas Pro 16
The Pro 16 needs to be connected to a computer or laptop to function and comes equipped with a 3-in-1 cable for easy connection. It works in both Windows 7 or greater and Mac OS 10.12 or later. It is just small enough to fit in most backpacks or carry bags. Therefore, you can take it with you on the go or use it in that important meeting for demonstrations.
The Kamvas Pro 16 works in a multitude of graphics and design programs such as Photoshop, CS, Adobe Illustrator, Gimp, and more. So, you have plenty of options when being creative.
If you are left-handed…
You can orient the display and have the function keys on the right to be comfortable. This is not a setup option in the drivers. In order to do this, simply rotate the pad, then go into the computer display settings and rotate the display 180 degrees.
However, there may be some program elements that appear upside down. This may cause you to flip the screen to make the selection and flipping it back to continue working.
The perfect angle…
There is an optional work stand that can be purchased to hold the graphics tablet at a more comfortable working angle. The ST200 stand is made of aluminum and plastic for a refined look. And has rubber anti-skid pads to hold it firmly in place. The holding platform has a choice of six working angles between 14.5 degrees and 45 degrees.
Huion Kamvas Pro 16 – Specs, Pros, & Cons
Specifications
- Dimensions: 17.32 by 9.84 by 0.39 inches
- Weight: 2.64 pounds
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
- Contrast Ratio: 1000/1
Pros
- Anti-glare chemically etched glass.
- Programmable keys.
- Battery-free stylus pen.
- Can be turned over for left-hand use.
Cons
- No VESA mount bracket.
- The 3-in-1 cable is a bit short.
- Must be connected to a computer.
- Power button placement.
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Our Verdict
To sum it all up, the changes to the working surface, pen, functionality, and case back have made the Huion Kamvas Pro16 a real contender. The resolution is just right for the size of the screen and provides excellent detail.
It is an incredibly useful tool that can be utilized by more than just illustrators. Teachers and salespeople would also find it very useful for their presentations. And we look forward to seeing what Huion produces for the future Kamvas Pro series.
Time to get creative…
