New Wacom Cintiq 16 (non Pro)

The new Wacom 16" Cintiq is here, but this isn't the Pro. This is set to be the alternative, affordable, option to the Cintiq 16 Pro! So lets go over why this could be a better choice over the other Pro series.

The design of the 16 resembles that of the older 13HD. There is no edge to edge glass, but an etched surface which gives it a natural feel to draw on. Unfortunately, this dulls the screen compared to the crisp/clear glass of the 16 Pro and larger models. As well as increasing the parallax a tad.

Color accuracy can be a important to many illustrators and print designers, and Wacom has made sure color quality did not suffer for the affordable price. The 16's Color Performance of 72% NTSC might sound low but it actually equates to 100% sRGB!

You still get the HD resolution of 1920x1080, like the 13HD and 13 Pro. This is perfectly fine for any professional use, but for others, the 4K resolution in the 16 Pro is a huge bonus for certain designers in the industry. In my personal opinion though, using each model, I think anything above 2560 on a 16 inch screen is overkill. On a 24" it would be amazing, but 1920 on a 16" is in no way a deal breaker.

It's also similar to the 13HD in that it uses a 3-in-1 cable for power and HDMI video input. This is a great alternative to those who had issues using the USB-C connection on the Cintiq Pros and the debacle of adapters we had to go through. Many PC users will also be happy it's a much more native connection for them.

One difference that has divided the community, is the removal of the integrated side buttons that are also no longer on the 16 Pro. Wacom has gone in favor of keeping the Express Key Remote as an optional accessory.

Another subject of turmoil has been the status of Wacom's stands. Just like the 13/16 Pro, and unlike the 13HD, there is no included stand. The stand in production, which might come out after the 16, will be $80. I personally am not a fan of the design of this stand, it is not sleek like the stand for the 13/16 Pros, and does not sit flush with the back of the Cintiq. For $80 I was hoping it would be a bit higher quality. However, it is nice that 2 foldable kickstands are built into the back to offer a 19 degree drawing angle.

The only other accessory included in the box is the Pro Pen 2, offering over 8K levels of sensitivity and tilt recognition. The Cintiq can also be used with many of the other legacy/current pens including: Art, Classic, AirBrush, 3D, and Pro Pen 1.
Hidden in the side Pen Holder you get a few extra nibs.

Overall, for $650, Wacom really made a quality Cintiq here. Despite the screen type and lower resolution, this Cintiq is the most affordable drawing tablet on the market with the high standards you get with Wacom.
Compared to the 13 Pro for $800 and the 16 Pro for $1500, you really get a well balanced Cintiq that will hopefully bring in new artists that have been deterred by those larger price tags.

Order Cintiq 16  - DTK1660K0A

Quick Specs