For people seeking the best picture quality only, the models below will fit the bill. Each TV scored at least an 8 in our performance sub-rating, and we’ve ranked them in order of which TV we think delivers a better overall picture.

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Panasonic TC-P55VT50

CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding)

The good: The Panasonic TC-PVT50 series produces some of the best pictures ever, with exceedingly deep black levels, highly accurate color, and perfect screen uniformity and off-angle performance. It can get brighter than competing plasmas and performs better in well-lit rooms. Although expensive, it costs much less than comparable LED and especially forthcoming OLED models. Its styling makes it as attractive as any plasma TV we’ve ever seen.

The bad: The VT50 isn’t as strong in terms of value as Panasonic’s excellent mid-tier plasmas. It uses more power than competing LCD TVs, and doesn’t perform as well in bright rooms as those with matte screens. It doesn’t come with 3-D glasses and its 3-D picture shows more cross talk than that of some competing TVs.

The cost: $1,845 to $2,499.99

The bottom line: The Panasonic TC-PVT50 series represents the pinnacle of current flat-panel TV picture quality.

Sharp Elite PRO-60X5FD

CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)

The good: The picture of the Sharp Elite PRO-X5FD LED TV delivers deeper black levels and better contrast than any other LCD or plasma on the market. Unlike other full-array local-dimming TVs, it maintains its superior picture from normal viewing angles, and blooming artifacts are virtually nonexistent. Color is relatively accurate, shadow detail is excellent, and video processing does everything we expect. The screen maintains black levels well under ambient light. No-nonsense styling, best-ever energy efficiency, and a nearly complete feature set, including two pairs of 3-D glasses, ice the cake tastefully.

The bad: Even with its superb performance, it’s impossible to call the gratuitously expensive Elite a good value. Blue/green areas are less accurate than we expect from a TV of this caliber, uniformity and off-angle characteristics aren’t quite as good as plasma, and its screen creates relatively bright reflections.

The cost: $4,648 to $5,499.95

The bottom line: The overpriced Sharp Elite LED-based LCD produces the second-best overall picture quality of any TV we’ve reviewed since 2008.

Panasonic TC-P55ST50

CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding)

The good: The affordable Panasonic TC-PST50 series exhibited outstanding overall picture quality, characterized by exceedingly deep black levels with great shadow detail, accurate colors and solid bright-room performance. As a plasma TV, it has superb off-angle and uniformity characteristics. The styling is attractive and the feature set well-chosen, including excellent on-screen help options.

The bad: The ST50 uses more power than competing LCD TVs, and doesn’t perform as well in bright rooms as those with matte screens. It doesn’t come with 3-D glasses, and it showed more cross talk in 3-D than some competing TVs. The ST50 is only available in 50-inch and larger sizes. Three HDMI inputs is one less than what most mid-range TVs offer.

The cost: $1,377.99 to $1,699.99

The bottom line: With flagship-level picture quality for a mid-level price, the Panasonic ST50 series sets the value standard among videophile-grade TVs.

Samsung PN60E6500

CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)

The good: The Samsung E6500 plasma TV offers some of the best black levels we’ve seen at this or any other price. The TV offers excellent value for the money, particularly the 51-inch model. Its styling mostly lacks ostentation — apart from the stand — and will suit a variety of living spaces. The apps suite is usable and the Smart TV interface is quick and easy to use.

The bad: Despite the deep blacks, the E6500 isn’t able to get as bright as other TVs and so contrast suffers ever so slightly. The TV is merciless with noisy sources and presents them as is.

The cost: $1,597.99 to $2,197.99

The bottom line: The Samsung E6500 series is an excellent television that offers classy looks, outstanding black levels, and a decent price.