Huion Kamvas 13 Creative Pen Display: Review
I love a good pen tablet (or Creative Pen Display if you prefer) for creating my digital art and for retouching all my portraits. I find a level of precision I just can’t get with a mouse. While I have tried a few pen displays, I confess that I always seemed to go back to a tablet, until I tried the Kamvas 16. What’s the difference between a tablet and a display? A tablet allows you to draw and watch your PC screen. A Pen Dsiplay feels great because you see what you are drawing. It fixes the disconnection between the hand and the line. I got into more detail in this article.
I have been happily working with the Huion Kamvas 16 since I wrote this article. For me, I must confess I sometimes think a tablet is a little easier to work with. But I must admit there is something so nice about working with a pen display. It just seemed to take me a little longer to get used to using the display, but it is amazing to work with.
I have tried a variety of sizes from the small (11″) to the large (22″) displays but they just weren’t that comfortable, whereas the Kamvas 16″ was the perfect size. So when Huion asked if I would like to try their new Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) I had to say “yes please.” I looked forward to trying the 13″ size.
Huion Kamvas 13 Creative Pen Display
Note: Huion sent the creative pen display for review. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this item are our own.
One of the biggest problems people seem to have with any drawing tablet is hand-eye coordination. Using a display tablet that allows you to draw directly onto the tablet can overcome this. Personally, I didn’t have a problem with that and even found myself constantly looking at my monitor anyway. Old habits die hard, I guess. The KamvasPro 13 is truly lovely to work with and on. The size isn’t too bad and it comes with a handy stand. I have found smaller displays to hard to see and large displays take up too much room. I think the 13″ sits (almost) in the Goldilocks zone (just right).
The new Kamvas 13 from Huion (Gen 3) has a textured back, Anti-Glare etched glass, and full lamination. It has FHD resolution (1920X1080) which gives it great definition. Kamvas Pro 13 (Gen 3) enables you to deeply immerse yourself in different art areas, such as design, Photoshop, digital art, retouching, etc.
Kamvas 13 Gen 3 can be used as a regular tablet or drawn directly on the screen. You can use the screen for sketching/drafting/layouts and go pen tablet mode for rendering/colouring or any other way you like.
Pros
Straight out of the box, it requires a bit of setup. While it is plug-and-play it does require drivers to be loaded for programming buttons. It requires a connection for the Display to work, as well as power. Nothing particularly unusual here. It has a 3-way power/HDMI/USB cable and I found I had to connect via HDMI to my PC, USB-C the the tablet and then the power.
Has programmable buttons on the side of the display, is easy to set up and very handy (although I still keep changing my mind about hotkey settings — but so easy to do). There are two dials, which can be switched for various functions from pan/scroll, brush size, zoom in and out etc.
It has a smooth and comfortable matte surface to work on, actually, it’s very dreamy and super comfortable to work with
Comes with a stand to set the display at a personally comfortable angle for working on
Pressure sensitive pen, with tilt function, although I found my favourite grey felt nibs would fit this pen and my old Kamvas 16″ pen doesn’t work very well with the new generation tablet.
Minimalist design and comfortable to use
The etched glass surfaces add a fraction while you are drawing, bringing a nature pen on paper feeling.
Compact and beautiful as well as ergonomic, without being oversized
The pen fits comfortably in your hand (battery-free)
Appears to be a solid build, very solid
Fair installation guide (once downloaded from the website)
Comes with spare nibs (standard) and a pen holder
Nonslip feet as well as the upright stand attachment that is fully adjustable
The single USB-C cable keeps the connection easy and desktop clean
The Kamvas 13 Gen 3 is thin and light enough to be carried around
Cons
The user guide is quite small. Much better off to go straight the website and download the manual
You need to close down all programs (Lightroom & Photoshop etc) to load the drivers successfully, then restart your PC to get it working properly, and then it’s easy to use. I know this is applicable to many programs and drivers as well. So not really a Con, more a be aware of.
Still no finger control via display, to zoom or rotate, but you can easily program that to dials and hotkeys, as a workaround
Not quite as many buttons as I would like but my Huion Keydial Mini is perfect.
Buttons not as sensitive as I would like
My old Kamvas 16 felt nibs don’t seem to install properly
I found the resizing of the screen duplicating my PC monitor was not 100% perfect.
Kamvas 13 (Gen 3)— Technical specifications
All of the technical specifications for the Kamvas 13 are from the Huion website.
Product Model GT1333
Dimensions: 361.2 x 202.8 x 10mm — not including stand (panel size 400mm diagonal)
Weight: 865grams
Active area: 294 x 165mm
Response: time 25ms
LCD Type: IPS 60Hz
Pen: Batteryfree EMR — 5080LPI
Pressure Levels 16384 levels
Reading Height: 10 mm
Port: USB-C & Mini HDMI, plus power
Compatibility: Windows 11/10/8/7, MAC OS10.12 (or later), Linux (Ubuntu 20.04 or later), Android (6 or later)
Color: Cosmo Black and Sakura Pink
Processing Layer: Full Glass – Anti-Glare Glass
Shortcut keys: 5
Dial: 2
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Viewing angle: 1780
Input Voltage: AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz
Kamvas 13 — Flexible Connectivity
Ergonomics are very good. It’s comfortable to work with, the adjustable stand means you can set the angle most comfortable to work with. Nice, fluid smooth matte surface area and pen connection. Adjustable pressure sensitivity. I really like the felt pen tip, so it’s a shame it doesn’t come with those (it’s softer and glides even more fluidly over the display surface).
Build quality
The display feels solid, it is slightly larger and heavier than the Huion Inspiroy 2L (which is NOT a display), but this display is solid and stable on the desktop. The display has a nonslip matte surface, with an adjustable stand. The stylus is also lightweight and feels comfortable in the hand.
Out of the box
Out of the box, there are no batteries or anything, connect via the supplied USB-C to USB-C, and the 3in2 cable HDMI/USB Power Cable, (a USB Extension Cable is also supplied), plug in the Power adapter, and you’re ready to start installing the drivers and setting up your tablet.
In the Download section, there is a link for the User manual, this manual is quite good and once I shut down Lightroom and Photoshop the drivers were installed quickly and easily. A quick Restart and the Huion software allowed me to program the pen and tablet with ease.
The pen is supplied, as well as a pen holder, extra nibs (standard), a glove and a cleaning cloth.
You may need to set up your display configuration if you are using more than one monitor, which took a little fiddling around with the display setup, as I already have two monitors connected. I had to go into Display (right-click on the Windows screen) and go to Settings. I needed to add a third screen and then duplicate my first screen onto the display or third screen). Not overly complicated, but it is something to be aware of. This would be much easier if I only had one screen (like on a laptop). I did also find I had to remove all previous Huion installation and Driver files, to complete my installation, but most people won’t find this problem.
You will need to set up your working area, I also suggest a monitor calibration with your pen. Then restart your computer. I also found I needed to set the sensitivity for the pen up quite high.
Kamvas 13 — In use
Controls
You can program the buttons and dials to whatever function you wish ie; Grab/Move, Rotate, Undo, Save, brush, Alt, Space and more. You can even program the buttons on the stylus. With so many button choices it can be set up just how you wish. There are two dials that can be set for a variety of functions. I like to zoom in and out and brush size. The pen is quite slender, I think I prefer the slightly thicker pen due to arthritis.
Battery life
One of the best things about the Huion pens and tablets/displays, refreshingly no batteries are required at all and no charging!
Connection
You simply connect the pen display to your computer with the included HDMI and USB-C cable, and USB power cables, plug in power and turn it on. The power button is on the top left-hand corner.
Setup
Once I programmed my pen and tablet, it was super intuitive to use. The pen feels comfortable and the matte surface feels terrific to work with, it is dreamy and so nice for painting especially. Very precise. Terrific for retouching too. Once the pen sensitive was set to a comfortable pressure.
Tip: Use some reusable tape and write what you have programmed the buttons for and stick on the buttons or attach a sticky note to your PC until you remember them all. Especially with so many button choices. Oh, and changing your mind is so quick and easy to do, just jump into the Huion display panel and change them.
Final thoughts
The KamvasPro 13 is surprisingly good for the price. Once installed and set up, it is super easy to use. Has nice solid fluid movement and details. The buttons are great, plus I have the optional Huion Key Dial Mini). Took little to no time to get used to them. It is a fantastic size to work on, easy to read everything on the screen too. It fits comfortably on my desktop. However, I think I still prefer the Kamvas 16″ over the 13″ for the size to work with. It is just a fraction easier to read. But I can’t deny the Kamvas 13 Gen 3 is so dreamy to work on.
Our verdict
★★★★★4.5/5
I must say I am totally torn between the Kamvas 13″ and the Kamvas Pro 16″. The Kamvas 13″ is a gorgeous screen to work with. My biggest issue is I still keep looking at my monitor. For the price (under AUD$400.00), it is incredible value for those wanting the high-end tech without the price tag. This tablet is fabulous to work on and would suit someone wanting to really up their game as a digital artist or retoucher. However, I think the 16″ is a little easier to work with, size wise.
