Placement flexibility is one of the hallmarks of LCD FP's over DLP FP's. The Sanyo Z4/Z5 actually has the most flexible lense shift and throw mechanism of any of the cheap LCD FP's at this point, though the AX100 is close. You really can't go wrong with either one IMHO, it's just a matter of preference. Keep in mind that the "ratings" provided aren't really useful per se. For instance, the Z4 advertises a contrast ratio of 7000:1 and the Z5 I believe 10000:1, but the real world measurements for contrast once the Z4 is tuned to D65 standards is more like 1800:1. Pannies are in the same boat. Basically, both the AX100 and the Z5 use fancified twin iris systems to offer really good "rated" contrast ratios, but the picture quality will be all but unwatchable at these levels of contrast, especially color accuracy. If I were to buy a new Z5 I'd buy the custom tuned model from cine4home. com here, assuming I could find a U.S. dealer:

http://www.cine4home.com/Tuning/Z5/Z5Tuning.htm

With Cine4Home's custom glass lense/filter, you can actually attain 10000:1 CR's with adaptive IRIS based on a customization of the "Vivid" setting. A 3400:1 CR is available using a customization of the "dynamic" setting, and a native 1750:1 CR is available without any use of the auto IRIS settings. Basically what you're buying here is a custom tuned Z5 based on D65 (6500k) video standards. Shoot, now that I'm talking about it I'm thinking about upgrading my Z4 to a Z5 with these customizations.