The invention relates to a projection display device (10, 40, 60, 70) for casting an image onto a projection screen (26, 56, 86). The device comprises a spatial light modulator (16, 46, 62, 76) including an array of light modulating elements (18, 48, 78), and a light source (12, 42, 72) arranged to illuminate the modulator. The device is characterized in that each light modulating element of the modulator is illuminated by light diverging in a least one dimension, which light is spatially modulated by the modulator and cast onto the projection screen. An advantage with the projection display device according to the invention is that it can be realized in a very compact fashion. The invention further relates to a hand held device comprising such projection display device.