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Photo PrintersHaving a digital camera and sharing your photos on the web and in email is great, but sometimes you want to hold that photo in your hand. Maybe you're in real estate and need to print out a quick photo of a property or significant asset of a property (a pool, a room, out building, etc.). Or maybe you're a business professional and need a digital "mug shot" that you can print and forward in marketing and promotional material as part of your public relations strategy. Any of these scenarios makes a photo printer a critical investment and important "image" factor tin the success of your home-based business. However, there are things to think about before you just plunk $49.99 down for a cheap printer. The biggest one is to remember that if the printer is cheap, the manufacturer is probably making money somewhere else - like on the ink cartridges. So.... As with any product, we believe there are some things you should consider before you purchase that photo printer.
A word of caution, if you expect to use your photo printer as your "office printer" as well, beware of the consumables cost! Generally, these printers use more expensive "photo" ink cartridges and print default mode, print at a very high "dpi" (dots per square inch) level that is ink resource intensive. So make sure that you understand all the costs before you just choose a photo printer to meet all of your printing needs!
So, ready to take a look at what is out there? We've tried to hit on the majority of printers and their manufacturers. In fact, the number was so large, that we had to build a separate document with all the choices on them (and relevant information). You can find this document at: Photo Printer Detail - Product Matrix. Additionally, we've chosen our favorite printer from every manufacturer. Just look for the ส symbol!
Photo Printer ReviewPhoto Printers* (Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)
* A = Amateur, R = Rookie, P = Pro
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Canon photo ink jet printers have easy to install print drivers and are straight forward to set up for use. Cost - $$$$1/2 Canon makes sixteen desktop or portable photo ink jet printers that range in price from $49.99 to $299.99 and eight wide format printers that range in price from $1,945.95 to $5,697.65. See our product matrix Photo Printer Detail - Product Matrix for all pricing and product information. Time Savings - นนนน Canon's photo ink jets will meet the basic printing needs of most home-based businesses. Their printers produce 4 x 6 color photos at speeds between 30 and 69 seconds per print. Seven of the printers, the Selphy mini260, CP720, CP730, ES1, DS810, CP710 and CP750 use dedicated ink cassettes and paper to product more "traditional" photo prints - at a higher cost, but with higher quality as well. Ink jets deliver "standard printing" at speeds from 20 to 25 pages per minute for black and white and 14 to 17 pages per minute in color. Canon also makes eight large format photo printers that deliver speeds of 102 and 117 square feet per hour. Ease of Use - @@@@ Canon photo ink jet printers are very simple to configure. You'll be printing in no time. Works With - YYYY Canon printers are compatible with both Macintosh and Windows operating systems. Support - pppp1/2 Canon printers have a one year exchange warranty. The Canon web site has a lot of useful information, manuals, driver updates, FAQ's and a knowledge base. If you need more help you can email them, or call. Telephone support is via an 800 number for the first 90 days and is free. After that period, you'll have to pay $9.99 per call (no "800" number, you must pick up the toll charges where they apply). Tech support is available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 12 midnight and Saturday from noon to 8 PM Eastern time. Features - iiii+ Competitive resolutions, 10 printers have Direct Port Connectivity and a number have optional connectivity for FireWire or Bluetooth wireless (see our spreadsheet Photo Printer Detail - Product Matrix for more information). Canon includes a nice software "set" - Photo Application Guide, Easy-PhotoPrint 2.0/Easy-PhotoPrint Plus, PhotoRecord, ZoomBrowser EX, ImageBrowser, PhotoStitch, Easy-WebPrint. Two of the printers include memory card readers. The wide format imagePROGRAF ipF 500, 600, 700, 5000, 9000, W6400, 8000 printers offer the ability to print photos in large formats from 8 to 24 or 8 to 44 inches and the Scanning System adds a scanner/copier as well. These printers also include Ethernet and optional FireWire connectivity in addition to standard USB 2.0 interfaces. Overall Rating - %%%%1/2 Canon makes competitively priced products but consumable costs are not cheap. Solid printers, competitive pricing, good technical support strategy.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Epson photo ink jet printers have easy to install print drivers and are straight forward to set up for use. Cost - $$$$ Epson makes fifteen photo ink jet printers that range in price from $79.99 (with rebate) to $849.99. They also make two photo viewers with a 40GB or 80GB hard drive and CompactFlash plus Secure Digital and MultiMedia Card reader (with DirectPrint Port interface as well as USB) for $499.99 and $699.99. See our product matrix Photo Printer Detail - Product Matrix for all pricing and product information. Time Savings - นนนน Epson's photo ink jets deliver high print resolutions and will meet the basic printing needs of most home-based businesses. Their printers operate at speeds of 9 to 30 seconds per page in black and white and color text and 4x6" photo printing that takes between thirteen and 80 seconds. Ease of Use - @@@@ Epson photo ink jet printers are very simple to configure. You'll be printing in no time. Works With - YYYY Epson photo ink jet printers are compatible with both Macintosh and Windows operating systems. Support - ppp Epson printers have a one year exchange warranty. The Epson web site has a lot of good technical information on it including downloads, technical tips, FAQs and more. If you need more help with a photo ink jet, Epson has one option - email only. Features - iiii Epson printers have high print resolutions for the price and deliver very good quality photo printing. Seven have slots for camera memory (print directly from the memory card without having to use your computer) and three printers support 1384 FireWire connectivity. You can purchase Bluetooth adapters for a number of the printers as well and the PictureMate Deluxe Viewer also includes a 2.5" color LCD so you can see your photos before you print them. Eight of the printers include media card readers and one of the printers - the PM 280, includes a CD/DVD burner. Epson printers include FilmFactory, Epson Print CD, PRINT Image Matching Plug-In for Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements software. And, as noted above, Epson also offers two photo viewers so you can store and view photos - and even print from the device as well. Overall Rating - %%%1/2+ Solid printers, competitive consumables costs and high print resolutions for the price. Our biggest complaint is their lack of telephone support for their photo ink jet printer line.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน HP's photo ink jet printer drivers are easy to install and the printers are simple to set up and begin using. Cost - $$$$ HP makes eleven photo ink jet printers that range in price from $89.99 to $699.99 and three printer/digital camera bundles priced at $199.99 (two) and $249.99. Their cost per printed page is competitive (based on printer model). See our product matrix Photo Printer Detail - Product Matrix for all pricing and product information. Time Savings - นนนน HP photo printers for the home business market print at black and white speeds between 19 and 32 pages per minute and color speeds from 1.3 to 31 pages per minute - based on your needs, they can help you and your business save lots of time. Ease of Use - @@@@ HP's printers are straight forward in their implementation and very usable.
All HP photo printers support both Windows and Macintosh environments. Support - pppp1/2 HP products carry a one year warranty. HP has a ton of good information on their web site that can help you troubleshoot problems - tips, troubleshooting "walk throughs", forums, FAQ's and more. If you can't find what you need, you can contact tech support via email or phone, 24 hours per day through an HP-sponsored "800" number. Features - iiii All of the functionality you'll need in a photo ink jet. Media card integration (4 slots, most every type), PictBridge, LCD's (standard and adjustable), optional Bluetooth Wireless adapters and two "portable" models, make these printers among the most capable on the market. Additionally a large number of these printers sport LCD screens as well. Overall Rating - %%%% HP and printers are words that have gone together for a long time. They still do. HP's photo ink jets are solidly built, well priced and the long term cost of operating the printers is competitive as well. Always a "safe", innovative buy.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Kodak's combo camera docks and photo printers are easy to install and setup for your use. Cost - $$$$ Kodak makes four combo camera docks and photo printers and two "stand alone" photo printers. The EASYSHARE Printer Dock is priced at $99.95, the EASYSHARE Printer Dock Plus Series 3 at $179.95, the G600 at $119.95 and the EASYSHARE Printer Dock Plus at $149.95. The EasyShare Photo Printer 500 is $149.95, the EasyShare Photo Printer 300 is $79.95. See our product matrix Photo Printer Detail - Product Matrix for all pricing and product information. Kodak also offers online photo printing services. Online printing is priced at - 4x6" prints $0.25 each, 5x7" prints $0.99 each, 8x10" prints $3.99 each, 16x20" prints $17.99 each, 20x30" prints $22.99 each, wallet prints (4 per sheet) $1.79 each. Time Savings - นนนน Kodak's camera dock/photo printers are a simple way for Kodak digital camera owners to charge their cameras and print color photos 4x6" and less. They produce prints within 60 to 90 seconds from a PC and 75 to 120 seconds direct from the camera. Ease of Use - @@@@ Kodak's camera dock/photo printer combos are simple to use. They use thermal dye transfer to print, so you just change the ribbon cartridge when you've printed on all of the paper in the "kit" they provide. Works With - YYYY Kodak printers are all Windows and Macintosh compatible. Support - pppp Kodak offers a one year warranty. on their camera dock/photo printer combos. Kodak's web support site includes a FAQ, software downloads and manuals and publications. If you need more help you can email tech support or call them on their "800" number, Monday through Friday 9 AM to 8 PM Eastern. Features - iii1/2 Obviously, the best asset of these devices is the integration of the camera dock/battery charger with the photo printer. You can connect to your PC/Macintosh, print and charge the battery all from a single device. Overall Rating - %%%1/2+ If you own a Kodak camera and don't plan on printing photos larger than 4x6" - and you can put up with a cost of around $.50 per print - a great solution.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Lexmark's photo ink jet print drivers and printers are easy to install and set up for use. Cost - $$$$ Lexmark makes three photo ink jet printers. The P3350 is priced at $129.99 the P315 at $99.99 and the P450 (includes CD burner) at $199.99. See our product matrix Photo Printer Detail - Product Matrix for all pricing and product information. Time Savings - นนนน Lexmark's printers provide enough speed and capability for most home-based businesses. Ease of Use - @@@@ Lexmark's printers are easy to use. Works With - YYYYY Lexmark printers are all Windows and Macintosh compatible. Support - pppp1/2 Lexmark printers carry a standard one year warranty, however you can upgrade or extend the warranty coverage and period if you desire (for a price of course). The Lexmark web site has lots of good technical information if you run into trouble. Replacement and more in depth support is provided by local dealers (they'll help you find one on their site). Features - iii1/2+ Basic capabilities in photo ink jets. Media Card Reader integration on all of the printers, USB connectivity only (although you can purchase an Ethernet or 802.11g wireless print server). Lexmark includes its Photo Center Software with their printers. The P450 also includes a built-in CD burner. Overall Rating - %%%1/2+ Lexmark's photo printers are competitively priced, but the selection is small and their connectivity is limited.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Olympus' photo print drivers and printers are easy to install and set up for use. Cost - $$$$ Olympus makes one photo ink jet printer - the P11 at $149.99 as well as one combo 5 megapixel camera and dock/printer (imageLink) at $229.99. See our product matrix Photo Printer Detail - Product Matrix for all pricing and product information. Time Savings - นนนน Olympus printers deliver print speeds between 33 and 90 seconds for a 4x6" print. Ease of Use - @@@@ Olympus' printers are easy to use. Works With - YYYY Olympus printers are Windows and Macintosh compatible. Support - pppp Olympus offers a one year warranty. The tech support area includes a FAQ, manuals, software downloads and an interactive "troubleshooter". If you need more help you can call tech support on their "800" number. Features - iii1/2 Olympus printers are targeted at users who don't necessarily want to connect their camera to their PC or Macintosh to print their photos (although they DO have PC/Macintosh connectivity). Their best features are high quality (at a high print price! - Olympus uses a film ribbon print method that is much higher in quality than ink jets - buy you'll pay for that quality), SmartMedia integration and the ImageLink printer has an onboard LCD so you can view the photo before you print. The ImageLink product pairs a photo printer (ILP-100) with an Olympus D-555 Zoom 5 megapixel digital camera. Overall Rating - %%%% If you don't want to hassle with your PC or Macintosh to print your photos, then the Olympus photo printers are for you. Also, if you are willing to pay for high quality output - these printers have some of the best print quality available.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Panasonic's photo print drivers (where required) are straight forward to install and setup for use. Cost - $$$1/2 Panasonic makes one photo printer - the KX-PX10M - at $199.95. See our product matrix Photo Printer Detail - Product Matrix for all pricing and product information. Time Savings - นนนน The KX-PX10M delivers 4x6" prints in 65 seconds. Ease of Use - @@@@ The printer accommodates photos via SD or MultiMedia memory cards, PictBridge or USB to your computer. Lots of ways to print easily. Works With - YYYY The Pansonsic printer is Windows and Macintosh compatible. Support - pppp Panasonic offers a one year warranty on their digital cameras. The tech support area of the Panasonic web site includes a FAQ and downloads. If you need more help you can email or call technical support ("800" number support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Features - iii1/2 Panasonic's printer is a dye-sublimation thermal transfer printer with SD/MultiMedia Card Memory slot and PictBridge support. A standard "direct to the camera" photo printer. Overall Rating - %%%1/2+ A good photo printer for "direct from the camera" printing.
Shop the official SONY store for exclusive products & services, special offers and savings. Simple Start-Up - นนนน Sony's photo print drivers and printers are easy to install and set up for use. Cost - $$$$ Sony makes two photo printers - the DPP-FP55 is $1498.99 and the UP-CR10L is $1,695.00. See our product matrix Photo Printer Detail - Product Matrix for all pricing and product information. Time Savings - นนนน Sony printers deliver print speeds from 13 to 75 seconds for a 3.5x5" photo. Ease of Use - @@@@ All of the Sony printers are PictBridge enabled for direct printing, all but one include memory card slots as well for fast printing. Works With - YYY The Sony printers are designed for the Windows environment. Support - pppp Sony photo printers carry a one year warranty. The tech support area on their web site includes FAQ's, downloads as well as a searchable knowledgebase. If you need more help, you can contact Sony technical support via email or at their "800" number. Features - iiii Photo printers from Sony are targeted at users who don't necessarily want to connect their camera to their PC to print their photos (although they DO have USB connectivity). Their best features are high quality (at a high print price! - Sony uses a film ribbon print method that is much higher in quality than ink jets - buy you'll pay for that quality.) and memory stick integration as well. TheUP-CR10L is a "photo finishing" system that can pump out 5x7" prints in 13 seconds. Overall Rating - %%%% If you don't want to hassle with your PC to print your photos, then the Sony photo printer is for you. Also, if you are willing to pay for high quality output - this printer has some of the best print quality available. |
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