what is the best photo printer for under $280?

[mayday]

I was looking at the new epson 785epx or 890 but could not tell the difference between them. I am not against getting an hp or cannon but am unfamilar with the photo printers. The important thing to me is that it prints great photo's, everything else is second to that.

 

[nagger]

The 785 EPX is a dedicated Photo Printer that has a built-in a PCMCIA card slot, supporting a range of digital camera memory types, such as CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, MultimediaCard and IBM's Microdrive.

The 890 is only a Photo Printer with no PCMCIA card slot.

Both have the same printer engine, the only main diference is the outer-shell and the PCMCIA card slot...

"edited 11-01-02 18:46 GMT"

Sorry for the wrong input above...

The 785 EPX doesn't have the same printer engine as the 890 it shares the printer engine with the Stylus Photo 780...

I tested them both a few hours ago printing the same 130 Mb Photo and the 785 is quite slower compared with the 890... I can't tell the diference between both prints.

I'm also on the lookout for a cool photo printer for myself, so when u buy yours post here so I can get more opinions on this

 

[mayday]

If the pcmia car slot is the only difference then why would the 785epx(the one with the slot) cost less than the 890?

 

[oakfan]

Take a look at the Canon S800 at $299. The prints it produces are stunning.

If you want to read up on printers & other things digital try dpreview

 

[mayday]

Thanks for the link,

You input has been very helpful. The epson printers are very tempting because of the price. I had a bad experience with an old epson 400 clogging all the time though and it does not sound like they fixed that one. After reading about the cannon s800 i was almost sold. I think i might just start saving my cans to get the s900 in march.

 

[KK]

I have an S800 and I'm very pleased with it. I like the idea of separate ink tanks, less waste. It's fairly quick but will pretty much only show excellent results on Canon Photo Paper Pro type paper. You won't be disappointed in it or probably the newer one coming out in march.

KK

 

[InsaneMorphius]

Another vote for the Cannon S800,

A printer that is gonna be hard to beat.

Morph

 

[seniorguy]

I give my vote for Epson brand for the bang on the buck. Epson brand is the preferred brand for a high percentage of photographers and graphic artists. I would say most people would not tell the print by one of the medium priced printer from one brand to another. I myself own a cheap Epson 780 but it gives me everything I need. Don't know other brands, but I like the borderless prints. Epson has one of the best selection and varieties of photo papers available. This includes the panorama pictures or rolls. The dpi available by any of these photo printers is sufficient enough for 99% of the time. I can count the hair of a head shot printed by the Epson 780 on 8x10 paper with a 3.3M camera set at the highest quality jpg setting.

From my experience, taking picture is only half the game. Most pictures require digital darkroom enhancement such as cropping, contrast and color correction of some kind. A printer with a card slot may not be necessary since you don't want to print everything you took. Since film is free, you tend to take more than necessary. Printing color picture is slow and expensive.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Mayday, if you choose the Epson route, go here before making a purchase: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=40&threadid=681378 . hope this helps.

 

[Leokor]

What about the HP PhotoSmart series? I'm looking for a photo printer too, and would appreciate a comparison.

Leo

P.S. As far as Epson goes, I'm a bit suspicious of their strange 2880x720 resolution. Why 4:1, when all other printers have 2400x1200, which is 2:1? Besides, ain't 1200 better than 720?

 

[Dewey]

Epson Photo 820. I have yet to see a printer produce better photos than this printer at any price. Of course, I have not seen all of then, but the Epson simply kills the Canon in photo quality. The Canon is much quieter however. All my prints are with Epson photo papers and Epson ink. My photography friends cannot believe that my "photos" are coming out of a printer.

 

[InsaneMorphius]

Epson is the choice for most pro's, used with continueous inking systems

However they come with a price.... clogging is and will always be a problem with them. Ask my 785epx which is now in the garbage! Super photos from this printer, but was loud and had the clogging problems, not to mention that the inks are very expensive. I just got tired of the time/ink/paper wasted during the frequent head cleanings. The ONLY HP to consider IMHO is the HP 1315, but at $400.00, the quality is not even close to that of Cannon or Epson. Good Luck in your search, BTW I am using the S800 with Jet Professional Photo Paper, and the prints are stunning!

Morphius

 

[gopunk]

what about the sony ones? i heard they were good, but don't know how they compare to epson

 

[meaty]

My vote goes for a Epson.

 

[Dewey]

Insane,
Yes Epsons tend to clog and make noise. I think they put all their money into the print head and like $.50 into the rest. Like I said the print quality is the best I have seen. I have tossed a few ink cartridges from my epson when they clog. That really pisses me off, but I stick with the Epsons for the quality. I paid $70 for my Epson Photo 780. When it breaks I won't feel that bad and I'll get another Epson.

 

[InsaneMorphius]

Dewey,

"When it breaks I won't feel that bad and I'll get another Epson"

That is a good way to think, specially with the price

Morph

 

[iamcanadian128]

EPSON! I have the C80, and its an All-Purpose/Office Printer, but its great for general purpose photos.
But my vote would definatly go with EPSON!
Canon is not bad, but its not as good as an Epson.