Printer Purchasing Assistance

I need some feedback about photo quality printers (ink-jet). I have been researching several models/brands (listed below) and still remain perplexed on which one to purchase. It seems that there is no clear cut favorite in the marketplace (without spending $500+), as most seem to be rated 3 - 3.5 stars with each model having a few negative comments by a reviewer, leaving you wondering weather or not you should take a chance on that model. Additionally, there seem to be an abundance of printers in the marketplace, all similar in features, thus adding to the confusion.

The brands / models that I have researched are:

Canon (S300, S500, S600, S630, S800)
Epson C80
HP 100 PhotoSmart

I know that there are many others, probably providing similar features/quality, these are just the ones that I happened to stumble upon. Feedback is welcome about any other printers as well.

Ideally, I would like to have a printer that provides above average photo-prints, long print-life (fade-free), average print cost, and overall price range $200 - $300.

Thanks for any and all responses.

sleblang said:

I need some feedback about photo quality printers (ink-jet). I have
been researching several models/brands (listed below) and still
remain perplexed on which one to purchase. It seems that there is
no clear cut favorite in the marketplace (without spending $500+),
as most seem to be rated 3 - 3.5 stars with each model having a
few negative comments by a reviewer, leaving you wondering weather
or not you should take a chance on that model. Additionally, there
seem to be an abundance of printers in the marketplace, all similar
in features, thus adding to the confusion.

The brands / models that I have researched are:

Canon (S300, S500, S600, S630, S800)
Epson C80
HP 100 PhotoSmart

I know that there are many others, probably providing similar
features/quality, these are just the ones that I happened to
stumble upon. Feedback is welcome about any other printers as well.

Ideally, I would like to have a printer that provides above average
photo-prints, long print-life (fade-free), average print cost, and
overall price range $200 - $300.

Thanks for any and all responses.

Click to expand...

...bump

sleblang,

I'm in the same situation. My old inkjet has quit, and I need a new one. Perhaps some useful advice would be the following:

I found a knowledgable and helpful salesguy at my local Circuit City (yeah, I'm a lucky shopper), and this guy owns a current HP printer himself. He made printouts on two printers in our price range, printing from a CompactFlash card photo he'd made that same day in the store (pic of two customers--not at all professional). I was BLOWN AWAY by the quality of photo print now available from a home inkjet printer.

You might want to check out the quality of one or two of the printers yourself. They're all so good that I'm beginning to think availability of fresh supplies (ink and paper) at acceptable prices may be the reason to choose one model of printer over another. I've started checking inventories of printer supplies at nearby stores, and am homing in on a printer choice that way. You could also use the Internet to buy supplies if you don't have a store nearby with a good stock of supplies.

The printers you've listed all seem reasonable to me. I'm leaning toward an Epson or HP because of plentiful stocks of supplies in my town. I am thinking of the Epson 785EPX because I'm eligible for a $100 rebate (just bought a PIM-capable camera). Since the printer sells for under $200, my cost would be under $100 net. Can anyone else offer help here?

Also one more thought: the annual PMA conference is in two weeks, and new models may be announced there. Think I'll wait two weeks to make a decision, just in case.

Bob

I can't speak for the Canon or Epson models, but I've been happy with my HP printers. I have the Photosmart 100 and the Photosmart 1100. Both print a very nice picture and I've been happy with the quality.

A couple of thoughts on them-

100- Good- Prints borderless, very portable. Bad- Only prints up to 4X6.

1100- Good- Has a 4X6 paper tray, prints text (quickly) Bad- doesn't print borderless, cost $20 more then the 100.

Printing the same picture on each of them (4X6), I give a very slight nod to the 1100. The difference is very subtle however.

If you're not in need of the card readers, there are other HP printers that use the same RET III printing technology that these units do, and therefore print the same quality. Without the readers, I assume they would cost less. I don't know the model numbers, but a little research would give you another option.

Hope this helps.

sleblang,

You stated you needed a photo quality printer and not a photo printer. Do you mean photo printer since you mentioned the HP 100 or did you mean HP 1000?

If you just need a photo quality (PQ) printer, the HP 9xx Series and the Epson C80 would be good choices. If you need a photo (PH) printer, look at the Epson 820, Canon S800 or S900 (costly), HP PhotoSmart 1115, 1215, 1315. The HP 1000 is at a good price but, the 9xx Series would be better than a PS 1000.

You have to make the final decision on which one looks the best to you, in addition to price, performance, consumables, etc...

For an inexpensive PH printer, the Epson 820 is a good buy. For an inexpensive PQ printer, the HP 940? or the Canon S630. If money is not an object, all the others mentioned will be fine. Also, any higher priced printer from the manufacturers listed above will also work.

Greg

sleblang said:

I need some feedback about photo quality printers (ink-jet). I have
been researching several models/brands (listed below) and still
remain perplexed on which one to purchase. It seems that there is
no clear cut favorite in the marketplace (without spending $500+),
as most seem to be rated 3 - 3.5 stars with each model having a
few negative comments by a reviewer, leaving you wondering weather
or not you should take a chance on that model. Additionally, there
seem to be an abundance of printers in the marketplace, all similar
in features, thus adding to the confusion.

The brands / models that I have researched are:

Canon (S300, S500, S600, S630, S800)
Epson C80
HP 100 PhotoSmart

I know that there are many others, probably providing similar
features/quality, these are just the ones that I happened to
stumble upon. Feedback is welcome about any other printers as well.

Ideally, I would like to have a printer that provides above average
photo-prints, long print-life (fade-free), average print cost, and
overall price range $200 - $300.

Thanks for any and all responses.

Click to expand...

what are your thoughts on a good printer for photos that also has to do everyday (home/school) work? i'm kinda waiting for the s900/s9000 - is that a reasonable expectation? thanks for any advice, as i'm new to the digital scene.

Hi----

Thanks for the help. I am looking for a printer whose primary purpose would be to print pictures that were taken from a digital camera. Whether or not that is a photo printer or a photo quality printer, I am not sure.

Thanks again.

Gregory T. said:

You stated you needed a photo quality printer and not a photo
printer. Do you mean photo printer since you mentioned the HP 100
or did you mean HP 1000?

If you just need a photo quality (PQ) printer, the HP 9xx Series
and the Epson C80 would be good choices. If you need a photo (PH)
printer, look at the Epson 820, Canon S800 or S900 (costly), HP
PhotoSmart 1115, 1215, 1315. The HP 1000 is at a good price but,
the 9xx Series would be better than a PS 1000.

You have to make the final decision on which one looks the best to
you, in addition to price, performance, consumables, etc...

For an inexpensive PH printer, the Epson 820 is a good buy. For an
inexpensive PQ printer, the HP 940? or the Canon S630. If money is
not an object, all the others mentioned will be fine. Also, any
higher priced printer from the manufacturers listed above will also
work.

Greg

sleblang said:

I need some feedback about photo quality printers (ink-jet). I have
been researching several models/brands (listed below) and still
remain perplexed on which one to purchase. It seems that there is
no clear cut favorite in the marketplace (without spending $500+),
as most seem to be rated 3 - 3.5 stars with each model having a
few negative comments by a reviewer, leaving you wondering weather
or not you should take a chance on that model. Additionally, there
seem to be an abundance of printers in the marketplace, all similar
in features, thus adding to the confusion.

The brands / models that I have researched are:

Canon (S300, S500, S600, S630, S800)
Epson C80
HP 100 PhotoSmart

I know that there are many others, probably providing similar
features/quality, these are just the ones that I happened to
stumble upon. Feedback is welcome about any other printers as well.

Ideally, I would like to have a printer that provides above average
photo-prints, long print-life (fade-free), average print cost, and
overall price range $200 - $300.

Thanks for any and all responses.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

sleblang said:

Hi----

Thanks for the help. I am looking for a printer whose primary
purpose would be to print pictures that were taken from a digital
camera. Whether or not that is a photo printer or a photo quality
printer, I am not sure.

Click to expand...

Check my reply under "CAN SOMEONE PLEASE RECOMMEND A
QUALITY"
elsewhere in this forum. You can presently buy the Epson 780
for $53.50 at http://www.hsn.com after rebate. (coupon #569033)
This is one of the best 6 color photo printers available in the
marketplace.--Murry

I have been extremely pleased with my HP 1315. Super 8x10's from my G2, built in 4x6 tray (not borderless) and fast text/graphics. LCD display and 3 card readers including SM, CF (I & II) and MS. Hard to beat.

murry said:

sleblang said:

Hi----

Thanks for the help. I am looking for a printer whose primary
purpose would be to print pictures that were taken from a digital
camera. Whether or not that is a photo printer or a photo quality
printer, I am not sure.

Click to expand...

Check my reply under "CAN SOMEONE PLEASE RECOMMEND A
QUALITY"
elsewhere in this forum. You can presently buy the Epson 780
for $53.50 at http://www.hsn.com after rebate. (coupon #569033)
This is one of the best 6 color photo printers available in the
marketplace.
--
Murry

Click to expand...