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| Click photo to see images of all the Editor's Choice 2007 products. |
Like many other electronic devices, small-format printers are becoming multi-purpose tools. This year's models don't just make snapshot-sized prints; most can receive images wirelessly for printing, many can apply photo effects and controls you used to find only in digital camera menus, and one even saves files to recordable CDs. Most important, though, is that all of the printers we've chosen this year -- whether they use inkjet or dye-sublimation technology -- produce album-worthy prints, at a typical cost of 25 to 30 cents apiece. (We've included per-print prices for each model, but keep in mind that with inkjet models this will vary according to image content and printer settings.)
Printer of the Year: Epson PictureMate Flash PM 280
Though still roughly the size of a toaster, albeit one with a bagel slot, this inkjet model is larger and heavier than most other snapshot printers. And for good reason: It incorporates a CD burner. That feature gives you even more freedom from your computer, allowing you to archive images on memory cards directly to CD-R and CD-RW discs. The 6.6-pound PictureMate Flash gains portability with its built-in handle, optional rechargeable battery, and a hinged lid that protects its 2.5-inch tilt-up LCD and control buttons. In front, there's a fold-down paper tray that protects the memory card slots and printer interior from dust when it's closed. (The only flaw is that there's nowhere to stash a stack of paper in the printer when you're carrying it around.)
When it's sitting still, the new PictureMate can print on glossy or matte paper in 4x6 and numerous smaller sizes, as well as producing 10-image proof sheets and thumbnail indexes for archive CDs. With a maximum 5760x720dpi resolution and a three-picoliter minimum droplet size, it outputs smooth, detailed prints with vibrant colors, though we found its color balance slightly cool relative to competitors. It can also be set to convert color files to black-and-white or sepia monochrome. In addition to an Auto Photo Correction feature that adjusts exposure, color, contrast, and sharpness in one go, there are manual brightness, saturation, and sharpness controls. Red-eye removal is also available, along with a collection of decorative borders and clip art that can be added to photos.
The PictureMate Flash can print images from a CD or DVD inserted in its disc drive, as well as from more typical sources, including memory cards, PictBridge-compatible cameras connected via USB, and USB flash drives. It can receive photos via Bluetooth with an optional adapter. The printer is a little slow at cycling through images on its 2.5-inch tilt-up LCD, but you can make plenty of adjustments to images once they're displayed. The new printer took about 50 seconds to make a 4x6 from a memory card, which is about twice as fast as the first PictureMate models. About $200 (at Best Buy exclusively); about 25 cents per print.
American PHOTO Editor's Choice 2007
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