Photo Printers
You’ve got lots of photos stored inside your digital camera and hard drive from years of traveling around the globe. While it’s good to view them on the LCD monitor, you would like to print them out and file them inside an album for easier viewing with family and friends. While printer technology has progressed tremendously over the last decade, it pays to know getting some of the best photo printers so that every prints looks gorgeous and dazzling.
Photo Printer Buying Guide
1) Inkjet or Dye-Sublimation?
Inkjet photo printers are best used to print photos plus the occasional colored or text documents. They use microscopic nozzles to shoot inks (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) at the paper to create fairly good quality photo printing at a reasonable price/page and speed. Higher quality inkjet photo printers usually use 6-color combination inks for even better printing quality.
Dye-sublimation photo printers are best used for printing professional-looking photos. They use CYMK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) color ribbon, (not ink). Upon heating this color ribbon, up to12 million colors can be transferred to the shiny photo paper, creating a crisp, detailed colors of exceptional brilliance.
2) Dots Per Inch (dpi), Gradation & Ink Drop Size
When shopping around, look out for at least 9600 x 2400 dpi and more than 50 levels of gradation. Another important consideration is the ink drop size, measured in terms of picoliters. A smaller number indicates more ink per unit area, which in turn means better quality and more lifelike prints. Aim for between 1-2 picoliters.
3) Number Of Colors
A typical inkjet printer uses 4 color inks but a better quality photo printer uses between 6-8 colors, providing a wider color spectrum and hence offers higher definition photo prints.
4) Printing Speed
You won’t like to be stuck with a photo printer that prints slow like a tortoise’s crawl hence it is advisable that it prints reasonably fast. If possible, choose one that prints less than 1 minute per photo.
Photo Printer Reviews & Ratings
We found the best photo printer reviews from CNET, Consumer Reports, PC World, PCMag and PopPhoto. Pro testers there reviewed some of the best photo printer models from trusted and well-known makers such as Canon, Epson, HP, Kodak, Panasonic and Sony. Photo printer ratings based on photo quality determines the best photo printers in their class.
Best Photo Printer (Professional)
Photo Printer Reviews #1: Exceeding all expectations with unrivalled photo printer reviews from pros and consumers is the best rated Epson Stylus Pro 3800 Printer. Make your photo prints stand out with this Epson photo printer that you will cherish for life. This best photo printer from Epson features photographic screening technology using UltraChrome K3 + 3-level black inks at 2880 x 1440 dpi to deliver truly stunning, rich, vivid and realistic photo prints of unsurpassed clarity. Handles 4" x 6" to 17" x 22" printing media. Truly a photographer’s dream come true.
Best Photo Printer (Inkjet)
Photo Printer Reviews #2: Stamping its authority with unsurpassed photo printer reviews from reviewers and users is the best rated Canon PIXMA iP6700D Photo Printer. For long-lasting prints you can be proud of, let this Canon photo printer deliver them. This best photo printer from Canon features FINE print head technology, 6-ink tanks with 3072 precision nozzles (1-picoliter sized ink droplets output) and ChromaLife100 inks delivering 9600 x 2400 color dpi for eye-catching, true-to-life and vibrant, colorful photo prints of ultimate brilliance. Best used in conjunction with Canon Photo Paper Pro. Supports 4" x 6" to A4 printing media. Comes with 3.5-inch LCD viewer for image enhancement before printing.
Photo Printer Reviews #3: Setting the benchmark in photo printing excellence with rave photo printer reviews from owners and expert reviewers is the best rated Epson Stylus R2400 Photo Printer. Bring your photos to life with this Epson photo printer that’s endorsed by professional photographers and photo enthusiasts. This best photo printer from Epson features 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi, 9 pigment-based UltraChrome K3 inks including 4 shades of black to give fade-resistant, stunning prints - black & white or color. Prints on all paper types and sizes with speeds of up to 1 min 47 seconds at photo mode on Enhanced Matte paper. At over $700, this photo printer is truly built for the pros.
Photo Printer Reviews #4: HP Photosmart Pro B9180 Photo Printer
Best Photo Printer (Snapshot)
Photo Printer Reviews #5: Snapping its way to consumers heart with outstanding photo printer reviews from reviewers and owners is the best rated Epson PictureMate Snap 4 x 6 Photo Printer. Cast your memories in print with this Epson photo printer that will have you beaming with joy. This best photo printer from Epson features 5760 x 720 optimized dpi print resolution, 3.0 picoliters and 4-color pigment-based inks to print truly brilliant and crystal clear 4" x 6" photos in just 45 seconds. Comes with 2.5-inch LCD for cropping and enhancing photos on the spot (without computers). Support glossy and matte prints for lifetime memories with no fading as well as scratch, smudge and water resistant. At less than $0.29 per print, now everyone can print at home.
Photo Printer Reviews #6: Making memories with impressive photo printer reviews from experts and consumers is the best rated Canon Selphy CP730 Compact Photo Printer. Add memorable photos to your collection with this Canon photo printer that will make you proud. This best photo printer from Canon features dye-sublimation thermal print process to create top-quality 4" x 6" photo prints to last a lifetime in under 1 minute. Comes with 2.0-inch LCD monitor for preview and image correction. Prints many sizes from 2" x 4" to 4" x 8". At $0.28 per print, its value for money.
Photo Printer Reviews #7: Intelligently designed with impressive reviews from photo printer users and reviewers is the top rated HP Photosmart A626 Compact Photo Printer. Celebrate special moments with family and friends by sharing photos with this HP photo printer that will have them gasping in awe. This top rated photo printer from HP features 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi resolution and 4-color ink system including black to give vivid and eye-catching prints each and every time. Comes with 4.8" color touchscreen LCD display for image correction, personalization and more. Prints from 4" x 6" to 5" x 7".