Epson today introduced the Epson Artisan 1430 wide-format printer. Offering brilliant, Ultra Hi-Definition prints as large as 13”x 19”, wireless networking and mobile printing, the Artisan 1430 delivers professional-quality photos by leveraging Epson’s exclusive Advanced MicroPiezo print head with DX5 technology for accurate ink placement and smooth gradations, the company says. The Epson Artisan 1430 also allows PC-free printing and sharing of photos from a smartphone or tablet, and offers image enhancement tools for automatic colour correction red-eye removal etc. The printer will be available in February for $299.99.

Our second award is for the Printer of the Year 2011.

In the fast-changing world of photography, printers are one of the slowest-moving sectors of the market, with relatively few major releases each year. Epson updated their A3+ range for 2011 with the new R3000, building on their past successes and hitting the sweet-spot of pro-level features at a still affordable price.

”...the R3000 is definitely the one to choose thanks to the addition of wi-fi and internet connectivity, more intuitive LCD control panel interface, wider range of media handling options, much bigger ink cartridges and the dual installation of both photo and matt black. The Epson R3000 ultimately offers fantastic print quality and a better user experience at a slightly higher price than its predecessor, and is therefore well deserving of our Highly Recommended award.”

Read the Full Review

Congratulations to Epson and the Stylus Photo R3000!

Polaroid has announced the Z340 Instant Digital Camera, which features a 14-megapixel image sensor and integrated ZINK printer. Designed for portability, the Polaroid Z340 “pays homage to its analogue predecessors, yet contains an advanced, easy-to-use digital feature set,” says the manufacturer. “Simply snap, check out images on the Z340 camera’s 2.7’’ LCD screen and choose photos for printing.” The Polaroid Z340 Instant Digital Camera’s integrated printer outputs 3"x4” prints - the same size as the classic Polaroid photos - using the patented ZINK Paper, an advanced composite material with cyan, yellow, and magenta dye crystals embedded inside. The full-resolution 14-megapixel photos are saved on SD memory cards, and can be printed at much larger sizes using a dedicated photo printer. The Polaroid Z340 camera is available starting today for $299.99 at Polaroid.com, B&H, Adorama and Amazon. The Polaroid ZINK 3x4’’ Paper can be bought in packs of thirty for $19.99.

“One Hundred & Forty Characters” is a project initiated by award-winning photographer Chris Floyd. Inspired by Floyd’s interaction with the photographers, editors and other individuals he follows on Twitter, One Hundred & Forty Characters bridges the gap between traditional relationships and those increasingly formed through online communications. “The project essentially puts faces to 140 of the online names I have become familiar with and I wanted to show a mixture of around 100 portraits comprising both individual and group shots,” said Floyd, who looked to HP to reproduce his images as large-format prints. Floyd worked with the HP Bracknell-based team who used both the HP Designjet L25500 Printer and the HP Designjet Z6200 Photo Printer to output the portraits. The exhibition “One Hundred & Forty Characters” is currently on display at Host Gallery, London.

Ilford have released custom-crafted ICC profiles for the new Canon PIXMA PRO-1 printer. The profiles help ensure professional photographers are able to produce accurate and consistent results on Ilford Galerie media using this just-launched and feature-rich Canon printer.

Canon today launched its new flagship PIXMA Pro series model, the Pixma PRO-1, which is the world’s first A3+ printer to feature 12 separate inks. This new technology is claimed to “significantly expand” colour gamut “in most areas”. Five monochrome inks produce professional quality black-and-white prints with smooth tonal gradation and suppressed graininess. Front-opening panels enable easy access to the tanks either side of the main printer body, and for efficiency the rear tray takes up to 20 sheets of photo paper, while the manual feed slot accepts photo paper up to 356mm (14”) wide and heavier fine art papers. The Canon Pixma PRO-1 will be available from November 2011, priced at £799/€899/$999.99.

Canon has announced three all-in-one photo printers. All three printers feature the ChromaLife 100 two-cartridge ink system, enhanced Full HD Movie Print software andr a maximum colour resolution of 4800x1200dpi. The Canon Pixma MG4120 and MG3120 models additionally offer wireless printing capabilities, and the MG4120 (pictured) is also compatible with the Pixma Cloud Link for easy printing of photos and templates directly through the printer without the use of a computer, using the 2.4 inch colour LCD screen. The Canon Pixma MG4120 Wireless, MG3120 Wireless and MG2120 Photo all-in-one printers will have an estimated selling price of $129.99, $79.99 and $69.99 respectively.

HP has announced the availability of free, downloadable software applications for the HP Designjet Z3200 Photo Printer series that enable professional photographers to generate large-format photo negatives for the production of high-quality, black and white silver halide photo prints. Available now, the Large Format Photo Negative software package includes a paper preset for the HP Designjet Z3200 Photo Printer series that allows photographers to print a digital negative from a film, scanned or digital capture file onto a transparent substrate. Once printed, these large-format photo negatives can be used as masters to produce high-quality black and white fine art prints through a contact process. The HP Large Format Photo Negative solution for silver and platinum processes will be shown on the Picto booth at Le Salon de la Photo, 6 -10 October, Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, Paris.

Select new models of the Canon Pixma All-In-One inkjet printer line-up will now support AirPrint, wireless printing for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. “AirPrint allows users to wirelessly print photos, emails, web pages, and other documents without the need to install device drivers, saving time and making for a seamless user experience,” the company said in a statement. “AirPrint will initially be supported in three recently launched models from the Canon Pixma line-up, the Pixma MG8250, MG6250 and MG5350. Moving forward, AirPrint will be supported in the majority of Canon PIXMA inkjet printers launched from this date onwards.”

Want to see what the new Kodak Hero printers look like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on photos of the four Kodak Hero printers, which claim to offer the cheapest running costs on the market.

Kodak have launched the new Hero all-in-one printer range. The Kodak Hero printers are all wireless compatible and are Google Cloud Print Ready and KODAK Email Print Ready. There are four models in the new Hero line-up - the HERO 5.1, HERO 7.1 and HERO 9.1, and the KODAK OFFICE HERO 6.1, with prices ranging from £99 to £199.

Epson has introduced the Epson Stylus NX430, an all-in-one printer-copier-scanner that is the first model in the company’s new Small-in-One range. The space-saving, ultra-compact Epson NX430 can print up to A4 size and comes complete with a 2.5” colour LCD touch panel. Other highlights include 4-colour (CMYK) drop-on-demand MicroPiezo inkjet technology, 1200dpi optical scanner resolution, and Wi-Fi connectivity. “Consumers will be amazed with the compact size and powerful performance of the Epson Stylus NX430,” said Kristi Lanzit, product manager, Consumer Ink Jets, Epson America, Inc. “The name Small-in-One says it all; no other printer offers such great performance in a small size – guaranteed.” The first Epson Small-in-One is available for $99.99 in the US.

In the UK, the device is marketed under the name Epson Stylus SX445W Small-in-One and carries a recommended retail price of £99.99.

The Canon PIXMA MG8250 and MG6250 are two new premium All-In-One printers aimed at photographers. With a range of advanced features, the PIXMA MG6250 and PIXMA MG8250 offer photolab-quality printing at impressive speeds, along with a range of innovative software, to help get the best out of photos. The PIXMA MG8250 is available from October 2011, priced at £299.00 / €349.00.  The PIXMA MG6250 is available from September 2011, priced at £179.00 / €199.00.

The Canon PIXMA MG8220 and MG6220 are two new 802.11n Wi-Fi certified all-in-one printers. The PIXMA MG8220 will have an estimated selling price of $299.99, while the PIXMA MG6220 will have an estimated selling price of $199.99.

The Canon PIXMA MG3150 and MG2150 are two stylish and compact All-In-One printers ideal for students and families. Features include Full HD Movie Print and Easy-WebPrint EX for Intelligent Web Printing. The PIXMA MG3150 additionally incorporates Auto Duplex Print and Wi-Fi, and supports the new Canon Easy-PhotoPrint App. The Canon MG2150 and MG3150 are available across Europe from November 2011, pricing to be announced.

The Canon PIXMA MG5350 is an advanced wireless All-In-One printer with enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity. The stylish PIXMA MG5350 offers quick and easy print, copy and scan functionalities, along with access to the new PIXMA Cloud Link. The Canon MG5350 will be available across Europe from September 2011, pricing to be announced.

The Canon PIXMA iP4950 is a high-performance photo printer ideal for professionals and families. Replacing the PIXMA iP4850, the new PIXMA iP4950 incorporates Full HD Movie Print, Easy-PhotoPrint EX and Auto Duplex Print. The Canon iP4950 is available from October, priced at £79.00 / €99.00.

Epson are offering £60 cash back on the Stylus Photo R2880 printer. The R2880 is a high specification A3+ photo printer aimed at professional photographers and keen amateurs. The cashback is valid for purchases made between 1st September 2011 and 31st October 2011.

The Epson Stylus Photo PX830FWD and PX730WD are new home photo printers that deliver better-than-lab-quality results. The PX730WD offers built-in Wi-Fi, while the PX830FWD is Epson’s premium 4-in-1 for high definition printing at home. The Epson Stylus PX730WD and PX830FWD are available from 1 September 2011 and will be priced at £259.99 and £299.99 respectively.

The Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Signature Worthy Edition combines the 17-inch Epson Stylus Pro 3880 printer with six Epson Signature Worthy papers. The Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Signature Worthy Edition includes full letter-sized packages of Exhibition Fiber, Cold Press Bright, Cold Press Natural, Hot Press Bright, and Hot Press Natural papers, as well as a Signature Worthy Sample Pack featuring additional photo and fine art papers. The Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Signature Worthy Edition is currently available through select photo specialty resellers for $1,495.