Epson P-7000 Review

The Epson P-7000 is a brand new 160GB multimedia photo viewer, replacing the P-5000 model. Promoted by Epson as a “compact, premium on-location back-up and viewing solution”, the P7000 features a 4-inch, 640x480 LCD screen which displays a remarkable 94% of the Adobe RGB colour gamut. Download speeds are up to 35 percent faster than previous models, and the P-7000 also offers improved battery life and a new jog dial that makes it easier and faster to scroll through images. Available now, the Epson P-7000 costs $799.99 / £549.99 - Jon Canfield discovers if it’s worth it in our Epson P-7000 Review.

Website: Epson P-7000 Review

Published: Thursday, September 11, 2008

Reader Comments

1. Good review, thank you. Though one has to balk at the price. With netbooks (Asus, Acer, MSI, Dell etc.) coming in cheaper, 80/120gb HDs, 9" screens, 4h battery life etc. this Epson seems expensive. Obviously this is a dedicated device and does its primary role better than a small laptop but I hope the price gets some pressure all the same.

   Paul M. Watson at 12:10pm on Thursday, September 11, 2008

2. Agree, the price is way too high and has always been for the Epson picture viewers. Nice devices but do not deliver enough for the money and the resolution is not very high.
   I would pick up a 4" or 7" UMPC for less money but capable for much more and better handling. At up to £200 this would be a great purchase but it for £549 it is just too much for what it delivers (or lacks compared to a UMPC).

   Cristian at 01:28pm on Thursday, September 11, 2008

3. Are you familiar with the older 4000 model? I would be interested in any interface changes from that model.
   
   Thanks,
   David

   David at 03:26pm on Thursday, September 11, 2008

4. what you haven't discussed in any way is whether or not epson still requires everyone to page through all the other images FIRST before getting to the most recently downloaded; something like having to read through 300 pages of a novel EVERYTIME you want to get to the last page read. does epson still make it nearly impossible to rename files on the fly and how many strokes does it take to deleate a single image!?

   digimikek at 10:22pm on Thursday, September 11, 2008

5. digimikek - you can delete images with 2 key presses - one for menu, the second for Delete. This works with folders/albums, individual images, or all selected images. For checking most recently downloaded, each download is stored in it's own folder, so yes, you can go straight to that set of images.
   
   David - the screen is larger, higher resolution and better quality, the transfer speed is increased, the jog dial is new, battery life improved, and storage space increased. Those are the primary changes.
   
   Paul & Christian - I agree the price is steep. I typically carry a Mac when I travel, but I don't like to have it out in the field. The display accuracy on the Epson is far better than anything you'll see on the typical laptop, so it makes it more practical for image review away from home.

   Jon Canfield at 03:48pm on Friday, September 12, 2008

6. I own a P-3000, and I'm really happy about it, except one thing: if you format the harddrive, there's NO WAY to recover it. It doesn't use a normal filesystem. Sounds like they put the OS in it, and there's no images/recovery tools. The warranty doesn't cover formatting.
   
   So don't ever try defragging it or something similar

   P-3000 owner at 08:24pm on Saturday, September 13, 2008

7. @David,
   The P-4000 isn't the previous model. P-2000 and P-4000 were first,
   Then P-3000 and P-5000 came out with better and larger 4 color screens (photo fine ultra).
   And now this new model.
   
   You can check older version features in the following links in case they help:
   
   http://www.dpreview.com/news/0609/06093004epsonp3000p5000.asp
   http://www.dpreview.com/news/0509/05092202epson_p4000.asp

   P-3000 Owner at 08:32pm on Saturday, September 13, 2008

8. @John.
   
   The P-4000 is limited to CF sizes up to 8Gig, and SD cards up to 2Gig, according to Epson.
   
   I'm not too sure, but I also think the P-4000 has the same maximum image size of 8+Mpx. At least the P-2000 did, although this can be fixed by a firmware upgrade
   
   I bet it's slower for larger image sizes though?
   
   One gotta be cautious when buying one of these. They are expensive, and stuff like that can limit the lifetime of the device.

   P-3000 owner at 08:40pm on Saturday, September 13, 2008

9. While I was digging information on the filesystem used by the device it used, and any possibilities to mod the software using a standard linux distro, I ended up finding this:
   
   http://juliuslagula.blogspot.com/2007/08/upgrading-hard-drive-of-p-3000.html
   
   Sure you'll love to know that the P-3000 (or P-5000) can be extended with a new laptop hdd =)

   P-3000 Owner at 01:34pm on Sunday, September 14, 2008

10. While I was digging information on the filesystem used by the device, and any possibilities to mod the software using a standard linux distro, I ended up finding this:
    
    http://juliuslagula.blogspot.com/2007/08/upgrading-hard-drive-of-p-3000.html
    
    Sure you'll like to know that the P-3000 (or P-5000) can be extended with a new laptop hdd =)

    P-3000 Owner Again at 01:36pm on Sunday, September 14, 2008

11. I would like to know if this Epson P-7000 working with the Hasselblad H series digital 31Mpix; 39Mpix; or the new 50Mpix cameras? -Attila Fovenyessy-

    Attila Fovenyessy at 03:25pm on Friday, September 19, 2008

12. Your review is very good. I have several questions; does this unit have a remote to do a slide show with an LCD projector? What are the slide show capabilities - can you manually control it? Is there talk of an HDMI output for LCD TV's?
    
    Thanks,
    
    J

    J. Doddy at 03:37pm on Monday, November 10, 2008

13. Astronomical value without astronomical capabilities. WD tv hd media player cost only $99 from bestbuy and plays 1080p video, hd music and 1080p photo. All you need is an obiquitous usb external flash or disc drive loaded with your favorite movies music and photos to play hd in any tv or projector with hdmi input.

    byouddy at 08:38pm on Monday, November 10, 2008