Steves Digicams have posted a review of the very new HP Photosmart 8450 printer (only announced by HP UK yesterday).

“The Photosmart 8450’s photo print quality is nothing short of excellent and rivals the output of the best photo inkjet printers that we’ve used. It isn’t as fast as the Canon “i” and the new 2004 “iP” series printers, but it is faster than previous HP photo printer models that we reviewed last year.”

Website: Steves Digicams - HP Photosmart 8450 Printer Review

ePhotoZine have published one of the first reviews of the Epson PictureMate inkjet printer.

“I printed off 20 family snaps of varying levels of contrast and from different cameras, ranging from point & shoot to digital SLR loaded on a CompactFlash card. It delivered a good set of photos. Colours are good sharpness is good and contrast is good. Blacks look rich highlights sparkle and generally the results are impressive and live up to Epson’s claims of “bright colours”. The only thing I don’t like is the slight etch effect seen if you angle the print in the light.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Epson PictureMate Review

The Norwegian website Akam.no have today reviewed the recently announced HP Photosmart 8150 printer.

Website: Akam.no - HP Photosmart 8150 Review

Vincent Oliver over at Photo-i has started an interactive review of the new Canon PIXMA iP8500 printer. Vincent is well-known for his excellent printer reviews, so his verdict on the new Canon range will be well worth reading.

“The eyeball close ups are my next test. This is to see the size of the print dot and if there is any gaps in the printing. As previously stated, the high resolution of today’s printers makes this test superfluous, as you can’t see the dot without the aid of a magnifying glass. The ip8500 uses 6144 nozzles to deliver 147 million 2 picolitre drops per second - WOW! This ensures ” grain-free prints of unsurpassed clarity” - I thought grain was normally associated with film. Strange how digital equipment manufacturers still look over their shoulders for film comparisons. “

Website: Photo-i - Canon PIXMA iP8500 Review

HP UK Press Release 05/10/04

HP Introduces Two Top of the Range New Photosmart All-in-Ones for Best-in-Class Printing

HP Photosmart 2710 and HP Photosmart 2610 All-in-Ones offer a stylish answer to print, fax, scan and copy demands

LONDON, 5 October, 2004. HP today announced the launch of two new All-in-Ones, the HP Photosmart 2710 and HP Photosmart 2610. Designed for creative home or home office users, these two All-in-Ones offer a range of high quality print, flatbed fax, scan and copy functions in a compact and sophisticated device.

Both new models offer users integrated home networking with easy set up, enabling fast, multi-user printing, scanning and sharing of photos. The HP Photosmart 2610 and HP Photosmart 2710 All-in-Ones connect to the network using the quick, reliable, built-in 802.3 Ethernet. Additionally, the HP Photosmart 2710 All-in-One connects simply by using the embedded wireless (802.11g) LAN technology for secure, wireless sharing.

The HP Photosmart 2710 and HP Photosmart 2610 enable users to preview, select, edit and print their photos directly from a digital camera without having to connect to a computer. This can be achieved by using the built-in memory card slot or by connecting a PictBridge-enabled digital camera to the All-in-One via the front USB port. By using the memory card slots on these All-in-Ones, users can preview images on the 8.8 cm colour LCD screen on the HP PSC 2710 or the 6.4cm colour LCD screen on the HP Photosmart 2610, and crop, zoom, edit or rotate photos.

HP UK Press Release 05/10/04

Stylish, Fast, Top of the Range, Networkable Home Printer ? No Catch (Not Even Wires)

HP launches new, high quality wireless printing for personal and business use with the HP Deskjet 6840

LONDON, UK, 5 October, 2004. HP today announced the launch of a networkable printer with breakthrough print speeds for the home and small business user. Developed to meet the productivity demands of households containing multiple computers for both business and personal use, the HP Deskjet 6840 offers users a simple solution for quality printing without wires.

Connection to the computer network is straightforward and requires little to no configuration, ensuring that set-up and use are simplified for all users. Users can share the printer among up to five users either within a wired environment through the built-in Ethernet port or by choosing the embedded wireless (802.11g) technology for complete freedom from wires.

High performance is key for home workers and small businesses and the HP Deskjet 6840 delivers 30 ppm printing in laser quality black and 20 ppm in colour. Additionally, a 150 sheet capacity printer tray for few paper changes saves time and money. The option to add a second tray increases capacity to 400 sheets. Two-sided printing enhances productivity further still, while a paper sensor automatically adjusts settings to best suit the paper loaded.

HP UK Press Release 05/10/04

The HP Officejet 7410 and 7310 All-in-Ones offer uncompromising speed, quality and reliability for the home or small office

London, October 5, 2004. HP today announced the latest products in its high speed All-in-One printer, fax, flatbed scanner and copier range, the HP Officejet 7410 and HP Officejet 7310. The HP Officejet 7410 and Officejet 7310 All-in-Ones are complete printing and imaging solutions, ideal for the busy full-time or part time office professional. Both models offer easy-to-use printing, faxing, scanning and copying in one device that increases productivity and readily fits into available office space.

Features available on both products include up to 4800 x 1200 optimised dpi colour when printing from a computer and 1200-input dpi. HP Photoret IV precision technology with 6-ink colour printing and copying is optional, enabling users to produce true-to-life colour photos and documents . Powerful, fast, black and colour faxing is standard on both new models with or without a PC, at 33.6 kbps.

The HP Officejet 7410 and Officejet 7310 All-in-One printer, fax, scanner and copiers provide professional photo quality colour and laser quality black text printing, plus superior faxing, copying and scanning with time saving features. Both models include superior paper handling and direct photo printing features, as well as built in wired or wireless networking for up to five users.

The Norwegian website Akam.no have posted their review of the recently announced Canon PIXMA iP4000 inkjet printer.

Website: Akam.no Reviews Canon PIXMA iP4000 Review

It looks as though Epson are finally about to replace their venerable A3 printer, the Stylus Photo 2100/2200. The Japanese website I Love Epson has details about a new A3 model called the PX-G5000. Michael Reichmann over at Luminous Landscape comments “The PX-G5000 is an 8 ink, 5760X1440 A3-sized printer, with 1.5 picoliter dots. The inks apparently have a wider colour gamut and better compatibility with glossy papers.”

Thanks to Hans Van Rafelghem for sending me the link.

Website: I Love Epson - PX-G5000 Printer

Epson USA Press Release 28/09/04

EPSON INTRODUCES NEW EASYPRINT - FIRST SOFTWARE UTILITY TO SIMPLIFY PRINTING FROM POPULAR PHOTO APPLICATIONS

Adobe(r) First to Incorporate Epson EasyPrint into New Photoshop(r) Elements 3.0

LONG BEACH, Calif., Sept. 28, 2004 - Epson, the leader in professional photographic printing technology, is making it easier and faster for both consumers and pros to print from software applications directly to Epson printers with the introduction of Epson EasyPrint. With Epson EasyPrint the most important print settings of Epson printer driver software are embedded
right into the application’s Print screen, making it even simpler for consumers to print great looking photos quickly.

Adobe is one of the first software companies to implement Epson’s EasyPrint technology with the introduction of Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0, the next major upgrade to the number one selling consumer photo editing software.

Photoshop Elements 3.0 delivers impressive new ways to share, organize and edit photos, and with the inclusion of Epson EasyPrint and PRINT Image Matching* (P.I.M.), Adobe and Epson are making it easier to print with optimized results.

Epson UK Press Release 28/09/04

EPSON continues to provide low-cost home photo printing with its new all-in-one solution for digital converts

The Stylus Photo RX420 is EPSON’s latest, most economical all-in-one home digital photo solution that allows users to scan, copy, print and restore premium quality photographs up to A4. The EPSON Stylus Photo RX420 sits at the entry level of the photo all-in-one range and combines high quality home photo-printing with ease of use at a low cost.

September 2004: The EPSON Stylus Photo RX420 is a new addition to the EPSON range of all-in-one photo solutions. It allows users to scan, copy and print photographs up to A4. The EPSON Stylus Photo RX420 is ideal for every digital camera user, from the novice to the photo enthusiast and produces highly durable photo prints at a resolution of 5760 x 1440dpi.

It can produce 24 borderless photographs at home in under one hour.

The EPSON Stylus Photo RX420’s flexibility allows users to print direct from virtually any memory card. Photographs can be easily enlarged up to A4, directly from the memory card or from photographs. The index print functionality allows the user to conveniently view all images from the memory card and print only the photos required, without using a PC. Users can also select DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) setting via their digital camera to specify which images and how many copies they require.

Kodak Press Release 27/09/04

New KODAK PROFESSIONAL 1400 Digital Photo Printer Delivers Durable, High-Quality Photos Immediately at Home, in Studio or on Location

Easy-to-Use, Affordable Thermal Printer Ideal for Professionals, AdAm Photographers

COLOGNE, Germany, September. 27 - Eastman Kodak Company today introduced the KODAK PROFESSIONAL 1400 Digital Photo Printer, an affordable system for professional and Advanced Amateur (AdAm) photographers that delivers outstanding quality and durability of KODAK prints immediately.

Whether in a studio or on location for proofing or at home for final printing and displaying, the robust desktop printer produces one 8x12, one 8x10, two 6x8, two5x7 or four 4x6-inch photos per sheet, and the water-resistant photos last a lifetime. The KODAK PROFESSIONAL paper and ribbon consumables are bundled in matched volumes to provide optimum color density for every print, eliminating worries associated with low ink levels. Consumablesincluding paper available in 50- and 25-sheet packsare priced competitively to similar offerings on the market.

“The KODAK PROFESSIONAL 1400 Digital Photo Printer is yet another way that Kodak satisfies professional and AdAm photographers’ need to print digital photographs in studio, on location or at home,” said Sue Gringer, Worldwide Marketing Manager, Digital Desktop Output, Professional Output Group, Digital and Film Imaging Systems, Eastman Kodak Company. “The affordable, easy-to-use printer produces high-quality, durable output that makes every print worth framing.”

FujiFilm UK Press Release 27/09/04

Fujifilm Printpix CX-550: versatile photo lab technology for home or professional use

Fujifilm reveals new prosumer digital photo printer

Fujifilm has announced the commercial launch of the Printpix CX-550 digital photo printer: a high-speed, versatile machine that builds on the success of Fujifilm’s Printpix CX-400.  Incorporating technology used in photo lab shops, the Printpix CX-550 is designed for photography professionals, enthusiasts and home users.

Multiple applications for the Printpix CX-550 include:

* Home use: printing of 6x4” or wallet-sized pictures for home enjoyment or for sharing digital photos with family or friends
* Commercial use: the CX-550 is approved for printing ID and passport photos, as well as being ideal for small businesses where space is at a premium and a standard minilab would be too large
* Professional use: professional photographers can use the CX-550 as a versatile proofing system in a studio or on location.

The Printpix CX-550 continues where its predecessor left off, but with some notable developments.  Fujifilm has increased the size of the built-in LCD screen from 1.8” to 2.5”, making operating, editing and image viewing even easier.

Press Release 27/09/04

Leading Digital Camera Manufacturers Announce IMAGELINK Print System to Simplify At-Home Picture Printing

New Specification Enables One-Touch Printing from Printer Docks; Supported by Forthcoming Cameras from Kodak, Konica Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Ricoh and Sanyo

COLOGNE, Germany, September 27 - A group of the world’s largest consumer digital photography companies today unveiled the IMAGELINK print system, a new specification designed to simplify at-home picture printing. Millions of consumer digital cameras from Eastman Kodak Company, Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc., Nikon Corporation, Olympus Corporation, Pentax Corporation, Ricoh Co., Ltd. and Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. will provide effortless, one-touch picture printing from snapshot printers that incorporate the IMAGELINK print system, including new KODAK EASYSHARE printer docks.

With the IMAGELINK print system, people will be able to place their digital cameras directly on printer docks, and then press a single button to make snapshot-sized (4x6-inch or 3.5 x 5-inch) pictures in as little as 60 seconds. The first cameras and printer docks supporting the IMAGELINK specification - all of which will incorporate a new, small 26-pin connector - are expected to be available worldwide beginning in Q1 2005.

FujiFilm Press Release 27/09/04

- New wireless mobile printer for sharing real photos from camera-phones -

PHOTOKINA 2004, COLOGNE, GERMANY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2004 ? Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. is proud to announce the Digital Mobile Printer MP-100, a wireless mobile printer for use with camera-phones. Using infrared transmission, MP-100 enables users to get real photos from their camera-phones anytime, anywhere.

The MP-100 is expected to be commercially available in this autumn.

Worldwide unit sales of camera-phones are expected to reach nearly 150 million in 2004, or just over a quarter of all mobile-phone sales (source: Info Trends Research Group). With the rapid expansion of the camera-phone market and the introduction of high-spec models with image resolution of 1 megapixel or higher, demand has been increasing for printing of pictures taken with camera-phones. To meet this demand, Fujifilm unveils a new concept printer, the Digital Mobile Printer MP-100, designed specifically for use with camera-phones. Some of the attractive features of the MP-100 are ease of use, the convenience of infrared transmission, the mobility of its compact & stylish body, and high quality prints. Not in the same category as other home printers (inkjet printers) or retail print services, the MP-100 creates a new market category of “anytime, any place printing” for camera-phones.

Steves Digicams have just reviewed the new HP Photosmart 375 compact photo printer.

“If all you need to print is 4x6” photos and you want to be able to do that at home or in the field - without a computer - and/or without an AC power cord - then this may just be your next printer. The HP 375 can handle every current digicam flash memory format via its four built in card slots. Out of the box this printer can directly read and print from CompactFlash (Type I or II, Microdrive), SmartMedia, Secure Digital / MMC, Memory Stick/MS Pro/MS Duo (with adapter) or xD-Picture Cards.”

Website: Steves Digicams - HP Photosmart 375 Compact Photo Printer Review

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A Press Release 22/09/04

Proprietary Technology Gives Fujifilm’s New Inkjet Photo Paper an Advantage over Competitive Products; New Photo Paper Broadens Fujifilm’s Printing Options

VALHALLA, N.Y. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Sept. 22, 2004—Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., one of the world’s pioneering companies in the field of digital imaging products and services, has expanded its line of inkjet photo paper. By applying its 70-year history of imaging know-how and manufacturing excellence to its inkjet product line, Fujifilm is poised to expand its presence in this growing segment, valued at over $450 million and projected to grow to nearly half a billion dollars in 2005.**

With the addition of Gallery Select and Family photo paper along side the acclaimed Premium Plus product, Fujifilm now has a broad home printing solution that works with all inkjet printers, delivering smooth, glossy prints with crisp detail, contrast and definition. Gallery Select provides long-lasting, professional quality photos ideal for special occasions and framing. The high quality, Premium Plus photo paper makes brilliant prints for photo albums. And the affordable, instantly dry Family photo paper is ideal for home, office and school projects.

Both Gallery Select and Premium Plus feature the company’s proprietary Super Performance Technology, which is derived from Fujifilm’s renowned film coating production process, and provides a technological advantage over competitive products. This patented difference means that Fujifilm’s photo paper has more coating layers than all competitors’ and delivers better color control and accuracy, resulting in crisper detail, whiter whites and deeper, more brilliant colors. In addition, this technology provides greater longevity, especially in the highest quality photo paper, Gallery Select.

The Norwegian website Akam.no have published their review of the Epson R300 photo printer, which offers convenient and innovative features such as printing directly onto the surface of ink jet printable CDs and DVDs, and being able to print photos with or without a computer.

Website: Akam.no - Epson Stylus Photo R300 Review

Canon UK Press Release 21/09/04

Canon extends applications of photo printers with new photo media

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, has launched a number of new media products to expand their photo media range. This media extends the creative and practical applications of its latest photo printers. The new media includes:

- Double-sided photo paper Photo Paper Plus Double Sided PP-101D available in A4 and 13 x 18 cm (5” x 7”) sizes
- Two kits containing everything needed for creating a personalised digital photo album (Photo Album Kit PAK-101 ? available in A4 and 5x7 sizes)
- Credit card size glossy media (Glossy Photo Paper GP-401)
- Photo stickers (Photo Stickers PS-101)

Canon recently launched a range of futuristically designed ‘plug and print’ personal photo printers with its new PIXMA sub-brand, and today launched a range of compact photo printers with its new SELPHY sub-brand. With digital camera growth at an all time high, and the recent explosion in camera phone usage, home photo printing in Europe is also set to enjoy strong growth. Canon expects demand for different types of photo media to show a corresponding increase.

Canon UK Press Release 21/09/04

Canon launches new range of compact photo printers - SELPHY

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the launch of a new range of compact photo printers.  These new printers, called SELPHY, are designed to meet the increasing demand from people who want to enjoy high quality photos from their digital images quickly and easily. Enabling creation of lab quality prints, wherever and whenever necessary with no need for a PC. SELPHY is the epitome of Do-It-YourSELF PHotographY it makes printing photos from digital images as liberating, enjoyable, instant and simple as taking them. There are three new SELPHY printers in the range, each providing direct printing from any PictBridge compatible digital camera, digital video camera or Digital SLR. The SELPHY range comprises:

- SELPHY CP500 - compact, ultra high-speed (63 second borderless postcard photo prints ) superb quality 300 dpi dye-sublimation direct printer
- SELPHY CP400 - Super compact, fast (81 second borderless postcard photo prints?), superb quality 300 dpi dye-sublimation entry level direct printer
- SELPHY DS700 - Superb quality, 2 picolitre, 4800 x 1200 dpi ink jet printer that prints images quickly from all popular digital camera memory cards (85 second borderless postcard photo prints). A direct connection to the TV together with an easy to use remote control allows convenient image preview, selection and printing. Also capable of printing from IrDA compatible camera-phones

The SELPHY CP400 will be available from October for £119.00 RRP inc. VAT / EUROS 172.99 RRP inc. VAT

The SELPHY CP500 will be available from October for £149.00 RRP inc. VAT / EUROS 219.99 RRP inc. VAT

The SELPHY DS700 will be available from November for £199.00 RRP inc. VAT / EUROS 289.99 RRP inc. VAT