25th June - 2002 - By Ian Burley
2400ppi magnified print analysisHP Photosmart 7350 vs Lexmark Z65On this page we compare a high magnification of the left eye of the model in our standard test print. It has been scanned at 2400ppi using a HP Scanjet 7450C. The scans are reproduced at 1:1 (100%) and show just under 400 scanned pixels, or about 4mm in width from the original 7.5 inch wide print. All samples are reproduced similarly, though please note that as the original HP Photosmart 7350 print was slightly larger than the others, the detail reproduced is also slightly larger. The HP Photosmart 7350 passes the high magnification test here with flying colours. There is very slight evidence of micro-banding along the horizontal, but this is much less evident than the Canon S820D’s vertical screen effect. Dots are extremely well hidden, much of this thanks to HP’s re-adoption of photo inks. The black in the pupil of the eye is also superior - HP uses dye-based black for photo printing alongside the colour inks. What we have here is the best of the bunch and you can see how much of a step forward HP has taken by looking at the next sample below:Here we have the HP Photosmart 1315 result. Just look at those dots! The black of the pupil doesn’t look that solid, which isn’t surprising as it’s a composite black rather than a pure black. The Lexmark Z65 really disappoints at this magnification. Despite its 4800dpi resolution and droplet sizes claimed to be as small as 3 picolitres, the dots just dominate the landscape. Indeed, they are more obtrusive than the HP 1315. Lexmark has clearly paid the price for not offering photo inks. If it wasn’t for the dominance of red in the HP 1315 result, we’d be tempted to rate the old HP technology above Lexmark’s latest effort.You can really see the vertical screening effect of the Canon S820D, but the dots are actually well hidden and detail is well preserved. You have to remind yourself that this print has half the dot resolution of the Lexmark Z65 and the same resolution as the HP 1315. But compared to the HP 7350 - the verdict narrowly goes in favour of the HP this time!
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