Digital Photography Now Printer Reviews

3-part series: Photo ink-jets laid bare

28th November - 2001
By Ian Burley

Part 2: Photo ink-jet print quality

 

Canon S-800 Photo
 

Click a thumbnail below to see larger versions of these comparative test images:

 

Canon set a tough benchmark with the launch of the BJC-8200, two years ago. The S800 is an evolutionary development of the 8200. Criticisms of the 8200 include a tendency towards yellow prints and weak blacks. New ink formulations have widened the colour gamut and resolution has been increased from 1200x1200dpi to 2400x1200dpi.

Canon’s Photo Paper Pro (PR101) has an unparalleled gloss finish and that gloss is retained fully after printing. Canon’s dots are demonstrably the smallest and with the right source image, results are practically indistinguishable from a conventionally processed colour film print. The printer is also very fast.

The S800 is a great printer, but its considerably cheaper and more versatile Epson Stylus 895 rival is a serious challenger.

Colour

In terms of colour gamut (click on thumbnail to the left), the S800 is way ahead of Lexmark and HP, though - if anything - Epson has a slight advantage on the chart.

The S800 can no longer be accused of producing yellowish prints with weak blacks. The blacks look a little weak when the paper is still drying, but they eventually stabilise with more than adequate density.

Prints are now genuinely neutral. The superb fine grain of the S800 endows its prints with a very subtle refinement lacking in the other printers. If I have a possible niggle, it could be contrast, which is superior in the Epson using default settings. But that’s a minor comment.

Grain

There isn’t a lot to say as the grain is almost invisible without a magnifying glass!

Sharpness

Sharpness is generally excellent, though the fine grain may provide an illusion of softness that is aided and abetted by a small contrast deficit to the Epson.

Consistency

Again, we have absolutely no complaints in this department when Canon’s Pro paper, designed exclusively for use with the S800 and its BJC-8200 predecessor, is used.

However, we found it quite difficult to match the S800 successfully to cheaper third party paper. It’s not impossible, just hard work.

Finish

As previously stated, Canon’s Pro glossy paper has the glossiest gloss and it is just as glossy after printing as before.

Second opinions

Overall, the S800 narrowly beat the Epson 895 to the popularity crown with our panel. Comments revealed that the high quality media, lack of grain and general colour quality were highly appreciated.

Test summaries - printer by printer:

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