By Ian Burley
1st September - 2001
Reviewed - click here
Epson has added a new member to its Stylus Photo ink-jet range today. The new 2880x720 dots per inch (dpi) Stylus Photo 810 complements the existing Stylus Photo 890 and 895 models. All three are genuine 6-colour photo printers using intermediate cyan and magenta inks. Compatibility (USB and parallel ports) is provided for both Mac and Windows.
Epson has also launched an enhanced 4-colour printer, the C-80. With only cyan, magenta, yellow plus black inks, (no intermediate cyan or magenta) the C-80 is not regarded by DPN as a dedicated photo printer. However, samples from the C-80 we have seen printed on photo media are not bad at all; just slightly grainy if you look closely. Its main new feature is the use of pigment-based inks (black and colour) that deliver better density on plain paper and are smudge and water resistant.
Back to the 810, which bears a strong resemblance to the ‘new look’ 895, but without that model’s memory card reader. This makes the 810 a more affordable alternative. Both are compatible with cameras that support Epson’s new Print Image Matching (PIM) technology. Incidentally, the older-style Stylus Photo 890 can be upgraded to PIM compatibility by downloading a new printer driver from the Epson UK web site (www.epson.co.uk).
Like the 895, the 810 can print borderless photos without the need for tear-off edges using either 6x4 inch cut media, 4 inch roll media or A4 media.
The 810 also features new PhotoQuicker 3 application software for easier photo selection, preparation and printing. If the 810 lives up to the reputations already set by the 890 and 895 for photo print quality, Epson will have another winner on its hands.
Prices
Epson Stylus C-80 - £179 (inc.VAT)
Epson Stylus 810 Photo - £89 + VAT (£104.58 inc.VAT) Reviewed - click here
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