December 2006
First Look: Epson PictureMate snapshot printers
Portable darkrooms
Snapshot printers are great if you want to print photos anytime, anywhere. You don't need a computer, because your digital
camera connects directly to the printer. Their portability sets them apart from regular printers, since most are lightweight
(3 to 7 pounds) and easy to carry. Some can also run on a rechargeable battery.
Most important: You can get very good or even excellent snapshots, depending on your choice of model, in just a minute or so. The trade-off is limited functionality. These machines are strictly for printing small photos. They can't print 8x10 or larger photos or letter-sized text pages.
We took a look at three snapshot printers from Epson: the PictureMate Pal ($130), the PictureMate Snap ($180), and the PictureMate Flash (identical to the Snap, but with a CD burner, $300).
HIGHS
Fine photo quality. Print quality was excellent, among the best we've seen from any inkjet printer. In addition, photos resisted water damage and fading.
Fast print speed. Able to crank out a 4x6 photo in just over a minute, the PictureMates are faster than most full-size inkjets.
Low cost per print. Photos cost about 25 cents apiece for ink and paper--about what you'll pay at your local drugstore, and less than the cost with many full-size inkjet printers
Easy to use. All three have an LCD for previewing and selecting photos to print from a memory card. The Pal has a 2-inch display and lets you add frames to images or print wallet-size photos. The Snap and Flash have a 2.5-inch display that tilts. With those models, you can crop photos, remove red eye, add a date stamp, and frame or decorate your photos. They also allow you to adjust the brightness, saturation, and sharpness.
Versatile. You can print from a variety of memory cards, including CompactFlash, Memory Stick, SD, and xD. You can also print images from a camera using a PictBridge cable or an optional Bluetooth adapter if your camera has PictBridge or Bluetooth.
Handy extras. The CD burner in the Flash is easy to use, giving you a quick way to save photos from a memory card onto a CD. It also enables you to print photos directly from a CD without using your computer.
Portable. The Snap and the Pal weigh about 6 pounds (including the power cord); the Flash is 7 1/2 pounds. They have a handle for carrying. For extra portability, the Snap and Flash can run on a rechargeable battery (a $50 option).
LOWS
Comparatively hefty. Though portable, the PictureMates are larger and heavier than many other snapshot printers.
Cramped images. While the LCD screen is a decent size, the image you actually see is smaller because menu choices take up screen space.
Awkward hookup. The PictBridge connection is inconveniently placed in the back of the printers.
BOTTOM LINE
If you want to quickly and easily print out high-quality snapshots from your digital camera, a snapshot printer might be just the ticket. Any one of the three PictureMates would be a good choice. The Flash costs more, but if you're not planning to connect the printer to a computer, the convenience of the built-in CD burner might be worth it.
Most important: You can get very good or even excellent snapshots, depending on your choice of model, in just a minute or so. The trade-off is limited functionality. These machines are strictly for printing small photos. They can't print 8x10 or larger photos or letter-sized text pages.
We took a look at three snapshot printers from Epson: the PictureMate Pal ($130), the PictureMate Snap ($180), and the PictureMate Flash (identical to the Snap, but with a CD burner, $300).
HIGHS
Fine photo quality. Print quality was excellent, among the best we've seen from any inkjet printer. In addition, photos resisted water damage and fading.
Fast print speed. Able to crank out a 4x6 photo in just over a minute, the PictureMates are faster than most full-size inkjets.
Low cost per print. Photos cost about 25 cents apiece for ink and paper--about what you'll pay at your local drugstore, and less than the cost with many full-size inkjet printers
Easy to use. All three have an LCD for previewing and selecting photos to print from a memory card. The Pal has a 2-inch display and lets you add frames to images or print wallet-size photos. The Snap and Flash have a 2.5-inch display that tilts. With those models, you can crop photos, remove red eye, add a date stamp, and frame or decorate your photos. They also allow you to adjust the brightness, saturation, and sharpness.
Versatile. You can print from a variety of memory cards, including CompactFlash, Memory Stick, SD, and xD. You can also print images from a camera using a PictBridge cable or an optional Bluetooth adapter if your camera has PictBridge or Bluetooth.
Handy extras. The CD burner in the Flash is easy to use, giving you a quick way to save photos from a memory card onto a CD. It also enables you to print photos directly from a CD without using your computer.
Portable. The Snap and the Pal weigh about 6 pounds (including the power cord); the Flash is 7 1/2 pounds. They have a handle for carrying. For extra portability, the Snap and Flash can run on a rechargeable battery (a $50 option).
LOWS
Comparatively hefty. Though portable, the PictureMates are larger and heavier than many other snapshot printers.
Cramped images. While the LCD screen is a decent size, the image you actually see is smaller because menu choices take up screen space.
Awkward hookup. The PictBridge connection is inconveniently placed in the back of the printers.
BOTTOM LINE
If you want to quickly and easily print out high-quality snapshots from your digital camera, a snapshot printer might be just the ticket. Any one of the three PictureMates would be a good choice. The Flash costs more, but if you're not planning to connect the printer to a computer, the convenience of the built-in CD burner might be worth it.
