Choosing a printer for printing photos at home

Selection criteria

To obtain a more objective assessment, we took into account several of the most important characteristics when purchasing a photo printer for the home:

1. Maximum format – no less than A4
2. Number of colors – to print a photo, at least 6 colors must be used (the more colors, the higher the print quality).
3. Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS) – additional points are given for the built-in CISS (allows you to significantly reduce the cost of printing)
4. Printing time 10x15 cm - printing speed at home is not so important, but still for some this parameter has a certain significance. A printer that takes no more than 20 seconds to print a small photo gets an extra point.
5. Minimum drop volume – the value should not be higher than 1.5 (the lower this value, the better the image you can get).
6. Support for other types of materials and paper - additional points are given for the ability to print on cards, films, labels, glossy paper.
7. Color cartridge resource - must be at least 1000 pages
8. Direct printing – the ability to print photos directly from your camera or phone.
9. Borderless Printing – Extra points are given for the ability to print photos without leaving blank margins on the paper (using the entire paper area).
10. Wi-Fi interface – the ability to print photos without connecting to the network using a cable.
11. User reviews – priority is given to photo printers with a large number of positive reviews regarding reliability, print quality and low cost of consumables.

How to choose a photo printer: what to look for

When choosing a photo printer, it is recommended to pay attention to three parameters:

1. Compatible paper sizes;
2. Type and density (quality) of printing;
3. Additional functions.

Compatible Paper Sizes

Almost all photo printers intended for home or semi-professional use support printing on paper sizes up to A4 size inclusive. If necessary, you can purchase a device that displays images on large-sized prints. But such photo printers are much more expensive than home and semi-professional printers.

Print type and quality

Based on the type of printing, photo printers are divided into sublimation and inkjet.

1. Laser
   is not well suited for displaying detailed images, since their resolution rarely exceeds 2400x2400 dpi. Sublimation and inkjet photo printers, in turn, are capable of applying up to 8000 dots.
2. Sublimation technology
   creates images with realistic color reproduction and high shade saturation. These prints are durable, fade resistant and detailed. But at the same time, sublimation printers are more expensive than inkjet printers, consumables for them are also high in price, and the printing process on an A4 sheet takes 3-4 minutes. In addition, sublimation photo printers are usually designed for a single paper size, most often the standard 10x15 centimeters.
3. Inkjet photo printers
   are cheaper and more efficient, and they print faster. However, to obtain high-quality images, you should choose models that use 5-8 toner shades. Conventional photo printers with 3-4 toners are not capable of conveying a wide range of tones and halftones.

The resolution of the image determines its detail and visual “smoothness”. The higher it is, the better. The optimal resolution for home use is 4800×1200 dpi (dots per inch).

Additional functions

Additional functions of a photo printer determine its practicality. Among the most useful are:

1. Wi-Fi network interface for connecting a printer wirelessly;
2. “Direct Print” mode, also called Picture Bridge – for sending photos to the printer directly from your smartphone;
3. External USB connector for connecting a camera;
4. Card reader for installing memory cards from the camera.
5. Some photo printers are equipped with a touch screen, making it easier to select photos to print.

The best semi-professional photo printers

Canon PIXMA PRO-1

Rating: 5.0

Why first place: Inkjet printer with 12 printing colors.

Description: The Canon PIXMA PRO-1 photo printer has the largest number of print colors in the rating: 12 different shades. Traditional inkjet technology is used. This provides the most realistic gradients, transitions and halftones. The contrast on suitable paper is 350:1 - the limit for inkjet printers. The device can print on A3 size sheets. The resolution is 4800×2400 dpi.

The printer also features high printing speed. For example, it takes just 2 minutes 55 seconds to produce an A3 lab-quality print. The printer prints on glossy, matte and photo paper with a density of up to 350 g/m2, as well as on discs.

The model is equipped with only one network interface – Ethernet (RJ-45). It also has a USB connector for direct printing of images from cameras and other external media.

Advantages

• Wide color gamut, high image depth;
• Quiet and fast printing;
• Realistic color rendering, contrast ratio 350:1, no bronzing effect;

Flaws

• High ink consumption during startup and maintenance;
• Huge dimensions and weight of the printer itself;
• High cost of cartridges;

Canon PIXMA PRO-100S

Rating: 4.9

Why second place: Fewer colors than the leader in the ranking, but cheaper.

Description: Canon PIXMA PRO-100S is the youngest model in the PRO line. Unlike its predecessor, it uses eight colors for printing. The remaining technical characteristics are similar - a maximum resolution of 4800 × 2400 dpi, the ability to output prints on paper up to A3 size, and a contrast close to the maximum for inkjet technology.

Because fewer colors are used, the printer is slightly faster than its predecessor. It takes 1 minute 30 seconds to print a photo on A3 sheet with laboratory image quality.

The printer connects to a wired local network via an Ethernet port and to a wireless network via Wi-Fi. Supports AirPrint and Picture Bridge mobile device printing technologies. Compatible with proprietary application for Android and iOS. Equipped with a USB port for connecting cameras and external drives.

Advantages

• Near professional print quality;
• Prints quickly and quietly;
• Wi-Fi connection;

Flaws

• Expensive cartridges that cannot be refilled or reset;
• No information screen;
• Difficulty connecting to Wi-Fi;

Epson Stylus Photo 1500W

Rating: 4.8

Why third place: 6-color, more expensive than all the others, but with a drop of 1.5 pl.

Description: The Epson Stylus Photo 1500W piezoelectric inkjet photo printer has the smallest drop volume in the rating - 1.5 pl. Thanks to this, it prints the smoothest, neatest and most natural gradients possible. The printer uses 6 colors. The maximum resolution when printing a full-color image is 5760×1440 dpi; Print size – up to A3 inclusive.

The printer prints on glossy, matte and photo paper, as well as CDs. The color cartridge resource is 470 pages, black and white – 810 pages. The printing speed is up to 16 images per minute, but printing a 10x15 centimeter photograph on paper takes 45 seconds.

The model is included in a wired and wireless network. There is no support for AirPrint or Picture Bridge, as well as USB connectors or a card reader; all printing is done through a connected computer.

Advantages

• High resolution printing;
• Easy to connect and configure;
• Neat, smooth gradients due to small droplet size;

Flaws

• There is no USB cable included in the package;
• No support for AirPrint and Picture Bridge;
• No display;

The best inexpensive printers for printing photos - budget up to 10,000 rubles.

Canon PIXMA G1400

Rating: 4.9

Why first place: Four-color inkjet photo printer with continuous ink supply system.

Description: The Canon PIXMA G1400 printer takes first place in the ranking due to its efficiency. It is equipped with a continuous ink supply system, and the toner containers are located on the front panel. Therefore, you can see how much paint is left.

The photo printer uses thermal inkjet printing with a resolution of 4800×1200 dpi for color images. The device takes 60 seconds to output a photo measuring 10x15 cm. The printer is four-color, using dye-based color toner and pigment black. The resource of one cartridge is enough for 6-7 thousand pages, then it is refilled.

Since the photo printer belongs to the budget segment, it is not equipped with the Picture Bridge function - only a connection with a computer is used for printing. There is also no network interface of its own, but it can be configured through public access in Windows.

Advantages

• Continuous ink supply system with quick refilling;
• High resolution printing;
• Inexpensive ink and economical maintenance;

Flaws

• Sensitive to paper quality;
• There are no proprietary network interfaces and Picture Bridge functions;
• Replacing the waste ink pad - only at a Canon service center;

Epson L312

Rating: 4.8

Why second place: Four-color printer with a continuous ink supply system, but only compatible with paper up to 180 g/m2.

Description: The Epson L312 photo printer takes second place in the ranking because it is intended more for home use than for amateur or semi-professional use. The device is also equipped with a continuous ink supply system, which uses four toners - dye-based color and pigment black. Using piezoelectric inkjet printing technology, it takes 69 seconds to print a 10x15 centimeter photograph.

The print resolution is the same for black and white and color images and is 5760x1440 dpi. This is enough for a highly detailed “picture”. The cartridge resource is enough for 4500 pages for each shade of color toner and 7500 for black. Containers with “ink” are located in a special block located outside the body.

The printer does not have its own network interface, card reader, or Picture Bridge feature. Works only with a computer.

Advantages

• High speed of printing low-detailed images and texts;
• Good color rendition, despite the fact that four shades are used;
• Continuous ink supply system;

Flaws

• Compatible with paper no thicker than 180 g/m2;
• No network interfaces and Picture Bridge;
• Undeveloped printer drivers and software;

Canon PIXMA TS5040

Rating: 4.7

Why third place: Photo printer with Picture Bridge, scanner and copier modes, high print resolution... but poor head design.

Description: The Canon PIXMA TS5040, which closes the ranking of budget photo printers, is not quite a photo printer. Rather, it is an MFP that can print pictures on paper. For these purposes, a four-color cartridge with pigment black and dye-based color toners, as well as a piezoelectric inkjet technique, are used. It takes the printer 39 seconds to print a 10x15 centimeter photograph.

The resolution of images on paper is 4800×1200 dpi. The printer prints at speeds of up to 12.6 sheets per minute, but only in black and white mode. In color, productivity drops to 9 pages.

The printer supports Wi-Fi connection and quick setup as a network printer; Prints photos from mobile devices using Picture Bridge technology. It is equipped with a scanner and operates in copier mode. Supports data transmission via IRDA (infrared).

Advantages

• MFP;
• High resolution printing;
• Fast printing;

Flaws

• Small volume of cartridges;
• When printing images with high infill, you may be able to see a “mesh” of print head marks;
• Cartridges are not refillable;