Printers

[chuck]

Now that I have my FZ20, who can advise me on a printer to take advantage of its' features? I'd like something that will do 4X6, 8X10 and panoramas. Hopefully, something that doesn't require too many expensive color cartridges to do a decent job. Surprisingly, my old HP Deskjet 712C seems to print pretty well, but I have nothing to compare it with, and it's slow (and it doesn't do panoramas). Is an integral memory card reader a "must", or would I do better using a computer program to prepare the shots?

[Tyler]

Now that I have my FZ20, who can advise me on a printer to take advantage of its' features? I'd like something that will do 4X6, 8X10 and panoramas. Hopefully, something that doesn't require too many expensive color cartridges to do a decent job. Surprisingly, my old HP Deskjet 712C seems to print pretty well, but I have nothing to compare it with, and it's slow (and it doesn't do panoramas). Is an integral memory card reader a "must", or would I do better using a computer program to prepare the shots?

You are likely to get 1 million opinions on this one, but, I purchased the Canon iP6000D at Christmas and I am tickled pink with its performance. I have printed nearly 75 - 4x6 photos, 10 - 8.5x11 photos and several standard pages of text and have yet to replace a single cartridge. The photo image quality with this printer is exceptional and everyone at work keeps asking what photo lab I use to get my prints done at. This printer is pict-bridge capable so you can print straight from the camera -with excellent results. You can also print straight from the memory card as well as through USB from your computer. Haven't tried printing Panos with it yet so cannot comment - though I don't know why it wouldn't do a good job of it.

[road_rascal]

I gave up on printing photos at home. I mainly print 4x6's and Sam's Club is the cheapest at 18 cents a photo.

[eastcoastjoe]

I've had a Canon i960 for about a year now and just love it. Costs for Canons are MUCH lower than for HPs; the 6 ink tanks last quite a while and only cost about 11 bux each. One multi color HP cart contains significantly less ink than an individual Canon cart and must be replaced when any color runs out.

The HPs prints look great and HP paper is readily available; though their high end paper is somewhat plastic-like and doesn't feel quite like photo paper. HP paper handling is pretty good too; depending on the model it may have a 4x6 sheet feeder included.

All that said, the Canon prints at least as well and once operating costs are considered they beat the HPs hands down. Check stevesdigicams and tomshardwareguide for reviews; they are very thorough and break down costs in detail.

For me, I tend to use Canon's matte photo paper. It's about 10 bux for a fifty sheet pack and I can fit 3 4x6s on each when I want to; that brings the cost of a 4x6 to about $.06-$.07 each not inlcuding ink. I have some of their better papers too; they are glossy types and cost a bit more. The gloss papers do very well also and are dead ringers for photo lab paper. Most people seem to like the gloss papers better but my tatstes run more towards the matte. I have given away quite a few prints and no one has ever thought they were anything but "real" photos; frankly my i960 beats a number of local photo shops and cost is in line with the cheapest of them. Most Canon photo printers also include a 4x6 sheet feeder.

When I was shopping for printers (last year) I wasn't impressed with the Epsons available at the time; that may have changed by now as I think the comapny was in between models. One thing is for sure though, their large format pigment based ink model (forgot the model #) that goes for 600 bux is the one to beat overall. I'm not sure the output looks so much better but the pigment based ink will likely outlast us versus the dye based inks that most printers use which will only make 50-100 years, depending on who you believe.

Overall I'd say you will like making prints at home and most of the photo printers in the $150-$250 range will likely deliver pleasing output. Cost of supplies steered me towards the Canon (I went out absolutely ready to buy an HP 7960) and I have been thrilled ever since. Hope this helps.