In the vast and evolving world of digital photography, the journey from capturing an image to holding a tangible print remains a sacred act for many. While screens offer instant gratification, there’s an undeniable magic in a physical print – a permanent record, a piece of art, a cherished memory brought to life. For serious photographers, artists, and enthusiasts, a dedicated photo printer isn’t just a luxury; it’s an essential tool for completing their creative vision. But with a myriad of options available, choosing the right printer that balances quality, cost, and features can be a daunting task. This article delves into three prominent photo printers, focusing on the Epson SureColor P700 as our main subject, and examining two formidable competitors: the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 and the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000. We’ll dissect their strengths and weaknesses, helping you make an informed decision for your printing needs.
Epson SureColor P700: The Professional’s Compact Powerhouse
The Epson SureColor P700 represents Epson’s commitment to delivering professional-grade printing in a desktop-friendly footprint. Succeeding the highly acclaimed P600, the P700 boasts significant enhancements, targeting fine art photographers, graphic designers, and serious hobbyists who demand uncompromising print quality. This 13-inch printer uses Epson’s new UltraChrome PRO10 pigment ink set, featuring 10 individual ink cartridges including a dedicated Photo Black and Matte Black, which are crucial for achieving dense blacks and exceptional detail on different paper types. Its advanced 10-channel MicroPiezo AMC printhead ensures precise ink delivery and incredibly sharp, grain-free images.
Pros:
- Unmatched Print Quality: The P700 excels in producing archival-quality prints with an expansive color gamut, outstanding detail, and smooth tonal gradations. The new violet ink significantly expands the blue-violet range, making blues and purples exceptionally vibrant.
- Archival Longevity: Pigment inks are renowned for their resistance to fading, water, and smudging, ensuring your prints last for generations.
- Versatile Media Handling: It supports a wide range of media, from glossy and matte photo papers to fine art canvases and thick board media, up to 13 inches wide, including roll paper support for panoramas.
- Improved Usability: A large 4.3-inch customizable touchscreen simplifies operation, while redesigned ink tanks are easier to load. The internal lighting system allows for better visibility during printing.
- Compact Design: Despite its professional capabilities, it maintains a relatively small footprint, making it suitable for home studios and smaller workspaces.
Cons:
- Ink Switching: One of the most frequently cited drawbacks is the P700’s requirement to switch between Photo Black and Matte Black inks when changing paper types. This process wastes a small amount of ink and takes a few minutes, which can be inconvenient for those who frequently switch between glossy and matte papers.
- High Cost of Ownership: The printer itself is a significant investment, and the cost of replacement ink cartridges can add up over time, especially with 10 individual cartridges.
- Print Speed: While acceptable for high-quality output, it’s not designed for rapid-fire printing, and print speeds can feel slow compared to some office printers.
- Learning Curve: Achieving optimal results often requires a good understanding of color management and printer profiles, which can be daunting for beginners.
For a visual overview of the Epson SureColor P700, check out this video:
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300: Canon’s Contender for Excellence
Canon directly challenges the P700 with its Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300. This 13-inch printer is also aimed at serious photographers and fine art printmakers, offering a different approach to achieving professional results. It uses 10 pigment-based Lucia Pro inks, including a Chroma Optimizer cartridge, which is Canon’s unique solution to enhance gloss uniformity and prevent bronzing on glossy and semi-gloss papers. The PRO-300 is designed to integrate seamlessly into a Canon-centric workflow, especially for users of Canon cameras.
Pros:
- Stunning Image Quality: The PRO-300 delivers exceptional print quality with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent detail. The Lucia Pro inks provide a wide color gamut and good archival properties.
- Chroma Optimizer: This dedicated clear ink cartridge significantly improves the look of prints on glossy media, reducing the metallic sheen and bronzing often associated with pigment inks and creating a smoother, more uniform finish. This is a key differentiator from the P700.
- No Black Ink Switching: Unlike the P700, the PRO-300 utilizes both Photo Black and Matte Black simultaneously without needing to switch, saving time and ink, and making it more convenient for users who print on various paper types frequently.
- Impressive Print Speed: Generally, the PRO-300 is noted for slightly faster print speeds compared to the P700, particularly for standard photo prints.
- Robust Build Quality: Canon printers are known for their sturdy construction, and the PRO-300 is no exception, designed for reliability and consistent performance.
Cons:
- Color Gamut: While excellent, some expert reviews suggest the P700 might have a slight edge in reproducing certain greens and blues due to its specific ink set (including violet).
- Physical Size: The PRO-300 is noticeably larger and heavier than the P700, which might be a consideration for those with limited desk space.
- Ink Costs: Similar to the P700, the initial cost of the printer and ongoing ink expenses are significant, though the absence of black ink switching helps mitigate some waste.
- Interface: While functional, its touchscreen interface is often considered less intuitive or responsive than the P700’s.
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000: The Prosumer’s Wide-Format Option
Stepping down in price point but not necessarily in capability for its target audience is the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000. This printer targets advanced hobbyists, enthusiasts, and even budget-conscious professionals who need wide-format photo printing up to 13×19 inches but don’t require the absolute archival longevity or extreme color accuracy of the pigment-based P700 or PRO-300. It uses 6-color Claria Photo HD dye-based inks, including Red and Gray inks, to enhance color accuracy and black-and-white print quality.
Pros:
- Affordability: This is by far the most budget-friendly option among the three, making wide-format photo printing accessible to a broader audience.
- Excellent Photo Quality for Dye Inks: For a dye-based printer, the XP-15000 produces remarkably vibrant and detailed photo prints, with smooth tones and good black-and-white rendition thanks to the additional gray ink.
- Compact and Feature-Rich: It’s surprisingly compact for a 13-inch wide-format printer and includes convenient features like auto duplex printing (for documents, not typically photos), wireless connectivity, and a rear specialty media feed.
- Faster Print Speeds: Generally faster than its pigment-based counterparts, especially for standard photo prints, making it suitable for higher volume printing where archival quality isn’t the absolute top priority.
- Borderless Printing: Capable of printing beautiful borderless photos up to 13×19 inches.
Cons:
- Dye-Based Inks: The primary drawback is the use of dye inks. While excellent for color vibrancy, they are generally less archival (more prone to fading over time, especially when exposed to light) and less water-resistant compared to pigment inks.
- Smaller Color Gamut: Although good, the 6-color ink set, being dye-based, won’t match the expansive color gamut or subtle nuances achievable with the 10-color pigment ink sets of the P700 or PRO-300.
- No Dedicated Black for Matte/Glossy: It lacks dedicated black inks for different paper types, meaning black densities on matte papers might not be as deep as with pigment printers.
- Build Quality: While sturdy enough for home use, it doesn’t have the heavy-duty build or professional feel of the SureColor or imagePROGRAF lines.
Which Printer is Right for You? A Comparative Summary
Choosing between these three excellent printers ultimately depends on your priorities, budget, and specific printing needs. The Epson SureColor P700 stands out as the choice for the discerning professional or serious enthusiast who demands the absolute highest archival print quality and the widest color gamut, particularly valuing subtle blues, purples, and overall vibrancy. Its only significant trade-off is the ink-switching process for matte/photo black. If you print primarily for exhibitions, sales, or heirloom preservation, the P700 is an outstanding investment.
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 is an equally compelling alternative, especially if you prioritize convenience and consistently excellent results on glossy media thanks to its Chroma Optimizer, without the hassle of black ink switching. It offers archival quality comparable to the P700 and integrates well into a Canon ecosystem. If you frequently print on a mix of glossy and matte papers and want a slightly faster experience without compromising professional quality, the PRO-300 is a superb choice.
For those who need wide-format printing but are on a tighter budget or primarily print for personal use, gifts, or portfolios where absolute archival longevity isn’t the paramount concern, the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 offers incredible value. It provides impressive photo quality for a dye-based printer, compact design, and useful features at a fraction of the cost of its pigment-based brethren. It’s perfect for advanced hobbyists or those just stepping into the world of large-format printing without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
The decision boils down to your specific needs and priorities. For ultimate archival quality and color fidelity, the Epson SureColor P700 and Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 are top-tier choices, each with its unique advantages. If budget is a major factor, but you still desire beautiful wide-format prints, the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 offers an excellent compromise. Regardless of your choice, investing in a dedicated photo printer transforms your digital images into enduring works of art, completing the photographic process with a tangible, beautiful result.
