Product review: 16 multi-function printers from 50 to 259 euros (page 3: Photo quality)

Photo quality, enlarged X3 and X6

Like in the previous test, we added a reference, here, the Canon Pixma CP730, a small 10 x 15 cm thermal sublimation printer. This is an example of what can be obtained on a high quality photo printer with results similar to photo labs. Invisible dots, good sharpness and contrast, nice images can be produced at home. Some of the ink jets we tested here stood up well to the comparison, others did not.

Please note that the below extracts are enlarged X3 on the left, and X6 on the right. This isn’t what you really see, but what can be determined by a meticulous study of photos. Either way, the more drops are visible, the less pleasing the photo will be, while some models are capable of photo lab quality.

Photo 1 original	Photo 2 original
Enlargement X3	Enlargement X6
Brother DCP-130C/330C/440CN/750CW	Brother DCP-130C/330C/440CN/750CW
Canon Pixma MP160	Canon Pixma MP160
Canon Pixma MP510	Canon Pixma MP510
Canon Pixma MP600	Canon Pixma MP600
Epson DX5050/DX6050	Epson DX5050/DX6050
Epson RX560	Epson RX560
Epson RX640	Epson RX640
HP C3180/C4180	HP C3180/C4180
HP C6180	HP C6180
HP : color + photo	HP : color + photo
Lexmark X2550/X3550	Lexmark X2550/X3550
Lexmark X9350	Lexmark X9350
Canon CP730	Canon CP730

Our opinion

Epson has for some time been the choice of professional photographers, and this page shows us why. The prints of the Stylus Photo RX560 and RX640 are closest to photo lab quality, with a nice brilliance on paper, true colors, and invisible drops. After this, there is the Canon MP600 and then HP’s C6180.