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- Enthusiast photo printer Epson Stylus Photo R1900 *Est. $300
- Pro-quality photo printer Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II *Est. $445
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- Superb photo prints
- Faster printing than the Epson R2880
- Can print on roll paper, CDs and DVDs
- Bigger ink tanks are more economical
- USB, Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity
- Auto-switching between photo and matte black ink
- Wasteful ink purge during auto switching
- Expensive
The Epson Stylus Photo R3000 is an upgrade -- but not a replacement -- for the Epson Stylus Photo R2880 (*Est. $550), which is one of experts' favorite high-end photo printers. The R3000 fixes the R2880's biggest flaw, reviews say: You no longer have to manually switch the black ink tank every time you switch between matte and glossy paper (the R3000 now makes the switch automatically). However, the R3000 still does a wasteful ink purge every time you switch. The R3000 also adds bigger, more economical ink tanks, faster print times and Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity -- all of which make the R3000 worth the extra cash, experts say. The R3000 uses the same pigment-based inks as the R2880, with tinier dots of ink for stunning photos that ever-so-slightly exceed the R2880's in quality. These Epson printers outclass the competition on black-and-white prints, experts say, but most serious photographers will still be satisfied with the less expensive Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II (*Est. $445).
Photography experts love the Epson Stylus Photo R3000: It's a top pick of testers at PhotographyBlog.com, Photo-i, PhotoRadar.com and the Technical Image Press Association. Veteran printer reviewer M. David Stone also makes the R3000 an Editors' Choice -- and he says it's a standout even in that exalted category.
| Epson Stylus Photo R3000 Wireless Wide-Format Color Inkjet Printer (C11CA86201) | |
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The print quality of the Epson Stylus Photo R3000 and the less expensive Stylus Photo R2880 is excellent, Mark Goldstein finds. But the R3000 "is definitely the one to choose," because it adds wireless connectivity, bigger ink cartridges and more, including no more manual switching between photo and matte black. Goldstein tests a regular production model of the printer (earlier reviews test a pre-production model).
Review: Epson Stylus Photo R3000 Review, Mark Goldstein, April 25, 2011
After extensively testing a pre-production model for nearly a month, Vincent Oliver concludes that the Epson R3000 is "certainly one of the best printers currently available." Print quality, speed and features are top-notch, but Oliver says the R3000's price may put it out of reach for many users.
Review: Epson R3000 Review, Vincent Oliver, March 2011
"Gorgeous output at fast speed" makes the Epson Stylus Photo R3000 a standout among Editors' Choice printers here. M. David Stone can find only two drawbacks: Epson doesn't publish cost-per-photo or monthly duty cycle numbers (the maximum number of prints you can make without shortening the printer's life). But few manufacturers do, Stone points out.
Review: Epson Stylus Photo R3000, M. David Stone, Feb. 18, 2011
Like other experts, Angela Nicholson praises the "superb" prints she gets from the Epson Stylus Photo R3000, and she prefers its bigger ink tanks (and no cartridge switching) over the Stylus Photo R2880. The ink tanks still aren't as economical as the bigger ones on Epson's Stylus Pro printers, but it's "a significant step in the right direction," she says.
Review: Epson Stylus Photo R3000 Review Updated, Angela Nicholson, Jan. 13, 2011
5. Technical Image Press Association
Editors of the Technical Image Press Association's 29 member magazines worldwide vote the Epson Stylus Photo R3000 the best expert photo printer (nonlarge format) for 2011, based on their own testing. Editors say they were "very impressed" by the printer's unusually fine black-and-white print quality.
Review: TIPA Awards 2011, Editors of Technical Image Press Association, April 2011
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