In other tests, the R800’s standard text was a touch more spidery than the output from HP and Canon printers. It’s good enough for most occasions but note that it appeared at wooden spoon-winning 2.1ppm – hence its low speed score. However, draft text appeared at an excellent 11.6ppm and saw only a slight reduction in contrast; this is still a highly versatile printer.
Ink costs are relatively high but offset by Epson’s cheap paper. At 51p for a 6 x 4in picture it’s a touch pricey, but at least you get permanence. However, £2 for a durable A4 print is exceptionally cheap when compared with the £10 equivalent from Snappy Snaps.
Epson claims that the R800 ‘brings photography out of the darkroom’. We’re inclined to agree. Professionals won’t blanche at using several full cartridge sets to get a single photograph’s colour levels ‘just so’, and they’ll love not having to rely on external developers. The fact that all of this is now well within easy reach of the regular consumer means that if you want to print photos – especially ones larger than 6 x 4in – Epson’s R800 is simply the best choice you can make. It therefore takes our Labs Winner award.
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