First Impressions: Epson's New Pro Photo Printers Knock It Out of the Park
- 13-inch printing capability (P700) and 17-inch printing capability (P900)
- Borderless printing
- 30-sheet media input tray
- Calibrated internal light
- 2.4 and 5 Ghz Wireless
- 4.3-inch touchscreen panel
- 10-channel print head
- MicroPiezo AMC Print Head that has an ink-repelling coating that prevents clogs
Years ago, I used Canon printers for my home image printing needs. Then I switched to Epson.
No offense to Canon - after all, I do shoot with their EOS R and EOS M6 Mark II, after all - but my Epson printer crushes Canon in terms of usability and print quality.
I've had the Epson SureColor P800 on my desk for a couple of years now, and it has proven to be the best photo printer I've ever owned.
But the P800, which was released in 2015, and its cousin, the P600, were both due for an update. Thus, the Epson SureColor P700 and P900 were born.
Epson SureColor P700 and P900 Specs
Epson SureColor P700
Here's a quick overview of some of the basic specs these printers are rocking:
New, larger touchscreen on the Epson SureColor P900
There are a couple of items to note here.
First, the 4.3-inch touchscreen should be a nice addition to these printers. My P800 has a 2.7-inch touchscreen that is easy to use and read, so I can imagine that having 1.5 more inches of real estate on the screen will make its readability and usability even better.
10-channel ink cartridges for the Epson SureColor P900
Second, the 10-channel print head is something to behold.
Not only does it have dedicated channels for Matte Black and Photo Black (meaning that you no longer have to switch these cartridges out), but it also has a new violet channel that results in improved color rendition of violet, purple, and blue tones in your printed images.
In fact, these SureColor P700 and P900 printers have a 6% wider color gamut, which will greatly benefit your photos.
Other Goodies in the Epson SureColor P700 and P900 Printers
Epson SureColor P700
Both of these printers are designed to use different types of media, that way you can tailor the printing process to your particular needs.
The 30-sheet media input tray can accommodate traditional photo paper while the fine art feed in front allows you to utilize single sheets of media up to 1.5mm thick.
Both printers also give you the option of roll printing of up to 10 feet in length.
Epson SureColor P900
The ink cartridges have huge capacities - the P700's clock in at 25 milliliters of ink while the P900's extend that to 50 milliliters each. Both printers have reduced ink consumption as well, so you can go longer without buying or replacing cartridges.
What's more, the inks used by these printers have print permanence that's measured in centuries. The color inks will last 200 years and black and white have a permanence of up to 400 years.
Epson SureColor P700
The Epson SureColor P700 and P900 printers also have updated print drivers. These updates allow the printers to output incredible colors and detail that's aided by improved dot screening techniques that customize the color mixing and dot size to the print job.
I'll add to the list that my SureColor P800 is a breeze to use, and I'm sure that will be the case with these new printers as well.
The workflow on these new printers couldn't be simpler for printing, given that the printer application, operating system, and printer driver are all shown in a single window. You don't have to deal with annoying dialog boxes or pop-up windows...it's a clean and streamlined experience!
Epson SureColor P900
I have thoroughly enjoyed my Epson SureColor P800, and you can bet that because of that experience, my next printer will also be an Epson. I have my eye on the P900 because I want the same 17-inch printing capability that I have with the P800.
The estimated MSRP on the P700 is $799 while the estimated MSRP on the P900 is $1,295. Either way, that's a small price to pay for professional print quality in the comfort of your own home!
Stay tuned for more details about these printers, including release dates and more detailed specs.
