Canon PIXMA iP4300 vs EpsonStylus Photo R265

I'm looking for a solid A4 photo printer but can't decide which one to choose.

Does the fact that Epson uses 6 colours clearly makes it a winner in this comparison?

Any suggestions about theese two or some other models in the same price range would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance!

Is the Epson R265 (UK version??) the same as the Epson R260??? From Internet photos that I have seen they look exactly the same.

If so, I own the R260. Here are my thoughts. If you are looking for outstanding lab-type prints, it's hard to do much better than the R260.

This printer is not for the casual printer of photos who also does a lot of text work. It's very mediocre for text work. It's also not for someone who expects complete plug and play. It will require some work to get the profile right that matches your monitor. Once that is out of the way the printouts are brilliant. It expects the highest quality paper such as Epson Ultra Premium Glossy. Nothing about the cost of your output will be cheap, from the paper to the inks.

If your only concern is getting the best quality output for your photos then this printer is for you. Take a little time upfront to get the right settings and the output will stun you.

I also own the R200 which is excellent and I've printed some of my photos at 8 x 10 side-by-side. The R260 is sharper and more brilliant in every respect.

It's just what it says, a photo printer. Made for someone who is very serious about the quality of their output.

I own a Canon 6600, and have played around with the 4200 the one before the 4300. From what i have read they are near enough exactly the same printers. I have to say the Canon does cut it with me. I have been a big lover of epson printers, but the new stuff thats comming out with canon just blows the epson out of the water. The ink is half the pirce of the canon, but dont be fooled, you get half the ink in the cartridge.

I really like my canon, and if printed on Branded paper, the results are stunning. Yes you do have to fiddle with the settings to get used to it. With regards to the sperate inks, you will notice a slight difference in shades and tones, but not a great difference. One advantage the canon has, is that it prints down to 1PL (Pico Liter) which means the ink is tightly packed. Also the print resolution is higher. For me this won me over and i am very happy.

Thanks for your responses!

I'm a total novice about printers so any suggestion or remark from you guys is very helpful.

Yes, it should serve for text too (unfortunately). When times come and I'm ready (money and experience) for it, I'll go for a better (8ink A3) photo printer.

I have a Canon 8500/8600. It's ok but prints on the dark side and definitely consumer quality look. Also, prints from 18 months ago are showing signs of fading already, although these are on the fridge not under plastic or glass.

This month's Digital Photo Magazine (UK) has a back to back test between R265, R800, iP4300 & 6700D. The latter won hands down with the R265 & iP4300 getting the same number of stars. The R800 lost on image quality and price.

Here's my 2 cents worth (and a good vent against Epson - be warned)
I own a Canon and an Epson and will NEVER buy an Epson again. The Canon is so easy to use, the quality is consistent and it works seamlessly with any software. The Epson screw up on anything other than it's own software, throws up its hands at after-market inks and chews through ink catridges at an alarming rate - often using half the cartridge before I can get it printing properly. This is my second Epson and I didn't learn last time (sadly). Friends with Epson printers have reported similar problems.

Then again someone must like them as they're not bust yet. Maybe they do make some good ones.

I've just moved from an Epson Stylus Photo 900 and a CX3650 to a Canon iP4300.

I am delighted with the improvement in photo quality and paper handling that the Canon brings. It prints on several different makes of glossy paper with, as far as I can see, exactly the same results which are superb and just the same as I see on the screen. It's also much faster than either of the Epsons.

Okay the 900 is older technology but it did use five colour inks plus black whereas the Canon is giving better results using only three colour inks plus black. The 4300 has an additional black tank which is used when printing text so it is geared up for general use as well. With the Canon you are also just replacing single ink tanks as they run out. They seem to have lasted much longer than the Epsons'.

The installation CD came with the 4300 printer profiles which I have installed and set up within my colour managed workflow. Maybe this is what is helping with the quality of the output.

Duplex printing, CD/DVD printing - the Canon copes with it all and it was not expensive.

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and experiences! People are very kind and helpful here.

It looks that I'll go for the iP4300. 6700D is my favorite from the beginning but it's out of my price range at the moment.

Cheers!

Wait around a while. You may be able to pick a 6600 up cheap enough. I had mine for a little over £100 when they were fairly new, and everyone else was selling them for £150! Where are you from by the way?

Dylanlewis2000 wrote in post #3065175
Wait around a while. You may be able to pick a 6600 up cheap enough. I had mine for a little over £100 when they were fairly new, and everyone else was selling them for £150! Where are you from by the way?

I'm from Croatia. Your idea seems interesting. I'll look around.

Thanks for advice!

Spent six months working in Split in 1998 - loved every minute of it. Especially the people, the red wine, the food, the beaches, the atmosphere, etc. etc.

Pugwash wrote in post #3067542
Spent six months working in Split in 1998 - loved every minute of it. Especially the people, the red wine, the food, the beaches, the atmosphere, etc. etc.

I'm sure that's also true for UK. Here are photos I would like to share with you. There's a lot to shoot here too!

Best regards!

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