HP inkjet printers with cnp. Best Photo Printers Best Professional Photo Printers

Printers have long since moved from the luxury category to being indispensable for work and everyday life. HP brand printers combine excellent technical parameters and years of experience to get the results you want and fulfill all your printing responsibilities.

Hewlett Packard printer. Varieties

The classification of printing devices from HP is as follows.

By the principle of the printing mechanism, printers are divided into:

• jet;
• laser;
• sublimation

By chromaticity:

• to monochrome (black and white);
• colored.

By maximum format:

• Legal (sheet slightly larger than A4);
• 10x15

By productivity:

• up to 4 pages per minute;
• up to 12 pages per minute;
• more than 12 pages per minute. By interface:
• via wired channels;
• over wireless channels.

HP color printer. Main distinguishing features

HP printing devices are perfect for universities, small work spaces, government agencies and schools. As a rule, their excellent resolution plays an important role in printing. Bright hallmark printers from Hewlett Packard is good value- quality / cost. After all, the prices of the devices are quite democratic, and the quality is decent. The compactness of the Hewlett Packard equipment cannot be ignored.

HP CISS Printer - Savings Available for Everyone

If you have not yet decided where to buy an HP (HP) printer, we can recommend the now popular TM Lucky-print online store in Russia. This store will allow you not only to purchase a high-quality device with the possibility of delivery in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of Russia, but also to tremendous benefits in printing. After all, many users on this moment are among the supporters of thrifty file delivery. It is possible to print not only with high quality, but also invariably profitably due to the pre-installed direct ink supply device or slam-shut device. By the way, the direct ink technology supplied with the device is already loaded with photo ink of every shade! The same goes for reusable cartridges. At the same time, the quality of output of digital files is provided no worse than with the original "consumables", but much more accessible.

conclusions

So, it is definitely worth buying an HP printer (Hewlett Packard printer) if you decide to get the opportunity of universal operation, availability useful functions, small costs during operation.

Even one and a half to two years ago, portable inkjet photo printers seemed to many users nothing more than fun, exotic entertainment, or even a misunderstanding. But time has dotted all the "i's", and has shown not only viability, but also an increase in interest in this kind of products. Almost all major brands already have interesting, promising and new models of mini photo printers. But today we will not talk about all at once, but about a specific product, a novelty from HP, the Photosmart A618 inkjet photo printer.

What is interesting about this printer, what new can it offer us? And is it worth the money they ask for? We will try to answer these and other questions in the format of this article.

Acquaintance

The HP Photosmart A618 can be called a light version of the Photosmart A717, which is the top model of the modern line of HP portable photo printers. Of the main differences between the A618 and the more "advanced" A717, I would single out only three - this is the size of the LCD screen (it is slightly smaller, 2.4 "versus 2.5"), the inability to connect to a TV receiver and the lack of hard disk for storing photos. These simplifications, of course, are significant, but at the same time they made it possible to reduce the cost of the printer without depriving it of its attractiveness.

We won't talk much about the appearance of the device, everything is clearly visible in the photographs.

With no structural differences from the very first HP portable printers, the A618 is sleek and stylish. It is quite difficult to ignore this lacquered handsome man, and the dark color of the case only gives the device additional seriousness. The new Photosmart doesn't seem like just a pretty toy anymore. And the ability to print photos of the now popular 13x18 cm format takes it one step higher than its small-format classmates.

The printer is interesting, first of all, for its capabilities - direct printing from memory cards and flash drives, support for the PictBridge standard, the aforementioned maximum media format of 13x18 cm, support for panoramic printing on 10x30 cm photo paper, and, of course, built-in support for Bluetooth technology. There is good news for the trendy iPod users too. A618 can not only print photos from iPod devices, but also export images from memory cards to these devices.

Installation, menu, operation

Everything that I said about the installation and driver in the previous article on can be addressed to the A618 as well. The only difference is in limiting the maximum print size, which is 13x18 cm. Otherwise, everything has remained practically unchanged.

The system defines a new device as follows:

Printer menu, as usual, multi-stage, with big amount various settings, but, nevertheless, quite understandable. Even without familiarity with the instructions, many of its points do not raise questions or ambiguous interpretation.

In order not to dwell on each of the menu items separately, I will only give it block diagram, which will allow you to evaluate the offline capabilities of the printer.

Menu structure diagram:

• Print options;
• Edit;
• Instruments;
• Bluetooth;
• Reference;
• Preferred options.

1. Print options

- Print everyone. Print all photos from the memory card installed in the printer;
- Printing of video frames. Printing nine frames of a video clip;
- Print range. Printing a range of photos;
- Print catalog page. Printing a catalog of all photos on the memory card;
- Panoramic photos. Enable or disable panoramic printing mode; this mode is disabled by default. When set to On. all selected photos are printed with an aspect ratio of 3: 1. When printing directly from digital camera connected via a USB cable, panoramic printing is not supported;
- Photo stickers. Enable or disable label printing mode; this mode is disabled by default. Selecting On prints 16 photos per page;
- Stickers for CDs / DVDs;
- Photos for documents.

2. Edit

- Rotate photo;
- Add a frame;
- Add color effect(Black & White, Sepia, Antique, or No Effects (default);
- The brightness of the photos.

3. Tools

- Photosmart Sharing (Instant Share). Transfer photos to other users from the memory card inserted in the printer. The printer must be connected to a computer with the printer software and Internet access;
- View 9 photos;
- Demonstration of slides;
- Print a test page;
- Print a test page;
- Cleaning the cartridge;
- Alignment of the cartridge.

4. Bluetooth

- Device address;
- Device name;
- Password;
- Availability;
- Reset parameters.

6. Preferred parameters

- Print quality.(Best (default and provides highest quality print), Normal, Fast Normal;
- Type of paper;
- Date Time. Date / time stamp on photos;
- Color space.(Adobe RGB, sRGB and Auto Select);
- Borderless;
- After printing. Indicates whether photos are deselected after printing; the following values ​​are provided;
- Preview with animation;
- Improving the quality of the video image;
- Restore default values;
- Language;
- Password;
- Availability;
- Reset parameters.

To operate the printer in offline no complaints. Everything is clear and smooth, except for the lack of information about the amount of ink in the cartridge (which I will talk about below). And working in tandem with a computer revealed two drawbacks of a particular instance.

These problems are most likely associated with a specific sample that was tested with us, and are "treated" by updating the printer's firmware.

Seal

It is quite difficult (if not impossible to say) to get an excellent print quality on the three-color system, which is still used by HP portable photo printers. The conspicuous bitmap is the main reason I only rate this printer as very good. Good color rendering, high detail and realistic print are the main advantages of this model. And don't forget about print speed. Imprint maximum quality in two minutes (with a PC) is a very good figure for this system, which can be further reduced by changing the print settings.

Three types of photo papers were used in the test: HP Premium Photo Paper (glossy), HP Premium Photo Paper (semi-gloss), and HP Glossy Photo Paper (HP Advanced). Everything that has been said about color reproduction in the article applies to this printer as well. That is additional customization in the driver, when printing on new HP Advanced paper, you will need.

Conclusion

It's time to summarize.
What do we get for $ 200? Let's compare the "old" and the new A618, especially since not only the cost, but also the technical characteristics of these devices are very similar.

The marking of the used cartridge has changed, but we still have the same version of the second generation: a three-color system, 200 nozzles per color, with a minimum drop size of 4-5 picoliters. As a result, the print speed and quality are within the limits of the already available values. The situation is similar with filling the cartridge. VIVERA ink, used in the new HP 110 cartridge (CB304AE), has been successfully used and applied for cartridges 134, 135. That is, there were practically no changes in the printing system. But in fairness, I must admit that the lack of black density, which affected the results, did not appear in the A618. In terms of realism and color rendition, the photos of the A618 are noticeably better.

The printer driver has changed to make it more convenient and intuitive. The same can be said for the design of the device. It has become more modern, elegant and attractive, but if you remember, the main advantage of the model was the built-in HDD 1.5 GB and the ability to connect the printer to a television receiver. And the A618 does not have this.

In return we get autonomous work from a battery (up to 75 photos from one charge), and a built-in Bluetooth adapter, which, most likely, will not be used often, due to the presence of a card reader and a USB port.

The device will undoubtedly find its buyer, but, in my opinion, its price is still too high. With a printer cost of $ 150-170, success is guaranteed. So far, being in the same price niche as the A618, it has no noticeable advantages. This is a fashion model with a good technical component, and the support of the increasingly popular iPods is just another confirmation of this.

A photo printer is a device primarily designed for printing images on special paper. That is why it is always colored and uses at least 3 shades. There are many such options on the market, but only a few can truly be called the best photo printers. We have compiled a rating, adding to it the best technique for obtaining photographs at home and in specialized salons. Perhaps he will help you make the right decision.

This TOP includes companies that have been on the market for a long time and have already won the trust of buyers. Basically, it describes the products of firms operating in the middle price range and premium segment. Each of these brands is quite popular in the market and has earned a big name for itself. The following brands are in the top three:

• Hewlett-Packard Is one of the most popular and prestigious companies in the field of office equipment production. She has no really cheap products in her assortment, here are devices of the middle price range and premium models. Basically, it produces jet-type units that are suitable both for home use and for office use by a small team. It is one of the few companies that offer compact photo printers. They differ from similar options in bright colors and ease of use.
• Epson Is the main competitor of Hewlett-Packard, but, unlike her, it is not concentrated on the production of any one type of printers. In stock he has inkjet, matrix and laser models of office equipment. They are interesting because of their good resource, versatility with respect to the use of various types of paper and because of their ease of use. There are convenient control panels, large ink tanks, large trays for sheets with automatic feeding. Some of them can even be connected to a PC remotely over the Internet. There are also products that are suitable for synchronization with mobile devices.
• Ricoh- this Japanese company on Russian market not so well known compared to Epson and Hewlett-Packard. However, in recent years, its photo printers have been recognized as some of the best. She has models for printing in A3 and A4 format, they compare favorably intuitively clear interface, economy of ink consumption, automation of work, which makes their use comfortable. Basically, we are talking here about laser models, and therefore the price for them cannot be called low. However, the high quality fully compensates for this drawback, the photos are clean, clear, bright, like those of professionals.

Rating of the best photo printers

The reason for adding office equipment to the rating was numerous positive reviews buyers, the successful results of our tests and high marks from experts in this field. When analyzing the characteristics of all models, we relied on the following points:

• Ease of use;
• Efficiency of use;
• Profitability;
• Versatility of operation;
• Life time;
• Value for money;
• Type - for professionals or amateurs;
• Dimensions and design;
• Duration of the warranty.

Among the characteristics, we paid attention to product life, print speed, number of colors, noise level, print resolution, the ability wireless connection... We also took into account the warm-up time (for laser models) and the first page out, the volume of the tray, the type and thickness of the paper used. Not last place When analyzing goods, one of the selection criteria was given to the reputation of manufacturing firms, which, because of their fame, often raise prices for their products.

Best compact photo printers

There are very few such models on the market; they include devices that can be carried with you and connected to phones or tablets. With their help, it is allowed to print photos of limited sizes, on average, 7x15 cm. Despite their small dimensions, their cost is not low. With a focus on print quality and ease of use, we have selected the best photo printer out of 10 models.

HP Sprocket, Black

Looking at the small size of this device, you do not immediately understand why it is so expensive. However, the near-flawless print quality and excellent color reproduction make things clear. Of course, you can't print large pictures on it, but standard (7.6 x 7.6 cm) it gives out easily. The feature of this technique is the ability to send a photo to it from a smartphone or tablet without connecting to a PC, which expands the capabilities of users and saves time. Despite its small size, 10 sheets of photo paper can be inserted here without problems.

The HP Sprocket, Black is quiet enough and doesn't consume much power at 15.91 watts. It is convenient to carry it in a bag and use it not only at home, since the weight of the product does not exceed 260 g. The device is easy to operate due to a well-thought-out design and "smart" software. On the left there is a power button, on the back there is a charging indicator, a place for a cable and a reset button.

Advantages:

• Lack of a pull-out tray;
• Good print speed;
• One year warranty;
• The presence of Bluetooth;
• Accepts sticky photo paper;
• High resolution images.

Disadvantages:

• Does not feed paper automatically;
• Limited photo size.

Best professional photo printers

These devices allow printing not only photographs, but also various advertising booklets, brochures, leaflets. Naturally, the cost of such products will be higher than average. Such devices usually work not only with A4 and A3 formats, but also with stickers. Of all the options available on the market, 3 units have been added to the rating. The reason for this was their efficiency in work, economy, ease of use.

This photo printer is the best for printing photos, in particular, due to the fact that it has built-in high capacity ink tanks. In total, 6 containers are available here, which are located as conveniently as possible and are invisible to others, being hidden under the lid. One filling station can print about 1,500 color photographs of 10x15 cm. They are not blurry, the paints dry quickly and, before using, they do not need to be specially dried, as in the case of many other models.

At the end of ink, in comparison with cartridge devices, they are replaced quite easily in the Epson L1800 inkjet photo printer, and at the same time the cost of the service is significantly reduced. The reviews also write about the economical consumption of paints thanks to the technology of printing "drops" in size of 1.5 picoliters. This printer, which prints photos in almost any conditions, is carried out without any problems, although its dimensions are considerable.

Advantages:

• Wide range of paper weights - from 64 to 300 g / m2;
• Can print in black and white;
• Large resource - up to 75,000 pages;
• Good tray capacity - up to 100 sheets;
• Compatible with OS X, Windows;
• Complete kit for instant application.

Disadvantages:

• Supports only A3 paper size;
• The output speed of the finished photo is lower than that of the text (191 sec.);
• Considerable weight at 12.5 kg.

It is the best photo printer in terms of functionality and boasts a combination of high print quality and ease of use. Yes, the price for it is not low, but this is fully justified by the good results of use. It is based on the unique color formula Vivid Magenta, which allows you to get bright, rich, contrasting photos. This is what makes it possible to call this model professional.

This is one of the few devices in which, in addition to the basic ink (6 colors - yellow, cyan, turquoise, black, magenta light and saturated), gray shades are also used. This ensures a wide color gamut, which, when printed, reproduces the exact original tones. The device looks even more attractive due to the impeccably high speed of output of prints - up to 150 seconds versus 191 seconds, which are observed in the previous version in the ranking.

Advantages:

• CD / DVD printing function;
• The presence of a special tray for creating layouts;
• Good resource of the print head;
• Meniscus control for precise positioning;
• Two ports for USB connection.

Disadvantages:

• Slightly noisy during operation.

This is the optimal solution for both small offices and home use. This technique deserves attention due to high-quality and at the same time economical printing. It easily copes with a large flow of jobs, producing about 20 pages per minute. Equally convenient here is the fact that the printer supports work in Mac, Windows and Linux environments. The device warms up almost instantly and is ready for use within 30 seconds after switching on.

The Ricoh SP C260DNw laser printer for printing photos works with A4, A5, A6, B5, B6 paper, and therefore allows you to get more than just pictures. It is very convenient here that 150 sheets can be loaded into the tray at once, and their density can be completely different, in the range of 60-160 g / m². As with all models, the resource of cartridges is strictly individual for different colors, of which there are four - yellow, cyan, magenta, black. However, this is sufficient to produce crisp and vivid images.

Advantages:

• Power consumption in printing mode up to 58.3 W;
• Withstands a load of up to 30,000 prints per month;
• The first page comes out in 14 seconds in any color;
• Can connect with smart devices;
• It is not difficult to refill the cartridge from the masters;
• Does not spoil the sheets.

Disadvantages:

• Weight 23.8 kg;
• A little noisy.

Best Photo Printers for Home Use

Such products are usually sold in the middle price range, they can have an automatic paper feed and a volumetric tray. Most often, they are characterized by support for 4-6 colors, but the brightness and clarity of image transmission are acceptable. They are distinguished from professional devices by a lower print output speed and not such a good resource. These devices form the basis of the market. We looked at 10 different options and selected 3 of the best photo printers based on their parameters.

This is a multifunctional device with an optimal combination of quality and price, which is interesting primarily because it allows you to print photos and documents directly from your smartphone. For this, inkjet cartridges are used here, however, they must have a special microcircuit, other options are not suitable here. But it is precisely because of this that the high quality and accuracy of the print is ensured.

Despite the fact that the device is not very large, there is still a wireless connection, which means that it is not necessary to keep it near the computer at all. The connection between them can be provided with using Wi-Fi, and it is configured quite simply using a special adapter. For one price, the buyer receives along with a photo printer and a scanner with copier, which is very beneficial. But in this model, the load per month should not exceed 1200 A4 pages, otherwise it may fail prematurely.

Advantages:

• Color printing resolution - up to 4800 x 1200 dots;
• Black and white images are produced at 1200 x 1200 dpi;
• Works not very noisy;
• Convenient control panel;
• Relatively lightweight;
• Doesn't take up much space in the house.

Disadvantages:

• Does not independently determine the type of paper;
• Consumables must be submitted by yourself.

The HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 5075 M2U86C is a premium model, but it cannot print and scan at the same time.

HP is one of the very best photo printer brands out there, so you expect a lot from it from the start. This model also did not disappoint, although outwardly it does not differ from its predecessors in the ranking. Its advantage lies in the use of original pigment inks of its own production, which guarantees professional quality, accurate color reproduction, durability and brightness.

This option is very beneficial for those who want to save on paper use, as it can be cut in half by printing borderless on both sides. Moreover, you can send a photo to it from any device that can be synchronized with it, including remotely. All this is possible with the Ethernet 10/100 option, and the HP All-in-One Printer Remote app lets you scan photos even from your mobile device.

Advantages:

• 225-sheet tray;
• Paper does not jam;
• Withstands production of up to 15,000 pages per month;
• Finished prints do not fade in the sun and are stored for a long time;
• Easy to refill cartridges;
• Excellent performance
• Automatic shutdown when idle.

Disadvantages:

• Supports not all sizes and types of paper;
• Works with Mac and Windows OS only.

Canon Pixma G1410

... After testing the Canon Pixma G1410, we came to the conclusion that it is suitable for printing photos on both plain and glossy paper ...

Expert opinion

Outwardly, this model is very similar to the HP Officejet Pro 6230 ePrinter, it is also an inkjet version. With its help, it is possible to obtain bright enough pictures with a resolution of up to 1200 × 4800 dpi. Images are smudge-free and color complaints do not occur. This effect is possible, in particular, due to the support of 4 colors.

The paint is not used as economically as in previous models, since the minimum drop size is 2pl. Even so, it is one of the best home photo printers on the market, with no ink changes required. For the offered price it is just a gift!

Advantages:

• Colored water-soluble ink;
• Borderless printing;
• Reliable FINE ink system.
• One set of inks is enough for 7000 pages;
• Resource - up to 6000 pages;
• Low noise level;
• Ease of use;
• Tray location on top.

Disadvantages:

• At high temperatures, slight drips of paint may be noticeable.

Which photo printer is better to buy

When choosing the best office or home photo printer, first of all, you need to pay attention to its color formula. It is desirable that there is a cartridge or ink tanks of at least 4 shades. Standard set- black, yellow, magenta and cyan. However, if there are more colors, the print is usually even brighter and more interesting.

For the convenience of printing, it is better that the device can connect to a PC wirelessly via Wi-Fi. No less relevant is the ability to transfer images directly from the phone, which is ideal for selfie lovers. Those who want to receive prints of various sizes should think about buying office equipment that supports A3, A3 +, A4 paper formats.

Here's what model you can choose for different purposes:

• You can buy the HP Sprocket, Black for quick printing of selfies.
• For use in a photo studio, for example, for the purpose of obtaining prints in a passport and other documents, the Epson L1800 is well suited.
• If you also need to print advertising brochures, in addition to photographs, you should pay attention to the Epson SureColor SC-P600.
• For paper handling different types and formats the best choice will be Ricoh SP C260DNw.
• For amateur photographers, the non-professional options are the HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 5075 M2U86C and the HP Officejet Pro 6230 ePrinter.

Even when it comes to the best photo printers, no one can guarantee that they are completely free from flaws. Therefore, we advise you to familiarize yourself with them in advance and understand whether they are important to you. In any case, this rating will help you make your choice!

You cannot print bright and high-quality color photographs on a regular printer. To do this, you need to use a device with a high resolution and compatibility with photo paper formats, such as 10x15 or 20x30 cm.

A photo printer differs from a conventional device not only in its increased resolution, but also in other parameters. The article will consider the best models of devices for printing photos, as well as the main criteria by which you should choose a photo printer.

As the name suggests, the photo printer is for printing photos only. The main difference between the devices and conventional printers is in the printing technology.

The machines are equipped with small nozzles that spray ink droplets of different colors and sizes onto photographic paper. The result is a high quality, detailed image.

Modern photo printers allow you to apply images not only to special paper, but also to film, fabric or discs. The devices can be used both at home and for industrial purposes.

Which manufacturing company is better

Many companies are engaged in the production of photo printers. Practical user experience has shown that Canon and Epson are considered the best. The line of these brands includes not only devices for home use, but also professional printers for a photo studio.

Decent models are produced by Ricoh and HP. They are often chosen for professional photo printing.

What to look for when choosing

Since the main function of a photo printer is to print crisp images on special paper, there are several important considerations when choosing the best device.

Experts advise paying attention to the following characteristics:

1. Paper size. It is advisable to buy a model that can print images in A4 format. The devices are suitable for both home and industrial use.
2. Number of colors. The final print quality depends on this indicator. The minimum allowed number of colors is 6. But the more there are, the clearer the photo will be.
3. Print speed. This criterion is more important for professional than for home photo printers. But it will be better if the time required to print one photo is a maximum of 20 seconds.
4. Minimum drop volume. The detail and quality of the image depends on this value. Preference should be given to models in which the minimum drop volume does not exceed 1.5.

You also need to pay attention to some additional functions... For example, a continuous ink supply system (CISS) can help reduce the cost of printing, while a direct operation function will allow you to receive images directly from a camera or phone.

Experts recommend giving preference to models with a cartridge yield of at least 1,000 pages and a borderless printing function. In the latter case, the device stretches the image to fill the entire sheet without distorting it or leaving white margins around the edges.

Best compact photo printer

Conventional printers are bulky and require space on your desk. But some manufacturers, notably HP, have created a compact photo printer. You can carry it with you, because the size of the device is not more tablet... At the same time, you can use it to print a photo from your smartphone at any time.

The compact printer 116 mm long and 75 mm wide is designed for printing pictures from a smartphone. But it takes special application available for Android and iOS OS.

The wireless device uses an internal rechargeable battery. The image is printed on special HP Zink papers using ink-free thermal technology.

• weight (172 g);
• small dimensions (width 75, height 23 and depth 116 mm) allow you to always carry the printer with you;
• works with thermal printing technology;
• resolution for color printing - 313x400 dpi.

• prints only on special paper;
• the battery runs out quickly.

Price: 8 500 rubles.

Best professional photo printers

Professional photo printers are installed in a photo studio for quick printing of pictures. The devices allow you to print photos not only on paper, but also on film or discs.

Analysis of consumer reviews showed that three professional models are considered the best.

Inkjet six-color photo printer. The maximum paper size is A3 and the tray can hold up to 100 sheets. Yield of the color cartridge is 1,800 pages.

Print speed - 15 A4 pages per minute. In this case, the resolution of the color image is 5760x1440 dpi. To connect to a computer, use USB port 2.0. The printer weighs 12.5 kg and is designed for desktop use.

• a high resolution;
• print speed;
• built-in CISS;
• printheads do not dry out after extended periods of inactivity.

• prints more slowly on glossy paper;
• capture of sheets does not always work correctly.

Price: 37,300 rubles.

The model works on the technology of piezoelectric inkjet printing. Allows you to apply images on glossy, matte and photo paper, as well as on discs and roll materials.

Information about the operation of the device is displayed on a color liquid crystal display. The equipment provides a USB connector for connecting to a computer and an Ethernet interface.

• 9 cartridges;
• high print resolution (5760x1440 dpi);
• works on photo paper, roll materials and cardboard.

The disadvantage of the device is the high cost of the device and replaceable cartridges.

Price: 49,700 rubles.

This four-color laser printer perfect for a small office. The maximum print format is A4 sheets, while the print speed is 20 pages per minute.

The maximum resolution for color printing is 2400x600 dpi. By this parameter, the photo printer is inferior to models from Epson and Canon, but it is enough to create high-quality images. A USB connector and the ability to connect to Wi-Fi are provided for connecting the device to a computer.

• low cost;
• fast printing speed;
• resource of a color cartridge - 1600 pages.

• weight (23.8 kg);
• large sizes: 400x320x450 mm.

Price: 9 700 rubles.

Best Photo Printers for Home

Photo printer manufacturers do not only produce professional models for a photo studio. Most companies offer devices for home use.

Consumer reviews show that three models from HP and Canon were recognized as the best. Their cost is lower than that of professional equipment, but the print quality is acceptable.

The device is not just a printer, but an MFP, that is, it combines the functions of a printer, scanner and copier. Printing is carried out using thermal inkjet technology, due to which the resolution of color printing is 4800x1200 dpi.

The cartridge resource is small: 200 pages for color and 360 pages for black and white printing. But this is enough for home use. You can connect the device to a computer via a USB port or wirelessly via Wi-Fi.

• high resolution color photos;
• the print head is built into the cartridge;
• convenient internal paper tray;
• function of wireless connection to the computer.

• small resource of a color cartridge;
• slow speed and low resolution when scanning (1200x1200 dpi).

Price: 5 100 rubles.

This is a four-color thermal inkjet printer model. Speed ​​- 17 color images per minute, which allows you to use it not only at home, but also in a small office.

The cartridge resource is quite large: 200 pages for black and white printing and 825 for color. At the same time, the image resolution is 600x1200 dpi, which is slightly lower than that of analogs. But the disadvantage is compensated by the fact that the printer supports most of the popular operating systems: Windows, Linux, iOS and Mac OS.

• supports printing from any device via Wi-Fi;
• simple settings;
• high yield of the color cartridge.

• expensive cartridges;
• low print resolution (600x1200 dpi);
• does not work without original cartridges and ink.

Price: 4 500 rubles.

Desktop model printer with thermal inkjet printing. The cartridge is designed for 4 colors, but the image resolution is acceptable (4800 x 1200 dpi). The print speed is 5 color photos per minute, so the model is only suitable for home use.

Users appreciate the cartridge yield: 7,000 pages for color and 6,000 pages for black and white printing. The printer can be used for a long time at home without refueling or replacing cartridges.

• high resolution color printing;
• good resource of the color cartridge;
• does not make noise during operation (54.5 dB);
• there is CISS.

• connection to personal computer exclusively via USB;
• only supports operating system Windows.

Price: 7 900 rubles.

Comparison of characteristics of the best models

When buying a photo printer, users basically single out several models and then compare their parameters. Since the models described above are recognized as the best, a comparative table will help you to choose one of them.

Conclusion

Choosing a model of a photo printer, you should focus on the scope of its use. Suitable for home. The device has a high resource of the color cartridge (7 thousand pages). It does not need frequent replacement of components, and the image quality is quite high (resolution 4800x1200 dpi).

For professional use, you need a more powerful model. Consumers rate the printer positively. The device is capable of printing up to 15 color pages per minute, and the cartridge yield of 1,800 sheets is suitable for intensive use.

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In the days of film cameras, it took quite a long time to get the finished photo. Photographing, developing film, printing - and each step was extremely slow.

But at a certain point, the era of instant photographs came, and the name of the main manufacturer of such cameras became a household name - Polaroid. But nothing lasts forever and the time of instant photos quickly ended, the era of digital photography began, when you don't even need to print a photo to see the result. But humanity has a craving for retro things, in particular, someone once thought and revived instant photos.

Currently, the most famous instant-print cameras of one Japanese company whose name cannot be called. This means that there will be a comparison of the hero of our today's review, but it will be with some abstract company A. So, today I will introduce you to the compact photo printer HP Sprocket. It should be borne in mind that compact photo printers come in different sizes, if we are talking about HP Sprocket and the like, then these are devices a little more smartphone printing on special paper.

The technology of such paper was called Zink, which stands for Zero Ink, that is, "without ink." There is also a kind of compact photo printers that print on plain paper with a size of 10 by 15 cm, but such "compact" photo printers tend to be more like laptops in size and will not be considered in today's review. One more thing - at the beginning I mentioned instant cameras, but in this case these are instant photo printers, the essence of them is about the same, you just choose any photo on your smartphone or shoot right here and now, and then on wireless connection send it to the printer. By the way, this company has such compact photo printers, and it was on them that photographs were taken for comparison.

Specifications

Common parameters

• The main color is red;
• Print format - 50.8 x 76.2 mm;
• Maximum print resolution - 313x400 dpi;
• Print speed - 1 page / min;
• Interfaces - micro USB, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC;
• Complete set - ZINK Zero Ink photo paper 10 pieces;
• Features - battery operation;
• Dimensions and weight;
• Width - 75 mm;
• Height - 115 mm;
• Depth - 22 mm;
• Weight - 0.172 kg;

Packaging and equipment

A small compact box in a plastic holder contains the printer itself, a set of documentation, a charging cable and a pack of ZINK Zero Ink photo paper (10 pieces). The box shows appearance printer and basic specifications.

Appearance

Outwardly, the HP Sprocket printer most resembles a small PowerBank. A small parallelepiped with beveled corners, the body is made of glossy plastic, which quickly collects fingerprints, dust and other dirt. The front of the printer displays the company logo and model name. On the reverse side is a website with promotional materials. The only control element, the power button, is located on the side edge. At the ends there is a charging connector (standard microUSB) and a slot for outputting the finished photo.

The HP Sprocket is available in black and white for a stylish and interesting look.

Loading paper from the top - the top panel is a small cover, removing which you can access the paper compartment. The printer allows you to load 10 sheets of paper at a time. All printer control is carried out through a smartphone application, iOS and Android operating systems are supported.

The HP Sprocket Printer uses 5 x 7.6 cm (2 x 3 inches) ZINK Zero Ink Paper. The paper tray holds 10 sheets, in fact, this is just one pack. The photo is printed without borders, i.e. occupies the entire surface area of ​​the sheet. To use the photo printer, you need to download a special application to your smartphone - Sprocket. After installation, you should follow a few simple and logical steps, and the printer is ready to work. When you start it for the first time, the application will show you tips on how to use the printer and how to load paper correctly in the tray. The process of selecting and printing a photo is extremely simple. The photo source can be a gallery of your smartphone or data from Instagram, Facebook or Google accounts.

The application allows you to edit photos before printing, the process and capabilities are similar to those of Instagram - small photo corrections, adding frames or inscriptions, and more. After editing the photo, if necessary, simply press the print button and the photo will start printing. You can view the print queue, including reprinting the last photo printed. Printing takes less than a minute, and the photo is immediately ready for viewing, unlike other similar photo printers that I have used before, there is no need to wait a while for the picture to appear.

Testing print quality

Naturally, you should not wait for print quality, even close to stationary photo printers or specialized laboratories. The HP Sprocket has a very different positioning, in fact, it is a printer for entertainment. Take a printed photo immediately after shooting as a souvenir after a party or memorable event. A separate problem, practically for all color printers, is printing black and white photos. Accordingly, we will check the quality of color printing and the accuracy of color reproduction, as well as the possibility and quality of printing black and white images. Before each use of the printer, a special, complete blue calibration card is loaded into the printer to eliminate the influence of various factors on the print quality.

Color print.

First, we will print a special calibration table. The next table in the table will be the original image on the left, and the scanned version of the printed image on the right.

Impressions

Not all photographs lend themselves to printing correctly on the HP Sprocket. There is a feeling that the higher the quality of the photo, the more dynamic range, the worse the print will turn out. The paper used in the HP Sprocket simply cannot reproduce the full range of colors and smoothness of the gradient. There is also a problem with the transfer of skins, and to a greater extent than competitors. Obviously, this is the limitation of Zink paper, the competitor uses its proprietary technology, with a different type of both cartridges and paper, which can be seen even with the naked eye. Although the form factor of paper for HP Sprocket itself is more convenient, and printing is done without borders, which looks more advantageous, and the printed image is large in area.

It's worth noting that high-contrast photos print better than those with little toning or low contrast. When printing, choose photographs that will not show bright highlights or sharp gradients. Black and white pictures are printed with a slight toning. The black color is closer to dark brown, somewhat resembles black on ordinary TFT screens, the real color depth cannot be achieved. Actually, this is the problem of all such printers, although the competitor has a special cartridge with paper specifically for black and white photographs, i.e. there, shades of gray are not obtained by mixing three colors, but a dye is originally laid down, intended specifically for printing gradations of black.

Autonomous work

The manufacturer does not declare the capacity of the built-in battery. The battery was fully charged during testing. Printing one ream of paper (10 sheets), calibrating before each print, used up almost 50% of the charge. Accordingly, at standard use A fully charged battery is guaranteed to last for 20 photos or more.

Printing cost

At the time of writing the review, the cost of the HP Sprocket printer was 9,999 rubles. The cost of paper is about 500 rubles. for a pack of 10 sheets or 950 p. for a pack of 20 sheets, thus, if you do not take into account the cost of the printer, the cost of one print is approximately 50 rubles. On the one hand, the cost of the printer, as well as of the final images, is on a par with competitors, but if you look at the cost of printing photos in professional photo labs, it becomes clear that the cost of one photo is extremely high. But, it's worth remembering that in the case of the HP Sprocket, you get photos instantly, and all from a device slightly larger than a standard smartphone.

conclusions

The compact color photo printer HP Sprocket does not pretend to be a full-fledged photo printer, and here it is not even a matter of print quality, but of the size of the resulting image and the total cost of printing. The HP Sprocket's mission is to have fun, to give emotions at holidays, parties or just while walking. And if we consider it in this way, then such a device can slightly decorate your birthday, wedding or just a vacation with friends, give you a little more smiles and a small photo to remember such a wonderful day. There is a demand for such devices, as there is a demand for various photo booths in which you can print any photos, for example, from Instagram, and at the cost of printing, such a photo printer looks more profitable in the future.

Pros:

• Compact dimensions;
• Convenient printing application;
• Convenient paper size;
• Borderless printing.

• Printing cost;
• Accuracy of rendering colors, gradients;
• Low dynamic range of printed images.