Lexmark Photo Jetprinter 5770

The Lexmark PhotoPrinter 5770 has the following features apart from the specs that is written here: [1] Fast and quiet operation compared to my old Epson Stylus Color 640 [2] Capable of printing without using a computer. Two card slots are available - one for CompactFlash cards (Type I) and another for SmartMedia. [3] Stand-alone features allow you to crop the photos and add text to it. The LCD in front assists in the process. [4] Six colour photo printing [5] Interface with parallel ZIP drive

Printer is fast and quiet and can function as stand-alone. A cheap photoprinter if you consider the rebate that is offered. Prints are photoquality but you need to select the best paper for it. Kodak photo papers work best for me compared to using Epson's. Supports multiple paper sizes, multiple number of photos per page, multiple paper types in stand-alone mode. It is very handy specially if you don't want to bring a computer with you on a photoshoot but require a printer. You can use the printer as a slow (parallel) card reader. You can connect a ZIP drive to the printer and copy images from cards to ZIP disks.

There are quite a number of weaknesses for this printer. [1] The card slots do not have an eject lever - you have to pull the cards out [2] In stand-alone mode, you can add text but the text are pretty limited to what is built-in to the machine [3] You need to re-align the cartridge heads everytime you change them - the printer requires two cartrides - one color and one black or photo. [4] The printer has no ON/OFF switch. It goes in stand-by mode but still consumes power. [5] The photo prints are photoquality. However, it is inclined to red more than any printer. Unless you want your skin to be tanned always, you need to readjust your photos. However, it does not exhibit banding.

Epson Stylus Color 640 Epson PrintOn PT110W

No experience here yet.

Picture quality is sharp and detailed however photos take on an overall red-ish tint. Also, banding(thin vertical lines)frequently occurs and is noticable in dark areas of the picture, which is very annoying. If you need to print without a computer, I guess it's better than nothing, although very over priced. If you want a resonably priced printer with an unbelievable photo output which rivals and sometimes surpasses professional photo lab printing, go with the Epson.

It's perfect for those who do not have a computer since you can print directly from either compact flash or smart media cards. Great for WebTv users.

You have to replace the black cartridge with a photo cartridge when printing on photo paper. Cartridges are very expensive at arround $40 a pop at retail. You can save a bundle by ordering them on line. A good source is www.buy.com.

Epson Stylus Photo 750 (which blows away the Lexmark).

I had a problem with the auto sheet feeder. It stopped working just after a year. Lexmark wanted $90. just to look at it.