Epson Stylus Photo R265

Good value for money, the Epson Stylus does what it was designed for. Fast printing, quick drying and ink cartridges that do not cost the earth to replace. Small or large photos are not a challenge for this robust printer. Unfortunately, the R265 can't print from memory cards and is without an LCD screen but, for its price, that is to be expected.

Price: 91 from Komplett. ie Review: http: //url. ie/45u "The R265 can pump out an A4 page of plain text in just 18 seconds. An A4 photo print takes 90 seconds, while a 6x4in postcard takes 45 seconds using the printer's highest quality settings. The Stylus Photo range is designed primarily for printing photos, and on that score it performs very well. Its photo quality is excellent for a printer costing less than 150."

Lexmark P915 Photo Inkjet

While classing itself as a photo printer, this printer performs best when printing text. The photos themselves are basic quality and are quite slow to dry. Compared to the prices of other competing printers, this is not the best value for money or best in breed for photo printing. This printer may suit an office that would use it as a multi-purpose printer.

Price: 115 from Dabs. ie Review: http: //url. ie/45t "Long dry time results in frequent ink smudging. The P915 is a viable general-use home printer, but it lacks the features and the quality that photo enthusiasts or presentation creators need."

Canon Pixma IP5300

The Canon IP5300, though low in price and lacking in other features like PC free printing, is actually one of the best printers around and will be most appreciated by photography professionals and enthusiasts. The print quality is the best around with good drying speeds. An ideal printer for those who take and print a lot of photos.

Price: 149 from Komplett Review: http: //url. ie/45q "We were a little disappointed that there wasn't more options available for PC-less operations. Bluetooth connectivity would have been great but the lack of an onboard LCD screen means that printing from a memory card and some basic editing are not possible. However, given that this is targeted at professional users and high-end photo enthusiasts, it would not likely be a big issue, as most advanced users would prefer to print from their computers to retain more control over output. With the introduction of new printing technology and features, it would certainly live up to its status as Canon's new flagship photo printer. This Pixma is aimed at professionals and top-end enthusiasts . . . people who will definitely appreciate the faster output and professional-grade paperhandling options."

RECOMMENDED:

HP Photosmart A717

The photosmart doesn't need a PC to be used and is designed to be highly portable with an optional battery and a built-in carrier handle. A 6.3cm display allows you to easily view, print and edit photos which are quick to printer and just as essential, they are quick to dry. Multiples can also be printed from passport and wallet sizes to panorama shots. All of this and 4GB of storage also built in means you can store a lot of high quality photos too. What better place to store the photos than on the printer itself? The printer can also connect to a TV for slideshow presentations.

Price: 145 from Elara Review: http: //url. ie/45r "The quick start instructions were right on the button, and I was able to get through the easy initial set-up and load the ink cartridge and paper within two to three minutes without having any knowledge of HP products. The resulting first print was astounding, given the ink cartridge with only three colours; and quick (about two minutes at high resolution) and honestly, it rivalled the prints you get at a do-it-yourself kiosk. The build quality is excellent; the feel is of a quality machine and I was impressed with the care that HP took in packaging the system."