Epson Stylus Photo PX810FW 4-in-1: Review

Epson Stylus Photo PX810FW 4-in-1

A multipurpose print device with an economic price tag

The Epson Stylus Photo PX810FW is a machine described as elegant and intelligent, and we can only assume these apply in a technological sense. Aesthetically the PX810FW is anything but elegant. The footprint of this machine will take over many home desk spaces, challenging most studio settings. It does have nice curves and a contemporary gloss finish that complement its 19.8cm viewing display – 13.5cm bigger than its predecessor, the PX710FW. However, weighing in at 11.3kg, with dimensions of 466 x 458 x 198mm, it is comparatively bulkier than its nearest competitor, the Canon PIXMA MP990.
Putting these portly factors aside, does the PX810FW manage to hold its own against competitors through its impressive technological range?

Prints per minute: This device promises to print A4 documents at speeds of up to 40 ppm. Couple this with a main tray that holds 120 sheets of A4, and you’ve one hell of a print solution

Well, print quality is – rest assured – presented to a high-definition standard, when using the appropriate complementary photo papers, eg Epson Premium Glossy Photo paper, 255g/m². The print resolution, up to 5,760 x 1,440 optimised dpi, is again slightly less than similar devices, but the Epson Claria Photographic Ink pulls through and provides impressive results under scrutiny. These are promised to last longer than lab-quality prints. The ever-present Micro Piezo print head assures smooth gradients and clear colour tones as Epson users have come to expect.

Returning to the qualities of ‘elegance’ and ‘intelligence’, the PX810FW’s touch panel begins to validate these descriptions. This is used to streamline a host of on-screen functions. Here users will comprehend simple icons and scroll through option sets effortlessly – including standard Copy, Print, Scan and Fax types. Photocopy and Fax settings are as you’d expect, dealing with dialling options, colour modes and greyscale density. Scan options are slightly more intuitive, set up to work with stationary and portable devices – delivering scans to desktop computers, memory cards and email. Scan quality is similarly impressive, with the PX810FW delivering a resolution of 4,800 x 4,800dpi and a scan time of little more than a single second for 300dpi images; these are noticeable upgrades from the PX710FW.

RGB conversion: The PX810FW printer is designed to work with consumer devices, all utilising RGB colour space. Confusing as it may be with a CMYK print gamut, to view and match image prints you will need to convert to an RGB colour space

Print settings supply nine individual types for you to choose from, presenting both recreational and practical options. Photo layout sheets, proof sheets, and view and print options correspond with the latter. These are subject to editing such as before and after ViewPhotoEnhance effects and manual Crop, all performed real-time on your touch screen. More frivolous options provide fun on a broader scale for family users – including the popular play movie and print option, which re-creates stills from your moving images, and the ever-popular greeting cards and CD/DVD option set. There’s a delectable CD tray that whooshes out with the push of a button, which really boosts the aesthetic and entertainment appeal of this machine.

The connectability of this Epson 4-in-1 is also an extremely attractive feature. With Hi-Speed USB, compatible with USB 2.0 specification, your images are uploaded automatically to the PX810FW within seconds – we counted three. This means there’s no down time when utilising option sets. In fact, all functions ran at an optimum speed, making this print solution great for deadline-day print runs. The PX810FW comes standard with Wi-Fi, Ethernet and Bluetooth, which mean that you can print to anywhere around your working space. This makes its dimensions and housing less of an obstacle in hindsight. However, it does seem far more of a hollow feature for home users and, once more, pushes this machine towards the economic studio environment – particularly when deploying proof checkers and copywriters in alternating studio/office spaces. All in all, the Epson Stylus Photo PX810FW

4-in-1 is a machine that has succeeded in turning our original reservations on their head. Throw in extra functions such as double-sided printing, automatic feeding and a ten-second print time and it becomes a comprehensive device that easily matches its closest market competitors and surpasses most by providing that little extra in its entertainment features.

Mini Review: PX810FW supplies

We compare compatible inks and paper stock, seeing if these are as economic as the device price

Epson Stylus Photo PX810FW 4-in-1 does not only provide an economic device but accessories to match, contributing to the high functioning of your printed material.
The 255g/m² Epson Premium Glossy Photo paper gets the best results. This five-star media is ink dry within 30 seconds, water resistant and has a resin-coated base, which allows the paper to maintain vivid, lifelike colours. All this makes it the ideal solution for printing photographic, promotional and portfolio material.

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Innovative prints: This media is engineered to give you the highest resolution and colour saturation possible

The PX810FW supplies a six-cartridge system – including Light Cyan, Light Magenta, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. Individually, these cost a set price of £10.68 (approximately $15.98), for each tone. Alternatively a six-pack can be purchased for £54.98 – that’s a saving of around £9, approximately $13.47. Couple this with its ink economy 1.5 pl (minimum) with Advanced Variable-sized Droplet and Micro Piezo printhead technology, and it becomes even more cost-effective.