The Bottom Line
The Epson PictureMate Zoom Compact Photo Printer is a versatile machine that produces prints that can rival neighborhood photo labs, in an amazingly short time. It won’t put any professional photo labs out of work, but it can satisfy picky amateur and hobbyist photographers alike.
The convenient handle makes the Epson PictureMate Zoom easy to tote around, and at just over 6 lbs., it’s light enough to be pretty portable. For the ultimate in portability, you can spring for the optional rechargeable battery ($49.99) and Bluetooth adapter ($39).
Pros
- Photo-lab quality output.
- Built-in DVD reader/CD burner.
- Fast output.
- Easy to use.
- Includes ArcSoft PhotoImpression, for basic editing and photo cataloging.
Cons
- Pricey, unless you really need/want the CD burner.
- Boxy, unattractive design.
- Limited to 4”x6” or smaller prints.
- Package doesn’t include a USB cable.
- Ink and paper are bundled; you can’t buy them separately.
Description
- Mac and Windows compatible
- 5760x1440 dpi resolution
- USB, PictBridge, and Bluetooth (optional) compatible
- CompactFlash (Type I and II), Secure Digital (SD), SDHC MMC, and Memory Stick compatible
- Microdrive (Type M/H) and xD-Picture Card compatible
- Supports P.I.F., Exif Print, and Digital Print Order Format (DPOF)
- Includes ArcSoft PhotoImpression software (Mac and Windows compatible, Exif Print-enabled)
- One-year warranty
Guide Review - Epson PictureMate Zoom Compact Photo Printer
The Epson PictureMate Zoom Compact Photo Printer may be the ultimate photo lab in a box. It doesn’t just output photo-lab quality prints; thanks to its built-in CD burner, it lets you make a CD of your favorite photos on the spot. (Well, assuming you have a stash of blank CDs handy.)
In addition to full-color prints, the Epson PictureMate Zoom can print sepia and black-and-white photographs. The cost per print is very reasonable, particularly if you choose glossy paper. Actually, your only paper choices are glossy or matte, because the replacement ink is sold only in packs of ink and paper. A glossy pack prints 150 4”x6” photos, at about 25 cents per print; a matte pack prints 100 4”x6” photos at about 32 cents per print. According to Epson, prints are smudge, scratch, and fade resistant for over 200 years (if stored in an album or other dark place), or 96 years in a glass frame; we’ll have to take their word for that.
Opening the Epson PictureMate Zoom is a bit like unwrapping a present. The top cover opens up to serve as a paper input tray; the front panel tilts down to serve as a paper output tray. The generous 3.6” LCD display tilts up to be nearly vertical, and is easy to read and navigate. The four-color ink cartridge fits into a slot on the back of the printer.
The Epson PictureMate Zoom has a USB slot for connecting to desktop and laptop computers, although you’ll have to supply your own USB cable ($9.95), because the package doesn’t include one. In addition to printing from desktop or laptop computers, the Epson PictureMate Zoom can print directly from PictBridge-compatible digital cameras. It also has two slots for printing directly from a wide variety of memory cards.
The CD burner can read DVDs as well as read and write CDs. When you archive photos, you can print an index sheet of thumbnail images, for reference.
