Choosing A Digital Camera Printer
Choosing the right printer for your digital camera is an important decision. After all, cameras are expensive pieces of equipment and can mean a hefty investment up front. They also have a short lifespan that's measured in megapixels, so you'll want to make sure your printer will last long enough to take care of all those megapixels, too!
Luckily we're here to help with this handy guide and understanding the factors you should consider when choosing a printer for your camera.
Cameras and printers are not complete strangers. After all, they both make great images. The difference is the method how those images are stored.
While cameras use film, photofinishers use digital sensors that save the details of a picture in a file that can be read by the computer or printed using a printer. More and more cameras now can be connected to a computer for sharing and editing through software like Adobe Photoshop®, but you will need to find a way to store the files you take with the camera onto your home computer or laptop.
In most cases, this happens through CDs or DVDs. But for those that want to download the images directly from their camera to their computer, a DVD-burning software or an ink-jet printer is the right choice.
Of course, if you want a good quality output, look into digital printing. It's one of the best ways to save and share your images without compromising on image sharpness and color. The level of quality varies greatly between printers, so it's important that you understand what features are important in your particular application.
The Differences Between Ink-jet and Laser Printers
If you're one of the many that are making the jump from analog to digital, or are just getting their feet wet in a new camera, you'll first want to choose between the two main printer types. Both laser and inkjet printers can make comparable quality prints, but they use different technologies to get there. So what's the difference?
For starters, laser printers are generally faster than inkjet printers. For photographers with large photo albums waiting to be printed this benefit may help out. But don't let that sway your decision if it doesn't help your situation. For example, some photographers that print often really rely on fast output times. Either way, a printer's speed is just one of many factors.
Laser printers print on special paper that can only be run through this type of printer. Inkjet printers use the more common inkjet type printer paper, which is usually cheaper and can be used to print images from pretty much any camera. However, the cost difference between these two types of paper will give you a sense of which technology will suit your needs better.
Grossly speaking, black and white prints are usually easier to produce on laser printers because they're made with a limited number of shades (known as toner) that are deposited directly onto the page to create an image. This is opposed to inkjet printers that use tiny drops of colored ink to create a print. For this reason, lasers are easier for printing black and white photos, whereas color can be achieved more easily with an inkjet printer.
Then again, if you want the most accurate colors on your print, an inkjet printer can achieve it more easily. They use liquid droplets of dye-based inks in up to 6 different colors per drop that blend together on the paper to create a photo that resembles what was shown on the camera's LCD screen.
Print quality will hinge on your choice of printer, but whichever technology you choose you can count on good quality prints from most printers available today.
How To Choose A Photo Printer
The main things to look for when choosing a printer include its cost, compatibility with your camera and which type of paper you'll want to use, especially if you're doing color photos. If you plan on printing all of your images, it's best to choose a printer that is compatible with the same type of image sensors used in the camera.
The Cost Factor
Printers vary in price and quality, but our advice is to get as large a printer as you can for the least amount of money. This way you can print out plenty of photo albums without paying huge expenses that just aren't worth it.
Basically, the more ink you use, the larger your prints will be. So if you're going to be printing lots of photos, purchase a larger printer. You can then print out as many copies as you'd like without spending more than you need to. A few professional photographers print out hundreds of images in a single session and still have plenty of image storage space left over!
Since a photo printer can cost hundreds of dollars, keep in mind that with each new model that comes out the price usually goes down. And very often a discount store such as Target or Wal-Mart will sell printers for less than they would elsewhere. So if you see a model that suits your needs, but you're worried about price, it might not hurt to wait for a few months and watch for a sale.
Photo printers are more expensive than copiers or laser printers that use toner. But for most photographers with home-based businesses or personal collections of old photos, they're usually worth the money.
The Connection Factor
You should look into your printer's compatibility with both your camera and the memory card you'll be using. Naturally, if it is able to accept the same connections as your camera then you won't have any problems.
The next thing you'll want to look for is the percentage of compatibility that each camera brand has with different brands of printers. This will help you determine which brand of printer is most compatible with your style of shooting. For example, a Canon camera will usually use Canon-compatible printers because the two companies are major competitors in the industry. One exception to this rule is some newer Epson models that use both Canon and Nikon image sensors. In this case, since Epson has a close working relationship with Nikon, they'll often have new models compatible with whatever sensor your camera uses.
The Paper Factor
If you plan on printing out all of your photos from one camera then go for an inkjet printer. Otherwise, you may be better off purchasing a laser printer if you want to save money on ink and paper.
Here's the main benefit of a laser printer: because it uses toner, it requires fewer prints than an inkjet printer does. Laser printers typically cost less than inkjet printers since they use toner instead of liquid ink.
If you're unsure which type of printer will work best for your needs, just take the first step and buy a new one! As long as it's compatible with your camera and your memory card, chances are you won't regret your purchase. And aside from choosing what kind of paper to use, most printers can usually print out any file format that's compatible with them.
Conclusion
If you don't have a photo printer at home, it's time to get one. Printer prices have been coming down lately and they continue to be a good investment for any camera owner who wants to save money on storage. If you've ever purchased extra memory cards in order to keep up with your shooting habits, then we're sure you'll appreciate a printer that stores all of your images in one place with no extra effort!
There are many photo printers on the market today. But not all of them offer the clarity and crispness that most photographers are looking for. This is why before you buy, take some time to read photography magazines or talk with a friendly sales associate at the store where you plan on buying it.