Epson PictureMate Pal Review
CNET has review the PictureMate Pal, Epson’s newest low-cost compact photo printer. It is the least expensive model out of Epson’s Picturemate line, which also includes the Snap and Flash models. The PictureMate Pal has a pretty unique design, so it’s probably best to start out with a photo of it to get a good idea of what we’re working with here:
It looks sort of like a mini icebox with a handle, and then the top flips up to reveal the controls and 2″ LCD. The LCD is embedded into the body of the printer, but it flips up for easier viewing. You can also feed paper through the top of the PictureMate, and then all the pictures come out on the bottom. It is a pretty unique design, but is anyone honest going to be taking this printer with them outside of their house? Like someone is going to take it to a wedding and set up shop there?
As far as features go, there isn’t a whole lot that stands out about this machine. Then again, it’s not really designed to wow anyone with its features. CNET prints a 4 x 6 picture in about 60 seconds, which is what Epson advertises. Imagine, a real life print speed that actually matches what is advertised on the box. Incredible. You can also print out index sheets with thumbnail previews of up to 20 images so you can easily pick which pictures from your memory card that you want to print. It has all the usual features where you can edit and fix up your prints on the LCD, but CNET was unimpressed with the amount of enhancing you can do. I think that most people don’t do any enhancing at all so they really aren’t going to notice something like this.
The PictureMate Pal comes with all the usual memory card connectivity options, as well as the ability to connect via Bluetooth…as long as you buy a Bluetooth adapter. Pretty soon one of the printer manufacturers is going to get burned by advertising that all their new printers have Bluetooth capability. Ya, they have Bluetooth capability as long as you buy a separate adapter.
One of the downsides to this printer might be the way that you have to buy the ink. Like with a number of these snapshot printers these days, you buy the ink and paper together in a cassette. So it doesn’t use a standard Epson inkjet cartridge that you can buy anywhere. The supposed benefit of this is that the paper and the ink are supposed to run out at the same time, so you don’t have to worry about running out of ink during a job or having to constantly reload paper a few sheets at a time. But it also means that you are limited by when they say the cartridge is empty. Maybe you printed a bunch of 4 x 6 photos that were just tiny little dots and you still have half an ink cartridge left when the paper is gone - what are you supposed to do? You are supposed to suck it up and give your money away to Epson, that’s what.
CNET gave the PictureMate Pal a rating of 6.5, which translates to “good” for them. They seemed to like it, but at $150 they said they preferred the Canon Selphy DS810 a little more (which only got a 6.7, but is apparently way better than the PictureMate). Right now there is no user feedback on CNET and only one review on Amazon, so if anyone owns this printer, let us know what you think of it.
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November 2nd, 2006 at 10:26 am
I have the old PictureMate and it is a very slick printer but since it is not out on the desk with the other printers it really does not get much use. I find having to set it up, load the pictures and the other set up required tends to keep me from using it much. It is a nice printer and I look forward to more comments about this new PictureMate.
November 6th, 2006 at 10:24 pm
I can’t seem to figure out why CNET gave the Canon Selphy DS810 printer a better score. I did a comparison test print on color and black and white print on both printers. And from what I can tell you the PictureMate Pal did a lot better in color definition details and plus B&W print were on par. As for the Canon Selphy DS810 the colors print were off and kind of pale plus B&W print were poor it didn’t even make a difference if you set the printer to the best setting in the driver. As for the CNET people who did the review I don’t know what they were smoking but what ever it is they need to stop smoking it and do a proper review.
November 21st, 2006 at 5:36 pm
I am in the market for a copier and printer combined. I want one for home use and I was wondering if you had any recomemdations on what brands are the best.Have you had any comments on them?
January 20th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
I have a Picturemate pm210 and I really enjoy using it. The photos that come out are of a very high quality, it prints photos fast, it is very easy to use, it is small and portable and is cheaper to print your own photos using Picturemate than it is to get them printed at a shop. I highly recommend this printer.
October 6th, 2007 at 9:40 am
I have the opposite problem. I have over half a package of paper and it says I am out of ink. I kept printing and one had a faded line through it. I pulled the cartridge out and shook it and the next 2 or 3 pictures were great. I’ve not taken anymore to see how long it will go. You can’t buy the ink by itself so I’m going to end up with lots of paper. Also, I priced my prints according to what I paid divided by the price of the pack. Now, that will be incorrect. Is there no way to inject ink (probably yellow)? I mean a safe way that does not screw up the cartridge or the print heads or any of that. Been there and done that. I messed up an Epson Stylus Photo R200 by using filled ink cartridges. It only prints in red tones, now.