The Olympus Camedia P-400 uses advanced dye-sublimation technology to print an extremely sharp image on high-quality photo paper. The result looks and feels like a traditional photograph. The P-400 also accepts a digital camera's SmartMedia or PC Card directly, and it has USB and parallel interfaces for easy PC connectivity.
Weighing over 30 pounds, constructed of heavy plastic, and accented with metal controls, the Camedia P-400 impressed us with its sturdy design right out of the box. To test the printer, we captured photos on a 16 MB CompactFlash card, placed the card in a CompactFlash-to-PCMCIA adapter (not included), and inserted the adapter in the printer. (Our evaluation model came with the P-RBN photo ink cartridge already installed, but it is easily replaced through the front access panel. Also, our unit did not include driver software, so we were unable to test PC functionality.) Using the menu-driven LCD, jog dial, and arrow keys, we specified our paper type (A4), input source (PC Card), and output photo size (8 by 10 inches). We pressed the Print button, and after 2 minutes and 58 seconds the P-400 rewarded us with a beautiful 8-by-10-inch photograph.
The Camedia P-400's color was very natural, not neon bright or oversaturated, and its tinting was slightly cool (more blue than red). Resolution was only 314 dpi, but the dye-sublimation technology showed no visible grain. The results were better than many we've seen from 1,200 dpi ink-jet printers. We also printed a slightly soft photograph and then used the printer's sharpening function in an attempt to improve it. Unfortunately, unwanted pixelation increased along with any positive sharpening affects. Printing speed was slow but steady at 2:58 for each 8-by-10 print. Several minutes were required to print one index/proof sheet of 20 photos, with nearly all of that time spent processing the CompactFlash card's data, not actually printing.
With only a casual glance, we could have easily mistaken the P-400's output as coming from a photo lab. Only close scrutiny revealed minor pixelation, which reflected the limit of our digital photo more than that of the printer. The initial cost is high, and the dye-sublimation ink cartridges and photo paper are expensive; but if you can afford it, the P-400 Camedia makes a fine companion for your digital camera.
--Mike Brown Pros: - Easy walk-up printing of digital photos
- Prints have the look and feel of traditional photos
Cons: - Substantial cost for consumables
- Not for general-purpose printing
