Epson Stylus Photo R3000 review

There are many similarities between the R3000 and the older R2880, but we are told that the new printer doesn't replace the old one, they are to continue in tandem, at least for the time being.

Just like the Stylus Photo R2880, the Stylus Photo R3000 can be used to produce prints of up to A3+ size or 13-inches wide, or smaller.

The inkset is also the same, Epson UltraChrome K3 Ink with Vivid Magenta and three black inks (or two grey and a black) being available for enhanced tonal control, especially with monochrome prints.

Although the Micro Piezo print head with 1440 nozzles (180 per colour) is the same in the R3000 as it is in the R2880, and it lays the ink down at the same maximum resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi, the minimum droplet size is significantly smaller from the newer printer at 2pl rather than 3pl. This is the smallest droplet to date achieved with Epson UltraChrome inks and it should enable the R3000 to reproduce the very finest details more accurately and ensure that tonal gradations are smooth.

Wireless connectivity has been a feature of less specialist, multi-functional printers for a while now, but the R3000 is the first of Epson's enthusiast or semi-professional focussed printers to have Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) as well as High-speed USB 2.0 capability. This puts an end to trailing USB leads for photographers who like their workspace to be uncluttered.

As usual there's more than one way to load media into the R3000, largely depending upon its thickness. For many, the majority of paper can be loaded via the rear automatic sheet feeder, but there's also a front fine art paper path, a front thick paper path and a roll paper feed included (though there's no trimmer built-in). It is also possible to print onto compatible CDs and DVDs using the supplied disk feed.

A 2.5-inch colour LCD screen is another new feature since the R2880, it displays ink levels and operating instructions.