Canon and Epson are two of the leading manufacturers of inkjet printers worldwide and both are hugely popular when it comes to consumer choice in the UK. Making a decision on your next printer will undoubtedly be tough as both manufacturers are continuously striving to innovate in design, technology and features. Your final choice of an inkjet printer should boil down to the exact features that you need. Some of the best devices from both companies will be compared in various angles to make the decision easier.



Design



Canon is famous for their PIXMA series, with each model often having a black and curvy finish to blend in well with black desktops, laptops and other peripherals. Epson's printers take a more traditional approach while their photo printers end up being quite compact.



Technologies and Features



Canon's latest PIXMA models like the iP2702 are ideal for printing clear photos without depending on a laser, so the cost of the printer is lower. It uses a special system known as ChromaLife100+ for printing photos that are long-lasting. It even comes with a software package called "Auto Photo Fix II", which enhances the quality of the photo. Borderless print options are available and speedy as well. It is also efficient in printing sharp text as it is backed with the Pigment Back Ink technology.



The price of the iP2702 is roughly 45and Epson has a few models that have the same price tag as well such as the Epson Stylus D120. This printer is aimed more towards the versatility of printing pages faster using a technology called the Dual Black System which virtually doubles the print speeds of traditional inkjet printers. The quality is up there as well thanks to the Epson DURABride Ultra Ink technology which is comparable to the quality of laser prints. Although the Epson Stylus D120 isn't designed as a colour inkjet printer like the iP2702, it manages to print some impressive glossy photos.



Variety



Epson offers a greater variety of printers with prices starting 50 and rising beyond 700 where high quality office and photo printers are being offered. Epson looks to be a good choice for people that want a great selection of printers that can do a lot of different things so that a photo printer and laser printer aren't needed in the same room.



Canon has a significant advantage in photo printers since Canon offers a greater variety of digital cameras than Epson. Features like camera connectivity and overall photo quality are their strong points while Epson makes a slightly bigger impact for businesses.



Overall Quality



Taking the technologies and different models into the equation, both Canon and Epson showcase some fantastic models for both business and home users. Users that want a reliable photo printer should stick with a Canon brand, even though Epson offers some decent models as well. Canon camera owners will better benefit from the consistent photo quality coming from the image down to the print. Epson shouldn't be counted out either because of their innovative technologies that prove that inkjets will still have a place in the industry despite the success of laser printers.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For a wide range of printers and products by brand, he recommends Printware Ltd, a leading provider of Canon Inkjet Printers.