If you are presently in the market for a 44” photo and poster printer, there is every chance that you will have already given two models particular consideration: Epson’s SureColor SC-P8500D, and the ImagePROGRAF GP-4600S from Canon.

In that case, you might be interested in reading about a direct comparison that has been made between these two machines by Keypoint Intelligence, the digital imaging and print industry’s leading market intelligence firm.

The Epson delivers impressive performance – but the Canon pushes ahead in key areas

In its analysis of how the two models fared next to each other, the organisation found that the Epson SC-P8500D showed up well, with many of the tests carried out demonstrating it was a match for the Canon device.

However, Keypoint Intelligence was not so impressed by how the Epson photo and poster printer used ink. Moreover, its image quality and speed failed to rise to the challenge posed by the ImagePROGRAF GP-4600S.

To be specific, the tests discovered that the Canon printer used as much as 27.8% less ink than its Epson rival, in addition to delivering a 15% greater print speed.

Furthermore, the GP-4600S’s colour halftone images were noticeably brighter and punchier than the results the SC-P8500D could manage. Nor was the Epson as good as the Canon at producing natural-looking attractive skin tones, or fine detailing in light contrast areas.

Not all apparent advantages of the Epson are hugely advantageous

Something else worth noting about the Epson SC-P8500D, is that it has a second built-in roll unit. In the case of the Canon, a second roll unit is merely an option that can be added later.

However, this isn’t necessarily a strike against the ImagePROGRAF device in the final analysis. After all, prospective buyers of a 44” photo and poster printer don’t always need a second roll feed – at least not straight away – or they might lack the budget or business levels that would be required to make the extra investment worthwhile.

A further important element to consider in any comparison of printers like these, is the media loading and media identification process.

In the case of the Canon GP-4600S, this operation is 100% automatic. The Epson, on the other hand, has locking mechanisms and levers that need to be manually operated, and customers are required to manually identify the media in the menu of the device.

Borderless printing – otherwise known as “edge-to-edge” printing – is feasible with the Epson on a small number of media types. This compares unfavourably to the Canon machine’s ability to print without borders irrespective of the media or size that is used.

In this comprehensive analysis, a clear winner emerges

Pitting the Canon GP-4600S against the Epson SC-P8500D across a range of categories, when it came to the respective devices’ feature sets, Keypoint Intelligence gave the advantage to the latter printer.

Other categories – namely print productivity, banner printing, direct print submission functionality, and printhead reliability/cleaning routines – saw the two printers declared equal.

Ultimately, though, Keypoint Intelligence announced the Canon device to be the overall winner. This photo and poster printer emerged victorious in the categories of image quality, ink consumption, and print driver feature set.

In the organisation’s own words: “Although the Epson boasts an impressive device feature set, including its standard dual roll/take up unit, the Canon GP-4600S is judged as being the stronger performer overall”.

Our experts can be on hand to guide you towards the right printer

Would you like to receive advice and guidance tailored to your own needs, as you seek to choose the best 44” photo and poster printer for your intended application?

If so, please don’t hesitate to contact the Prizma Graphics team. You can do so by sending us an email, or by calling 01296 393700.