Epson is in the business of creating every type of imaging product you can imagine. From TVs and desktops to scanners and printers, Epson knows what they are doing when it comes to creating durable, long lasting printers. The Epson PictureMate Charm PM 225 is a perfect example of something different yet creative. As a photo printer that looks more like a small cooler or other such device, the Charm is quite deceiving in what it can accomplish. Like many of the other Epson printers, the Charm is designed not so much for speed but for quality prints.
When talking ease of use, the Epson PictureMate Charm PM 225 couldn’t be more simple and straightforward for printing pictures. The 2.5-inch color LCD screen is perfect for making simple adjustments such as cropping, removing red eye and other minor details. The paper tray can hold 20 sheets of 4 x 6 photo paper. We would have liked to see a wider range of printing sizes offered, as well as the ability to print on more than just photo paper and standard paper.
The most important thing to look for when selecting a photo printer is the resolution or dpi (dots per inch) that the printer employs in producing images. Many base model printers can print a 4 x 6 image with a resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi.
Unfortunately, the Epson PictureMate Charm PM 225 sacrifices a little of the speed that many photo printers possess in order to focus heavily on the quality of photos it produces. At 5760 x 1440 dpi resolution, this compact photo printer is a step above the norm for creating quality prints while on the go or directly from your home desktop or laptop computer. A typical 4 x 6 image will take around 40 to 60 seconds to print, but the results are worth the wait. Smudging, fading and water-damaged photos are a thing of the past with this printer. In addition, you will end up with prints that have an amazing finish that will protect your photos for years to come.
At 7.9 pounds, 9 inches wide and 5.7 inches high, the Epson PictureMate Charm PM 225 is light and compact, so you can easily take it along on trips to the lake, park or other outdoor place and be able distribute photos to everyone.
When it comes to customer service, Epson offers email and phone support, a user manual and a FAQs section. You also get a standard one-year warranty. Unfortunately, the company's website does not offer user forums or blogs where other photographers can discuss how they dealt with any difficulties. There also is no live chat, which is a highly useful feature.
The Epson PictureMate Charm PM 225 may not have all the extras of other, larger printers or the capability to print out a variety of smaller sized photos. However, the overall quality of its printed photos is quite good. If portability and quality are what you are looking for in a photo printer, the Epson PictureMate Charm PM 225 may be just the printer for you.
