The Zoom makes burning photo CDs easy. Insert a memory card, press the Save to CD button, and follow the instructions on the LCD. You can even print an index sheet with thumbnails of the photos on the disc. The printer will organize new sets of photos that you copy to the disc into folders.

As befitting their names, the Zoom tied the Dash as the fastest small-format printer we’ve tested, averaging 42 seconds per 4-by-6 on our test suite and ranging from 38 to 49 seconds when printing from USB key, digital camera, memory card, or computer. All of my test prints with the Zoom were of true photo quality, a match for drugstore prints. Cost per print is just 25.3 cents per glossy photo—the lowest price per print for any dedicated small-format photo printer, comparable to the cost of photos printed on the spot at drugstore chains.

Epson claims a 200-year lifetime for photos in dark storage (albums) and 96 years framed behind glass. The test prints proved both water resistant and scratch resistant.

The Zoom is a hefty 6.6 pounds and measures 9.9 by 9.1 by 6.5 inches (HWD), but an attached handle helps you lug it, and an optional battery ($49.99) lets you print anywhere. The Zoom’s portability, speed, print quality, and optical drive add up to a compelling choice.

Epson PictureMate Zoom Review
Price Range: $199.99 direct
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