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(Credit: Epson)

One gripe I have with electronic viewfinders is that they're usually low-resolution displays with slower response times. Also, their color rendition is typically not as good as LCD's. But Epson's newly developed EVF seeks to correct all the flaws, and the company states that this can even replace optical viewfinders.

Epson's new EVF will utilize a 1.44-megapixel TFT color panel made from high-temperature polysilicon. It measures 1.2 inches diagonally and has a color filter to prevent tonal breakup when viewing fast-moving subjects through the EVF.

The Japanese firm is targeting its new product at dSLR manufacturers with hopes to replace the traditional OVF. This means dSLRs can be made smaller and slimmer by removing the mirror component that's necessary for reflecting light to the OVF.

However, we think the enhanced EVF is probably more suited for smaller shooters such as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1, which employs an external EVF attachment. dSLR users may still be more used to OVF, whose main advantage is a zero lag response time and no color shifting caused by digitization of the scene. That said, Digital Photography Review did list some advantages for dSLRs to use Epson's EVF, one of them being the elimination of a mechanical lag time caused by the mirror moving when taking a shot.

Given that compact interchangeable lens camera systems such as Micro Four Thirds are gaining momentum in the industry and look set to be a huge trend in 2010, Epson's latest innovation will be welcomed by consumers who want high-resolution EVFs that offer minimal lag response and accurate color reproduction.

(Source: Crave Asia)

(Credit: Epson)

Just in time for the holiday gift-buying rush, Epson on Tuesday announced a brand new PictureMate personal photo printer. We've reviewed plenty of Epson's 4x6 photo printers in the past, but its latest PictureMate Charm promises maximum versatility and print durability for just $150.

The PictureMate Charm gives home photo enthusiasts a new way to produce lab-quality photos on the go at parties, special events, family vacations, and so on, thanks to the inclusion of a carrying handle and a dual-purpose lid that also happens to double as a paper input tray.

Creative types will be pleased to see a variety of color effects and layout options that turn photos into wallet-size proof sheets, stickers, and more. Featuring 5760x1440 dpi, the PictureMate Charm boasts the highest print resolution in its class with built-in auto photo correction and red-eye removal in tow. The Charm will also come with ink and 100 sheets of either glossy or matte-finish 4x6-inch photo paper.

Look for a full review of the Epson PictureMate Charm coming soon. One more photo of the Epson PictureMate Charm after the jump.

(Credit: Epson America)

Epson is replacing its Stylus Pro 3800 medium format (17x22) printer with the 3880, rolling its latest set of technologies down the product line from the Stylus Pro 4880, as well as introducing a new version of its screening architecture.

The 3880 is getting the 8-color UltraChrome K3 Vivid Magenta ink set that's already been incorporated in most of Epson's other pro graphics printers, plus the same ink-repellent coating on the printhead to minimize nozzle blockages. With this model, Epson introduces Accuphoto HD2, an update to its screening technology with look-up tables co-developed with RIT; the new LUTs go a step beyond choosing the appropriate color for any given dot to selecting the appropriate color with the lowest metameric index (i.e., the least likely to change appearance under different lighting conditions).

The 3880 is also greener than its predecessor, built from identified (labeled) plastic for easier recycling, and with smaller ink packaging.

Much from the 3800 remains: essentially the same 3.5pl-drop printhead, ink cartridges are still 80ml capacity (though there's a new ink set), and Advanced Black and White Photo mode. And like its predecessor, the 3880 uses only cut-sheet paper; for roll feeding you'll have to move up to the 4880, or down to the smaller R2880.

None of this comes cheap. The 3880 debuts at the same price as the 3800, $1,295; a Graphic Arts Edition bundled with the ColorBurst RIP will run $1,495. The Epson Stylus Pro 3880 will ship in mid October.

One day, your computer will be a big-ass table with pictures of other people's kids all over it. We know it, Microsoft knows it and--judging by its fancy X-Desk surface computer--Epson knows it too.

The X-Desk works in much the same way as Microsoft's alternative, the Surface. An Epson projector positioned in the base of the table projects an image up toward a diffuser on the surface, while infrared Epson cameras beneath recognize objects and gestures.

Epson reckons it'll be used in retail outlets for interactive gadget comparisons; in bars and clubs for interactive cocktail menus; in hotels for checking into rooms; and in houses of the future for looking at pictures of other people's kids. You know the sort of thing.

Watch the video, learn more, and let us know what you think below.

(Via Crave UK)

I have a love/hate relationship with the Epson Artisan 800 multifunctional printer. Let's start on the positive end: after doing a thorough test of the features, I have no problem saying that the Artisan 800 produces some of the highest-quality photo and graphic prints I've ever seen, even on regular 20-pound white paper. Our standard sheet of colored text also looked very pleasing. On top of that, I have to applaud Epson for the 800's chart-topping print speed. The printer delivered a 4-inch-by-6-inch color photo in 18 seconds, almost double the speed of our comparison printers.

Unfortunately, the fun stops there. The testing process, although tedious and time consuming, has never given me a headache...until now. A combination of mechanical and software errors made the printer borderline unusable; I almost spent more time fixing paper jams and restarting the printer than actually testing it. Toward the end of the testing, images of a certain scene from the movie Office Space danced in my head. Luckily for this printer, the CNET office is currently suffering from a severe shortage of baseball bats.

Color lasers, black and white multifunctions, color inkjets, compact photo printers--with a handful of options available to shoppers, the all-in-one (AIO) color inkjet printer is arguably the most functional. The ability to perform multiple functions within the same machine is a useful and convenient feature for the home-office entrepreneur, poor college student, or the everyday home user. Prices for these high-performance machines are affordable across the board. Today, Epson introduced three new AIO printers under $100. Let's take a closer look at the new offerings:

• Printer, scanner, and fax machine
• Two ink-cartridge bays with four total colors
• Uses DURABrite Ultra Ink for smudge, fade, water and highlighter resistance
• One-touch color copying
• Maximum 5760 x 1440 dpi print resolution
• $69.99

• Printer, scanner, and fax machine
• Prints up to 32 pages per minute (reportedly)
• Built-in memory-card slots and PictBridge port
• 48-bit color, 1200 x 2400 dpi scanning
• Auto-Photo Correction preloaded into driver
• $79.99

• Printer, scanner, and fax machine
• 30 page auto-document feeder (ADF)
• Enlarge images up to 400 percent
• Optical Character Recognition software included with scanner
• Prints up to 31 pages per minute of black text
• $89.99

All three printers in the NX series are available for purchase now on Epson's Web site. Check back for in-depth reviews coming soon.

Last week we showed you Epson's newest line of WorkForce printers, and this week Epson is back with another announcement: an "Artisan" series developed with the creative designer in mind. Unlike the WorkForce Series, the Artisan 700 and 800 are perfect for both household consumers and entrepreneurs that want a do-it-all printer that can perform multiple functions.

The Artisan 800 ($300) is the flagship model of the series with a comprehensive list of functions that include Wi-Fi, fax machine, copier with an Automatic Document Feeder, PictBridge support, and a dual paper tray to separate plain and photo-specific paper. Most intriguing is the huge 7.8-inch smart touch panel and accompanying 3.5-inch LCD with buttons that only light up the controls you need to perform a specific function. You can also do light editing right on the printer itself without the aid of external software.

The Artisan 700 ($200) is a slightly slimmed-down version of the 800 but still retains an array of features that will ease the creative consumer into printing, scanning, and copying documents and high-definition photographs. The 700 has the same "piano black" finish as the 800 and also uses the same six-color "Ultra Hi-Definition Claria" ink that delivers 1.5-picoliter size droplets for a more realistic and accurate print. The 700 and 800 both offer the ability to turn plain white paper into college, wide-ruled, or graphed school paper using software built into the driver that comes with the printer. Finally, Epson reports print rates at 38 color and black-and-white pages per minute, but we'll be sure to put that number to the test in our CNET Labs. Look for full reviews coming soon.

Both printers are backed by Epson's comprehensive two-year "Epson Preferred" warranty that includes toll-free telephone support and access to MyEpson.com, a site that has a number of tutorials designed to walk you through the various functions on the machine. Both printers will be available in September of this year.

Epson Perfection V300

(Credit: Epson America)

There hasn't been a lot of scanner innovation in the past few years (and "hasn't been a lot" is my way of saying "none" without having to verify it); even prices seem to have stopped dropping. Nevertheless, there's been a mini-surge in demand from the growing scrapbooker crowd after several lull years, so manufacturers continue to tweak the designs and software features.

Bet you thought that was leading up to an announcement of some cool new scanner technology from Epson. Nope. Sorry. Just a new $99 scanner with a nifty lid--though not unique for its purpose--designed for easier scanning of oversize and objects up to slightly less than an inch thick. The Epson Perfection V300 replaces the V200 with the new lid, which can flip completely open to support the nonscanned side of a book, and a solid black chassis instead of the two-tone black and silver. It also incorporates the ReadyScan LED found in other Epson models for fast start-up.

Monday marked a milestone for Epson printers, as the company revealed a new line of all-in-one and photo printers designed for the small- to medium-size business consumer.

The two single-function WorkForce 30 and 40s, as well as the higher-end WorkForce 500 and 600 all-in-ones, promise to deliver speed, quality, and utility in an attractive package. Judging from the initial pictures, the WorkForce 600, the new line's flagship model, appears to have a comprehensive set of buttons on the faceplate surrounding its 2.5-inch LCD screen.

According to the release, the 600 is both speedy and efficient, capable of printing laser-quality black text at an impressive 27 pages per minute. It offers both wired and wireless connectivity with an auto document feeder as well as an impressive two year warranty. The $200 WorkForce 600 is currently available for preorder through Amazon.com and BestBuy for a limited time before a wide release in late August.

The $130 WorkForce 500 isn't quite as comprehensive as the 600, but it still retains the same 30-page auto document feeder and 2.5-inch LCD as its beefier brother. Like the rest of the printers across the WorkForce line, the 4-in-1 printer, copier, scanner, and fax machine uses Epson's photo-quality DURABrite Ultra Ink that offers fade, water and smudge resistance on each photo for a 100-year lifespan. It will also be available later this month in a variety of retail stores.

Finally, the lower-level WorkForce 30 ($70) and 40 ($130) single function inkjets are made for individuals or small business that simply need a printer for black text and light photo printing. The WorkForce 40 includes built-in Wi-Fi as well as wired networking and accepts Epson's higher-capacity black ink cartridges, while the WorkForce 30 reportedly prints eleven pages per minute and uses a unique dual black ink cartridge system that supposedly delivers twice as much black printing. The WorkForce 30 will be available in late August, and the WorkForce 40 will hit stores in September through all the major retailers.