Snapshot Print-Off

Canon CP-330 ($300 street)

What's Hot: Compact. Prints up to 4x8-inch. Rechargeable battery for true portability.

What's Not: Expensive. No card reader. Paper protrudes from back of unit during printing.

Test results: Color accuracy: from PC: Acceptable (Avg. Delta E: 13.09); from D70/PictBridge: Below normal (Avg. Delta E: 17.17). Print speed for 4x6: from PC: Very fast (1 min 37 sec); from D70/PictBridge: Fast (2 min). Resolution: High (300x300 dpi). Image quality (from PC): High

Vital statistics: Dye-sublimation (C, M, Y, Overcoat). Accepts 4x8-, 4x6-, 3.5x5-, 2x3.5-inch cut-sheet media. Dimensions: 6.7Wx2.17Hx4.84D in., 5.5 lb. Price per print: $0.53 (36-print pack). In the box: trial print pack (five 4x6 prints), software CD-ROM (drivers), rechargeable lithium ion battery. For info: www.powershot.com; 800-652-2666

Epson PictureMate ($199 street)

What's Hot: 29-cent prints! Wide color gamut. Long-lasting pigments. Six-in-one card reader.

What's Not: 4x6 only, no smaller-sized media. Less saturated reds.

Test results: Color accuracy: from PC: High (Avg. Delta E: 11.42); from D70/PictBridge: Acceptable (Avg. Delta E: 14.81). Print speed: from PC: Fast (2 min 15 sec); from D70/PictBridge: Fast (2 min 55 sec). Resolution: Extremely high (5760x1440 dpi). Image quality (from PC): High

Vital statistics: Inkjet. Uses single six-ink cartridge (C, M, Y, R, B, K). Accepts 4x6-in. cut-sheet media. Dimensions: 12Wx6.4Hx10D in., 5.5 lb. Price per print: $0.29 (100-print pack). In the box: trial print pack (20 4x6 prints), software (drivers). For info: www.mypicturemate.com; 800-873-7766

HP PHotosmart 245 ($200 street)

What's Hot: Six-in-one card reader makes it compatible with most cameras. Good color accuracy.

What's Not: Not PictBridge-compatible. Prints not smudge-proof - don't touch until dry. Some detail lost to overly saturated colors.

Test Results: Color accuracy: from PC: High (Avg. Delta E: 10.88); from built-in card reader: Below normal (Avg. Delta E: 16.47). Print speed: from PC: Fast (2 min 26 sec); from built-in card reader: Fast (2 min 21 sec). Resolution: Extremely high (4800x1200 dpi from PC), Very high (2400x1200 dpi from card/direct). Image quality (from PC): High

Vital statistics: Inkjet. Uses single three-ink cartridge (C, M, Y). Accepts 4x6-, 3.5x5-inch cut-sheet media. Dimensions: 9.1Wx4.4Hx4.9D in., 2.9 lb. Price per print: $0.53 (60-sheet paper pack, $20 street; HP 57 color ink cartridge, $33 street). In the box: HP 57 ink cartridge, trial paper pack (10 sheets), software (drivers). For info: www.hp.com; 800-752-0900