Epson Stylus Photo PX720WD review

While Epson’s dye inks struggled to assert their authority on plain paper, they produce some of the best photos. In dark areas, where almost all the other printers fared badly, fine details were reproduced clearly – resulting in a huge improvement on two of our most challenging subjects. Despite not having a grey ink, the PX720WD delivered a stunning black and white photograph. None of its images showed any suggestion of grain, while their finish on Epson Premium Glossy paper was superb.

Images captured with the scanner were similarly impressive, with sharp focus and excellent preservation of detail in the lightest and darkest shades. Low-resolution scans were fast and even our 600dpi photo capture took only 16 seconds, though at a minute and seven seconds, the 1,200dpi test wasn’t quite the fastest.

The PX720WD has neither the highest print resolution nor the smallest droplet size, but its excellent photos show that the best specifications don’t necessarily equate to the best results. It isn’t the perfect choice if you have lots of plain-paper printing in mind, but the scanner is great and it isn’t too expensive to buy and run. While manufacturers often claim ‘lab quality’ photos, the PX720WD can actually deliver them. If you’re looking for an MFP for photo work, it’s a superb buy.