Epson's SX200 is the upgraded version of the SX100 released at the same time. The upgraded features you receive in this model are the ability to print and copy without the need to be connected to a computer and you will be able to select and photos from either a PictBridge compatible digital camera or direct from a whole range of supported memory cards (listed below)

The SX200 is priced at the budget to mainstream market with an RRP of 69.99 at time of release but many online retailers are already dropping the prices to be competitive, check out some of the great deals below. This is a sturdy model from Epson, not the fastest machine, not the quietest of machines but it does have a good print quality and its running costs are definitely a selling point. Unlike some other printers at this prices range Epson maintains the single colour cartridge system which allows you to only buy the ink you require saving you pounds in the long run.

The Scanner on this multifunction machine is adequate for most home or office operations, The SX200 can scan at 300 or 600dpi and can produce colour or black and copies at the touch of a button. As another added extra to the SX100 all in one printer, the SX200 model comes with OCR or Optical Character Recognition software. This software when used with the multifunction machines scanner can actively read text on printed documents and turn them into an editable document on your computer. Now a hard copy can become a software copy.  

Power usage is low, the SX200 is Energy Saving Certified and consumes just 12W of power when switched on and only 3W when in sleep mode. The colour system involves 4 separate cartridges as mentioned above. The SX200 uses Epson's variable droplet technology as part of its Micro Piezo inkjet system. A minimum droplet size of 3pl can be achieved to get the high quality prints, but larger droplets for larger area's of black or colour can be used to increase output speeds.

The SX200 has the following reported print speeds (in fastest modes at lowest quality settings, user will experience slower speeds in everyday use)

Black text - 34ppm
Colour Text - 34ppm
15x10 photo - 26 seconds

Features

Compact multi-function printer, scanner and copier
Save money with individual inks from ?5.991 - only replace the colour you use
Epson Easy Photo Fix? ? restore colour and correct backlight when scanning faded photos
Epson PhotoEnhance ? automatically adjust colour and contrast for great photos
Epson Easy Photo Print ? remove red-eye from your photos
ENERGY STAR? qualified

Manufacturers Description

Discover high-performance, PC-free printing, scanning and copying. Print high-quality documents and photos and save money with individual inks by only replacing the colour you use.

Supported Memory Cards

Compact Flash (Memory card only), MicroDrive, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Duo*, MagicGate Memory Stick, MagicGate Memory Stick Duo*, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo*, SD, SDHC, MiniSD*, MiniSDHC*, MicroSD*, MicroSDHC*, Multi Media Card, xD-Picture card, xD-Picture card Type-M, xD-Picture card Type-H

Ink Cartridges

Colour	Cartridge Number	Part Number
Black	T0711	C13T07114010
Cyan	T0712	C13T07124010
Magenta	T0713	C13T07134010
Yellow	T0714	C13T07144010
Multi-Pack (3 colours)	T0715	C13T07154010

The SX200 it has been reported has had some problems with compatible ink cartridges, its no secret that Epson wants you to buy there own ink cartridges, and their cartridges are now not so expensive for the SX200 around £9. The reason that compatible ink cartridges don't always work is that original cartridges are "chipped" and the printer recognises them as original cartridges.

However compatible ink cartridge manufacturers are always close behind. When buying compatible ink cartridges for the SX200 or SX205 make sure that you purchase generation 7 cartridges, these should be fine. The safest way to buy compatible ink is to purchase from suppliers that say the ink for for your model of printer specifically as opposed to buying by cartridge number, that way you are covered by statuary rights should the cartridge not work. You can find ink for the SX200 at Inkfactory

The difference between SX200 and the SX205

You may of noticed the SX205 having hit the marketplace. This printer is technically the same. It has the same specifications as the SX200 and the same printing performance and same ink cartridges. The SX205 may be found with different coloured scanner lid. There is a rumour that the SX205 was released initially to the Dixons group (Dixons, Currys, PCWorld) in order for them to have a model that could not be part of the price match promise due to the fact that its a different printer. We can't of course substantiate this and this is not the opinion of PantherProducts.