Owners of most digital cameras can now bypass PCs and print directly on Epson's new colour inkjet printer. The printer sports a PC card slot that accepts most memory cards, including Compact Flash and Sony Memory Stick.
The main advantage of the Epson Stylus Photo 895 is convenience. It simplifies the experience of owning a digital camera by saving the userthe hassle of installing software such as printer drivers and messing around with wires.
At the same time, it opens up a new market - non-PC owners can now consider buying digital cameras.
Mr Kitahara Keizo, managing director of Epson said that the move to put storage-reading technology on the printer would go a long way to 'encouraging the customers' acceptance of shooting in a digital way.'
Mr Keizo described the new product as a 'very important and strategic one for Epson'.
For years, the Japanese giant in imaging has been trying to drive the acceptance of digital imaging in the home market.
Digital imaging lets everyone become amateur photographers and represents, sometimes, significant cost savings. Users can pick thepictures they want to print and delete the rest. They can bypasses traditional photo developers and have more control over the finalquality of their pictures using various types of software available in the market or bundled with the digital camera.