Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification
The Kodak ESP C310 All-In-One printer was released in January 2011 and offers wi-fi connectivity and it can even print photos from your Apple iOS device. The printer is currently available for around £79.00.
Kodak ESP C310 All-In-One Printer: Features
The C310 has wi-fi connectivity with easy setup as well connection via USB. Photos can also be printed from an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Blackberry smartphone with the Kodak Pic Flick App which can be downloaded for free.
Unlike many printers, the price of ink cartridges are extremely reasonable:
- Kodak Color Ink Cartridge 30, yields 275 pages - £12.99 (RRP)
- Kodak Black Ink Cartridge 30, yields 335 pages - £6.99 (RRP)
- Kodak Black Ink Cartridge 30XL, yields 670 pages - £11.99 (RRP)
Other features include:
- Perfect Page Technology - improve the quality of your scanned document even when your original is less than perfect
- Scan multiple pictures simultaneously - software creates separate files automatically
- Kodak All-in-One Home Centre Software - edit to reduce red eye, fix blemishes and skin tones, or restore colour
- 1.5inch colour display and media card slot - view and print photos without a computer. Supports SD/SDHC, MMC and Memory Stick. Sort feature finds pictures by month, day or year and displays on the printer LCD
- Rear feed paper tray - holds 100 sheets of document paper or 20 sheets of photo paper
- Intelligent Paper Sensor - automatically adjusts printer settings based on paper type
- One-touch - print, copy, scan functionality
- Printable template designs - graph paper, line paper (narrow or wide ruled), tic-tac-toe, reminder list, shopping list and sheet music (portrait and landscape)
The ESP C310 was selected as an Innovations 2011 Design and Engineering Award honoree in the Eco-Design and Sustainable Technology product category and the Kodak inkjet cartridges are recyclable. Intelligent paper handling and image processing systems should help reduce the need to reprint and hopefully a reduction in the amount of paper which is wasted. The ESP C310 uses up to 71% less energy while in standby mode than previous Kodak AiO printers.
Kodak ESP C310 All-In-One Printer: Handling
After stripping away the packaging and following the instructions, installing the print head and cartridges is extremely easy. The printer takes a couple of minutes to configure the new head and cartridges takes a couple of minutes, just enough time to clear away the packaging. The printer then performs a calibration which requires one sheet of paper.
The printer is quite light and is mainly built from plastic. The buttons are responsive when using the printer via the clear 1.5in LCD screen.
The on-screen instructions take you through the connecting to the printer. For the review a wireless connection has been used. The printer searches for wireless networks, when choosing your network you simply enter your routers password and connection is complete. Next it is time to install the software on your computer.
From the Kodak Home Centre you can edit and print pictures, print pictures from video, create 3D pictures and scan documents and pictures. You can also access the Home Centre Tools and Documentation, Printer Tools, Tips and Projects Centre and Order Supplies.
Kodak ESP C310 All-In-One Printer: Performance
The printer is capable of producing A4 sized prints within a couple of minutes and initially they look good but when compared to those of the Epson PX660 prints the difference is extremely noticeable. Clearly the colours just aren't as bright and punchy on the C310 and if you look really closely you can see the dots.
The images below are the original files which have been printed on the C310 and scanned back in. The colours look really washed out with the better scan being that of the black and white church.
Original Scanned on Kodak ESP C310
Creating 3D images is suprisingly easy. You need to take two images, 3 inches apart without changing the angle. You then upload them to the Kodak software and it merges the images, a process that is done quickly. The image can be saved on your computer and/or printed. It works really well, if you have a pair of 3D glasses available, take a look at the image below. It's not perfect, but looks good.
Value for money
The Kodak ESP C310 is available for £79.00. The competition includes the HP PhotoSmart e-AiO for £54.99, Canon Pixma MP495 for £59.99 and Epson Stylus SX515W for £92.49.
| Kodak ESP C310 | HP PS e-AiO | Canon MP495 | Epson SX515W | |
| Print/Copy Speed | 39 sec. photo 6/4 IPM Copy = 5/3 IPM |
28 / 23 / NA sec 6/4 IPM Copy=Print speed |
39 sec 9.2/6 IPM Copy FCOT=26 sec. |
36/36 Print speed colour / black 30/28 Copy speed Colour / black |
| Number of inks | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Print/ Scan PPI | 9600/9600 | 4800/1200 | 9600/4800 | 5760x1440 |
| LCD Screen | 1.5 inch | 2.36 inch Touchsmart | 2.5 inch | 6.3 cm |
| Card Slots | SD/MS | SD/MS/xD | SD/MS/CF/xD | SD/MS/CF/xD |
| Photo Tray | No | No | No | No |
| Connectivity | USB, WiFi 802.11n | USB, WiFi 802.11n | USB, front USB, WiFi | USB, WiFi |
| Ink Permanence | 120 years | 4 Generations | 100 years | 6x longer |
| Other Features | Ink Value Paper Sensor Rear feed (L - Shape) Printable forms Image search 3D photo creation and printing with KODAK AiO Printer Home Center Software (v 6.2) |
Web connectivity Quick Forms Smart Web printing Eco highlights |
Duplexer 2-way paper feeding Auto Photo Fix |
Auto Photo Correction, Individual inks |
Kodak ESP C310 All-In-One Printer: Verdict
If you are looking for an all-in-one, with the primary use of being a photo printer, it would probably be better to look elsewhere, but if it is an office printer that requires the use of colour documents, it's unlikely you'll feel let down by the C310. Scanning of colour prints is also a let down, but did a good job of black and white documents. The ability to print from iOS devices is a big positive and 3D image printing is also a good extra.