Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Photo Printers

Canon Pixma PRO-200S vs Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.6 vs 4.1). The gap is mostly about budget-conscious home users — read the strengths below before deciding.

Canon Pixma PRO-200S
Ranked #4 in Best Photo Printers
Canon Pixma PRO-200S
$548as of Jul 7

The Canon Pixma PRO-200S is a 13-inch wide enthusiast-to-professional level photo and fine art inkjet printer featuring Canon's ChromaLife dye-based ink system. Reviewers noted its eight-color inkset delivers maximum color gamut and black density with excellent fade resistance up to 20+ years. The printer supports sizes up to 13" x 39" and includes a robust build with included accessories. While the PRO-200S version adds improved Wi-Fi security protocols, reviewers found no significant print quality differences from the original PRO-200 model. This printer is best suited for professional photographers and artists requiring high-quality dye-based printing.

Strengths
  • Eight-color ChromaLife dye-based ink system offers maximum color gamut, black density, and media compatibility
  • 13-inch wide printing capability supports sizes up to 13" x 39" banners
  • Dye inks show remarkable fade resistance, expected to last 20+ years under ideal display conditions
Watch-outs
  • No detailed paper weight/thickness recommendations for feed paths in documentation
  • Wi-Fi connectivity improvements in PRO-200S version are limited to security protocol updates
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Photo Printers
Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
$674.99as of Jul 7

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is a cost-effective photo printer designed for amateur photographers who want quality prints without breaking the bank. Imaging Resource's Jeremy Gray praised its efficiency and ink savings, noting up to 80% cost reduction compared to professional printers. PCMag's William Harrel highlighted its wireless capabilities and user-friendly touchscreen interface. However, reviewers noted it lacks the professional-grade quality of Epson's SureColor pro-level printers. This printer is ideal for home users who do frequent printing but not for those seeking studio-quality results.

Strengths
  • Uses 6-color refillable ink tanks including Claria ET photographic dye inks for high-quality photo printing
  • Prints up to 13 x 19 borderless with resolution up to 5,760 x 1,440 dpi
  • Supports mobile and wireless printing including Apple AirPrint, Android printing and Amazon Alexa
Watch-outs
  • Not suitable for professional-level photo printing quality
  • Requires 10-minute initialization process after refilling ink tanks

How they stack up

Canon Pixma PRO-200S

The Canon Pixma PRO-200S surpasses the Epson EcoTank models in terms of color gamut and fade resistance with its ChromaLife dye-based ink system, but it lacks the wide-format capabilities of the Canon imagePrograf PRO-1100. Compared to the Epson SureColor P900, it offers a more affordable option with similar dye-based ink technology but without the professional pigment inks and archival longevity.

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550

Unlike the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000, which offers higher print quality and more connectivity options, the ET-8550 focuses on affordability and ease of use with its 6-color refillable tanks. Compared to the SureColor P900, it lacks the professional-grade pigment inks and archival longevity, but provides a more budget-friendly entry point for home users. The ET-8550's 4.3-inch touchscreen sets it apart from the basic ET-2980, which only offers a 3-inch LCD display.

Specs side-by-side

SpecCanon Pixma PRO-200SEpson EcoTank Photo ET-8550
Printer TypeWide-Format Inkjet PrinterInkJet (Ink Tank)
Max Print Size13" x 39"13 x 19
Ink SystemChromaLife dye-based 8-color6-color refillable
ConnectivityWi-FiUSB, WiFi Direct, Ethernet
Print Speedapprox. 1 m 30s for 11"x14" color photo15 seconds for 4" x 6" photo in Draft Mode
Print Resolution4800 x 2400 dpi5,760 x 1,440 dpi
Weight32 lb24.5 lb
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