Kodak easyshare G600 Dye-sub Printer Review

The G600 is Kodak's new way of getting out and still printing pictures as easy as if you were stood in the lab.

Kodak easyshare G600 Specification

• Media size: 4 × 6 in.
• Print technology: continuous-tone thermal dye transfer
• Print speed: 60 seconds
• Battery charging: in-camera charging in less than 3.5 hours
• Power: 24V AC adapter
• Battery recharging: Kodak Ni-Mh Battery Pack and Li-Ion Battery
• Dimensions (with tray): 7.7 × 4.0 × 13.0in.
• Compatibility: works with Kodak easyshare one, C, P, V, and Z Series Digital Cameras
• Imagelink Print System compatible: yes
• Pictbridge compatible: yes

Kodak easyshare G600 Modes and features
The easyshare system has been around for some time now and is well known to Kodak users. The main idea behind it is that any Kodak camera can be fitted to an easyshare printer by using a docking template that comes with the camera. The top of the printer is where the camera goes and the camera will face away so the screen can be used for reviewing. The printer can also charge up the camera's batteries if it is a rechargeable battery. Just by putting the camera on the dock and powering it up will charge the batteries. The battery light will blink whilst charging and the printer will power the screen when reviewing.

A front tray holds the paper and when loading, ensure that the paper is curled up by flicking through it or for some reason the printer cannot collect it. This is explained in the instructions, so Kodak are fully aware of the issue. The printer pulls the paper through and takes it out of the back then drags it through to the front as it prints. Being dye sublimation, the colours are printed one at a time, so this will happen two or three times and with the G600, there is also a lamination coating which is not the same as laminating a piece of paper, but it makes sure the pictures are more splash resistant and fingerprint proof compared to other dye sublimation pictures.

Five buttons are available on the printer and they are Transfer, Print layout, Red-eye reduction , Print and Power. The transfer button takes images from the USB port, so the printer can be hooked up to a computer or a flashdrive can be put in. The Print layout button lets you change the amount of the image printed. The options are one 6x4, two 2.1x3.3, four 2x3 or nine 1.3x2 images. These have to be the same image, different images cannot be put on the same piece of paper. The next button is the Red-eye reduction which defaults on, but can be turned off by pressing it as it is not overly intelligent and will blacken areas of a similar colour. The fourth button is the print button and is wrapped by a navigation pad. Left and Right move through the images on the camera and up and down select the amount of that image you want to print. Pressing the Print button starts the printing process. The final button is the Power button. Three lights are situated at the edge of the docking area and they are to tell when the printer is out of paper, the battery is charged and when the ink cartridge needs changing.

A separate battery pack can be fixed to the back of the printer making it mobile and the front part with the writing on pulls out as a carry handle.

Kodak easyshare G600 Performance
Kodak say that the first picture will take 75sec to print and subsequent images will take 60sec to print. This is true, but only printing multiples of the same image which is not clearly stated. Printing a set of different pictures will still print in 75sec each. One picture at 75 sec and two at 60sec which were three different images should have taken 3min 15sec. However, they in fact took 4min 15sec. A full minute longer than what Kodak say and longer than the 75sec per image, however giving the printer time to sort itself out and prepare for the next image gave it 5sec per image leeway.

Print quality is good, but always has been better than inkjet. The main downfall is the largest size of 6x4 available on mobile dye sublimation printers.

Kodak easyshare G600 Verdict
The added benefit of the lamination process helping protect from fingerprints and splashes is excellent. The printer is simple to use and small for carrying around, but is not very light. Paper costs from £29.99 for 100 sheets which is a fraction cheaper than other dye sublimation packs but not as cheap as waiting to go to a processing outlet. The pictbridge compatibility means that not just the camera has to be used to print from which broadens the printer's usability and this is a good thing.

The printer splits into two parts so the tray is not stuck out at a stupid angle when trying to pack it to go out, but a nice clip to attach it to the printer would be nice so it isn't rolling around in a bag.

Kodak easyshare G600 Plus points
Fast printing speed
Pictures are protected with new lamination process
Pictbridge compatability
Kodak easyshare G600 Minus points
Cartridges can be expensive
Doesn't print as fast as it says
Paper loader can get confused thinking no paper is in the tray

MODES AND FEATURES

PERFORMANCE

OVERALL

The Kodak easyshare G600 costs around £129 and is available from the Kodak website.