Digital photo printers.
 

I'm looking to get a printer for my mom and dad for Christmas. They're taking pics with a Canon S500 so the pics are of pretty good quality.

The problem is that the market seems to be swamped with printers these days, most of them being entry-level, ultra-compact garbage. All I want for them is a printer that can print "regular" sized prints (3x4, 4x6, etc.) and can do it with really good overall image quality. I've seen some peoples prints and while they have really sharp image quality, they've got this odd sheen when you look at the picture from the side that distorts the view. Does this happen on most consumer-level prints?

Can anyone recommend a few newer printers that makes small prints but does so in an almost perfect way in that they compare to real 35mm pictures? Long-time photo life is a must as well. I know there are good printers that can do this for larger prints, but it seems that many of the printers that only do smaller prints tend to also have worse picture quality.

Thanks for any info guys.
-T

I have an Epson 960 which I believe has been replaced by the R300M. The 960 produces great prints on Epson premium glossy photo and heavy weight matte paper. I think the 960 produces better prints then most one hours places. Here is a <A HREF="http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/epson_r300m.html">link</A> to a review of the R300M.

I have the Canon Pixma 6000. I wouldn't trade it for anything. It uses 6 ink tanks and has pigment based inks just for photos. You can find a review of it on steve's digital camera site. It is simply the best printer I've seen.

I've done some research and am still a little concerned over the fading issues of color inkjet printers. Does anyone here have experience with dye-sub printers?