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The right photo printer-scanner combination depends on three decisions: the largest photo you will print, whether you need a refillable tank or cartridges, and whether scanning means single originals or stacks of documents. The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is the strongest documented choice for borderless wide-format photos, while the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 is the clearest letter-size cartridge option. The ET-8500, XP-980 family and Canon PIXMA G620 are credible alternatives, but their exact regional specifications or current availability need checking. This is a buyer’s shortlist, not a hands-on test ranking: confirm the model suffix, paper sizes, scanner features, ink prices and stock for your country before ordering.
What should you look for in a photo printer-scanner combo?
A photo all-in-one combines an inkjet photo engine, a flatbed scanner and copying functions. The best fit is the model that matches your media size and print volume without making scanning or consumables unnecessarily expensive.
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- Photo size: Decide whether 4 x 6-inch and letter-size prints are enough, or whether you need borderless 11 x 17-inch or A3+ output.
- Ink ownership: Cartridge printers can require less commitment for occasional use. Refillable-tank models deserve closer attention when you print frequently, but a universal break-even point cannot be stated without local printer and ink prices.
- Scanning workflow: A flatbed is appropriate for photos, books and individual pages. An automatic document feeder (ADF) is the feature that makes multi-page document scanning practical; never assume a photo model includes one.
- Paper handling: Separate photo trays and support for specialty media reduce setup changes when you print often.
- Regional identity: Names, included functions, warranty terms and consumable part numbers can differ by country. Match the exact suffix shown on the manufacturer’s local page.
Photo quality is not determined by ink count alone. A six-color system can improve gradation, but the final result also depends on the paper profile, driver settings, source file and viewing conditions. Treat the specifications below as selection evidence, not as a guarantee that one model will look best with every paper.
Which five models belong on a serious shortlist?
The following table organizes the documented candidates by the use case they most clearly address. It deliberately avoids a false scorecard: current prices, inventory and several scanner specifications were not established consistently across all five models.
#1 Best Overall
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| Model | Ink and core functions | Documented photo/media capability | Scanning notes | Best investigated for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 | Six-color refillable ink; print, copy and scan | Borderless output up to A3+ in Epson Australia’s specification | Flatbed maximum reported as 8.5 x 14 inches by RTINGS; no ADF | Frequent photo printing and large prints |
| Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 | Six-color refillable ink; print, copy and scan | Letter-size alternative to the ET-8550; verify local media limits | Complete scanner details not stated in the available material | Tank ownership when wide format is unnecessary |
| Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 | Six-color Claria Photo HD cartridges; print, copy and scan | Borderless output up to 8.5 x 11 inches; dedicated photo and specialty-paper handling | Built-in scanner; ADF status should be confirmed for your market | Occasional or moderate letter-size photo printing |
| Epson Expression Photo XP-980 family | XP-950 documentation describes six-color photo print, copy and scan | XP-950 page describes up to 11 x 17-inch borderless prints; those figures are not automatically XP-980 specifications | XP-980 scanner details not established | Readers considering a wide-format cartridge family |
| Canon PIXMA G620 | Photo-focused six-color MegaTank candidate | Described as a multifunction photo printer in Digital Camera World’s 2026 guide; complete media list not stated | Scanner specifications and current stock were not established | Tank-based photo printing, subject to local verification |
Because the evidence is uneven, this is a provisional shortlist rather than a tested top-five ranking. A retailer listing should never be the only specification you use: confirm the manufacturer’s page for your country, then check the exact box contents and consumable codes.
Is the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 the best wide-format choice?
It is the clearest evidence-backed wide-format candidate here if you need borderless output beyond letter size and want a refillable tank. Epson Australia lists print, copy and scan functions, a six-color ink system and borderless printing up to A3+.
Why it stands out
- A3+ support gives you room for larger wall prints, portfolio pages and scrapbook layouts that a letter-size unit cannot produce.
- The six-color system is designed for photo work rather than only office text and graphics.
- A tank reduces the frequency of cartridge changes for a high-volume owner, although the financial result depends on local ink prices and your actual volume.
The scanning compromise
RTINGS reports a maximum flatbed scan size of 8.5 x 14 inches and says the ET-8550 lacks an automatic document feeder. You can scan one photograph or page at a time, but a stack of contracts, receipts or school forms will require manual placement. That limitation matters more than a small difference in optical resolution when your routine includes multi-page paperwork.
Who should buy it
Investigate the ET-8550 first if large borderless prints are a requirement and your scanning is mostly individual originals. If an ADF is non-negotiable, remove it from the shortlist even if its photo media range fits.
When does the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 make more sense?
The ET-8500 is the letter-size tank alternative in Epson Australia’s lineup. It keeps the documented six-color print, copy and scan concept but is intended for buyers who do not need the ET-8550’s wide-format reach.
Rank #2
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Check the exact regional specification
The available information does not establish a complete, universal media-size or scanner specification for every market. Before purchase, verify maximum paper size, borderless sizes, tray arrangement, connectivity, warranty and whether an ADF is present on the exact local model.
Choose it for the usage pattern, not the name
A tank is worth investigating when you print enough photos for refill convenience to matter. For a few holiday prints each month, compare the printer’s purchase price and the cost of its genuine replacement bottles with a cartridge model; do not assume the tank automatically costs less overall.
Is the Epson Expression Photo XP-8700 the safest letter-size cartridge option?
Among the candidates, the XP-8700 has the most complete current-looking official description for a compact letter-size photo all-in-one. Epson lists six-color Claria Photo HD ink, borderless printing up to 8.5 x 11 inches, a built-in scanner and copier, plus separate trays for photo and specialty paper.
Where it fits
- Home photo printing: The dedicated photo-paper path reduces the need to unload ordinary paper every time you switch jobs.
- Letter-size projects: Its documented maximum suits standard photo albums, invitations and school projects but not A3+ posters.
- Lower commitment: Cartridges let an occasional user buy a printer without committing to a bottle-based system.
Do not turn page yield into a false cost comparison
Epson publishes replacement-cartridge page-yield figures on the product page. Those yields are useful for planning, but they are not a direct cost-per-photo comparison with tank models unless you also use comparable local cartridge prices, bottle prices, coverage assumptions, paper costs and maintenance waste. A photo with heavy color coverage will not consume ink like a lightly covered office page.
What is known about the Epson Expression Photo XP-980?
The XP-980 should be treated as a family candidate that requires verification, not as a confirmed specification match. Epson’s XP-950 product page identifies the XP-980 as its replacement product and describes the XP-950 as a six-color photo print/copy/scan model supporting borderless prints up to 11 x 17 inches.
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Why the distinction matters
Those 11 x 17-inch and six-color details are documented for the XP-950. They cannot automatically be transferred to the XP-980, whose current regional media limits, scanner features, ink set and availability were not established in the available material.
How to evaluate an XP-980 listing
- Find the manufacturer page for your country and record the complete model suffix.
- Confirm the maximum borderless size and whether 11 x 17 inches is supported by the XP-980 itself.
- Check the scanner bed dimensions, optical resolution and ADF status.
- Match the listed cartridge part numbers to the box and to locally sold replacements.
- Verify warranty coverage and whether the model is current or discontinued in your market.
Should you consider the Canon PIXMA G620?
Digital Camera World’s 2026 guide describes the PIXMA G620 as a photo printer and highlights its multifunction MegaTank value. That makes it a reasonable tank-based candidate for comparison with the Epson models.
The available information does not provide complete scanner specifications, a full media-size list or verified current stock. Do not promise a particular scan resolution, ADF, paper capacity or borderless size until Canon’s current local product page confirms it. Compare the G620 on the same checklist as the Epson models: largest photo, tray design, ink-bottle price, maintenance requirements, scanner workflow and warranty.
How do tank and cartridge systems change the buying decision?
Tank and cartridge ownership solve different problems. Tanks prioritize refill capacity and lower intervention during sustained printing; cartridges can be simpler for an owner who prints infrequently and wants a smaller initial commitment.
| Question | Tank model implication | Cartridge model implication |
|---|---|---|
| How often will you print? | More attractive to investigate for regular photo volume | Often adequate for occasional jobs |
| What must be compared? | Printer price, bottle price, stated yield, cleaning cycles and paper | Printer price, cartridge price, stated yield, replacement frequency and paper |
| What cannot be assumed? | That every tank reaches a universal savings point | That a published page yield equals the number of full-coverage photos |
Make a simple estimate using your own monthly output. Separate ink from paper, because premium photo paper can be a significant part of the cost. Also allow for maintenance cycles and ink used during setup or cleaning; manufacturer yield figures are not a promise of identical photo counts.
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Do photo printer scanners need an automatic document feeder?
Only if you regularly scan or copy multiple pages. A flatbed is usually the better surface for photographs, books and delicate originals because each item can be positioned individually. An ADF trades some photo-oriented convenience for speed on stacks.
Choose a flatbed-only machine when
- Your main scans are prints, artwork, identity documents or single receipts.
- You value a compact photo-focused design more than batch document speed.
- You are willing to place each page manually.
Require an ADF when
- You digitize multi-page forms, invoices or school records every week.
- You need unattended copying or scanning of a stack.
- Manual page changes would be the main source of frustration.
The ET-8550 is a concrete reminder to check this feature: RTINGS reports that it has no ADF. For the other candidates, treat ADF status as unknown until the exact manufacturer specification confirms it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should you verify a model before ordering?
Use this five-minute specification check to avoid buying a regional variant or an obsolete listing.
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- Identify the market: Select your country on the manufacturer’s site and record the full model number, not just the product family name.
- Confirm functions: Ensure the listing explicitly says print, copy and scan if you need all three.
- Check media: Record maximum sheet size, borderless sizes, supported photo-paper weights and whether a dedicated photo tray is included.
- Inspect scanning: Note flatbed dimensions, optical resolution, scan depth if published and ADF presence or absence.
- Price the consumables: Record genuine ink or bottle part numbers and local prices. Include paper and likely maintenance supplies.
- Check support: Verify warranty length, driver support for your operating system and whether the model is still sold by authorized local channels.
What common mistakes should you avoid?
- Buying by ink count alone: Six colors indicate the ink system, not a guaranteed visual result on every paper.
- Assuming all wide-format names are equivalent: The XP-950’s documented capabilities do not prove the XP-980 has identical specifications.
- Ignoring the scanner workflow: A high-quality photo printer is still inconvenient if your real job is scanning 30-page documents.
- Comparing yields without conditions: Page-yield figures are not interchangeable photo counts.
- Trusting an old listing: Regional model numbers, replacement products and stock status change; verify the current manufacturer page.
- Forgetting paper compatibility: Borderless printing and specialty media depend on supported sizes and weights, not simply on a printer being marketed for photos.
Which shortlist member is right for each home?
Use the following decision path rather than treating the list as a universal ranking.
- Need A3+ borderless prints? Start with the ET-8550, then confirm that its lack of an ADF is acceptable.
- Need letter-size photos and refillable ink? Compare the ET-8500 and Canon PIXMA G620 after verifying their local scanner and media specifications.
- Print occasionally and want a documented letter-size cartridge model? Investigate the XP-8700.
- Want a wide-format cartridge family? Research the XP-980 directly; use XP-950 specifications only as historical context, not as proof.
- Scan stacks of pages frequently? Eliminate any model whose exact listing does not confirm an ADF, regardless of photo features.
No current, apples-to-apples price and availability table is established for these five models. Treat the shortlist as a starting point for verification, and make the final choice only after checking your country’s exact model, consumables and support terms.
Best Value
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- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can these all-in-ones scan film negatives or slides?
The available specifications do not establish film holders or transparency-scanning capability for the five candidates. If negatives or slides are your goal, look specifically for a manufacturer statement about a transparency unit; a standard flatbed photo scanner is not automatically suitable.
Will borderless printing work on any photo paper?
No. Borderless mode is tied to supported paper sizes, types and often weight ranges in the driver. Select a listed media type and size, and expect margins or cropping if the paper falls outside the printer’s supported combinations.
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Not necessarily. Tonal neutrality depends on the ink set, paper profile, driver and lighting, so color count alone cannot predict monochrome quality. Use the manufacturer’s paper profiles and, where possible, inspect prints made on the paper you actually plan to buy.
How long can a refillable tank sit unused?
The evidence here does not provide a safe universal storage interval. Inkjet tanks can require maintenance after inactivity, so follow the model’s cleaning and storage guidance and avoid choosing a tank solely because you print only a few times per year.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
