Labs

The cheapest dye-sub printer in the group is also the most basic. Kodak's EasyShare G610 can print from your PC or be docked with many of Kodak's EasyShare digital cameras, or other manufacturers' cameras that support the ImageLink system. When docked, you can use the camera's screen to select and preview shots before you print, and the G610 can recharge the batteries of most compatible cameras.

Without a camera, the G610 has limited features, lacking a screen, memory card slots and a PictBridge port. There's little to configure, whether printing from a camera or a PC, but the manual doesn't include enough detail on positioning the paper tray correctly. The ends of its clear plastic cover have to

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rest on two small ledges at the front of the printer to prevent multiple sheets being drawn in.

The G610 was one of the fastest printers in the group, printing six 6x4in photos in six minutes and 28 seconds. We were pleased with its smooth prints and warm colours, and particularly by its solid reproduction of dark tones in images dominated by shades of grey, black and brown. Black-and-white photos had clear, precise shading, although they were a little pale. Brighter colours looked natural, and the smooth shading of clear blue sky was the best we've seen from a dye-sub printer. Sadly, a magenta tint was visible on pale areas, particularly white backgrounds. Consumable packs containing a cartridge and enough paper to print 200 photos cost around £40, which means your prints will cost 20p each.

The G610 is one of the most basic printers here, and the only one without a screen. Even if you use it with a compatible camera, its direct printing options are limited to basic cropping and red-eye removal. Without a camera that supports Kodak's ImageLink system, your only option is to print from a PC. We liked its warm photos and clear printing of dark images, and were particularly impressed by the quality of its shading, but the G610 simply does not offer enough for this price.