Kodak EasyShare 5300 Ink Cartridges

Kodak 5300 Printer Review

Whether it be an important business document, a school paper or family photo, the Kodak EasyShare 5300's versatile multifunction design is equipped to handle a range of different projects for home offices. Expert reviews make note of its quick output, as it can print a 4x6-inch photo in less than 30 seconds and up to 32 pages per minute for monochrome documents. One issue raised with the 5300, however, is its lack of fully developed control tools to provide users more advanced management capabilities. A number of features help make up for this, from its affordable EasyShare 5300 printer ink and flexible connectivity to its lab-quality output.

This inkjet printer has a decent package of features considering it is relatively inexpensive, providing users with the ability to print, scan or copy projects right on their home desktop thanks to its compact size of 18x14x8 inches. Other than its 3-in-1 design, the 5300 doesn't have many office-centric features, lacking an automatic document feeder, with no fax support and no network connectivity. The device does have an optional Bluetooth adapter and supports PC-free photo printing from many popular memory cards and PictBridge-enabled cameras.

Located to the right of its flatbed scanner is its small front panel, which includes a few control buttons and a 3-inch color LCD that is small, but will enable users to preview photos. One downside to its panel is that it offers no support for editing, cropping or removing red eye. One positive photo-related feature includes its dedicated photo paper tray that can handle up to 20 pages of 4x6-inch media. This is in addition to its 100-sheet plain paper input tray and the optional duplex attachment that enables automatic double-sided printing.

Expert tests on output reveal that the device can compete with the top all-in-one models in its class, printing sharp and detailed photos using Kodak 5300 printer ink. Since tests show copies don't have the best output quality, the device is best used for light-duty copy or scan jobs.

One of the unit's perks is its low cost per page, which is possible due to its affordable print system that includes one tricolor Kodak 5300 ink cartridge and a separate black supply. The tricolor tank holds cyan, magenta and yellow EasyShare 5300 ink and can yield up to 420 pages, while the black supply can last around 425 pages. To further decrease running costs, users have the option to purchase remanufactured replacements that are less expensive than OEM Kodak 5300 ink cartridges.

Although it's designed for those interested in an excellent and affordable photo inkjet printer for their home, the 5300 is also useful because it can handle users with occasional scan or copy jobs. High points such as quick speeds and direct photo printing make it an attractive option, but users who want more on-board control and more versatile paper handling should keep shopping.