Epson Stylus(R) Photo RX500 Features Fast Six-Color Photo Printing, Memory Card Slots and Automated Photographic Scanning with Built-In Transparency Adapter -- All for $249

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 2003-- Epson is launching a new scan-print-copy device optimized for a wide array of photographic applications and maximum ease of use with the Epson Stylus Photo RX500. This photography-focused all-in-one offers an advanced six-color printing engine and high performance 48-bit scanner that enables users to quickly and easily scan, copy and print high resolution photographs with or without the use of a personal computer.

"The Stylus Photo RX500 is the perfect product for anyone who'd enjoy the fun and convenience of having a compact photography center in their home," said Andreas Goehring, senior product manager, Epson. "This product is easy to use, extremely flexible and incorporates several of Epson's advanced photographic technologies including Easy Photo Fix(TM) color restoration software, and all for a very attractive price."

The Stylus Photo RX500's six-color printer features up to 5,760 x 1,440 optimized dpi resolution and variable sized ink droplets as small as three picoliters to create intensely detailed images with natural and vibrant colors. Users can produce BorderFree(TM) images on a variety of traditional photo paper sizes such as 4"x 6", 5"x 7", 8" x 10", letter size and even panoramics. The printer creates photos and text quickly, delivering a 4"x 6" color print in about 37 seconds and up to 17 pages per minute of black text documents. It can also produce fast PC-free copies up to 10 copies per minute in black or up to eight copies per minute in color. Furthermore, it completely supports popular digital photo printing standards from cameras that use Print Image Matching (PIM) or Exif.

Memory Card Slots

In addition to high-speed color printing, the Stylus Photo RX500 features a wide selection of input slots designed to work with today's most popular memory cards to enable PC-free printing and copying. This includes a proof sheet application that lets users choose the images they want to print directly from a memory card and specify the print size and paper type without even turning on a PC. Memory cards supported include CompactFlash(TM) I and II, Sony Memory Stick(R), Memory Stick Pro, Sony MagicGate SD, Smart Media(TM), Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, IBM Microdrive(TM), xD-Picture Card and Mini Secure Digital (using an optional adapter). The Stylus Photo RX500 also makes it easier for users to take images with them by scanning photographs and saving them directly to a memory card.

Scanning, Photo Restoration and PC-Free Color Copying

The Stylus Photo RX500 features a high-performance, full-function scanner along with a built-in/removable transparency adapter for scanning slides and negatives. This 2,400 x 4,800 dpi, 48-bit color scanner includes exclusive Epson Easy Photo Fix(TM) color restoration software, which gives users an easy solution for restoring old photographs to their original brilliance with one touch of a button. The Stylus Photo RX500 also delivers fully automated scanning plus two advanced scanning modes for advanced custom control. New Epson Smart Panel(TM) software enables users to quickly scan photos, text or graphics with extreme detail to the Internet, an e-mail software program or a faxing software program.

This all-in-one also features a standalone color copier that enables users to produce high-resolution, borderless color photos without a personal computer. Furthermore, they can create 2-up and 4-up copies to conserve paper and use a "repeat copy" mode to make multiple copies of a single image onto one sheet of paper, producing items such as business cards and wallet-size photos. Poster-size enlargements can also be made using four, nine or 16 letter-size sheets that can be assembled by the user to create one extra-large image or creative mosaic.

Individual Ink Cartridges

The Epson Stylus Photo RX500 includes six separate "snap-in/snap-out" ink cartridges to maximize ink yield -- one extra-large black ink cartridge and five color ink cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan and light magenta). Since these individual color inks can be replaced at any time, efficiency is maximized, lowering the total cost of ownership. Each cartridge also contains a chip that relays ink level information on the screen to the user via the printer driver, while self-sealing valves preserve the inks up to six months once removed from the printer. Therefore, partially depleted cartridges can be reinserted for later use.

The Epson Stylus Photo RX500 works with both Windows and Macintosh platforms and uses USB 2.0 High Speed connectivity and includes a USB cable in the box.

Warranty and Support

The Stylus Photo RX500 is currently shipping to computer superstores and specialty retail stores nationwide and can also be purchased through mail order, PC manufacturers, the Internet and Epson's own site at www.epsonstore.com . This product also carries a one-year Epson Exchange Limited Warranty, enabling customers to receive a replacement printer if a problem cannot be corrected by telephone technical support. It is also supported by the Epson Connection(SM), a customer support and technical assistance line. For more information on Epson and its products, call 1-800-GO-Epson (1-800-463-7766) or visit our Web site at www.epson.com .

About Epson

Epson offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets. The company is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) printers and transaction terminals. Founded in 1975, Epson America Inc. is the U.S. affiliate of Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, a global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality technology products that meet customer demands for increased functionality, compactness, systems integration and energy efficiency. Epson America Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif.