Which is best? Epson P900 vs Epson P5300 [P5370] 17" A2 pigment ink printer shootout

[@marcusslade9804]

I have just received my P900 in the last couple of weeks after a long research and deliberation process. Your historical reviews (both written and videos) were immensely useful and influential so thank you. I still have my eight year old P600 which gives remarkably decent results but my primary motivation for the P900 was its ability for A2 size prints. Even fitting it in my office with adequate clearance out the back has been a challenge but now nicely solved after I built a heavy duty retractable tray for when it’s in use. It’s probably just as well that I simply couldn’t physically accommodate a P5370 in my space because I otherwise would’ve been tempted. However, as a non-commercial enthusiast photographer and printer of my photographs I sense that the P900 is going to give me a lot of fulfilment and I’ll likely struggle even to print “enough” on it. I long ago wrestled to the ground the economics issue of ink cost and even the 50 ml cartridge size of the P900 is already a significant step ahead. Many thanks for your continued work. Enormously helpful.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks! - glad it's been of help!

[@churchill378]

I just received my P900 this morning (arrived a day late) and coming from no previous printer and although I’ve only spent a day with so far I couldn’t be happier with it. Result I’m getting so far are stunning on my fotospeed papers. I did have a bit of nightmare setting it up as my Macs Epson software wouldn’t see it even though my Mac settings detected it. I look at some forums and someone read I had to delete the printer as it was added using the p900 - (usb) driver and then readded it again on the non usb option and this seemed to resolve my issue. I’d love to get some Hahnemühle papers sometime to try but they are not cheap. I can see the bug in me now wanted to test out all the different paper options. Only got A3+ papers at the moment but plan to pick up so A2 options soon.

[@marcusslade9804]

Interesting. I had a bit of a similarly extremely frustrating setup procedure (am also on a Mac Studio/latest IOS) which I was surprised at because as said, I also have an older Epson P600 too. Having read a lot about the P900 and watched many videos too, I knew what to expect in the setup procedure and expected it to be very straightforward. It wasn’t. The bit about avoiding the “bonjour” option and targeting “TCPIP” I’d already been through once with my older printer so thought I was really prepared. However, to my chagrin, I didn’t see any of the expected prompts in the setup process. Frustratingly, I did several “remove printer” and reinstallation steps each resulting in the same non-functionality problem. Thinking that there must’ve been a “simple solution” that I was missing, I was beginning to doubt my own mental faculties. Eventually, I traced the problem to an incompatibility problem between the latest Mac IOS and required Epson print driver. I told Epson (Canada) that a simple bulletin on its website could’ve alleviated the problem. Why Epson asks the user to select their IOS and then not tell them that the driver compatibility only works with a previous version of Mac IOS is simply beyond me. Ironically, I suspect this wasn’t a problem at all for slightly earlier buyers of the P900 and Mac users when they were in the "13….iteration of IOS”. Now at 14.3.1 it is. When finally figured out, indeed, setup was a breeze. As for early print results, I’m now very pleased.@@churchill378

[@ddsdss256]

I view the printer as the digital version of the last step in the darkroom and produce one print at a time. The 5300 would be more like operating a photo lab and would be ridiculous overkill for me (well, anyone not in a production setting) and I don't have much call for roll paper. The fact that you can just set the P900 on top of the 5300 illustrates the relationship between these products (I wouldn't try the reverse!). I got the P900 nearly two years ago, primarily based on your reviews (thanks again!) and have no regrets. I can deal with occasional paper handling issues as long as I can get the prints I want, which happily has been the case so far (with no significant problems). The main reason for going for the 900 rather than the 700 was that, not only can it print larger, but ink costs are significantly lower (the 50 ml carts aren't that much more in the US than the 25 ml ones for the 700, so it's almost a 60% difference). As you point out, the break-even point for the 5300 would be much longer (probably exceeding the service life of the printer)!

[@KeithCooper]

Yes - the P5300 is a printer you need to have a reason to get...

[@churchill378]

Update - So I received my P900 this morning (Sunday) a day later than it was meant to so I’ve only had a solid day with it so far. Getting my Mac to see it in the epson software was a bit of nightmare but seems to be due to adding the generic p900 option and after deleting and re-adding correctly this solve my issue. So far though Ive been amazed by the quality of the prints on my fotospeed paper, absolutely stunning details and colours. No issue with feeding (granted it’s only been today) and zero marks on the paper. So far they’ve all been flawless and exceeded my expectations. Excited to try out other papers now. I’ve been printing small proofs first before doing a few larger A3+ prints so far. Will get around to A2s soon Appreciate all the videos and written content available.

[@KeithCooper]

Excellent - it's capable of very good printing.

[@philshaw439]

Do you mind if I ask what operating system you are using on your Mac. I have had no success in trying to get a p700 working on a Mac with macOS Ventura 13.6 installed. The printer will start to push the paper through then stalls. The printer works fine when connected to my MacBook Pro laptop with the Monterey OS, and when connected to a PC running Win10.

[@churchill378]

@@philshaw439 I'm using a M1 MacBook with the most recent Sonoma 14.4. I haven't experienced any issues at all with it besides that initial set up issue with the wrong driver being installed automatically.i did quite a fair bit of printing yesterday testing and at least so far its been issue free for me. I was expecting yesterday that after setting up that I would need the second maintenance cartridge swapped in right away but looking at even now it barely has much in it.

[@paulmorrall5719]

I watch you video from Sydney Australia and recently purchased the P900 (P906 in Oz), I'm still working hard on printing expected results but I must say it's a massive improvement over my R3000. Thank you

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks!

[@toto_chanel6952]

Hi, I own a R3000, could you please detail in what regards you are seeing massive improvement (I'm not speaking paper size)?

[@johnschulte6551]

Keith- thank you so much for the time and hard work you do to provide important information about printing. Excellent coverage and concise at the same time. I have a working p800 and it is close to 10 years old- occasional use. Sometimes it sits for six months between use- yet nozzle checks are always ok. Been debating between p900 and 5370 as a ‘last printer’ that will last me another 10 years (I am well into my 70s). The 900 would seem perfect but so many unhappy people with paper feed issues and marks on paper. (After reading so many reviews I am beginning to wonder if a lot of that is user error- the 900 might not be that forgiving as my p800). And I like a spool rather than the contraption Epson created on the back of the 900. So…. Was leaning towards the 5370 except for one issue- ink tank size. Even on my p800, an ink cartridge might be years old past its date before being used up. A lot of my cartridges are two+ years past the expiration date yet always print perfectly fine- no clogs, no issues. The 200ml cartridge on the 5370- yikes! Might be in for many years. So, question is; Does ink really expire or just how long can it be in the printer and still be viable? ( one of your comments noted to shake cartridge before insertion- perhaps for long term use, remove and give each a shake every six months? Stupid idea?) That is the only issue preventing me from getting the 5370. I like the better paper handling and roll feed, and heavy construction. Your thoughts?

[@KeithCooper]

The P5300 inks are fine - the main thing I'd suggest is indeed to set a six month reminder to [when powered off] remove each cart and give it a gentle shake for 15-30 seconds. However - it needs something printing every couple of weeks - even if just a nozzle check on plain paper - I have a diary reminder pop up. I also have A4 plain paper in the tray and the P5000 gets used for occasional office printing too - just to exercise it I've a few 2020 inks in my P5000... ;-)

[@churchill378]

Got my first proper printer coming today a sc-P900 so I appreciate all the videos on the printer.

[@KeithCooper]

Excellent - If you've not seen it, do check the main written review [the videos are generally supplements] www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-sc-p900-printer-review/

[@roguemarvel]

Thank you so much for this! I do a lot of printing out of my home for family and other artists and my p900 has been taken a beating (we also have a p7570 but I like being able to do cut sheets) and I I was thinking we need to make a change and I didn't want to lose the ultrachrome ink so I'm so happy to see this model and all your details on it. This answers a lot of questions, I had. Thank you again!

[@KeithCooper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lotharhorl3419]

Well done Keith. Might be of interest for some folks: I use Farbenwerk Pigmera inks and their chip resetter on the p900 in a set of refillable cartridges since half a year. No problems so far and the prints are darn good compared to the original ink-set I got with the printer. Of course this should be valid for the P5300 also and cuts down ink cost considerably.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks Fair enough, but I'd not personally put 3rd party inks in a P5300 - YMMV of course. Rebuilding all my icc profiles would be a PITA as well... ;-)

[@firstchoicephoto]

I had a P5370 on order but cancelled it once it was confirmed that minimum size was 8x10. I have a half dozen printers and wanted something for 10x7 cards as my P800 is backed up a lot of the time with cards. P900 the cost for ink is getting nuts!!!

[@KeithCooper]

yes - this is why I've emphasised the size limits and lack of sheet borderless in many of my videos. It's superb, until you want something it won't do...

[@steveh1273]

How often do you need to clean the head on the P900? Same as the P5300? I owned a P4900 and learned an expensive lesson on waste of ink and eventually a "catastrophic failure" due to the nozzle clogs even though I regularly ran a a jpg file with multiple colors through it in order to prevent so many clogs. Since they use the same print head, the owner better print every day to get the most life out of it, and get an extended warranty, it's worth it. Search for a printer service contractor in your area before you buy, you are going to need service. Yes, I count as an unsatisfied customer and will use a local lab until engineering invents a way to remedy clogs and frustrations of owning your own printer. Good review, by the way.

[@KeithCooper]

The print heads in the P900 and P5300 are the same in this respect - made for lighter use than the ones of the P4900 and also the P5000 [the P5000 has a paperless nozzle check capability] The general recommendation is to print at least a nozzle check every week - but that's the case for all larger printers. The P700/900/5300 head was designed for consumer use, The 4900/5000 etc for commercial I'd not want to leave a P900 more than 2-3 weeks - of course that depends on the climate where you are as well. near sea level in the UK is not going to be a challenge here...

[@ronboe6325]

I'm getting to the age where either printer will out last me..... gah! I did a panoramic of Death Valley on the P900 - but without the roll adaptor it's kinda small. Thinking of adding the roll paper adaptor for the vastly occasional pano print (which will lead to a square footage problem on our walls LOL ). Running those numbers, I would be thousands ahead getting the adaptor vs getting the P5370. Good stuff as usual. Thanks!

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - the P900 roll adapter does work fine, best with photo papers which have a more robust surface.

[@edvaioli7340]

Keith, thanks for another very informative video. Sadly, I must join the "flimsy" chorus on the P900: I broke the paper support frame the first day I owned the printer apparently due to being a little too enthusiastic in extending it. The prints, however, are fabulous.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - having the P900 back here - even as just a 'prop' really emphasised the different markets these two printers are aimed at

[@ytuberization]

Hi Keith. Regarding roll paper holder for P900: There was an update of the holder after your review with some roller optimizations. This should reduce the risks of scratches…still not as good as a spindle of course.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I have a note about that in the main written review. That's the big bonus of the written versions, in that I can update/correct things ;-)

[@MrX-zz2vk]

What were those "optimizations"? I still have the 1st year version of the P900 roll paper holder/adapter.

[@KeithCooper]

The rollers were enlarged and made of a softer material - there's a picture of it in my main [written] review@@MrX-zz2vk

[@MrX-zz2vk]

@KeithCooper I'll check it out, thanks. 👍 How recent was that modification?

[@KeithCooper]

I first heard of it some six months after the review - not one I've physically seen or tested though.@@MrX-zz2vk

[@DavidSchamis]

Thanks for this - an excellent comparison and exactly what I was thinking about - still not sure what to do. I have an old P7000 that really needs to be replaced and I think I can get away with a 17".

[@KeithCooper]

Glad it was helpful! I have a P5000/5300 comparison as well - given the P5000 uses the same print head as the 7000 - all listed at: www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-sc-p5300-printer-review/

[@musiqueetmontagne]

Thanks for this upload, some really valuable information. I love printing my own photos, used to do a lot on Epson's but haven't been doing so for some years. I'm about to start again so any info to wise myself up useful. 😊

[@KeithCooper]

Glad it was helpful! I'll have the full review in due course, but have already done over 20 videos about the P5300/5370

[@nimrod7785]

Hi Keith, I am looking for a printer that can print on thick media (thickest the best), but also have the gamut, resolution, and photo quality of the P5300. Do you think there are any other printers worth looking at?

[@KeithCooper]

P900 will do board - not as robust as the 5300, but it does support board www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-sc-p900-printer-review/

[@PSchin-vw7pv]

Very informative video. Well done. I did not have the P5300 on my radar screen before. I do not print very often. Therefore, the P5000 was no option for me and I did not look for its successor. In Germany the prices are currently: P5300: 2050€ P900 + Roll unit: 1200€ Initial ink saving due to more ink in the delivered cartridges: 200€ For me this is very attractive. I get for 650€ a motorized spindle, a paper cutter, better paper handling and cheaper ink in the future. Space and noise are for me no issue as the printer will stray in a separate room. Waiting for the Canon prograf 1000 successor because of better paper handling and hopefully roll paper capability has come to an end.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - yes, any pro-1000 follow-up will be interesting

[@timothy790110]

Only 2000 euros? Its 2700 in sweden

[@photoalexiou]

Almos a week i own the first 5300 in Greece...im very happy of the results...not very noisy but too slow compare to my 7500 😂..i know,the 7500 has three times the size of the 5300 print head...as always nice video..thank you for doing all this for us...

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - yes, the P7500 print head is pretty big - too big to fit into the P5000 chassis.

[@goranritterfeldt2608]

Very good. Perhaps I’m wrong, but that was for me I saw you do and detailed comparison about print-cost and also showed the different sizes between two different printers. (I am very satisfied with my p5000) take care! Göran in Latvia

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I did a short 5300v900 comparison a while ago, when I first got the printer here to test - same numbers, no detail. I've also done a P900/5000 comparison. I don't have any detailed costings for any printer, since the type of testing I carry out does't provide useful data for this sort of analysis.

[@Elrandel]

Thank You! That was very helpful.

[@KeithCooper]

Glad it was of interest

[@phoebedarlington6772]

I had a Epson 3880 for many years which (just died) produced gorgeous prints of my work using Museo Portfolio Rag 17"x22" cold press sheets which must be front loaded. Does the P900 take front loaded sheets?

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, it does - see my main written review, which also has a list of all the P900 related videos I've made www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-sc-p900-printer-review/

[@hpaula1946]

I currently own a P800, which I've used for several years, after donating my R3000 to a family member, and I'm wondering if the the P900 is a significant upgrade. I still haver lots of unused P800 cartridges, and don't print for family as much as I used to, and am so taken aback that the P900 uses 50ml cartridges, whereas my P800 uses 80ml cartridges, which works out to a 20% increase in cost per ml. They get you any way they can!

[@KeithCooper]

The 900 doesn't have the black ink swap... The 50ml vs 80ml is a bad move - sorry Epson but it just is... If I had a good working 800, I'd not 'update'

[@hpaula1946]

Thank you very much for the immediate response! I really enjoyed your presentation! I like my P800, and swapping cartridges is not an issue, as I print glossy only, as I mentioned mainly for myself and family. I can't fathom as to how the Epson decision makers did not take into account how upset long time customers would be with the smaller, more expensive per ml replacement cartridges. It's outright greed, as far as I can see!@@KeithCooper

[@tundrusphoto4312]

Thank you, Keith.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks

[@turnerturnerphoto]

Regarding noise: is the 5300 fan running only during printing - as would be logical? I'm in a shared studio - how loud is the noise during printing (i realise that's not so easy to describe!)?

[@KeithCooper]

Some fans run normally, more when printing. I'd not want it next to me if I wasn't the one printing...

[@MrX-zz2vk]

"Before anyone asks, neither does Duplex." Duplex? Explanation? I have an Epson printer cart from about 20 years ago originally made for the old P4000 17" roll printer. I've used it for every Epson I've owned since, namely the 3800, 3880 & P900. If i go back to the large, heavy duty roll paper printers, namely now the P5300/5370, will they fit on that same printer cart? What i realized i had to do in adapting the smaller printers for that cart is put 2 long planks of wood down the full length of that cart, because the base or footprint of the P4000 was molded to fit onto the top of that cart a certain way. None of the smaller 17"(A2) printers fit inside that space. IF the P5300 footprint is different than the old 4000, then i hope the wood planks are strong enough to support the extra weight of the new 5370. Or I'll need to go find thicker, stronger planks.

[@KeithCooper]

Duplex - double sided as in office printers... [one of the questions I seem to get asked about every printer I ever review ;-) ] The stand is a 'Butcher's trolley' from the kitchenware department at John Lewis in the UK...

[@MrX-zz2vk]

@@KeithCooper 👍

[@touarinnathanael2876]

Hello thanks for your videos .. Always get a lot of informations.. I am looking for a printer able to Print on A2 and Roll Unit but only on transparent Film .. I need a printer that will only be used for printing digital negatives .. I've seen on internet that both of them have problems with Pizza Wheels . Is it solvable or do you think another printer should be considered ? Kindly

[@KeithCooper]

The P5300 does have a mode where the output rollers are not engaged. This may need enabling with a custom media type [i.e. you create it] or it may be a driver setting - I don't have one here at he moment, so I cannot check this - see the main [i.e. written] review at: www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-sc-p5300-printer-review/ You should be able to turn off the paper eject roller - for roll media Also check the online PDF manual download.epson-europe.com/pub/download/6595/epson659586eu.pdf - yes you'll have to delve into the detail ;-) :-)

[@HollisNolan]

This looks great. I am faced with a bigger decision though. I keep asking myself "is 17in enough?" I’ve been shooting 40mp X-H2 for awhile, and recently upgraded to 50mp GFX 50s. Which printer is the highest end that actually makes sense? Does the Buy Once, Cry Once methodology work at all here?

[@KeithCooper]

Depends on space/budget - I'd prefer 24", but 17|" can make some impressive prints - depends on what you're doing with them though...

[@HollisNolan]

@@KeithCooper might be a fun topic for a future video.... I have the space/budget for a something more than a p900. Goal would be to get photos off my hard drive on to my wall. Probably in a rotating fashion (since we'd run out of space fast).

[@killpop8255]

What is a nozzle check on these? I have a printer I bought new in 2012 that i hardly ever use ( so not even sure if it will work) but on that a nozzle check prints each colour in a (iirc) roughly one inch strip of fine lines across the width of paper. If these are the same , that stands as a one use every two weeks? I'm surprised. I tried to do a 'proper print' regularly when this was used.

[@KeithCooper]

Yes a nozzle check is just that test pattern - counts as a print...

[@killpop8255]

@@KeithCooperThanks Keith.

[@MrDvaz]

correct me if I am wrong but if one print head is bigger than the other how are the same?

[@KeithCooper]

It was the P5000 which has the bigger printhead The P5300 printhead is the same as the P700 and P900

[@wagyu_killer]

i have a new p900 and it does not recognize the new original cartridges. this printer is a real dissapointment

[@KeithCooper]

You have a duff printer - contact Epson

[@MarkTuschman1]

The p900 is built very poorly and has paper feed problems particularly 17 inch wide prints. I probably will sell Mine and get the 5370.

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, some P900 printers are not so great - the reduction in size and weight went a step too far IMHO compared to the older P800. However, I had one here for quite some time and for basic operations, including 17", I had no issues whatsoever. The P5300 is however in a completely different league - very robust

[@ucanh642]

Ink p900=p5370

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, the same ink...