- TOKYO and AMSTERDAM, May 14, 2004 –

Epson received a double accolade at this year's Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) Awards, winning both the best photo printer and best flatbed scanner categories. The Epson Stylus Photo R800 and Epson Stylus Perfection 4870 Photo were both recognised by the 31 publications that belong to TIPA for their outstanding innovation and technical excellence.

The Best Ink-Jet Photo Printer Winner – Epson Stylus Photo R800
Epson was the first to introduce a six-colour, true photographic inkjet printer, and it continues to raise the bar in this sector. The Epson Stylus Photo R800 is the latest in the series and includes a new eight cartridge UltraChrome Hi-Gloss pigment ink set and features the new Epson Gloss Optimizer that has established new benchmarks for photo-quality printing, durability and flexibility.

Designed to suit the needs of both the professional and amateur photographer, the Epson Stylus Photo R800 offers the widest colour gamut available from an inkjet photo printer, a new Epson Gloss photo optimiser, unbeatable precision thanks to the smallest ink droplet (1.5pl) in the world and borderless printing and resolution up to 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi for outstanding photos, reprints and enlargements. As one of the judges commented: "The Epson Stylus Photo R800 stands out on its own because it is the first and only printer that combines long-lasting pigment ink with high gloss paper printing."

The Best Flatbed Photo Scanner Winner – Epson Stylus Perfection 4870 Photo
Described by the judges as 'setting a new standard in professional flatbed scanners', the Epson Stylus Perfection 4870 Photo offers the power and quality of a film scanner with the flexibility of a flatbed, without sacrificing the scan quality. Incorporating an unrivalled optical resolution of 4800x9600dpi, new DIGITAL ICE Technology and a moving TPU (transparency unit) lamp, this scanner challenges the traditional film scanner manufacturers on both quality and price.

Epson's Vice President for European Marketing, Takehiko Takizawa is delighted with the double win: "Recognition from an independent and well-respected organisation such as TIPA reinforces our continuing innovation and technological advances in digital imaging. The winning products are just two examples of how Epson is anticipating and responding to the rapidly changing needs of the digital photography market. We are consistently setting new benchmarks for input and output flexibility, quality and durability for both the professional and amateur photographer."

TIPA is an amalgamation of 31 photography publications from 12 countries across Europe. Each year, TIPA presents awards for outstanding products and technologies across a number of areas in the field of photography. For full details about this year's awards visit www.tipa.com.

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