PIM is a system that is Epson proprietary but is compatible with EXIF 2.2, so supports a number of camera brands. PictBridge as I understand is a system for direct printing with a wire connection (USB) between camera and printer and is only supported by some cameras and printers. Sorry I have not memorized all of the compatibility relationships.

Essentially, assuming a contemporary printer that accepts flash memory cards used by digital cameras, the EXIF 2.2 standard enables printing from most contemporary digital cameras' flash memory cards if that camera also supports EXIF 2.2. That includes many of the prosumer digital SLR models like Nikon, Canon and Olympus as well as others. However, EXIF 2.2 only applies to camera files that are JPEG, and therefor RAW file formats are not supported.

With some earlier digital camera that adopted the EXIF in earlier versions of the standard there is backward compatibility with most printers that are EXIF 2.2 compliant.

So I am not nuts after all!
As long as the printer and camera are exif supported and one shoots in jpeg, no problem.
Thanks for the reply.

Theoretically yes, EXIF 2.2 should provide access to print JPEG's from a memory card with printers which have memory card support. But an absolute guarentee it will work in every situation I would not claim.

My Canon DSLR's, both the EOS-1D Mark II and EOS-20D's are PictBridge capable.

OK, then do you also have a printer that supports Pictbridge like an Epson R-320? I am not sure if you are asking a question or looking for a comment on this issue?

david, I realize that direct printing is not possible/desieable in EVERY situation. I have used my equipment, Oly E-1, C5050 and Epson 925 for direct printing of Santa Claus pix at the mall where I have conrol of the studio lighting.
I fail to see why so many people say that ALL digital images need basic sharpening.

Direct printing is limited in most cases to JPEG or the now rare case of digital camera TIFF files, and is not supported with RAW files. Unless specifically turned off through the camera controls if available, sharpening is applied by the camera's on-board image processor when the output is JPEG. In fact with more sophisticated, particularly prosumer cameras, the image setting often includes the choice of more than one level of sharpening that is applied by the on-board image processor when output is JPEG. Usually a completely unsharpened digital camera image is only available if you select to save in RAW format.

People who say ALL digitally made images employing a sensor (usually CCD) whether scanned or made with a digital camera require sharpening are essentially correct. However, as I noted above most JPEG files output by a digital camera have already been sharpened, so may not, and usually do not, require any more sharpening for the purpose of making a print.

AHA!!
It is the raw shooting that requires the extra sharpening and the jpegs are handled by the on-board computer/processor.