STILL GOT THOSE JULY 4

photos sitting in your digital camera? Let's face it:

pictures with a digital camera can be a lot more fun than getting them developed.

most stores have only one Kodak Picture Maker kiosk) and climbing costs. On the other hand, use an online processing service to cut costs and you'll face sluggish mail service and hefty shipping charges.

Whichever route you choose, you should focus on the cost per print, which might not be the amount advertised. Take the posted number and factor in added costs like shipping and in-store pick up fees to determine which service is the most cost effective.

In the name of getting those Independence Day photos freed from the cameras that bind them, here's a round-up of the best in digital processing.

For the online-inclined, the best deal is Winkflash. Its price is comparable with Snapfish at 12 cents per 4x6 print, but the flat-rate shipping can't be beat. And it offers free text on the back of the images, so you'll never have to wonder when or where a photo was taken.

Want to pick up your prints instead? Many chain supermarkets, drug stores and convenience stores can process digital prints, either with their own equipment or a do-it-yourself Kodak kiosk.

Avoiding lines is getting easier, too. Several chains let you edit and order prints online, including Wal-Mart Stores, Eckerd, Walgreen and CVS. For price per print, Wal-Mart is the best deal, as long as you don't want your prints fast (one-hour processing is four cents extra per print) and you aren't interested in maintaining an online photo album. Here's a rundown of the major online and in-store services.

Eckerd Digital Photo Center

• Cost per print.

  4x6 prints are 25 cents each; 5x7 prints are $1.49 each. Other sizes available.

• In-store pickup.

  Free pickup at your nearest Eckerd store.

• Processing time.

  Prints will be ready in one to two days. You'll receive an email notifying you when your prints are ready for pickup.

• Storage.

  Free storage for your photos. Your "darkroom" stores photos to edit and order. Prints can be posted to your Photosite and shared with friends.

• Special features and services.

  Offers the standard gifts, plus a few unique ones such as photo sculptures and watches.

Kodak EASYSHARE Gallery

• Cost per print.

  4x6 prints are 25 cents each, 5x7 prints are 99 cents each. Other sizes offered.

• Shipping.

  Estimated delivery time of two days. Sent via U.S. mail. Shipping is $1.49 for up to 10 prints. Costs increase based on the number of prints ordered.

• In-store pickup.

  Order your prints online for pickup at your local CVS. A $1.49 convenience fee will apply.

• Processing time.

  The company has photo labs across the country, so your order is processed and shipped in one business day.

• Storage.

  Free unlimited storage as long as you purchase at least one print from the site per year.

• Special features and services.

  Photo editing tools to make your pictures perfect. Offers a wide range of gifts, plus accessories such as frames and albums.

• Store specials.

  Offers numerous discounts. Register for the site and get 10 free 4x6 photos. Registration is free. Spend $50 on prints, and $10 will be credited to your next purchase. Whenever someone you share photos with signs up, you'll receive credit for your web site purchases. Through July 15, use coupon code ADSUMMER20 at the checkout and get 20% off an order of $10 or more. Through July 27, use coupon code SUMMERSTORY and get 20% off purchase of photo books and albums.

Snapfish

• Cost per print.

  4x6 prints are 12 cents each. 5x7 prints cost 79 cents each if you order up to 10 (59 cents each for 11-24, 49 cents each for 25-49 and 29 cents each for 50 or more). Other sizes available. You can also prepay for photos. For $99.99, you'll get 1,000 4x6 photos 10 cents each.

• Shipping.

  Standard shipping for one to five prints is 99 cents. For every additional 10 photos you order, shipping increases by 49 cents. Upgraded shipping available. Orders ship from San Francisco.

• Processing time.

  Orders are processed in one to two business days. Photo gifts may take three to six business days.

• Storage.

  Free unlimited online storage. Organize images into online albums for sharing with friends.

• Special features and services.

  Fee software to edit and view your images. Send in film for processing, and your images will be saved in your account online for sharing and future orders. Web site offers a selection of unique photo gifts, from a deck of cards to boxer shorts and dog collars. You can even purchase gift prints so that the people you share your photos with can get their own copies free of charge.

• Store specials.

  Sign up and get 20 free prints from your digital camera and have your first roll of film processed for free. Registration is free.

Walgreen

• Cost per print.

  4x6 prints are 19 cents each; 5x7 prints are $1.99 each.

• Shipping.

  Standard shipping is 99 cents for up to five prints. Costs increase 49 cents for each additional 10 pictures ordered.

• In-store pickup.

  Free in-store pickup.

• Processing time.

  One-hour processing available in most locations.

• Storage.

  Free unlimited storage. Organize your images into online photo albums that you can share with friends.

• Special features and services.

  Choose to upload or email your photos. Gift selection similar to Snapfish.

• Store specials.

  Get 10 free 4x6 prints with your first upload.

Wal-Mart Photo Center

• Cost per print.

  4x6 prints are 12 cents each; 5x7 prints are 58 cents each. Other sizes available.

• Shipping.

  Flat charge of 78 cents for orders via standard shipping, plus an additional four cents per print. Estimated shipping time two to five days.

• In-store pickup.

  You can order prints to be picked up in your nearest Wal-Mart. Choose one-hour processing and pay 19 cents each for 4x6 prints and $1.47 each for 5x7 prints. Select in-store pickup and pay 15 cents each for 4x6 prints and 58 cents each for 5x7 prints.

• Processing time.

  Prints take one to two business days to process (unless you chose one-hour processing for in-store pickup).

• Storage.

  You can buy storage space in increments of 10 megabytes for up to five years. Renting 10 MB of space (about 15 uploaded photos) for a year costs 74 cents. You can order photos without buying storage space.

• Special features and services.

  Free software to organize, edit and download your photos from home. Order photo gifts for delivery (in-store pickup not available.)

Winkflash

• Cost per print.

  4x6 prints are 12 cents each; 5x7 prints are 29 cents each. Other sizes available.

• Shipping.

  Pay a flat rate of 99 cents per order. Sent from Rhode Island via first-class or priority mail, depending on order size.

• Processing time.

  Processed and sent out within one business day. Including shipping time, you should receive your order in three to five business days.

• Storage.

  Free unlimited online storage. Organize your images into online photo albums to share with friends.

• Special features and services.

  Offers a variety of print sizes, from wallet to 10x15. Using the free album capabilities, you can enter notes to be printed on the back of photos. Also prints photo posters, note cards and postcards.

• Store specials.

  First-time users can enter the code G8EWX765 at checkout and get 75 prints (4x6 size) for eight cents per print. This is a web-only special, so the details could change at any time.

Photo printers
In the long run, buying a photo printer can cost less than photo processing services. What's the key to getting a good deal? Once again, it's all about the cost per print, says M. David Stone, author of "Faster Smarter Digital Photography."

Home photo printers are best for the "point and shoot" photographers who aren't looking for anything fancier than snapshot-quality photos, says Stone. Some of the newer models offer additional advantages portability and speed, among them.

Serious enthusiasts those who might otherwise have their own darkrooms or use the services of a professional developer can spend $500 or more on a high-end photo printer. But ordinary hobbyists can get what they need for less than $250. You can lower print costs more by purchasing print supplies in bulk or through discount stores.

In addition to the cost per print, here some other important considerations, says Stone:

• Camera capability.

  Some printers connect to your camera via your computer. Others connect camera and printer with a cable. Yet others ask that you place the camera's memory card in a slot on the printer, or dock the camera directly on the printer. Make sure your camera can easily connect with the printer. (Some brands make this easier by selling the camera and the printer as one package, such as Kodak's Easyshare Digital Photo Solutions.)

• Print longevity.

  It used to be that printer inks didn't last as long as images from film. Newer inks can preserve your image for decades longer than film prints. Manufacturers with good print longevity records will proudly display that information.

• Print protection.

  How tough is the print? Manufacturers may offer finishes that are resistant to water damage and smudges. Some printers top the photo with a coat of laminate to protect the image.

If possible, test the printer in store before you buy. At the very least, read expert and customer reviews of the products first. Check out PC Magazine and CNET.com.

For a good deal in terms of price and quality, Stone recommends the Epson PictureMate line. The basic printer retails for $199, and produces water- and fade-resistant 4x6 photos for about 29 cents each. The prints are estimated to last two to four times longer than photo lab prints 100 years or more when kept in a glass frame. Through Oct. 1, Epson is offering a $50 rebate when you purchase a PictureMate.