A recent Which report gave the HP Photosmart 8250 a good write up. As regards ink, it was one of the cheapest to run, considerably less than most of the other printers listed. This was based on it's own 'Vivera' ink which is claimed to be non-fading over a considerable number of years.
Its cost in February 2006 was given as �150. I bought mine a couple of weeks ago and am very pleased with it.
Its got Pictbridge, and slots for CF, XD, SD and MS memory cards. Picures are displayed on a good size two and a half inch screen.
I bought mine from Comet online for �54.19, with free postage, after seeing it in a local Comet store for �74.99.
I'm sorry I can't comment on the Epson R245 or the Epson R340, but trust other ABers will give you good advice.