Complete Review Yamaha Digital Piano PSR E263. Is it a good choice?

Yamaha Corporation is a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services, mainly musical instruments and electronic devices. The Yamaha PSR E263 is a very interesting keyboard that costs around 100 euros (120 USD more or less). It has a lot of sounds and is good to experiment with if your budget is very low although you have to take into account that it has no sensitivity on the keys and it does not have MIDI to connect to the computer. It costs around  It’s truth that the models which cost more than €50 if they have those important features. Anyway we go with it because it is a top seller.

Let’s start by showing you the features of the Yamaha PSR-E263

• 61 keys.
• 32 notes of polyphony (Number of notes that can be played at the same time. This includes accompaniments that also consume notes. So if you play over an accompaniment more notes will be accumulated).
• 384 sounds and 16 drum set/SFX (Meaning Sound Effect, different sound sets).
• 130 styles (Accompanying styles that adapt to the chords we are playing. For example, you will put a bass and a drum kit that will adapt and synchronize with the notes you are playing on the keyboard).
• 102 demo songs.
• Dual function (Dual mode allows you to combine two sounds to create a more complete one. Typical is the combination of piano + stringed instrument sound) or layer.
• Reverb effect.
• Chorus effect.
• Master EQ (refers to the master equalizer that allows you to adjust the parameters of the mix of sounds that come out of your speakers).
• 1-touch configuration.
• Metronome (Basic study element to study and practice the tempo of a piece of music).
• Transposition (Transposition allows you to move the note spectrum of a keyboard. This is to be able to play with transposing instruments. It is not an easy concept but it is made to facilitate the writing of an orchestration for instruments with very different bass and treble registers).
• Duo function.
• Sustain pedal input (The sustain pedal of a piano or keyboard is used to keep the note playing even if you stop pressing the key).
• Mini stereo auxiliary input, which allows you to connect an instrument or a player and play over it.
• Hoofbeats.
• 2 x 2.5W speakers which is medium low power.
• A weight of 4kg and measures 940 x 317 x 106mm (width x depth x height).
• Includes PA-130 power cable and score holder.
• Battery-operated.

Now that we have listed and described the features of this keyboard, there is nothing better than taking a look at the two videos I have selected where they tell us more about the Yamaha PSR-E263 and you can hear how its different sounds sound.

Related post you can be interested in

• Ranking with the best digital pianos
• My selection of cheap musical keyboards.
• Basic concepts you need to know about digital pianos.
• The best resources to learn to play the piano by yourself.
• The best Yamaha Digital Pianos.

Now let’s compare the Yamaha PSR-E263 with its more common alternatives. Also at the end of the post you will find a section with the best purchase possibilities for this keyboard. But you can go directly to that part of the post by pressing the next button.

Yamaha PSR-E263 vs Yamaha PSR-E363

These keyboards are of a similar range. There is usually a difference of about €50 between one and the other. Let’s see if that price difference is worth it. You have to keep in mind that the Yamaha PSR 363 is the real top seller. It is Yamaha’s best-selling piano. It has no competitors in its range.

How can these musical keyboards come with many sounds. Not only piano sounds, but also dance sounds, from other instruments. They are made to “play” and have fun. They are low-end keyboards for beginners but can be used to start the first year.

The main differences between these keyboards are:

• The Yamaha PSR E263 doesn’t have MIDI Connectivity and the 363 does. This is very limiting because connecting it to the computer offers many advantages for composing, writing scores and using music editing programs, since it allows you to record MIDI tracks.
• A good thing about the PSR 263 is that it has a sustain pedal input. This is quite an important expressive resource when learning to play the piano.
• The PSR 263 has no sensitivity on the keys while the Yamaha PSR 363 does. So you can regulate the volume with it and make dynamic sound.
• In addition the Yamaha PSR 363 has more sounds and has more polyphony. You also have the possibility to save a setting and assign it to a button.
• Both have batteries and are similar in weight, so in that respect they are very similar.
• There is no noticeable difference in the power of your speakers. Both have speakers with low power, which is useful for rehearsing at home with another musician but not for going to a rehearsal place.
• In addition the 363 has the possibility of making arpeggios. Which are phrases or notes in a row that come out with just one keystroke.
• Different inputs to be able to connect and play over a composition recorded in a player or over another instrument: mini-stereo in the model PSR-E263 and mini-jack in the model PSR-E363.
• Both models can be equipped with batteries (allows playing anywhere) and the difference in weight is not very noticeable: 4kg for the PSR 263 and 4.6Kg for the PSR 363.

If you don’t intend to use it with the computer then the PSR 263 is a good choice. On the other hand, if you want to do composition, the extra money €50 is worth it.

Below is a table showing all the technical features of both models:

And now a video of the Yamaha PSR-E363:

If you want to know more about this model, don’t miss our review of the Yamaha PSR-E363

Yamaha PSR-E263 vs Casio CTK-3500

In this section we will compare two keyboards from two different manufacturers, Yamaha and Casio. As we did before, we continue comparing two models that are from the same range, but the price difference is slightly higher than the one you write before. Although there is usually less price difference between the Casio CTK 3500 and this Yamaha PSR 263 although I like the quality of the keys more in the Yamaha PSR 363 which is usually 20 euros more expensive than the CTK 3500. This Casio is also a good alternative,

Both models are suitable for learning to play in the first year.

The main differences we can find between both keyboards are:

• The Yamaha PSR E263 does not have MIDI and the Casio CTK-3500 does. As we discussed in the comparison of the Yamaha models, this is a major limitation, since we will not have the possibility to connect it to a computer and the advantage it has for composing, for writing scores and for handling music editing programs.
• Both models have sustain pedal input. An advantageous resource when learning to play the piano and improving the expressiveness of our performances.
• The Yamaha PSR E263 has no sensitivity on its keys while the Casio CTK3500 does. The Casio model has two types of sensitivity, allowing you to play a key harder or softer.
• One feature that makes the Yamaha keyboard very strong for learning is the Duo function, which allows the keyboard to “split in two” so that student and teacher can play together on the same instrument. This system is not offered by the Casio keyboard.
• The Yamaha model offers the possibility of saving a setting and assigning it to a button, which Casio does not have.
• The Casio CTK-3500 offers more polyphonic notes (48 sounds) than the Yamaha PSR-E263 (32 sounds). The Casio also has more sounds (400) than its competitor Yamaha (384).
• The Yamaha is superior to the Casio model in the demo or pre-recorded songs it features. In the first one we find 100 songs while in the Casio only 60 pre-recorded songs. It can be interesting if we want to start experimenting with different sounds or songs when we are in the beginning of our learning, but as we advance, we will surely look outside our piano for other resources for our musical composition and production.
• The Yamaha’s speakers are 2.5 watts while the Casio’s are 2 watts. This is a handicap for the Casio keyboard compared to the Yamaha, because its price is higher, but it is not a big disadvantage if we consider that the keyboard will be used in rehearsal rooms or in public passes, accompanied by amplification.
• Each has unique sound tuning systems:
  • The Yamaha PSR-E263 keyboard has its own equalizer with its EQ master.
  • The Casio CTK-3500 keyboard has a Pitch Bend wheel, which allows to make sound variations, causing a bending effect.
• The weight is a factor very to consider in the portability of the keyboards. Here the Casio model gains a lot with its 3.4 kg compared to the 4kg of the Yamaha model.
• Both can be equipped with batteries. Good, because it can be transported and played anywhere without depending on a power connection.
• Both have an IN input so you can connect a player and play over it and have the sound come out of the speakers.
• The Casio CTK-3500 has an LCD screen that can make it more intuitive to configure, at least in several of its functions and features. This feature is not found on the Yamaha PSR-E236 keyboard.

In few words, I can tell you that the Casio CTK-3500 offers better features and a more complete experience for composing and producing music with MIDI, and you can take out and write the scores of your songs or compositions with the help of MIDI technology. On the other hand, if your desire is only for initial training and beginning with a keyboard, the Yamaha PSR-E263 may be an economical and reasonable alternative.

Below is a table showing all the technical features of both models:

And now a video of the Casio CTK-3500:

If you want to know more about this model, don’t miss our review of the Casio CTK-3500

Yamaha PSR-E263 vs Casio CTK-2500

In the final part of this review we will compare two very similar models, which could be the equivalent in performance and quality that Yamaha and Casio have in the market respectively. Both cost about 120 euros or less at times.

Both models can be used to familiarize yourself with a keyboard and learning the first year.

These models feature no USB MIDI connectors, so you can’t connect to a computer and transcribe sample songs to sheet music. We dispense with one of the main advantages if we want to compose or produce our own music. Having highlighted this common feature of both keyboards, I will now describe and comment on their most important differences:

• The price of the Casio CTK-2500 is cheaper. Its price ranges from 109-120 euros. The difference with the price of the Yamaha PSR-E363 (which for this piano is about 130 Euro) is only 10-20 Euro. This difference makes it not a great determinant when deciding on one of the keyboards, and it is better to look at its performance to know which one to choose.
• Both models do not have a MIDI connector. As I mentioned before, this is a major limitation, since we won’t have the possibility to connect it to a computer and the advantage it offers for composing, writing scores and using music editing programs.
• The Yamaha model offers the possibility of saving a configuration and assigning it to a button, which the Casio does not have
• Both models have a sustain pedal input. Advantageous to create an extension of the notes we want to play and an almost essential resource for the interpretation a little advanced.
• They do not have sensitivity in their keys, which can make them a little rough or far from the feeling of playing in a piano or a higher performance keyboard.
• One feature that makes the Yamaha keyboard very strong for learning is the Duo function, which allows the keyboard to “split in two” so that student and teacher can play together on the same instrument. This system is not offered by the Casio CKT 2500 keyboard, as is the case with the CTK-3500 modeo
• The Casio CTK-2500 offers more notes of polyphony (48 sounds) compared to the Yamaha PSR-E263 (32 sounds). The Casio also has more sounds (400) than its competitor Yamaha (384).
• The Yamaha is superior to the Casio model in the demo or pre-recorded songs it features. In the first one we find 102 songs while in the Casio only 60 pre-recorded songs.
• Both have a headphone output.
• The Yamaha’s speakers are 2.5 watts while the Casio’s are 2 watts. Enough to play in a room or accompanied by a single instrument. For rehearsal rooms, with accompaniment of several instruments or playing in a music room, additional amplifier systems are required.
• The Yamaha comes with a built-in equalizer system (Master EQ) that the Casio keyboard does not have.
• The portability of the keyboards, as I have mentioned many times, becomes necessary when you want to take the keyboard to different places to work with it. The Casio CTK-2500 model gains quite a bit in this respect with its 3.4 kg compared to the 4kg of the Yamaha model.
• Both models can also be equipped with batteries (a plus for playing anywhere).
• Different inputs for connecting and playing a composition recorded on a player or another instrument: mini stereo on the Yamaha PSR-E263 and mini jack on the Casio CTK-3500.
• The Casio CTK-2500 features an LCD screen for improved usability, a feature not found on the Yamaha PSR-E263 keyboard.

The Yamaha model offers more features that can make it more suitable for learning, especially with advantages such as Duo mode for playing with a teacher. In price, it may seem less competitive, but the difference in performance with the Casio makes it worth spending about 15-20 euros more.

Below is a table showing all the technical features of both models:

And now a video of the Casio CTK-2500

If you want to know more about this model don’t miss our review of the Casio CTK-2200, the previous keyboard of the Casio CTK-2500.

Where to buy Yamaha PSR E263

Amazon

• Free Shipping and possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
• Full Guarantee but they are no experts in music equipment.
• Sometimes better price.
• He’s got worse stock than Thomann.

Thomann

If you are at Europe Thomann is the main top seller by far. It is the main competitor of Amazon and they are music instruments focused.

• Free Shipping.
• Full warranty. If you have any problems, they take care of everything.
• 100% reliable payment.
• Leader in trouble-free shipping.
• Usually Best price.
• Best Reputation: They are the leading online store in Europe and have the best catalogue and information.

Check below related models with similar price and features:

• Thomann DP 26
• Casio SA 46
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• Thomann SP 320
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• Korg Tiny Piano
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