Canon adds detachable battery to compact photo printer

Weight, pricy battery pack still undermine portability

By Yoon Sung-won

From its EOS digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera series to full-size professional photo printers, representatives of Canon have argued that it shuns sacrificing the quality of images its devices produce for portability. For this reason, Canon’s compact SELPHY photo printer series has been one of its leading products, highlighting easy use and portability.

Provided by Canon Korea Consumer Imaging, this reporter tested the latest CP1200 model and it produced images of above-average quality for a compact photo printer though it seemed a better fit for indoor use.

The SELPHY CP1200, the successor to the CP910, supports an auxiliary power option for the first time through a detachable battery system. This upgrade has made the device more fit for a compact photo printer as it means that users can bring it outdoors and print photos that they take using digital cameras or mobile devices wherever they are.

However, the battery pack is not included in the package and must be bought separately for about 85,000 won ($72.65).

Without the battery, it must be plugged into a power supply through a heavy adaptor. Its weight ― 860 grams ― provided another reason for users to hesitate to take it outside their home.

The printer has a Wi-Fi connection to connect to mobile devices such as smartphones, tablet computers and laptops. Thanks to its built-in access point function, users can connect it with devices with or without a Wi-Fi network.

It has an SD memory card slot and a USB port to connect to a USB memory drive or to a computer; and is compatible with most commercial operating systems including Windows, Android and iOS.

The printer starts printing by overlaying colors three to four times, meaning space is needed both in the front and rear as the paper moves back and forth.

The CP1200 is a dye sublimation-type photo printer and thus needs sensitized paper and ink cartridges specifically designed for it. Unlike smaller compact photo printers, it supports a total of nine different sizes and types of paper from postcards to stickers. For users’ convenience, Canon provides photographic papers and ink cartridges in the package.

Compared to the “zero-ink” compact photo printers such as LG Electronics’ Pocket Photo series, it seems less convenient to set up papers and ink separately; the dye sublimation device results in much clearer images. Canon also added an exclusive over coating technology to make printed photos more durable against water and light, and give them more vivid colors.