Canon is one of few companies known just as well for printers as for cameras. They started the inkjet printer market with the development of the Bubble Jet and were the first to offer direct printing from camera to printer with their Direct Print Mode.
The PIXMA line is Canon’s new global brand for inkjets and all-in-ones, and is significant for its FINE (Full-photographic Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) print heads. These print heads allow for faster printing at a higher quality due to the greater number of ink nozzles and the ability to product microscopic ink droplets (one, two or five picolitres). All models in the PIXMA line incorporate FINE technology.
Another feature to pay attention to when it comes to Canon printers is the ChromaLife100 system. Using ChromaLife100 paper and the new dye ink, your prints can last up to 100 years when stored in an archival-quality album. If you tend to frame your prints under glass, expect them to last about 30 years before fading. Those same photos can also last up to 10 years if displayed underneath simple magnets on your fridge. While the technology is designed to keep prints from fading in these real-world conditions, keep in mind that factors such as temperature and humidity still have an additional effect.
Both Direct Print and PictBridge are designed to bypass your computer and allow you to print directly from your camera by connecting it with a cable to your printer. The difference between the two is that Direct Print was developed by Canon before PictBridge was introduced (and remains specific to Canon products), whereas PictBridge is a worldwide standard shared by Canon, Fuji, HP, Olympus, Seiko/Epson, and Sony. All PictBridge-supported Canon printers are backwards-compatible for Direct Print Canon devices.
Printing, scanning, and copying MP600
If you’re looking for an all-in-one device, the MP600 ($269.99) is packed with options. This bubble-jet printer is equipped with 3584 nozzles and produces one-picolitre droplets for precise photo printing as well as laser-quality text. You will get 30 ppm in black with 600 x 600 dpi and 24 ppm in colour with 9600 x 2400 dpi. Memory card slots are provided for commonly used CF, SD and Memory Stick formats. PictBridge is supported and wireless options include infrared for printing from your cell phone camera as well as Bluetooth (with a USB Bluetooth adapter, sold separately). The scanner will scan documents up to 8.5 x 11.7 inches at 2400 x 4800 dpi (which should allow you to enlarge your scans up to eight times the original). “Smart” copying will automatically optimize the copy quality based on your original. You can even use it for making copies of existing photographs, with results true to the original. The 2.5-inch high definition TFT display and easy control wheel (which resembles an MP3 player dial) make the operation of this model easy on your eyes and hands.
CD/DVD printing iP4300
Three models (the iP4300, iP5300 and iP6700) allow you to create professional-looking CDs and DVDs, and range in price from about $150 to $300 (for the six-ink model). Apart from printing directly on CD and DVD discs, the entry-level iP4300 ($149.99) will print borderless photos (from wallets to letter size) as well as laser-quality text. A five-colour ink system holds four dye-based inks and one pigment-based black ink. Similar to the MP600, this model also features 3584 nozzles, one picolitre-sized droplets, and will print 30 ppm in black and 24 ppm in colour at a maximum 600 x 600 dpi and 9600 x 2400 dpi, respectively. Connectivity is via USB 2.0 or the Direct Print Port. An added convenience is automatic double-sided printing, which means you don’t have to manually reinsert your pages the second time around (this also helps you create nice-looking photo album pages). Two paper trays (one for regular paper and one for photo paper) are another ease-of-use bonus. Compact and mobile iP90v
The iP90v ($375) weighs in at four pounds and measures 12.3 x 2.1 x 6.9 inches (w x h x d). There are a couple options for dispensing with the power cord. One is a Lithium Ion battery, which will give you approximately 450 pages on a two-hour charge. This add-on costs $140, or $200 if you also want a charging cradle. The second is an auto power unit ($130) that runs your printer through your car’s power socket. As far as connections go, there is a PictBridge port for supported camera. Wireless printing from a computer or cell phone is available via either the built-in IrDA (infrared) port or an optional Bluetooth Unit ($99). The printer comes equipped with 1088 nozzles and the droplet size is two picolitres. Comparable to the MP600 and IP4300, you will get 600 x 600 dpi resolution in black. However, the colour resolution is less at 4800 x 1200 dpi. Print speed is also lower at 16 ppm in black and 12 ppm in colour. Canon printers are compatible with both Macs and PCs; this model is also fully compatible with Vista. There are occasions where you run out of black ink and don’t have time to run to the store to pick up that cartridge, resulting in pages of magenta text that don’t read as well on paper as they did on your screen. The iP90v takes this into consideration with its composite black mode, which combines your remaining cyan, magenta, and yellow inks into a temporary black if your tank runs out.
Budget-conscious iP1800
If you don’t need portable or wireless options, the iP1800 ($90) offers the same print resolution as the iP90v (600 x 600 dpi for black and 4800 x 1200 dpi for colour) at a much lower price. You’ll also get faster printing speeds (20 ppm black, 16 ppm colour) and more nozzles (1472) in the print head, with two-picolitre colour ink droplets. Cartridges are relatively inexpensive too, at $28 for black and $35 for colour. This model comes with your standard USB interface and provides borderless prints from wallets to letter size. It’s compatible with the latest Microsoft Vista and Mac operating systems. The iP1800 uses two FINE cartridges: one pigment black ink and one tri-colour ink cartridge.
The PIXMA line is Canon’s new global brand for inkjets and all-in-ones, and is significant for its FINE (Full-photographic Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) print heads. These print heads allow for faster printing at a higher quality due to the greater number of ink nozzles and the ability to product microscopic ink droplets (one, two or five picolitres). All models in the PIXMA line incorporate FINE technology.
Another feature to pay attention to when it comes to Canon printers is the ChromaLife100 system. Using ChromaLife100 paper and the new dye ink, your prints can last up to 100 years when stored in an archival-quality album. If you tend to frame your prints under glass, expect them to last about 30 years before fading. Those same photos can also last up to 10 years if displayed underneath simple magnets on your fridge. While the technology is designed to keep prints from fading in these real-world conditions, keep in mind that factors such as temperature and humidity still have an additional effect.
Both Direct Print and PictBridge are designed to bypass your computer and allow you to print directly from your camera by connecting it with a cable to your printer. The difference between the two is that Direct Print was developed by Canon before PictBridge was introduced (and remains specific to Canon products), whereas PictBridge is a worldwide standard shared by Canon, Fuji, HP, Olympus, Seiko/Epson, and Sony. All PictBridge-supported Canon printers are backwards-compatible for Direct Print Canon devices.
Printing, scanning, and copying MP600
If you’re looking for an all-in-one device, the MP600 ($269.99) is packed with options. This bubble-jet printer is equipped with 3584 nozzles and produces one-picolitre droplets for precise photo printing as well as laser-quality text. You will get 30 ppm in black with 600 x 600 dpi and 24 ppm in colour with 9600 x 2400 dpi. Memory card slots are provided for commonly used CF, SD and Memory Stick formats. PictBridge is supported and wireless options include infrared for printing from your cell phone camera as well as Bluetooth (with a USB Bluetooth adapter, sold separately). The scanner will scan documents up to 8.5 x 11.7 inches at 2400 x 4800 dpi (which should allow you to enlarge your scans up to eight times the original). “Smart” copying will automatically optimize the copy quality based on your original. You can even use it for making copies of existing photographs, with results true to the original. The 2.5-inch high definition TFT display and easy control wheel (which resembles an MP3 player dial) make the operation of this model easy on your eyes and hands.
CD/DVD printing iP4300
Three models (the iP4300, iP5300 and iP6700) allow you to create professional-looking CDs and DVDs, and range in price from about $150 to $300 (for the six-ink model). Apart from printing directly on CD and DVD discs, the entry-level iP4300 ($149.99) will print borderless photos (from wallets to letter size) as well as laser-quality text. A five-colour ink system holds four dye-based inks and one pigment-based black ink. Similar to the MP600, this model also features 3584 nozzles, one picolitre-sized droplets, and will print 30 ppm in black and 24 ppm in colour at a maximum 600 x 600 dpi and 9600 x 2400 dpi, respectively. Connectivity is via USB 2.0 or the Direct Print Port. An added convenience is automatic double-sided printing, which means you don’t have to manually reinsert your pages the second time around (this also helps you create nice-looking photo album pages). Two paper trays (one for regular paper and one for photo paper) are another ease-of-use bonus. Compact and mobile iP90v
The iP90v ($375) weighs in at four pounds and measures 12.3 x 2.1 x 6.9 inches (w x h x d). There are a couple options for dispensing with the power cord. One is a Lithium Ion battery, which will give you approximately 450 pages on a two-hour charge. This add-on costs $140, or $200 if you also want a charging cradle. The second is an auto power unit ($130) that runs your printer through your car’s power socket. As far as connections go, there is a PictBridge port for supported camera. Wireless printing from a computer or cell phone is available via either the built-in IrDA (infrared) port or an optional Bluetooth Unit ($99). The printer comes equipped with 1088 nozzles and the droplet size is two picolitres. Comparable to the MP600 and IP4300, you will get 600 x 600 dpi resolution in black. However, the colour resolution is less at 4800 x 1200 dpi. Print speed is also lower at 16 ppm in black and 12 ppm in colour. Canon printers are compatible with both Macs and PCs; this model is also fully compatible with Vista. There are occasions where you run out of black ink and don’t have time to run to the store to pick up that cartridge, resulting in pages of magenta text that don’t read as well on paper as they did on your screen. The iP90v takes this into consideration with its composite black mode, which combines your remaining cyan, magenta, and yellow inks into a temporary black if your tank runs out.
Budget-conscious iP1800
If you don’t need portable or wireless options, the iP1800 ($90) offers the same print resolution as the iP90v (600 x 600 dpi for black and 4800 x 1200 dpi for colour) at a much lower price. You’ll also get faster printing speeds (20 ppm black, 16 ppm colour) and more nozzles (1472) in the print head, with two-picolitre colour ink droplets. Cartridges are relatively inexpensive too, at $28 for black and $35 for colour. This model comes with your standard USB interface and provides borderless prints from wallets to letter size. It’s compatible with the latest Microsoft Vista and Mac operating systems. The iP1800 uses two FINE cartridges: one pigment black ink and one tri-colour ink cartridge.
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