Canon Selphy CP770

Snapshot printer is a mini photo lab

THE 3.2-POUND CANON SELPHY CP770 portable snapshot printer is a solid choice for those who print more than the occasional photo at home. It has some quirks, but once you see its image quality, you may never go back to a traditional inkjet printer.

The $149.99 CP770's dye-sublimation printing module nestles into the top of an oblong bucket that stores the AC adapter, paper trays, ink ribbon, and paper. The larger tray
accepts 4x6 postcard paper, and the smaller tray handles stock about the size of a business card. A memory-card slot and a Pictbridge USB port allow for printing without a PC.

Buttons for navigation, the menu, back, and printing are on top. The 2.5-inch LCD shows fuzzy images and limits them to 2 inches, thanks to menu icons. Still, navigation is easy. The menu lets you correct red-eye, convert a color photo to black-and-white or sepia, enhance the contrast and color depth, choose borderless prints, and print more than
one image on a sheet.

Prints are true photo quality. Details were flawless, flesh tones accurate, and colors vivid without being over saturated. Because the postcard media isn't the same aspect ratio as the photos from your digital camera, however, you'll lose half an inch. But the top coat protects the photo from water and helps it last up to 100 years in an album. Prints take about 1 minute and 15 seconds each, which is okay but not great.



You'll spend a hefty 28 or 33 cents per print, depending on the kit you buy. Also, other portable snapshot printers offer larger LCDs and support 5x7-inch output.
Nonetheless, we're still enamored of the Canon Selphy CP770. We love the bucket concept for portability and the near-flawless image quality. —Jamie Bsales


usa.canon.com

Computer Shopper January 2009