Canon's SELPHY CP1300 is a fun little wireless printer for when you simply want high quality glossy postcard-sized prints. Connect your phone, tablet, laptop or camera over Wifi, direct USB or by inserting an SD card and in less than a minute it'll output 6x4in lab-quality prints using a dye sublimation process that looks much better than rival inkjets and won't get clogged over time either. The cost per print of around 28 cents / 28p is more than most high-street labs and online services, but there's no waiting or delivery fees. It'll also generate ID photos for passports and driving licenses as well as creating photobooth-style strips or combining multiple images per sheet. Ideal for occasional use, parties or events, especially coupled with the optional battery pack, the CP1300 is a fun addition to any photographer's household.
Canon SELPHY CP1300 review
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Written by Gordon Laing
The Canon SELPHY CP1300 is a compact wireless photo printer that produces 6x4in postcard-sized lab quality prints from phones, tablets, laptops, computers or cameras via Wifi, direct USB or by inserting SD cards or USB storage. Announced in July 2017, it upgrades the earlier CP1200 with a larger screen, improved user interface and the ability to output a wider variety of shapes and image combinations including a new 6x2in photo-booth strip and prints including photos from multiple phones. As before it can be powered by the supplied AC adapter or portably with an optional battery pack, making it ideal for events as well as convenience at home.
The CP1300 differs from most home photo printers by employing the same dye-sublimation technology as lab printers. Unlike inkjets, this can produce full colour with every dot, delivering smooth and lifelike prints with accurate colours. The technology also avoids the clogging that plagues inkjets, making it ideal for occasional use. While the maximum print size is 6x4in, Canon usefully allows you to print multiple images per sheet if desired, either for fun or to create ID photos for passports and driving licenses; the printer also provides guides and tools to crop your face to the required size and position. The cost per 6x4in print works out just around 28 cents or 28p which may be more than most labs or online printing services, but there’s no waiting or delivery fee and the quality looks better than the cheapest lab services. Each print takes around 47 seconds to emerge once the printer has received and processed the data.
I connected the SELPHY CP1300 to my home Wifi network and successfully printed from iPads, Android phones and a variety of laptops. It should work with Mopria and Airprint software built-into Android and iOS devices, although for the greatest flexibility you should download Canon’s free SELPHY app and print from there. I was impressed with the speed and quality and reckon it’d be a great complement to an existing larger format printer when you only need postcard photo prints. The ID photo option is genuinely useful and the ability to print on other media such as stickers or 6x2in photo booth strips makes it great fun for parties.
In my ten minute video review below, you’ll see the CP1300 in action, learn how to set it up, navigate through menus and print out ID photos!
Check prices on the Canon SELPHY CP-1300 at Amazon, B&H, or Adorama. Alternatively get yourself a copy of my In Camera book or treat me to a coffee! Thanks!
