Andrea-Marie Vassou, Computeract!ve 09 Feb 2007
Increasing Canon's assortment of Selphy compact photo printers is the ES1; a diversion from the conventional design of the genre that prints from memory cards, digital cameras and a computer.
Standing vertically, the Canon Selphy ES1 has all its controls mounted on the top and an accompanying carry handle that makes it look more like a portable radio than a printer.
Setting up the ES1 to print is easy. Slot in a memory card to view photos on the 2.5in screen and then use the control buttons to print. Alternatively, connect Pictbridge or Canon Direct Print compatible cameras to the retractable USB cable.
The 'Creative Print' button allows for additional features such as adding speech marks to photos or printing four photos on one page. There's also red-eye reduction and cropping tools to edit photos on the display before printing.
A 6 x 4in photo takes just over a minute to print using the ES1's dye-sublimation cartridge. Dye-sublimation uses heat to thermally transfer colour to paper. As well as being totally dry when finished, Canon claims prints will last up to 100 years; so keep your eyes peeled for an update in 2107.
A 50 sheet paper and ink set costs £15, equating the cost per print at 30p. We've seen other compact photo printers and high-street services offering cheaper running costs but it's still not extortionate.
From a memory card and digital cameras, prints are detailed, rich and bright. Printing from a computer, however, is a little different; photos came out slightly blurry and faded. A USB cable must also be supplied as the ES1 is void of one in the box.
An optional Bluetooth adapter (£50) makes photo-printing possible from mobile phones and an optional battery pack (£65) utilises that aforementioned carry handle.
At £140, the Canon Selphy ES1 is by no means the cheapest compact photo printer on the market but its features are impressive.
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