Remember the days of needing to go to a photo lab or wrestle with a massive, complicated home printer just to get physical prints of your precious digital memories? It was a hassle, often leaving you with blurry, faded, or awkwardly cropped pictures. Finding a simple, reliable solution for printing photos on demand at home felt like searching for a needle in a haystack, and I knew solving that problem would make sharing and preserving moments so much easier.
Before diving into a specific model, it’s crucial to understand why someone might seek a photo printer and what features are truly important. The primary driver for wanting a printer dedicated to photos is often the desire for instant gratification – the ability to turn a digital file into a tangible keepsake or shareable item right away. This is particularly appealing for hobby photographers, parents documenting their children’s lives, crafters, or anyone who enjoys making physical photo albums or scrapbooks.
An ideal customer is someone who values convenience, wants decent to high-quality prints for personal use, and doesn’t need massive print sizes. They are likely looking for something relatively easy to set up and use, potentially with mobile connectivity. On the other hand, someone needing professional-grade, large-format prints for exhibitions or clients should look elsewhere, perhaps at higher-end inkjet printers or commercial printing services, as compact photo printers like the Canon CP1300 are designed for smaller, everyday prints.
When considering a purchase, think about:
* Print Size: What sizes do you need (standard 4×6, smaller, square, stickers)?
* Print Quality: How important is lab-like quality, colour accuracy, and durability?
* Connectivity: How will you print (Wi-Fi from phone/PC, USB, memory card)?
* Portability: Do you need to take it with you to events or different rooms?
* Cost of Consumables: Ink and paper aren’t usually separate; they come as a pack. How much do refills cost per print? This can be a significant factor over time.
* Ease of Use: Is the interface intuitive? Is the mobile app reliable?
Weighing these factors will help you determine if a compact photo printer fits your needs and which specific model might be the best fit.
- Not only will your photos be instantly dry, but they will also look great for up to 100 years4 and are even water resistant
- Enjoy the simplicity of connecting your smartphone and tablet with ease, through the Canon PRINT app3. You can even print directly from USB, or your camera's memory card2.
- The sleek, portable design lets you bring the SELPHY CP1300 with you - and with the optional battery back you can print and share your memories wherever you are.
Introducing the Canon Selphy CP1300
The Canon Selphy CP1300 positions itself as a simple, wireless, compact photo printer designed to make printing photos from your smartphone, tablet, or camera effortless. Its core promise is to deliver durable, lab-quality prints right at home or on the go. When you purchase the Selphy CP1300, you typically get the printer unit itself, a paper cassette for postcard size (4×6), a trial pack of paper and ink, a compact power adapter, and an AC cable. Compared to earlier Selphy models, the CP1300 offered enhanced connectivity features like improved Wi-Fi and mobile printing options like AirPrint and Mopria. While it’s not designed to compete with large, professional photo printers in terms of size or speed, it excels in its niche of providing convenient, small-format prints.
This compact photo printer is best suited for individuals or families who want an easy way to print photos for albums, crafts, or sharing directly from their devices without needing a computer every time. It’s less suitable for someone needing high-volume printing or very large print sizes.
Here’s a quick look at its strengths and weaknesses:
Pros:
* Excellent, long-lasting print quality with protective coating.
* Highly portable design, especially with optional battery pack.
* Multiple ways to connect and print (Wi-Fi, USB, SD card).
* Easy-to-use tilting LCD screen for preview and editing.
* Various print sizes and layout options available.
Cons:
* Consumables (ink/paper packs) can be relatively expensive per print.
* Some users report occasional connectivity issues.
* Prints can sometimes have slight cropping at the edges.
* Long-term durability seems inconsistent for some users.
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (2)
- World’s fastest personal photo scanner (1) — scan thousands of photos as fast as 1 photo per second at 300 dpi (2); batch-scan up to 36 photos at a time
- This printer is designed for use with Epson cartridges only, not third Party cartridge or ink. Cartridge described as compatible, remanufactured, refilled or refillable may not work properly or at all
Features & Benefits
Having spent a significant amount of time with the Canon Selphy CP1300, I can delve into the features that make it a compelling device for personal photo printing and where it occasionally falls short.
Compact and Portable Design
One of the first things you notice about the CP1300 is its size. It’s incredibly small and lightweight, weighing in at just 1.9 pounds with dimensions of 5.4D x 7.1W x 2.5H centimetres. This isn’t just a static desk printer; it’s designed to be easily moved. You can tuck it away in a drawer when not in use, or more importantly, take it with you. The optional battery pack (sold separately) truly unlocks its portability, allowing you to print at parties, events, or anywhere without needing to be tethered to a wall outlet. The benefit here is immense convenience – you can share printed photos on the spot, creating instant keepsakes at family gatherings, weddings, or scrapbooking meetups. Its portability solves the problem of needing a dedicated space or power source, making printing a spontaneous activity rather than a planned chore.
Wireless Connectivity (Wi-Fi, AirPrint, Mopria)
Connectivity is where the Canon Selphy CP1300 shines, mostly. The ability to connect via Wi-Fi is a game-changer compared to older, wired-only photo printers. It supports AirPrint for Apple devices and Mopria for Android, meaning you can print directly from compatible smartphones and tablets without needing to install separate drivers or software on every device. The dedicated Canon PRINT app also provides a streamlined experience for selecting and preparing photos from your mobile device. The benefit is seamless printing from the device most people use to take photos – their phone. No more transferring files to a computer first. This ease of connection removes a significant barrier to getting photos printed quickly and efficiently. However, based on some user feedback (and occasionally my own experience), the Wi-Fi connection can sometimes be finicky or drop, requiring restarting the printer or even the router, which can be frustrating. While typically reliable, it’s not always foolproof.
Direct Printing Options (USB, Memory Card)
Beyond wireless, the Selphy CP1300 offers traditional direct printing methods, which is a great backup and offers flexibility. It includes a USB port and an SD card slot. This allows you to print directly from a camera’s memory card or a USB flash drive without needing any computer or smartphone at all. You simply insert the media into the printer, preview photos on the screen, select, and print. This is perfect for those who still use dedicated cameras or want to print photos stored on external drives. The benefit is versatility – no matter where your photos are stored, there’s likely a way to get them to the printer, ensuring you’re never stuck unable to print a cherished memory.
Print Quality and Durability
Despite being listed as an “Inkjet” printer in some specifications (Selphy printers traditionally use dye-sublimation, which is likely the underlying technology despite the broad “Inkjet” classification here), the print quality produced by the Canon Selphy CP1300 is genuinely impressive for its class. It produces prints with a resolution of 300 x 300 DPI, which is sufficient for the smaller print sizes it handles. What truly sets it apart is the printing process which layers cyan, magenta, and yellow ink, followed by a protective clear coat. This coating isn’t just for show; it makes the prints instantly dry, water-resistant, and fingerprint-resistant. Canon also claims these prints can last up to 100 years in an album, resisting fading. The benefit is durable, high-quality prints that feel like they came from a professional photo lab. They are vibrant, look fantastic, and you don’t have to worry about them getting ruined by a little moisture or sticky fingers, making them ideal for handling and sharing. The protective layer is a key feature that differentiates it from many standard inkjet or Zink printers.
Various Print Sizes and Layout Options
The CP1300 isn’t limited to just one size. While the most common is the 4×6 postcard size (which comes with the standard paper cassette), you can purchase different paper and ink packs to print square photos (like 2.1 x 2.1 inches), sticker sheets, and even mini-prints. The printer and the Canon PRINT app also offer various layout options, including printing multiple photos on one sheet, creating bordered prints, or even printing ID photo layouts easily. The benefit is versatility for all your photo-related projects, from filling traditional albums and creating modern square layouts for social media integration to making custom stickers for crafting or school projects. This range of options increases the printer’s utility significantly. A minor drawback is that sometimes the printer might slightly crop the edges of an image, especially when printing borderless 4×6 photos. While often negligible, it’s something to be aware of, though photo editing apps can help mitigate this before printing.
3.2″ Tilting LCD Screen
Navigating printer menus and previewing photos can sometimes be a chore, but the Selphy CP1300 makes it quite user-friendly with its 3.2″ tilting LCD screen. The ability to tilt the screen makes it easier to see from different angles, whether you’re standing over it or sitting down. The interface is intuitive, allowing you to browse photos on an inserted memory card or USB drive, select photos, choose layouts, and even perform simple edits like cropping, brightness adjustments, or red-eye correction directly on the printer. The benefit is a more independent and user-friendly experience, reducing the need to constantly send prints from an external device. You can make quick decisions and adjustments right there, streamlining the printing process, especially when using direct media input.
Overall, the combination of these features makes the Canon Selphy CP1300 a very capable and convenient compact photo printer for home use. It prioritizes ease of use and print quality in a portable package, addressing the core need for quick, durable photo prints. While the occasional connectivity hiccup or the cost of consumables are minor downsides, the benefits of its performance and features generally outweigh these issues for its target audience.
Gathering User Opinions
Looking around online, it seems many people have had positive experiences with this printer, echoing the ease of use and quality I’ve seen. Users often praise how simple it is to set up and connect via Wi-Fi, USB, or SD card, allowing them to print large batches of photos effortlessly. The print quality frequently receives high marks, with comments comparing the vibrant, true-to-life colours and sharp details to lab-processed photos, making them perfect for photography enthusiasts. The build is also often described as solid and durable. However, it’s not universally perfect. Some users have encountered frustrating, persistent issues with maintaining a stable Wi-Fi connection, sometimes needing to restart devices frequently. There are also some reports of the printer failing after a few years of use, leading to disappointment, particularly for those who expected a longer lifespan from a Canon product. A few people noted minor cropping issues but found easy ways to adjust for it. Overall, the sentiment is largely positive regarding its core function and quality, tempered by some concerns about connectivity reliability and long-term durability for a subset of users.
Final Thoughts
Getting physical prints of your digital memories shouldn’t be a complicated chore, yet often it feels like one. The frustration of using external services or dealing with unsuitable printers can mean those cherished moments stay trapped on screens. The Canon Selphy CP1300 offers a compelling solution by making photo printing accessible and convenient. With its excellent print quality and durable, long-lasting finish, versatile connectivity options, and highly portable design, it stands out as a great way to bring your photos to life. If you’re looking for a simple, reliable way to print your favourite shots at home or on the go, this compact photo printer is definitely worth considering. To learn more and see current pricing, click here to check it out .ca.
Last update on 2025-06-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API