Canon CP-200 Photo Printer

This printer was a gift for my high school graduation. I got a digital camera too to go with it. It was nice because I could print pictures without a computer. The quality was pretty good and the pictures came out relatively fast. It was really small too, so I was able to put it in a drawer when I wasn't using it.

I would've been able to say more, but my relationship with this printer was short-lived. I stopped using it for about 8 months (I'm not big on taking pictures anyway) then I decided to dust it off and start using it again. I plugged it in and put in the paper and the tray just like I did before. This time the paper would go in about an inch then it would beep at me, as if it was jammed. This really shocked me. There was nothing in the way of the feed and I could pull it back out easily. I also tried feeding it by hand (without the tray) and it still "got stuck". I tried blowing air into it and rotating the rollers but the paper would never get through.

I'm glad I didn't buy it myself because I would've been very upset.

This is a good quality printer with 2 major restrictions. First, the printer, printer paper & cartridge packs, and additional paper trays for labels and such are expensive. Second, the largest it prints is 4"x6".


SETTING UP

A number of earlier reviewers commented on how difficult it was to print from the computer. Expect setup to take about an hour if everything goes right. Printing from the computer requires a USB printer cable, which doesn't come either with the printer or with Canon digital cameras. But if you dig through the stuff that came with your computer, you might find one. Otherwise you can either buy one or DirectPrint from your camera by connecting your camera to the printer with the same cable that connects your camera to your computer.

The CD that comes with the printer is useless. The ZoomBrowser EX that's on it is outdated, and the driver that allows your computer to interface with the printer isn't digitally signed. But all you have to do is go to Canon USA's website, and look for the consumer support page and find the CP-200. Canon provides current versions of ZoomBrowser and other software and drivers for whatever version of Windows or Mac OS you use. Download what you need, unzip the files you've downloaded, then go to your computer's Add A Printer and specify the location to which you unzipped the driver. Then the printer installs.

Printing from Zoombrowser is extremely simple. You may not need directions, but if you do, Canon's website has a pdf file which takes you screen by screen through printing.

Some reviewers said borderless printing distorted their pictures, but the current version of ZoomBrowser crops photos instead of stretching them. If you don't want edges cropped, print with a border.

Printing is fun to watch; the colors go by layer by layer. Aparently the picture stands up to a lot once it's dry, but I didn't test it.


The supplies for this printer aren't cheap. Your drugstore and Ofoto print at about half the price. If you want to print entire albums, this may not be worthwhile. However, if you only need an occasional picture, it's incredibly convenient not to have to go out, and the prints are very good. Then when you're not printing, the printer can go in a drawer.

For me (Windows XP Home edition), everything worked perfectly out of the box. Within 15 min of opening the box, I had pictures that easily beat the 1 hour photo machines in both detail and color. (I have a 6mp DSLR.) I used an SD card reader to transfer files from the camera to the computer, then used the Microsoft print wizard in MS Photo Manager to quickly size and send the print. This is a great tool to have for getting beautiful snapshots quickly. It is a little pricey as noted in earlier reviews because special paper and dye-sub materials are required but the quality easily beats my Epson C84 IJ and Lexmark Z805 IJ. I will probably use one of the on-line services for bulk printing because they are much cheaper but I always have the capability for something right away when I want it.

I used this printer with my Digital Rebel. It fed the paper almost immediately and started the printing process. Photos were done quickly. I find it valuable when visiting friends and family. I am able to leave photographic memories immediately. As for the price of photos, I don't print every photo that I take, only ones that I can't wait to print before I get home on my computer. This is definitely a nice little tool that can even be put in your camera bag. Don't expect to find cheaper replacement ribbons on the third party printer cartridge sites.

so what if you pay a little more for the prints?!! i usually have get togethers on the weekends and for the convenience of sending a photo home with my guests, it sure is worth it!! my guests don't have to wait UNTIL to receive a copy of the photos taken!! for just regular prints, i take in for developing, cd, or connect my canon powershot to the computer and print there. the manual says that an ink cartridge must be replaced with each new pack of paper. so, i plan ahead. people, quit complaining about a simple inconvenience!! we live in america, do you really have anything legitimate to complain about?? but i digress. this little printer is sure handy dandy!! i received both for my bday!! ( we upgraded technologically this year ) VERY COOL!! LOVE IT!! have had no trouble whatsoever!! ENJOY!!!!