Photographic and digital imaging solutions giant Canon recently launched a multi-function product line that can do direct photo printing jobs without a computer as well as scan and copy a variety of documents and images.
Canon, which earmarks 10 percent of its total revenue each year to research and development, launched the PIXMA Photo All-In-One line to address the need of a growing number of digital camera users for printers that can produce high-quality photos and perform other functions for personal as well as professional requirements.
Unveiled in Tokyo recently were the new Canon PIXMA MP800 Photo AllIn-One (a premium machine that can also scan 35mm negatives and slides and reproduce superior image quality); Canon PIXMA MP500 Photo All-InOne (which comes with built-in advanced media handling features); Canon PIXMA MP450 Photo AllIn-One (which also offers wireless printing from select devices with an optional Bluetooth adapter); Canon PIXMA MP170 Photo All-In-One (an affordably priced printer perfect for home users); and Canon PIXMA MP150 Photo All-In-One (a valuefor-money printer that offer home users both quality and speed).
"The new PIXMA Photo All-In-One printers are excellent options for users who want to be able to scan, print and copy, with the enhanced ability to print great photos," said Melvyn Ho, Vice President, Canon Singapore Pte Ltd. "The printers can easily transit from home office usage to the family, and take full advantage of the technological advances Canon has pioneered, including the new Canon ChromaLife100 system that can help to better preserve photos and the Canon FINE print head system, which Canon launched in 1999. With the Canon FINE print head system, customers can have borderless photolab quality prints in just 36 seconds."
Canon’s new range of printers is equipped with PictBridge technology for direct printing from PictBridge-enabled digital cameras, allowing photo printing without a computer. Its integrated card slots also accept virtually any memory card for direct printing, including MicroDrive, CompactFlash (CF), SecureDigital(SD), Multimedia Card (MNC), Memory Stick, and xD cards.
In addition, the MP800 and MP500 feature IrDA interface for printing photos from camera-equipped mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) as well as an automatic Image Optimization that can enhance images even from low-resolution digital camera phones. An optional Bluetooth module is also available for the printers for connectivity with Bluetooth devices.
All five new Canon PIXMA photo all-in-one printers use Canon’s breakthrough ChromaLife100 technology, which produces prints on most genuine Canon photo papers that resist fading for up to 100 years when stored in an archival quality photo album. The 100-year-lifespan rivals that of many traditional film based photos, long considered by consumers to be the benchmark for image permanence. In addition, consumers can attain the 100 years archival capabilities with a wide array of original Canon media, unlike competing archival technologies that restrict users to very limited media choices.
