It’s not often that new printer software steals the show from printer hardware, but Canon has just released a new series of inkjet printers with software that enables you to easily print still images from video.
That means you can worry less about capturing that perfect moment. The catch? You have to use a Canon digital camera to use this feature.
Still, the Full HD Movie Print software is impressive.
All new Pixma printers come with the software. You shoot video and then import the footage to your PC or Mac to easily isolate the split-second image you want.
The software allows you to view video frame by frame, or more easily, set it to capture a specific number of frames, which you can then review for the best shot. When you find one you like, simply press the camera icon and the software will save the image as a jpeg file. The images are resized at a comparatively small resolution of 2 megapixels, however.
The software is intuitive and cool. The new printers are comparatively prosaic, by comparison, even though they have been redesigned and are clad in a glossy black chassis. They are all designed to deliver quality photo prints as well as traditional documents.
Two new all-in-one (AIO) models have built-in Wi-Fi for wireless printing, and all four new AIOs print, scan, and copy documents.
The $150 Pixma MG5220 Wireless Photo AIO Printer pumps out 4-by-6-inch prints in a speedy 20 seconds. It has a 2.4-inch LCD for viewing photos and also features auto-duplexing and a two-way paper feed can help reduce paper usage.
The $80 Pixma MP495 Wireless Photo AIO printer represents a bargain Wi-Fi-enabled printer. Its print speeds are slower, however, requiring 41 seconds for a 4-by-6-inch photo, and it lacks a flip-up LCD for photo review.
The $130 Pixma MG5120 has auto-duplex printing, which saves paper for regular text print jobs. You can review images on its 2.4-inch LCD, and it prints very handsome 4-by-6 photo prints in approximately 39 seconds. It lacks built-in wireless, however.
The Pixma MP280 Photo AIO is a bargain at $70. It’s very compact, but doesn’t include built-in Wi-Fi, and its print speeds are slower.
And for those who don’t require scanning or copying, the $100 Pixma iP4820 pumps out 4-by-6-inch photos at 20 seconds and has auto-duplexing and two-way paper feeds.
Canon also announced new support for smartphone print apps. In addition to existing apps for the iTroika – the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch — Canon has added a printing app for Android phones. They all enable you to wirelessly print images from phones that have the apps loaded.