Canon Pixma i1600 good?

[michhy]

and also, what does PictBridge do?

[Neo]

Hi there,

It's an entry level photo printer, so while the results are pretty good in its class, the print speed and quality will not match the mid-end models like the iP4200. Not to mention that the mid-end Canon printers come with individual ink tanks and lots of other features like direct printing on CDs and auto duplex printing. You might like to look at the previous generation of PIXMA printers such as the iP3000 or iP4000 (some shops still have stocks), if budget is an issue. They are much better buy in terms of capbilities and running costs (because of the Think Tanks system).

PictBridge is a camera-direct printing technology that allows you to print directly from any brand of camera to your printer, assuming both your printer and camera has PictBridge of course...

[sstar]

Originally Posted by Neo Hi there, It's an entry level photo printer, so while the results are pretty good in its class, the print speed and quality will not match the mid-end models like the iP4200. Not to mention that the mid-end Canon printers come with individual ink tanks and lots of other features like direct printing on CDs and auto duplex printing. You might like to look at the previous generation of PIXMA printers such as the iP3000 or iP4000 (some shops still have stocks), if budget is an issue. They are much better buy in terms of capbilities and running costs (because of the Think Tanks system). PictBridge is a camera-direct printing technology that allows you to print directly from any brand of camera to your printer, assuming both your printer and camera has PictBridge of course...

The max resolution for ip1600 is 4800x1200dpi, while ip4200 is 9600x2400dpi.
As we known, if you only print 4R size photo, there is no big difference between 4MP and
8MP camera for image quality. Same question, for 4R photo, any big difference between above 2 printers?

[Neo]

Frankly, I feel the differences between 4800dpi and 9600dpi is purely academic. I've owned printers with both resolution, and I can't tell the difference between two same images printed by the two printers.

What really makes a visible difference is the number of inks, and if you really hold up a print to your eye, then the picolitre will make a difference too (although you have to really scruntize to see the difference in picolitre).

The PIXMA iP1600 will churn out reasonably good prints, even when seen from 30 cm away. But the contrast will not be as good as a iP4200 for example. My main grouse is that it does not have Think Tanks, which I feel is important if you intend to print a fair amount of photos. Cost of photo printing is definitely lower with Think Tanks printers.

[hazmee]

I agree with Neo. I owned a number of printers before and I have to say I was hard pressed to tell the differences between a 4800dpi and 9600dpi prints. You really have to look close and start scrutinizing. In actual fact, most of the time, you will only flip through your printed albums. So I guess a printer with good set of inks is much more inmportant that just looking at the DPI.

I am firm believer of ChromaLife inks btw. I think they produce brilliant prints. If you love glossy finish prints, you wont go wrong with Canon papers + Canon inks. I would rather invest in a printer that has individual tanks. Saves you some money too. Hope that helps.

[shark]

How do you compare the quality with those portable one?

[hazmee]

I believe Bubblejet prints are deliver far more better results than those portable ones e.g. Canon Selphy.