Canon IVY 2 Mini Photo Printer Review

Zero ink (Zink) transportable picture printers do not fairly match the picture high quality of dye-sublimation fashions, however the output of the unique Canon IVY reviewed right here in June 2018 was mediocre even in comparison with its Zink rivals. Canon’s new IVY 2 Mini Photograph Printer produces higher small-format (2-by-3-inch) prints at equally low working prices, making it a very good worth, particularly with a present low cost from $129.99 to $99.99. Our solely actual grievance about this IVY is that, even with the low cost, it lists for $30 greater than the Kodak Step Immediate Cellular Photograph Printer that simply copped an Editors’ Selection award amongst Zink smartphone companions.

One Move, Zero Ink

As a substitute of ink, Zink picture printers use particular paper infused with colours launched by the printer’s utility of warmth, producing photographs in a single move. Canon says that with correct storage, photographs from the IVY 2 ought to final for as much as a century. In contrast, dye-sublimation or dye-sub units just like the Polaroid Hello-Print 2×3 Pocket Photograph Printer and the Kodak Mini 3 Retro Moveable Printer take 4 passes to put down cyan, magenta, and yellow ink and a transparent coat that helps colours stand out and protects photographs from mud and fingerprints.

As for the IVY 2 Mini, it is available in two colours, white and pink, as proven beneath.

(Credit score: Canon)

As I’ve identified earlier than, the dimensions of those pocket picture machines is set primarily by the dimensions of their print media. The IVY 2 Mini, as an illustration, measures 0.8 by 3.3 by 4.7 inches and weighs 5.6 kilos, almost similar to the earlier IVY and near many rivals. Like lots of them, this Canon makes use of 2-by-3-inch paper, as do the abovementioned Kodak Step and Polaroid Hello-Print, in addition to the HP Sprocket (to not be confused with the Sprocket Choose, which makes use of 2.3-by-3.4-inch inventory).

All pocket printers require you to load consumables—simply paper for Zink printers, paper and an ink cartridge for dye-subs. You load paper into the IVY 2 Mini by sliding its lid again to disclose a media compartment.

(Credit score: Canon)

Like its predecessor, the IVY 2 Mini holds 10 clean sheets. Printed images exit by way of an output slot on the left fringe of the machine. On the alternative edge you may discover a USB-C port for charging the printer’s battery, a charge-status LED, a reset pinhole, and the facility button.

(Credit score: Canon)

(Credit score: Canon)

As talked about, the Canon prints 2-by-3-inch images with adhesive backs, in addition to small round stickers. (We’ll take a better have a look at consumables and prices per print in a minute.) Connectivity is proscribed to the Bluetooth peer-to-peer wi-fi protocol, and the bundled software program helps solely iOS or Android handheld units. Neither this nor the unique IVY can connect with a laptop computer or desktop PC.

(Credit score: Canon)

You’ll be able to, nevertheless, entry a number of cloud and social media websites, together with Fb, Google Cloud, Instagram, and OneDrive. You pair the IVY 2 Mini to your cellphone or pill by way of the latter’s Bluetooth management panel. Print decision is 313 by 512 dots per inch (dpi), and images are borderless.

The Canon Mini Print App

Canon’s Mini Print App is a full-featured print driver and picture enhancing and enhancement program. With it, you’ll be able to print out of your cellphone’s picture album or your favourite cloud and social media websites.

(Credit score: Canon)

Along with letting you crop photographs, right flaws equivalent to crimson eye, and alter distinction and brightness, the app allows you to add textual content, ornamental frames and borders, and different enhancements. A characteristic distinctive to the Mini Print App is tiling or becoming a member of a number of prints at their edges to create bigger photographs or collages. To compose these bigger photographs, the software program merely cuts the picture into 4 or 9 2-by-3-inch items that you simply stick again collectively after they print.

(Credit score: Canon)

As I mentioned in regards to the unique IVY (which provided solely four-tile photographs) again in 2018, tiling is one characteristic that helps the Canon stand out from its rivals.

Testing the IVY 2 Mini: Cheap Velocity, Higher-Wanting Zink

Canon says printing a photograph with the IVY 2 Mini takes 50 seconds or much less, which is according to the minute or much less taken by almost each 2-by-3-inch (or thereabouts) pocket picture printer I’ve tried recently. The primary IVY averaged 44 seconds per print, which is definitely a little bit quicker than the 48 seconds I averaged with the brand new mannequin.

Frankly, something beneath 60 seconds is ok for this class; 48 seconds is definitely comparatively fast, although the Kodak Mini 3 Retro wins the race at 43 seconds per print. (I ran my checks from a Samsung Galaxy Observe smartphone with the most recent model of Android.) It is vital to notice that many issues, together with the decision and measurement of the picture, and the pace of your cellphone and its Bluetooth connection, can have an effect on a pocket printer’s efficiency.

As talked about, one in all our gripes in regards to the first Canon IVY was that its print high quality wasn’t as much as snuff in comparison with its rivals on the time. Fortunately, the IVY 2 Mini delivers brighter and extra intense hues, to not point out higher shade accuracy and improved element. Zink expertise has improved considerably over the previous few years; this Canon’s picture high quality, whereas nonetheless not fairly as spectacular as prints from equally sized dye-sublimation units, is corresponding to most of its rivals’.

And as I mentioned, the distinctive tiling characteristic permits you to create collages, bigger photographs, or each by breaking a picture into 4 or 9 items. I do not know of one other pocket picture printer that may do this.

Reasonably priced, Admirable Pictures

At this writing, the IVY 2 Mini’s discounted value of $99.99 included the printer, a USB Sort-A-to-C charging cable, and 10 sheets of 2-by-3-inch, sticky-backed Zink paper. Because the printer hasn’t been in the marketplace lengthy, I did not discover many bundles containing further paper and different scrapbook materials such because the Kodak Step provides, although I did discover a number of bargains. For $12.99, you may get 20 sheets with two spherical stickers per sheet, and extra 2-by-3-inch media—whether or not you purchase 20, 50, or 100 sheets at $9.99, $24.99, or $49.99 respectively—will price you 50 cents per picture. Purchasing round would possibly prevent a couple of pennies; I discovered a 50-pack of paper for $22.99 as an alternative of $24.99, as an illustration.

(Credit score: Canon)

Our solely gripe in regards to the 2018 Canon IVY Mini was that its prints confirmed understated or considerably inaccurate colours and fuzzier particulars versus rivals from HP, Liene, Kodak, and others. Relating to imaging, it is extremely uncommon for Canon to overlook the mark, even by a little bit, so it is good to see the IVY 2 Mini catch as much as its rivals. That simply leaves the difficulty of the gadget’s barely increased checklist value, which you’ll take into account is offset by its image-tiling choice. Both manner, you will not go mistaken with the IVY 2 Mini if fast little snap prints out of your cellphone are what you are after.