Concurrently with their new PowerShot S40 and S30 digital cameras, Canon has also introduced a new USB-based ink jet printer that is the first in the line to feature “direct connect” capabilities to enable it to print photos straight from digital cameras, without having to go through a computer first.
The new S820D is a Bubble Jet Direct printer, and it attaches to the new PowerShot S40 and S30 cameras using a dedicated USB cable. The system also features a PCMCIA Type II memory card slot so that other digital camera owners can insert their “digital film” into the printer for output, as well. And the S820D also serves as a conventional color inkjet printer for Macintosh users, via its USB interface.
The printer supports Digital Print Order Format (DPOF), enabling users of thusly equipped digital cameras with the ability to select images to be printed directly from the camera. The camera supports 4×6 or 8×10 inch digital image and photo output, and Canon said the PCMCIA Type II memory card slot will accommodate CompactFlash, Smart Media, SD Card, Memory Stick and IBM Microdrive media (when used with the appropriate adapter).
The S820D features an LCD control panel and can also support the optional Canon Image viewer, a TFT 1.5 inch color image viewer. The LCD panel provides users with access to functions like media type selection, layout, quality, print date, image optimization, and required sheets.
A descendant of Canon’s S800 Color Bubble Jet printer, the S820D features support for 2400×1200 dot per inch resolution using a four picoliter droplet size. The S820D is a six-color printer, and can achieve 49 levels of color gradation. This results in what Canon calls “almost no graininess,” thus achieving photo-quality results.
The S820D can print at 1200 x 1200 DPI resolution on plain paper, outputting 8 x 10 inch photo prints in about two minutes and 4 x 6 inch prints in less than 1 minute. The printer can also output edge-to-edge printing when used with a new borderless paper available from Canon in 4×6 and 8.5 x 11 inch sizes.
The six color printer features individual ink tanks — what Canon bills as the ThinkTank system. The S820D’s tanks contain Canon’s BCI-6 series inks, which the company said have a higher optical density for improved photo quality. The company has also done internal testing that suggests the inks can last for up to 25 years before fading.
Canon’s PhotoRecord software is bundled with the S820D. The software recognizes most Canon printers, digital cameras and scanners, and provides automatic color balancing to achieve optimal results.
Look for the S820D printer to hit store shelves during the first quarter of 2002. The S820D is compatible with Mac OS 8.6 – 9x. The company did not offer specific information on Mac OS X compatibility. Estimated street price for the S820D is US$399 — the price includes the USB cable and a PCMCIA Type II CompactFlash adapter. The optional LCD image viewer carries a suggested retail price of US$99.