Product test
Portable printers – because photos you snap on your phone deserve a moment in the spotlight
by Michelle Brändle
Canon Selphy QX20: This new printer fits in your luggage
1/10/2024
Translation: machine translated
The new mini-printer from Canon prints your smartphone pictures as stickers. Whereas previously only square printing was possible, you can now print in 2:3 format - and borderless.
The Selphy QX20 mobile photo printer weighs just under 500 grams and prints small colourful stickers in 1:1 or 2:3 format directly from your smartphone. Without any colour cartridges.
Design and hardware: small, compact and new in red
The Canon Selphy QX20 measures 14.6 × 10.2 centimetres. This makes the photo printer slightly smaller than a postcard. At 455 grams, it weighs about as much as two smartphones.
It prints images with a resolution of 287 x 287 dpi in not just one, but now two different sizes - and now also borderless. In addition to 7.2 × 8.5 centimetres, you can now also choose 5.4 × 8.5 centimetres. You can choose the size of the border yourself. For example, the picture with more space towards the bottom looks like an old Polaroid picture.
In addition to black and white, the Selphy printer is now also available in red. Unfortunately, this means that the two pretty colours mint green and pink are no longer available.
How it works
The printer takes up to ten sheets at a time. To print, you select your images via the matching photo layout app and design them as desired. New options are said to have fluttered in via an update. From stamps and filters to various stickers and frames. You can also add text over the images.
You can then print your photos via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The printer now takes 40 seconds per image. With the predecessor, you had to wait three seconds longer.
The printing process is called dye sublimation. A chemical reaction is triggered in the paper to bring out the colours. This means the printer doesn't need any annoying cartridges. The paper is water and dirt repellent and can be used as a sticker thanks to its adhesive backing.
Price and availability
Canon also has an even smaller version for thermal prints in its range. I tested the Canon Zoemini 2 some time ago. It is slightly smaller and only half as heavy at 180 grams. The photos measure 5 × 7.6 centimetres.
Bigger is also possible: The Canon Selphy CP1500 prints images up to 10 × 15 centimetres - the size of a postcard. Thanks to the integrated card reader, you can also print directly from a memory card (SD, SDHC or SDXC). An LC display is available for operation. You can also connect cameras and USB sticks via the USB-C port.
Header image: Canon
In my world, Super Mario chases Stormtroopers with a unicorn and Harley Quinn mixes cocktails for Eddie and Peter at the beach bar. Wherever I can live out my creativity, my fingers tingle. Or maybe it's because nothing flows through my veins but chocolate, glitter and coffee.
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