The Canon PIXMA iP5200 and Canon PIXMA iP5200R printers are announced today. The Canon iP5200 and Canon iP5200R both offer 1 picolitre, 9600 x 2400 dpi, 5 ink printing and can print a 10 x 15 cm photo in 36 seconds. Both the iP5200 and iP5200R use the new ChromaLife100 system which produces prints that resist fading for 100 years when stored in an album. The iP5200R can also be networked via any Wi-Fi or standard wired Ethernet connection. Price and availability of the Canon PIXMA iP5200 and Canon PIXMA iP5200R printers to be announced.

Canon UK Press Release

Super fast, 1 picolitre photo prints: PIXMA iP5200 and PIXMA iP5200R

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 22 August 2005. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces the addition of two premium photo printers to its PIXMA range – the 1 picolitre , 9600 x2400dpi PIXMA iP5200, and wireless version PIXMA iP5200R.

Replacing the already super-fast PIXMA iP5000 and iP4000R, the photo printers feature upgraded FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) print heads with over 3,500 individual nozzles. A 10 x 15 cm photolab quality borderless photo print outputs in approx 36 seconds.

“In the growing photo print market, people are placing increasing importance on speed and print quality,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “The ability to achieve both simultaneously is the key competitive advantage of Canon’s FINE technology.”

For long lasting fade-resistant prints, the printers feature the new ChromaLife100 system. When used in conjunction with Canon media, ChromaLife100 produces prints that resist fading for 100 years when stored in an album. Prints exposed unframed to the effects of the air resist fading for 10 years if printed on Photo Paper Pro (PR-101) .
FINE for speed and quality

Canon’s patented FINE semi-conductor manufacturing technique creates extraordinary print speeds for both photo as well as document printing by producing exceptionally long print heads with exceptionally high nozzle count and density. These get more ink on the page in less time than is possible with traditional inkjet technology, delivering fast borderless photo prints up to A4 size. Colour nozzle numbers and print head length of both printers is twice that of previous models.

FINE also achieves virtually grain free photolab quality by delivering millions of microscopic 1 picolitre1 droplets each second with extremely high consistency and accuracy from 9 mm diameter Micro-Nozzles.

To eliminate data transfer bottlenecks and keep the print engine performing at maximum capacity, both models feature a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface. The iP5200R can also be networked via any (IEEE802.11g/b) Wi-Fi or standard wired Ethernet (10BASE-T/100BASE-TX) connection.

Impeccable prints
9600 x 2400 dpi, 1 picolitre1 droplet, 5-ink performance produces virtually grain free, high gloss, borderless, professional quality photos that rival traditional silver halide print quality. ContrastPLUS technology – a system that includes a dye-based black ink for sharper contrast - works together with FINE to generate exceptionally crisp, high contrast results. Document text results are sharpened with the addition of improved, high optical density pigment black ink.

Ink efficiency
The printer’s individual PGI-5BK and CLI-8 ink tanks ensure that only those inks which run out need to be replaced. They feature LEDs that only light up when the tanks are installed correctly. Users can monitor ink levels during stand-alone use, as the LEDs flash slowly to warn when the tank runs low, and more rapidly to indicate when the cartridge is empty.

Quality that lasts
For improved fade resistance, the printer supports Canon’s new ChromaLife100: a system of genuine Canon dye-based inks, which deliver exceptionally broad colour gamut, and specialised photo paper designed to work together with FINE print heads. This technology ‘triangle’ of nozzle design, ink and media produces prints that rival silver halide quality and longevity. Prints resist fading for 100 years when album-stored, 30 years when displayed under glass and 10 years when exposed to the effects of the air4.

Wireless printing
For the ultimate in superior home printing, the iP5200 is Ethernet compliant, and can support both wireless and wired networks simultaneously. It incorporates IEEE802.11g/b for high transmission rates. It runs at 54 Mbps (wireless) and 10/100 Mbps (wired), with a 50m (indoor) range. Security features include: WPA/WPA2, WEP64/128 bit encryption, the capacity to block access via MAC address and password protection.

Evolving PIXMA design
Continuing the PIXMA tradition of chic, compact design, the iP5200 and iP5200R feature elegant black and silver two-tone bodies, designed to harmonise with other stylish home accessories. The printers’ feature dual paper trays, allowing photo and plain paper to be loaded at the same time, or for extending single media type capacity. Users can switch easily between Auto Sheet Feeder and cassette printing. Dual paper trays, auto duplex printing and CD-R/DVD printing functions are completely integrated into the sleek design.

Prints without the PC
Both the iP5200 and iP5200R support the vendor independent PictBridge standard for direct cable connection photo printing with contemporary digital cameras and digital video cameras, without the need for a PC.

Software
Each printer comes bundled with the following software:
- Easy-PhotoPrint – provides three easy steps to printing photos. Assisting with options such as media selection and scaling, it includes features such as Face Sharpening for out-of-focus face correction, Red Eye Correction and Digital Face Smoothing to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
- Easy-WebPrint (Windows only) sits on the Explorer toolbar and takes the frustration out of web page printing, saving time, ink and paper by correctly scaling output to prevent the common problem of having the right-hand side of web pages cut off.
- PhotoRecord (Windows only) guides users through printing a personalised photo album, including assistance with printing on Canon’s new double-sided media.
- CD-LabelPrint simplifies printing directly onto print-ready CD-R and DVDs
- Network Tool (iP5200R only) – view and configure the network settings of network connected printers.
- Easy-Print Toolbox (Windows only) Always-at-the-ready desktop menu bar used to instantly launch common applications such as PhotoRecord, Easy-Photo-Print and CD-LabelPrint.

Both printers are compatible with Windows 98/Me/2000/XP, Mac and OS X v10.2.1 or later.

1 Minimum droplet size.
2 Ink droplets can be placed with a pitch of 1/9600 inch minimum.
3 Print speeds may differ according to system configuration and other variables. For further information please refer to product specification.
4 All figures are estimates based on accelerated tests and are not guaranteed. 100 year figure applies to PR-101, PP-101, SG-101, GP-401, GP-501 media, images stored behind plastic cover sheet. 30 year figure applies to PR-101 and PP-101 media, 10 year figure to PR-101 only. Lightfastness and gasfastness figures assume a typical indoor environment avoiding direct sunlight.