Canon Middle East launches the SELPHY ES1

Based around the concept of stress-free printing, the new flagship of the SELPHY range supports new all-in-one ink and media cassettes, 50-sheet capacity and one-touch operation for unparalleled ease of use. The stylish vertical design incorporates a carry handle and retractable USB cable for further convenience, while Canon's DIGIC II image processor and a newly developed print head controller contribute to the highest print quality ever achieved by a Canon SELPHY compact photo printer. A broad range of creative options and image enhancement tools are selectable from the printer's tilt-up 2.5" colour LCD.

Other key features include
• Low running cost of €0.29 per print
• Wireless printing with IrDA, Bluetooth or Digital IXUS WIRELESS
• Optional battery pack for portable printing
• Dedicated Creative Print button
• Automatic red eye correction
• 100-year prints with instantly dry, protective coating

Compact photo printing is currently the biggest growth market in digital imaging in Europe, with year on year growth of 126% from 2004 to 2005 .

The SELPHY ES1 creates a completely new category for Canon's range - the ES (Easy System) series. "European consumers have readily embraced the idea of creating photo prints at home," explains Anurag Agrawal, General Manager Sales and Marketing, CME. "The SELPHY ES1 will appeal to digital camera owners seeking the highest possible standards of print quality, functionality and usability, with the minimum of effort."

Easy Photo Packs

Specifically developed for the SELPHY ES1, the new Easy Photo Packs combine ink and paper in one cartridge - users simply slot the cartridge into the printer to begin printing. Up to 50 prints can be produced at once (depending on cartridge used), allowing users to print an entire photo album without having to oversee the whole process. This convenient system also reduces the risk of spoiled prints since the paper is not exposed to dust or other environmental particles.

A choice of seven Easy Photo Packs is available in sizes ranging from postcard to credit card, each colour coded for easy identification in-store and at home. The range includes a dedicated Black and White Easy Photo Pack for artistic monochrome prints.

Superior quality prints

The SELPHY ES1 uses dye-sublimation technology to achieve smooth, glossy photos with a similar look and feel to traditional lab prints. Each dot has up to 256 gradation (intensity) levels per colour dependent on the amount of heat applied, allowing for a total colour range of up to 16.8 million colours. Photos are ready to handle the moment printing finishes, and feature a protective coating to guard against splashes, spills and fingerprints.

The SELPHY ES1 is only the second printer ever to incorporate Canon's renowned DIGIC II image processing engine. Based on the same technology used in Canon's professional digital SLRs, DIGIC II drives markedly improved print quality while also contributing to near-instant start up and fast operation. A new print head controller allows the SELPHY ES1 to achieve a class-leading print resolution of 300x600dpi. The effects of ambient temperatures are eliminated, ensuring consistent quality print after print.

Style with convenience

The SELPHY ES1's sleek, contemporary styling is designed to suit the look of any modern home. With the smallest footprint to date for a 10x15cm (4"x6") compact photo printer (199x113mm), it can be stored and operated from tight spaces, such as a living room bookshelf. The innovative vertical design is made possible through a unique paper feed mechanism that rotates the paper 90 before printing begins. The convenient carrying handle is complemented by an optional battery pack for printing on the move, while a retractable USB cable eliminates the need for separate leads.

Playback and creative options

In addition to full PictBridge and Direct Print support, users can print directly from most popular memory cards using the high quality 2.5" colour LCD. In addition to a tilt-up mechanism, the bright LCD features a wide viewing angle for comfortable image preview and selection. Enhanced LCD playback options include full screen display, slideshows, thumbnail views and support for Auto Rotated images. The intuitive user interface also displays helpful information on battery levels and the amount of ink and media remaining.

A vast range of creative options includes 10 My Colors photo effects for dramatic colour changes, including Black & White and Positive Film. Images can also be trimmed prior to printing or enhanced with new optimisation features such as Automatic Red-Eye Correction. A dedicated Creative Print button provides instant access to a wide selection of fun design layouts, including calendars, albums, and speech bubble templates.