What are the Pros and Cons of Compact Photo Printers?

By John Alston


For photographers, photo printers are very important devices for their profession, and for photography enthusiasts, having a photo printer is a dream come true. As for compact photo printers, both professional photographers and photography enthusiasts find these devices ideal for all on-the-go printing activities.

The thought of having a compact photo printer which you can bring with you wherever you go is something photography-inclined individuals very much desire. Such a printer will be able to provide all of your photo printing needs while you're in another country, riding in your car, going on a road trip, or attending or covering a special celebration. However, before you purchase this kind of printer, it's best to know what good and bad features you will be getting from the product.

The Advantages

The compactness of these photo printers make them very handy. This lifts the limitations and restrictions of using the printer because you can now use it anytime, anywhere. These printers are able to produce only top notch 4'' x 6'' or smaller photo printouts which are almost lab-quality. Their good aesthetics make them pleasant to bring around with you even while carried by hand.

The features of compact photo printers enable you to directly print photos from removable storage media and imaging devices. These include PictBridge connectivity; USB ports; memory card slots; Bluetooth connectivity; and infrared connectivity; all of which enable you to print from devices such as mobile phones, laptops, smart phones, memory cards, USB flash drives, tablet PCs, and digital cameras. Using these features, you will be able to print straight from all of these devices even without the presence of a computer.

And lastly, through their LCD displays, fully functional control panels, and rechargeable batteries, compact photo printers become easier to use and even more ideal for limitless photo printing.

The Disadvantages

One of the biggest drawbacks of compact photo printers is that they are only capable of printing photos in sizes up to 4'' x 6''. They are strictly for photo printing only, which means that you cannot use them for document printing. This makes photo printers quite inflexible. Also, because they are small, you can only print tiny photos using them. You can't print an 8'' x 10'' portrait, not even a 5'' x 7'' photo for a picture frame.

The price of the printer is also considered as a disadvantage. These types of printers aren't cheap at all, and they can even reach around $300 - even more than what standard inkjet printers cost. Although it seems fair because of the printing mechanism and engineering which the printer uses, many people wouldn't prefer such a device if they don't really need it.

Conclusion

Just like all products, compact photo printers have their own share of advantages and disadvantages, and by knowing these, you can easier identify if these are the ideal printers for you. Knowing what compact photo printers can and cannot provide for you will help you decide if these printers are really the devices that you need.




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