Canon SELPHY CP1000 Portable Photo Printer Review: Your Personal Photo Lab in a Box

In an age where our smartphones hold thousands of images, a strange paradox has emerged: we take more photos than ever, yet we have fewer physical photographs to show for it. I remember spending an entire afternoon scrolling through my phone, looking for a specific photo of my daughter’s first birthday. I found hundreds of blurry outtakes, screenshots, and random pictures, but the one perfect shot was buried in a digital avalanche. It struck me then that these precious moments were becoming ephemeral data, pixels on a screen that could be lost with a corrupted file or a forgotten password. The joy of flipping through a heavy photo album, the stories sparked by a dog-eared print on the mantelpiece—that tactile connection to our past was fading. This is the problem that sends so many of us searching for a solution: how do we easily and affordably liberate our best memories from the digital world and give them a physical presence in our lives?

What to Consider Before Buying a Home Photo Printer

A home photo printer is more than just a piece of office equipment; it’s a key solution for transforming fleeting digital moments into lasting, tangible keepsakes. It bridges the gap between the camera in your pocket and the photo frame on your wall, offering instant gratification that waiting for an online print service can never match. The main benefits are control, immediacy, and creativity. You have complete control over the final image, from cropping to finish, you can print a photo within minutes for a last-minute gift or a school project, and you can experiment with different sizes and layouts for scrapbooking, journaling, or decorating your home.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who values the craft and sentiment of physical photography. This includes hobbyist photographers who want to see their work in print without the expense of a professional lab, parents and grandparents eager to create albums and share photos with family, and crafters who use images in scrapbooks, cards, and other creative projects. It’s a fantastic tool for creating on-the-spot souvenirs at parties or events. However, it might not be suitable for those who only print a handful of photos a year, as the cost of ink and paper might not be justified. For them, a high-street or online printing service would be more economical. Likewise, those needing to print large format, gallery-quality art prints would be better served by a professional-grade inkjet printer rather than a compact snapshot model.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Printing Technology & Quality: The two main types in the compact space are dye-sublimation (Dye-sub) and Zero Ink (ZINK). Dye-sub, used by the Canon SELPHY line, uses heat to transfer dye onto special paper, creating continuous tones and a protective overcoat. This results in prints that look and feel like traditional lab photos and are resistant to water and fading. ZINK printers use special paper with dye crystals embedded, which are activated by heat; they are great for fun, sticker-backed photos but generally offer lower image fidelity and longevity.
• Connectivity & Ease of Use: How will you get your photos to the printer? Modern printers heavily favour Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing seamless printing from smartphones and computers. However, some models, like the one we’re reviewing today, focus on direct connections like USB for cameras (PictBridge), USB flash drives, and memory card slots (SD, microSD). This can be simpler and more reliable for some users, especially those printing directly from a dedicated camera.
• Cost Per Print & Consumables: The initial price of the printer is only part of the story. You must factor in the ongoing cost of consumables. This is typically sold in packs that include a specific number of paper sheets and an ink ribbon to match. Calculating the cost per 6×4 inch print is essential for understanding the long-term investment. It will almost always be more expensive than bulk online printing, but you are paying a premium for convenience and immediacy.
• Portability & Power Source: If you plan to print at events, parties, or while travelling, portability is key. Look at the printer’s dimensions and weight. Critically, check if it can be powered by an optional battery pack. A printer that is small but must remain tethered to a wall outlet is only “compact,” not truly “portable.”

Keeping these factors in mind, the Canon SELPHY CP1000 Portable Photo Printer stands out in several areas, particularly its focus on quality and direct, reliable connections. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.

While the Canon SELPHY CP1000 Portable Photo Printer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Simplicity and Substance in a Small Package

Unboxing the Canon SELPHY CP1000 Portable Photo Printer is a refreshingly straightforward experience. There are no complex parts or confusing components. Inside the box, we found the main printer unit—a clean, white, and surprisingly compact device—along with the power adapter and AC cable, a postcard-sized paper cassette, and the user manual. The printer itself feels solid and well-built, despite its lightweight plastic construction. It has a reassuring density at 840 grams that speaks to the quality of the components packed inside.

What immediately stands out is the design philosophy. This isn’t a printer trying to be a sleek, minimalist accessory for a modern smart home. It’s a functional, purpose-built tool. The buttons are clearly labelled, and the 2.7-inch LCD screen, while not a touchscreen, tilts upwards for comfortable viewing from a desk or table. Setting it up took less than two minutes: connect the power, clip the paper cassette onto the front, and slide the ink cartridge in through a side door. It’s a beautifully simple, tactile process that feels far removed from the often-frustrating experience of setting up a wireless network printer. It’s clear from the outset that Canon designed this for one primary purpose: to make printing high-quality photos as easy and direct as possible.

Performance Deep Dive: Putting the Canon SELPHY CP1000 to the Test

A photo printer lives or dies by the quality of its output and the experience of creating it. Over several weeks of testing, we put the Canon SELPHY CP1000 Portable Photo Printer through its paces, printing dozens of photos from different sources—a high-end DSLR via PictBridge, a collection of family snaps from an SD card, and old holiday photos from a USB stick. This printer doesn’t just produce photos; it creates an experience that is both nostalgic and deeply satisfying.

The Magic of Dye-Sublimation: Unpacking the Print Quality

The single most impressive feature of the Canon SELPHY CP1000 Portable Photo Printer is its print quality. This is where its use of dye-sublimation technology truly shines, setting it leagues apart from ZINK-based competitors. The printing process itself is fascinating to watch. The paper passes back and forth through the printer four times. With each pass, a different layer is applied: first yellow, then magenta, then cyan. You see your image slowly come to life, building up colour and depth. The final pass applies a clear, protective overcoat that seals the image. This isn’t just a gimmick; it’s fundamental to the quality and longevity of the prints.

The result is a photograph with rich, continuous tones and remarkable vibrancy. Skin tones are rendered accurately, landscapes pop with colour, and subtle gradients in skies are smooth, without the tell-tale dot patterns you can see from some inkjet printers. The 300 x 300 DPI resolution might sound low on paper, but for dye-sub technology, it’s the equivalent of a much higher inkjet resolution because it can produce 16.7 million colours at any given point, rather than creating colours by spacing out tiny dots of ink. We found the quality to be genuinely on par with what you’d receive from a commercial photo lab. As one user aptly put it, “the product and the picture quality is truly amazing.” Furthermore, that final overcoat makes the prints instantly dry to the touch, and resistant to fingerprints, splashes, and spills. We even ran a freshly printed photo under a tap, and the water beaded right off with no damage whatsoever. Canon’s claim of 100-year longevity when stored in an album feels entirely believable given the robust, laminated feel of the final product.

Old-School Connectivity, Flawless Usability

In a world dominated by wireless everything, the CP1000’s reliance on physical connections might seem like a drawback. It has no Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth, and no dedicated smartphone app. However, in our testing, we found this to be a core part of its charm and a significant contributor to its reliability and ease of use. There are no network passwords to enter, no apps to update, and no connection dropouts to troubleshoot. It just works.

We tested all three primary input methods. Plugging a PictBridge-compatible Canon camera directly into the front USB port allowed us to browse photos on the camera’s screen and print them instantly—a fantastic feature for photographers who want to produce prints in the field. Using the built-in memory card reader was even simpler. We popped in an SD card from our camera, and the printer’s tilt-up LCD screen immediately displayed the images. From there, the intuitive menu system allowed us to select photos, choose the number of copies, and even perform minor edits like cropping and red-eye correction. Printing from a USB flash drive was just as seamless. This direct-from-media approach is incredibly liberating. One user confirmed this, stating, “It’s so easy to use too,” and we wholeheartedly agree. It turns photo printing into a simple, self-contained activity that anyone in the family can enjoy, without needing to boot up a computer or fiddle with a smartphone.

Versatility in Action: ID Photos, Creative Finishes, and More

The Canon SELPHY CP1000 Portable Photo Printer is far more than a one-trick pony for 6×4 postcard prints. Its versatility is one of its hidden strengths. A standout feature is the ID Photo Print function. Using the printer’s menu, we could select from various standard ID photo sizes and print multiple images on a single sheet of paper, ready to be cut out. This is an incredibly practical and cost-effective feature for anyone needing passport photos, work ID cards, or student passes, saving a trip to a photo booth.

Another clever feature stemming from the dye-sub process is the ability to change the print finish without changing the paper. Through the settings menu, you can select from a standard glossy finish or three different semi-gloss/satin patterns. This adds a layer of creative control, allowing you to choose a finish that best suits the image or reduces glare if the photo is to be framed. We also explored the different media sizes available (sold separately), including credit card-sized prints and small square stickers, which are perfect for personalising journals, scrapbooks, or creating fun mementos for guests at a party. This flexibility makes the CP1000 an invaluable tool for creative projects, moving it beyond simple photo reproduction into the realm of crafting and personalisation. For anyone serious about creating lasting photo albums or detailed scrapbooks, the high-quality, durable prints from this device are a perfect match.

The True Cost of Convenience: Consumables and Portability

No review would be complete without addressing the running costs and the “portable” aspect of the printer’s name. The consumables for the Canon SELPHY CP1000 Portable Photo Printer are sold in convenient packs that include both the paper and a matching ink ribbon. The most common pack contains 108 postcard-sized sheets and the corresponding ink. This convenience comes at a price, typically working out to around 30-50 pence per print, depending on the pack size and retailer. As one user noted, it can feel “expensive at £18 for 36,” and they are right when comparing it to bulk online orders. However, you are paying for lab-quality prints in 47 seconds in your own home. We strongly echo the user’s advice to stick with authentic Canon media; third-party alternatives can lead to jams, poor colour accuracy, and could even damage the printer.

In terms of portability, the printer is small and light enough to easily pack in a bag. However, to use it away from a power outlet, you need the optional NB-CP2L rechargeable battery pack. We tested the printer with the battery and found it to be a game-changer. It clips securely to the back of the unit and provides enough power for dozens of prints on a single charge. This setup makes the CP1000 the ultimate event printer—perfect for weddings, birthday parties, or community gatherings where you can shoot and print photos for guests on the spot. While the extra cost for the battery is a valid criticism, its availability transforms the printer from a compact home device into a truly mobile photo lab.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general consensus from users aligns perfectly with our findings, painting a picture of a product that delights with its quality and simplicity. Many, like the user who was surprised by the “truly amazing” picture quality for the price, entered with modest expectations and were blown away by the dye-sublimation output. The ease of use is a recurring theme. One person mentioned that “All of the family downloaded the app and we just print from our smart phones,” though this likely refers to a newer SELPHY model, the sentiment of shared, easy printing is a hallmark of the brand. The CP1000 achieves this through its direct-media slots, making it accessible even to less tech-savvy family members.

The most common critique revolves around the cost of the official Canon paper and ink packs. This is a trade-off that most users seem willing to make, with one stating, “You get what you pay for,” and advising against cheaper substitutes after hearing about “nasty things” happening with them. This feedback is crucial: the premium price of the consumables is directly tied to the premium quality and longevity of the prints. The addictive nature of instant printing was also highlighted, with one enthusiastic owner admitting, “I’m on my 4th box since Nov. It’s so addictive,” which speaks volumes about the fun and satisfaction the printer brings into a home.

How Does the Canon SELPHY CP1000 Compare to the Alternatives?

The Canon SELPHY CP1000 Portable Photo Printer occupies a unique space, prioritising quality and direct connectivity. But the portable printer market is filled with excellent, more modern alternatives that might be a better fit depending on your needs.

1. Canon Zoemini 2 Portable Photo Printer Kit

The Canon Zoemini 2 is built for ultimate portability and instant fun. It’s pocket-sized and uses ZINK (Zero Ink) technology to produce 2×3-inch sticker-backed photos directly from your smartphone via Bluetooth. Compared to the CP1000, the Zoemini 2 is worlds apart. Its print quality is lower, designed more for novelty and spontaneity than for archival purposes. It’s the perfect companion for a teenager’s backpack or a scrapbooker who wants to print and stick on the fly. If your priority is printing small, fun stickers directly and wirelessly from your phone, the Zoemini 2 is the better choice. If you want lab-quality 6×4 prints with maximum longevity, the CP1000 is superior.

2. HP Sprocket Select Portable Photo Printer

The HP Sprocket Select is another ZINK-based printer that competes directly with the Zoemini, but it produces slightly larger 2.3×3.4-inch sticky-backed prints. Like the Zoemini, its entire experience is built around a smartphone app and Bluetooth connectivity, offering filters, frames, and editing tools. The Sprocket is aimed squarely at the social media generation who want to bring their digital creations into the physical world quickly. Its main advantage over the Canon SELPHY CP1000 Portable Photo Printer is its seamless wireless workflow. However, it shares the same limitations as all ZINK printers: the photo quality, while good for its class, cannot match the colour depth, detail, and durability of the CP1000’s dye-sublimation prints.

3. Canon SELPHY SQUARE QX10 Portable Wi-Fi Photo Printer

The SELPHY SQUARE QX10 is perhaps the most direct modern competitor to the CP1000 from Canon’s own lineup. It also uses superior dye-sublimation technology, producing long-lasting, high-quality prints. The key differences are connectivity and format. The QX10 is designed for the Instagram era, printing square photos with an adhesive back and connecting exclusively via Wi-Fi to a smartphone app. It’s more portable than the CP1000 and has a built-in battery. Choose the QX10 if your entire photo life is on your smartphone and you love the square format. Choose the Canon SELPHY CP1000 Portable Photo Printer if you need the flexibility of printing standard 6×4 postcards and other sizes, and you value the reliability of printing directly from a camera or memory card without involving a phone.

The Final Verdict: Is the Canon SELPHY CP1000 Portable Photo Printer Right for You?

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Canon SELPHY CP1000 Portable Photo Printer remains a truly exceptional product, even in a market filled with newer, smarter competitors. It is a testament to a time when products were designed to do one thing and do it exceptionally well. Its purpose is to create beautiful, long-lasting physical photographs with minimal fuss, and it succeeds brilliantly. The dye-sublimation prints are vibrant, durable, and indistinguishable from professional lab prints. Its straightforward, screen-based operation makes it accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical skill.

It is not, however, for everyone. If your life revolves around your smartphone and you demand seamless wireless printing for instant social sharing, the lack of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will be a deal-breaker. But for dedicated photographers who want to print directly from their camera, for families wanting to build tangible albums of memories, or for anyone who values print quality and longevity above all else, the CP1000 is an outstanding and reliable choice. It’s a simple, powerful tool for turning digital memories into physical treasures.

If you’ve decided the Canon SELPHY CP1000 Portable Photo Printer is the right fit, you can check its current price and availability here.