Small Footprint Photo Printers

By Christina VanGinkel

Sitting in front of our computers, many of us assume that everyone has a computer at their disposal; whether at work or at home. Not everybody does though, and until recently, this played a part in whether or not those people would want or be able to easily use and take advantage of all the features available with a digital camera. Thanks to the innovative printers that allow the user to connect some cameras direct, this has taken the fact into consideration that not everyone owns, or wants to own a computer, but they may still want to be able to take advantage of the ease and simplicity of the digital camera.

Canon, for example, has a line of cameras, such as the Canon PowerShot G6 7.1 MP Digital Camera with 4X optical zoom, that connects directly to their line of Canon photo printers or any PictBridge-compatible printer, completely bypassing the need for a computer. Besides being convenient for those without a computer, this is also an ideal solution for those wanting to print when they are away from their computers, maybe on vacation, or when the computer may be otherwise occupied, (Such as an annoying husband playing solitaire, and he just has to play one more hand, which turns into dozens, to win!).

Consider size of finished print when choosing one of these printers though, as many of them will only print 4" x 6" prints. There is an advantage to this size output though, and that is the small footprint when it comes to the actual size of the printer, which makes for ease of transporting. In addition, some of these small footprint sized printers have additional features, so be sure to read the fine print of any one that you may be considering. Some will print pocket sized photos, or even mini prints, perfect for making crafts and scrapbook pages.

When considering all of this, one mini sized printer that comes to mind is the HP Photosmart 385 GoGo. At less than three pounds, and taking up about 9 inches by five inches of desk space, it is extremely efficient for the space it uses. Accessories available include a rechargeable battery, which is convenient for those on the road crops. It has a 2.5 inch color LCD display and will let you zoom in, crop, even repair red eye problems, all without having to be plugged into a computer. Ease of use is as simple as popping the memory card out of the camera, and directly into the reader on the printer. This printer is just right for anyone wanting the capability of taking his or her printer along with them, without having it take up much space. The battery option also makes it feasible for use when you may be away from a power supply, say camping with the family and you end up stuck inside because it is down pouring out. Let your husband and kids take a nap, while you print some of the photographs you just took of them rolling around in the mud like the kids they are.