For those who hanker after a simple life, the latest addition to Canon’s compact photo printer range will be a breath of fresh air.

The Selphy CP730 uses dye-sublimation print technology so setting it up for the first time is a straightforward affair. Just insert the single slot-in ink cassette, load the input tray with paper and you’re off.

Canon has also made it very simple to use, with a basic range of on-device controls. The mode button lets you choose to print images one at a time or in batches. As each photo takes just over a minute to print – 1 minute 10 seconds on average in our tests – the option to print several photos in one go is handy.

There are just three layout options: borderless, bordered and eight shots to a page. A date imprint can also be added to prints.

A limited selection of effects allows images to be printed in black and white, sepia or with a vivid colour filter. In our tests there was actually very little discernible difference between prints with the vivid colour option enabled and those printed with default colour settings. There’s also an option to crop images.

As all these selections are made using the appropriate button to scroll through the options, there’s no risk of getting lost in a complex onscreen menu.

The printer’s 2in LCD screen doesn’t display images particularly clearly, which can cause problems when printing directly from a memory card (12 types are supported) as it’s hard to differentiate between similar shots.

The Selphy CP730 also supports Pictbridge, Canon's Direct Print mode, and wireless Infrared printing from mobile phones.

Print quality was good. As you’d expect from a dye-sub printer, images were smooth, with none of the graininess inkjet printers can sometimes produce. Colours were bright and well balanced, although skintones were occasionally a little muted and overly pink.

At around 20p per print (using Canon’s KP-108IP value printing pack), the Selphy CP730 might not be a cheaper alternative to the high street, but its plug-and-print simplicity will suit the point-and-shoot photographer.

Also consider:
Sagem Photoeasy 110
Wireless dye-based photo printer, but, despite its name, it’s not easy

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