A new ultra-compact and fully wireless printer in the shape of the Canon SELPHY CP1300 has been launched, updating the SELPHY CP1200. The printer is touted as one that can slip into a bag, weighing a mere 0.85kg and measuring 7.1×5.4×2.5in.

As is the norm these days, photos can be sent to the printer wirelessly, direct from smartphone, tablet, heck even a camera. Apple iOS™ and Android™ devices connect to the printer directly, using AirPrint™ and Mopria® respectively.

Photos can also be sent to the printer using the Canon PRINT app. The app features Shuffle Print and a new Party Shuffle print mode. In this mode, multiple devices can connect to the printer simultaneously via Wi-Fi and users combine their images into montages.

Yet the real party trick is that the Canon SELPHY CP 1300 can be powered by a battery pack. It’s an optional extra. While we do not have the official price of the high capacity battery, we expect it to add around £50 to the cost of the printer, when purchased as a bundle.

Most of the improvements in this latest SELPHY are to the software, offering many more user friendly photo print modes. However, the 3.2in tilting LCD screen is a bigger display than before.

The interface on the display has been reworked, featuring large icons and also prompts that help to get the most out of the printer. Canon has made the printer as user friendly as possible.

Users can choose between multiple print sizes and formats, including 2.1×2.1in square labels, 2x6in Photo Booth (photo strips) and the maximum possible size 6x4in postcards.

Print time is quoted as 47 seconds for a 6x4in postcard, which is standard rather than scintillating. There are four print finish options available at the press of a button, including gloss and three semi-gloss options.

What of the print tech used in the SELPHY CP1300? Well, Canon’s dye sublimation printing technology can produce up to 256 shades of each colour, making a total of 16.3-million-colours.

Canon claims that prints are lab quality and resist the effect of fading and smudges from mucky hands. Furthermore, scene recognition optimises brightness and clarity to prints.

For those not fussed about the Wi-Fi capabilities, the printer also features a USB connection and an SD card slot. (And it does plug into a wall too.)

Pricing and availability

The Canon SELPHY CP1300 will available from September 2017 in three colours; white, black and pink. The RRP is £129.99/ €164.99. We do not have a price on the optional battery pack just yet.

For more details, please visit the product’s page on the Canon website.