Hey there tech fan! Looking to pick up a portable photo printer to instantly print your smartphone snaps? Smart move – those pics deserve more than digital dusty albums!
Let‘s compare the two top contenders and uncover the best compact printer for capturing life‘s memories on the fly. Like a pair of millennial heavyweight boxers, in the red corner we have…the HP Sprocket! And in the blue corner…the Canon IVY! Ding ding!
Before we pit these pocket-sized contenders against each other stat-by-stat, first let‘s level-set exactly what we‘re dealing with…
Meet the Fighters: HP Sprocket and Canon IVY Pint-Sized Printers
Remember Polaroids? Retro instant cameras that spit out photos you can hold? Well the Sprocket and IVY bring that magical analog experience into the digital age!
These mini mobile printers connect wirelessly to your iPhone or Android device to turn your ever-growing smartphone camera roll into physical keepsake prints on demand. Just edit, customize and print 2×3 inch stickable snapshots wherever you go – no film cartridges required!
So how do they pull off this technical wizardry without printer ink? The answer lies with ZINK technology embedded in the paper. ZINK uses heat to activate color dye crystals surfaced on the photo sheet. Both HP and Canon license this innovative process for inkless printing. Pretty nifty!
Let‘s examine the tale of the tape first before we analyze the blow-by-blow…
| HP Sprocket | Canon IVY | |
|---|---|---|
| Launched | 2016 | 2018 |
| ZINK Gen | 2nd | 3rd |
| Print Time | 30-40 secs | 40-50 secs |
| Resolution | 313×400 dpi | 314×400 dpi |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5 | Bluetooth 4 |
| Sizes Available | 1 model | 1 model |
| Printer Buttons | Power, Bluetooth, Print Photo Roll | Power, Mode, Print Photo Roll |
| Screen | LED indicator matrix | LCD pixel display |
| Editing Software | HP Sprocket App | Canon Mini Print App |
| Waterproofing | Splash resistant | Yes, IP7X rated |
| Shockproof | No | Yes, MIL-STD-810G rated |
| Original MSRP | $129.99 | $149.99 |
Alright, now that we understand exactly what these pocket-sized powerhouses are packing under the hood, let‘s analyze the tale of the tape…
Tale of the Tape: How The Printers Stack Up
Like any great bout, tiny differences in skill and strategy can mean the difference between raising a championship belt or just looking silly wearing boxing trunks. Let‘s break down the key metrics for success round-by-round…
Print Quality
Ding! When it comes to photo printing, image quality is the number one priority. No one wants grainy, dreary looking prints! Both HP and Canon claim excellence here backed up by tech spec shootouts. The Sprocket offers 313×400 dots per inch resolution while the IVY edges ahead with 314×400 dpi. But honestly friends, either way your prints will shine with vibrant colors and crisp details that rival premium printers. It‘s a draw!
Print Speed
Ding! Say cheese to instant stickable photos! Naturally we want them as fast as possible. The Sprocket really throws punches landing a photo in around 30 seconds. Canon counters claiming "as fast as 50 seconds" for the IVY. Most rounds favor HP for speed, though not by a knockout. For rapid fire printing, we award this round to Sprocket!
Connectivity & Compatibility
Ding! Can‘t print memories without first getting that pic onto the printer! The Sprocket sports recent Bluetooth 5.0 for even more reliable device connections while IVY matches most devices with Bluetooth 4.0. Both play nicely with iOS and Android but if you‘re rocking an ancient iPhone 6, only the IVY still connects for the win. It‘s legacy support by a TKO for Canon!
Editing Software
Ding! Before you print, you‘ll want to tweak your images using the free companion apps. HP Sprocket software provides solid basic controls like filters and stickers. But the Canon Mini Print app offers more advanced editing tools helping photos pop with brightness, contrast and cropping tweaks. Photo nerds rejoice! A strong uppercut victory for Canon!
Durability
Ding! Let‘s face it – portable gadgets take a beating with drops, dunks and damages. While both brands promise pocket portability, only one truly goes the distance as an undisputed durability champ. The IVY easily achieves technical knockout status with waterproof, shockproof and dustproof construction carrying an IP7X rating. Meanwhile HP doesn‘t even wear a mouthguard leaving batteries exposed. Toughness victory to Canon!
Cost Comparison
Ding ding! And now we reach the final bell – let‘s take a look at value per dollar…or pound in this bout‘s case! Printer price matters since we want quality without breaking budgets. Originally $130, the trusty Sprocket now sells for under $100 – a bargain based on performance. Meanwhile the IVY debuted recently at $150, a premium price tag. While competitive bundled offers help, pound-for-pound HP clearly provides more printing bang per buck by UD decision! Sprocket wins on value!
Final Scorecard: How Our Pint-Sized Contenders Compare
Those are the key rounds determining which portable photo printer prevails as undisputed champ! Let‘s tally a final scorecard:
| Category | HP Sprocket | Canon IVY |
|---|---|---|
| Print Quality | 🥊🥊 | 🥊🥊 |
| Print Speed | 🥊🥊🥊 | 🥊🥊 |
| Connectivity | 🥊🥊 | 🥊🥊🥊 |
| Editing Software | 🥊🥊 | 🥊🥊🥊 |
| Durability | 🥊 | 🥊🥊🥊🥊 |
| Cost Value | 🥊🥊🥊🥊 | 🥊🥊 |
| Total | 11 | 13 |
Based on our analysis, the Canon IVY scrapes by with the tech decision thanks to expanded editing tools that appeal to photography nerds plus seriously durable design – at the cost of speed. Meanwhile the HP Sprocket surges ahead where it counts if you just want quick happy snaps on a budget without fuss.
Both portable photo printers have their strengths and weaknesses that should guide your decision. Let your personal priorities dictate which little rebel has the right skills to capture life‘s favorite memories forever printed!
Now let‘s get out there and start snapping! The world is your studio with portable printers in your pocket. 📸
