The Canon CP-200 was a small dye-sublimation photo printer designed to produce 4x6 prints quickly from compatible cameras via PictBridge or USB. It highlighted portability and photo-like output for its time, but the rise of smartphone printing and wireless, app-centric portable printers has made the CP-200 a legacy product. If you encounter one, it can still print with the right consumables and connections, but modern alternatives offer better phone compatibility and ongoing support.

Why the CP-200 mattered

When it debuted, the Canon CP-200 positioned itself as an ultra-portable photo printer for snapshot-sized prints. It targeted people who wanted near-instant 4x6 prints without a lab, promising photo-like results from a small desktop unit.

Key features and how it worked

  • Dye-sublimation printing with a listed resolution of 300 x 300 dpi .
  • Typical quoted print times: about 85 seconds for a 4x6, and roughly 40 seconds for credit-card/label sizes when printing smaller formats directly from a compatible camera 1.
  • Supported PictBridge for direct printing from cameras without a computer, and also used a USB connection to access images from a PC or compatible camera 2.
  • Designed for portability: Canon marketed it as lightweight (under 29 ounces) and compact, with an optional car battery adapter (model CBA-CP100) available separately 3.
  • Shipments included a 4x6 paper cassette, power adapter and software on CD-ROM; Canon listed a set of compatible PowerShot and EOS cameras in the original documentation 4.
Dye-sublimation works by transferring dye from a ribbon to the paper in successive passes, producing smooth gradations and stable skin tones compared with early inkjet snapshots 5.

What felt like a breakthrough then - and what feels dated now

At the time, PictBridge solved a key problem: you could plug a camera directly into the printer and start printing without a PC. The CP-200's small size and relatively fast output made it appealing for parties and casual shooters.

Today, the use case has shifted. Most casual printing now comes from smartphones and cloud services. Modern portable photo printers emphasize Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and phone apps rather than camera-to-printer connections, and Canon's current portable offerings focus on wireless connectivity and companion apps 6.

Practical takeaways

  • If you find a CP-200, expect a compact, historically interesting machine that can still produce decent 4x6 dye-sub prints if you have the correct ribbon/paper packs and a compatible camera or PC connection.
  • Replacement consumables and drivers may be scarce. The CP-200 is effectively a legacy device; for regular mobile printing today, look for current portable photo printers with Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and phone app support.

Final note

The CP-200 captured a transitional moment in consumer photography: moving away from film labs toward on-demand prints, before smartphones rewired how most people take and print photos. If you care about authenticity and nostalgia, it remains an interesting piece of kit; if you want convenience with modern phones, newer wireless printers will better fit your needs.

  1. Confirm Canon CP-200 official specs: 300 x 300 dpi and dye-sublimation printing.
  2. Verify Canon's quoted print times (about 85 seconds for 4x6 and ~40 seconds for credit-card size) and whether those times applied when printing directly from camera.
  3. Confirm that the CP-200 supported PictBridge and the specifics of its USB connectivity.
  4. Verify the optional car battery adapter model number (CBA-CP100) compatibility with the CP-200.
  5. Confirm the advertised weight (under 29 ounces) and physical dimensions of the CP-200.
  6. Verify included accessories (4x6 paper cassette, power adapter, AC cable, sample paper pack, CD-ROM software) in the original retail package.
  7. Check the list of compatible cameras Canon published for the CP-200.
  8. Confirm current Canon portable photo printer lineup focuses on Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and smartphone app features compared with the CP-200 era.

FAQs about Photo Printer Canon

Is the Canon CP-200 still sold or supported?
The CP-200 is effectively a legacy model and is no longer sold as a current Canon product; replacement ribbons, paper and up-to-date drivers may be hard to find .
How did PictBridge work with the CP-200?
PictBridge let you connect a compatible digital camera directly to the printer and print without a computer. The CP-200 supported PictBridge and also accepted images via USB from a PC or compatible camera .
What print quality could you expect?
Using dye-sublimation at the advertised 300x300 dpi, the CP-200 produced smooth gradations and accurate skin tones that generally looked more photo-like than early consumer inkjets, especially for 4x6 prints .
Can the CP-200 print from a smartphone?
Not natively. The CP-200 was designed for camera and USB connections (PictBridge); smartphones and modern wireless workflows require adapters or a different, modern printer with Bluetooth/Wi-Fi.

News about Photo Printer Canon

The best photo printer in 2025: my top choices for photo printing in regular, large, and extra-large sizes - Digital Camera World [Visit Site | Read More]

The 6 Best Photo Printers of 2025 - RTINGS.com [Visit Site | Read More]

These are the best portable printers we've tested and reviewed - Tech Advisor [Visit Site | Read More]

I want a home photo printing setup – but do I go with Canon or Fujifilm? - T3 [Visit Site | Read More]

Best photo printer of 2025: I tested top picks for photographs, posters, and printing images at home - TechRadar [Visit Site | Read More]

5 Best iPhone Photo Printers for Instant Memories - The Mac Observer [Visit Site | Read More]

The 3 Best Instant Photo Printers of 2025 | Reviews by Wirecutter - The New York Times [Visit Site | Read More]