Snapshot Printers (4x6 Photo Printers)

The beauty of snapshot printers is the speed with which you can actually have a print-out of the shot you just took, in your hands, within just a few minutes of taking it, whether you are at a party, on holiday or at a special event such as a wedding, virtually anywhere you happen to be.

If you would like to be able to print out your photos immediately after shooting then there are basically two types of portable snapshot printers available: thermal dye transfer printers and six-color inkjet printers.

Thermal dye printers use what is known as a dye sublimation process in which heat is used so that the solid inks infuse into the paper and then re-solidify.

Other 4x6 photo printers use six-color inkjet technology meaning that in addition to the normal cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks, two extra inks are used, namely light cyan and magenta.

What to Look for in a Snapshot Printer

• should be economical to use
• fast
• compact
• easy to use without the constant need to look at the manual
• reproduce vibrant colors and good skin tones
• produce detailed images at a level similar to a photo lab

Extra Features to Consider

• wireless capability - lets you print from anywhere in the house or even the garden
• a good-sized, readable LCD monitor so you can preview and select which images you want to print
• digital media card slots - means you don't need a PC to connect up - also, you may need more than one type if more than one camera is used
• Bluetooth or IR capability to allow you to print from a camera phone, if you have one
• special ports to allow you print directly from supported cameras or external storage devices
• rechargeable batteries to help you save money (and the planet!)
• car chargers to allow you to print on the move

Top Recommendations

• The Canon SELPHY CP800 is very stylish, light-weight, prints water-resistant photos, fast and wireless- or Bluetooth-enabled - under $100
• The Epson PictureMate is economical (29 cents per print), has vibrant colors due to 6-color inks, good detail, and long-lived prints (up to 200 years)- around $200
• The Canon CP-200 Photo Printer prints 4" x 6" photos with brilliant, vivid saturated colors - excellent quality but comes at a price - over $200