Sipix SP-1300 Review

The SiPix PocketColor 200 is a miniature thermal transfer type printer that creates 254-dpi resolution 2.15 x 3.55 inch (55x91mm) size color prints in just over a minute. The printer itself measures just 5.5 x 3.3 x 1.4 inches in size and weighs 10.5 ounces (300g) without batteries.

The $175.00 ($149.00 street) PocketColor 200 printer connects to any Pentium processor or higher PC running Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, or XP with a USB port, CD-ROM drive, 64MB RAM, 125MB of available hard disk space and a VGA monitor. It can also be used directly with the 1.3-megapixel SiPix SP-1300 digital camera and does not require a computer. Users select the image(s) and quantity to print on the camera's color LCD and then press the Print button.

Shown above are the contents of the PocketColor 200 package; the PC-200 printer, travel pouch, 20 sheets of photo paper, color cartridge, paper tray, head cleaner, USB cable, AC power adapter,Quick Start Guide, PocketColor 200 CD-ROM (PC-200 printer driver, Adobe Acrobat Reader and owner's manual in .pdf format), MGI PhotoSuite III SE CD-ROM.

The photo paper comes in packages of 20 sheets along with the color cartridge for $9.99, Value packs are also available that include three packages of photo paper kits for about $26.99.

The PocketColor 200 printer can be powered by the supplied AC power adapter or it can be used on the go with four AA size alkaline or rechargeable NiMh batteries. You'll be the hit of the party when you snap someone's pictures with the SP-1300 camera and then hand them a color print just a minute later. The PC-200 printer fits in a purse or coat pocket.

Just like the bigger thermal dye sub printers, the PocketColor 200 uses a ribbon cartridge that contains the three primary colors (cyan, magenta and yellow) plus a protective clear overcoat. This is a dry printing process, it uses no messy inks so the printer is safe in your pocket or purse. Your prints come out of the printer completely dry to the touch, UV and water resistant and ready to be shared with friends and family.

The diminutive PC-200 printer runs the paper in and out four times, once for each color and the last time for the clear overcoat. Total print time is about 95 seconds and then out comes your finished color print. The operation is nearly silent except for a little motor noise as the paper is run back and forth across the print heads.

On the back of the PC-200 is the connector for the AC power supply and the USB cable. The slot is where the edge of the paper protrudes slightly during each of the printing passes.

Steve's Conclusion

The Prints from the PC200 have very acceptable color balance when printed directly from the connected SP-1300 Shoot and Share camera.

A very viable application for the SP-1300 camera and the PC-200 Printer is the replacement of the Polaroid Mini-Portrait passport camera. With a little testing to get the head size to the correct dimensions, you can set the print request to two prints on the camera and... presto ... instant passport photos. Consumable costs at $1.00 for two prints, it costs no more than a sheet of Polaroid 669 passport film.

The PC-200 printer is simple to install and easy to use. Insert the color cartridge, install a set of batteries or plug in the provided AC power adapter, connect the USB cable into the SiPix SP-1300 (or computer), load a sheet of paper and away you go. The actual printing process takes just over a minute and half to produce the finished color print, dry and water-resistant. It couldn't be easier.