So, which of these wireless Bluetooth printers does a better job when it comes to printing your memories on the go? Well, that’s what we are going to find in this post today as we compare the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link with the Canon Ivy mobile printer. Let’s get going, shall we?
Design and Setup
Let’s talk about the design of the Canon Ivy first. One of the primary features of this printer is that it’s compact and extremely lightweight. It just weighs 5.6 ounces and measures about 4.7 x 3.2 x 0.7-inches. Those physical attributes make it easily portable. And well, it easily fits into an average palm. So even if you are planning to hold it while hopping from one photo event to another, it’s completely doable. Plus, setting it up is quite easy. Similar to a scanner, lift the top and insert the photo papers inside. And like most conventional printers, you can use the photo paper cavity to store paper, when you are not using the printer actively. When it comes to minimalism, the Instax Mini Link takes it a step further. Apart from a few textured lines and the company logo in the middle, this printer has a petty much bare body. On the upside, the textured body adds body and lets you grip the printer better. It measures 4.9 x 3.5 x 1.3-inches, which is almost similar to the dimension of the Canon Ivy printer. And the same can be said of the weight. This one weighs just about 7.3 ounces. In comparison, while the Ivy resembles a miniature scanner, the Mini Link looks more like a thick power bank (check best power banks with Quick Charge 3.0). Thankfully, both are pocket-sized printers, making them perfect for home usage as well as for outdoor events like picnics and photo booth events.
In-App Features
It would be a shame to ignore the fun features of the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link printer, for it is these features that set it apart from its peers. The Fun Mode lets you do plenty of experiments. You can make fun collages, add frames & graphics such as horns, angel wings to images. Well, most of the portable printers have these basic features. So, what’s different? For starters, it bundles a feature called Video Print that lets you grab a still from a video frame to print as a photo. Then there’s Party Print, which lets you connect up to five different smartphones to create a fun collage. This mode takes different parts from the five phones and combines them into a single print. Fascinating, right? And the best part is that the Fun Mode can be activated by simply keeping the printer in an upright position. Compared to the features above, the Canon Ivy has pretty limited options. You can add frames, stickers, and text before you send them off to print. Or, you can add a filter of your choice, combine them into a neat collage, among others. The most interesting feature is Tile, which lets you combine up to 9 prints to create a single large image. As long as you have the companion app for these printers, you will be sorted.
Battery
The battery is one of the most critical aspects of any wireless gadget. Even if the device packs a gazillion of features, everything goes for a toss, if the battery life is weak. Thankfully, when it comes to battery life, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link doesn’t disappoint. On a single charge, this one lasts you about 100 prints. In fact, the good folks at Digital Trends tested this claim and found it to be true. On testing with a ten-pack film, the battery depleted about 50% roughly. On top of that, there’s a neat battery indicator at the top which shows the remaining battery levels. Cool, right? Though a 500mAh battery powers the Canon IVY, it doesn’t translate well when it comes to real-world usage. The battery depletes quickly, and a single charge will churn out just around 10 photos. While the number is a tad less compared to the Mini Link, it’s quite acceptable, I’d say. On the upside, topping up the Canon Ivy and the Mini Link takes only about 90 minutes. And when it comes to the Ivy, you can even print photos while staying connected to a power source. Now, that’s a nice addition.
Print Quality
Well, we are talking about mobile printers, something which you can carry in your purse or hold in the palm of your hands. And well, comparing the print quality with big conventional photo printers would be hugely unfair. That said, the overall print quality isn’t that bad. Yeah, the photos appear a bit darker (or sometimes overblown brightness levels), but that’s the beauty of mobile printers. The print should be good enough to be passed around friends and family. The Instax Mini Link churns prints that measure 2.4 x 1.8-inches. What makes this printer unique from the usual crop of printers is that it uses Instant Film, instead of Zink paper, a colorful printing paper, which lets you print photos without involving any ink cartridges. The developed pictures are pretty good photos and have a certain vintage appeal, meaning they resemble the color-profile of good old Polaroids When it comes to user reviews, many users claim that the end-product is pretty good, with them praising the picture quality and the color accuracy. As opposed to it, the Canon Ivy uses Zink paper. This method is popular for its hassle-free printing. And the smudge-proof and waterproof is the cherry on top. However, Zink photo papers tend to develop slightly darker color tones. However, if you are careful with the print you pick, you will end up with bright and nice pictures. That’s a quality that many users highly praised. Many users liked the end product mainly for the good balance of color and brightness.
Verdict: Instax Mini Link
So, which printer does a better job? The Canon Ivy manages to do a pretty good job when it comes to printing nice little pictures. There are no odd connection drops or bad prints. Users seem to like it for its easy setup process, print quality, and also the detailed instruction manual that ships with the printer. However, Zink photo papers can be expensive, thanks to the high cost-per-photo. And it will hit your pocket more if you print more often. But at the end of the day, it’s just a plain printer, unlike the Instax Mini Link printer, which brings an interesting mix of quirky and fascinating features to the mix. Features such as Fun mode and gesture-based method surely adds to the fun. And the fact that it’s a film based printer means you will find comparatively sharper pictures. And the intuitive app is the cherry on top. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
