[Japan : PIXUS Pro9500, Americas/Europe/Asia/Oceania : PIXMA Pro9500 ]
This month's Technical Report introduces the PIXUS Pro9500 inkjet printer that prints paper sizes up to A3+ and 14'' x 17''. Release is scheduled for mid-May 2007
Concept of development
The PIXUS Pro9500, a new model in the PIXUS series, is based on the high nozzle density print head technology FINE, the PIXUS core technology, for higher image quality. Harmony and affinity with the EOS DIGITAL SLR cameras in all aspects such as reproduction, operability and design is also a major goal. It is the first model in the PIXUS series to use pigment inks exclusively.
Features (Hardware)
• High-performance FINE print head technology
High-density print head technology FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering), enables the discharge of microscopic ink droplets, delivering virtually grain free photo prints. Canon's proprietary photolithography tool is used to produce an integral inkjet nozzle array to extreme tolerances. This nozzle array, coupled with constant volume droplet ejecting technology, produces beautiful prints quickly.
• Vivid reproduction using LUCIA 10-color pigment inks
The PIXUS Pro9500 is the first model in the PIXUS series to utilize pigment inks for all ten colors. The printer is able to print deeply expressive prints by utilizing cyan, magenta, yellow, green, red, photo cyan, photo magenta, photo black, matte black and gray inks.
The FINE high-density print head technology provides accurate and uniform discharge control of microscopic ink droplets as small as 3pl to achieve a maximum resolution of 4800 x 2400dpi.
The PIXUS Pro9500 also provides 100-year lightfastness and 50-year gasfastness (using Canon Photo Paper Plus Semi-gloss*), enabling the user to enjoy precious photos for an extended time.
• Excellent monochrome expression (Fig. 1)
In addition to photo black ink, the PIXUS Pro9500 also comes fitted with gray ink and matte black ink to provide stable gray balance and make it possible to print monochrome photos with rich gradation and little color shift.
(1) Stabilized gray balance
The use of gray ink reduces color shift and provides stabilized gray balance.
(2) Virtually grain free rich expression
The effect of gray ink provides subtler, virtually grain free expression.
(3) Reduced metamerism
When displaying a photograph as art, the colors may seem different depending on the light source. This is because the gray is created by combining cyan, magenta and yellow, each of which has different spectral reflectance properties. With the PIXUS Pro9500, using gray ink stabilizes the reflective properties and reduces metamerism.
(4) Enhanced black saturation
Higher density matte black ink makes it possible to realize high contrast on fine art paper because images are depicted without degrading in the dark areas.
• Supports a variety of paper types
In addition to A3 and A3+ sizes, the PIXUS Pro9500 also supports a variety of photo sizes such as 8'' x 10'', 10'' x 12'' and 14'' x 17'' *. Furthermore, the printer has a front feeder in addition to the automatic sheet feeder on the top. It supports a variety of paper varying in texture including thick fine art paper. It is also possible to directly print onto the label surface of DVDs and CDs.
* Supported by front feeder only.
• Camera Direct printing supported
The PIXUS Pro9500 supports the industry standard PictBridge for direct printing. In addition to increasing the paper types and sizes supported, printing with advanced manual color adjustment is also possible.
• Advanced manual color adjustment functions
The PIXUS Pro9500 enables users to select the best image adjustment method from the five printing modes when printing from cameras: Natural, Natural M, B/W B/W, B/W Cool Tone and B/W Warm Tone (Table 1). A variety of parameters are set for each printing mode, and it is also possible for the photographer to make fine adjustments to the parameters.
* Supported models: EOS-1D Mark III, EOS 30D, EOS Kiss Digital X (EOS-1D Mark II N and EOS 5D can be supported through firmware updates).
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* Standard mode settings can be changed by using the Set-up Utility, a PC application bundled with the printer.
• High-quality design (Fig. 2)
For the PIXUS Pro9500, a classy up-scale design harmonizing with the EOS DIGITAL SLR cameras was the goal. The main unit has been made durable to withstand the frequent use required by professionals and advanced amateurs. In addition, the dramatic improvement on the entire paper feed/paper ejection mechanism realized more efficient front paper feed and higher durability.
 Metal access cover with the same texture as EOS grip |
 Blue light (PIXUS Pro9500 power LED and EOS display panel) Round buttons arranged vertically |
 Rounded body design |
Features (Software)
• Improved connectivity with the EOS DIGITAL SLR cameras
The Easy-PhotoPrint Pro plug-in software is bundled for RAW image viewing/editing software Digital Photo Professional (DPP) Ver. 2.1 or later, which is bundled with the EOS-1D Mark III, EOS 30D and EOS Kiss Digital X. It can also be downloaded from the Canon website for other EOS DIGITAL cameras, and for Adobe® Photoshop® CS/CS2.
The Easy-PhotoPrint Pro provides an efficient workflow spanning the developing, editing and printing of RAW images taken with the EOS DIGITAL SLR cameras and enables creation of high-quality digital photos.
• Easy-PhotoPrint Pro: Makes faithful reproductions of the intended image easy (Fig. 3)
Easy-PhotoPrint Pro is plug-in software gives user the tools to bring out the most of the PIXUS Pro9500's superior expression with simple operations.
(1) Supports Digital Photo Professional Ver. 2.1 or later and Adobe® Photoshop® CS/CS2
Easy-PhotoPrint Pro can be used as output plug-in software for Digital Photo Professional Ver.2.1 or later and Adobe® Photoshop® CS/CS2.
By handling image data with a broad gamut in a consistent workflow from shooting to development, editing and printing, advanced image adjustments can be made efficiently and easily to obtain high-quality prints that reflect the results of image editing.
(2) Equipped with three Color Modes including Linear Tone (Fig. 4)
Three color modes, Linear Tone, Enable ICC Profile and Photo Color, are available with the PIXUS Pro9500.
Linear Tone mode maintains the original nuances of gradation and provides printing that reflects the results of adjustments made using image editing software. Enable ICC Profile mode can be used when reproducing the characteristics of Picture Style features of the EOS DIGITAL SLR cameras and Photo Color mode is suited to printing in colors that feel agreeable to people based on memory colors.
(3) Monochrome prints with minimum color shift
The PIXUS Pro9500 brings out the full expressive potential of monochrome prints simply. By selecting Grayscale Photo mode, the use of color ink is minimized, resulting in prints with very little color shift and a stable gray balance.
In addition to B/W Cool Tone and B/W Warm Tone modes, which give subtle changes to the color tone, the PIXUS Pro9500 highlights the characteristics of images taken with Monochrome, one of Picture Style features embedded in the EOS DIGITAL SLR cameras.
(4) Pattern Print function (Fig. 5)
Pattern Print function automatically creates and outputs multiple simulation images with different color balance, brightness and contrast to the original image. As the preferred settings can be determined with a single test print, it is possible to make adjustments efficiently.
The PIXUS Pro9500 also enables user to pre-record preferred patterns for easy use later.
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| Color : all directions | Brightness/contrast |
(5) Printing with black borders (Fig.6)
The borders can be printed in black for tightening the image. When used with margin adjustments, it is possible to create the suitable effect for viewing photos as works of art.
 Standard printing with borders |
 Printing with black borders |
 Settings screen |
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*1 shows driver default settings mode. The default setting for the PIXUS Pro9500 is quality primary mode (High).
This month we introduced the PIXUS Pro9500. There is no recommended retail price.