Development objectives
The PIXUS MP970 is the flagship of Canon's PIXUS all-in-one series, featuring further design and functionality refinements and delivering even greater image fidelity thanks to FINE, a key PIXUS technology for high-density print heads.
Working from the development concept of ''making beautiful even easier,'' the MP970 makes photo printing even simpler.
Canon Photo Paper Gold Glossy is a new line of paper that combines the superior characteristics of our conventional Super Photo Paper series with the latest inkjet coating technology. This combination produces dramatic performance improvements - such as higher print densities and an enlarged color space - while remaining very cost effective.
Feature 1: Features of the PIXUS MP970
(1) Auto Image Fix (Photo 1)
The MP970 comes with the new Auto Image Fix function. Using face detection and scene analysis techniques, Auto Image Fix automatically determines and applies the optimal correction for each individual photo.
The function first identifies faces in the image and then categorizes the image as a Portrait, Scenery, Night Scenery, Snapshot, or other scene. After a further detailed examination of the image's state based on the selected scene, Auto Image Fix makes optimal contrast, exposure, backlighting, saturation, and other adjustments to the photo. In this way, faces print brighter and more beautifully and natural scenery comes out looking more vivid and balanced.
The Auto Image Fix function operates when printing directly from digital cameras or memory cards as well as when printing from computers.
(2) FINE high-density print head technology
FINE (full-photolithographic inkjet nozzle engineering) is Canon's high-density print head technology. With this technology,the print head,which ejects ink droplets as tiny as one picoliter, can create brilliant high-quality prints with resolutions up to 9600*x 2400 dpi.
The MP970 uses a seven-ink print system - six dye-based color inks and one black pigment ink - to achieve both exceptional reproduction of photographs and excellent B&W text.
*The print head prints with a minimum dot (ink droplet) interval of 1/9600 of an inch.
(3) Quick Start
The control panel keys are activated just six seconds* after pressing the power button. This dramatic reduction in start-up time from previous models allows users to start printing, copying, or performing other operations faster than ever.
*Except the first time the power button is pressed after connecting the power cord.
(4) Versatile direct printing functions
• Card Direct
The PIXUS MP970 supports the Card Direct feature, which makes it possible to print borderless photos or create stickers just by inserting a memory card* in the standard card slot and choosing the photos. The new Auto Image Fix feature automatically applies the appropriate backlight and exposure compensation for each image. This makes printing beautiful photo prints easier than ever.
The MP970 can read TIFF data in addition to JPEG data.
*See our catalogs or Web site for compatible memory cards.
• Film Direct printing
With this feature, users are able to view on the LCD monitor images scanned from 35mm film (negatives or positives) and quickly print them without needing a computer.
• Camera Direct printing (Photo 2)
Since the MP970 supports PictBridge, the industry standard for direct printing, users can enjoy direct printing by simply plugging in a PictBridge-compliant digital camera or digital videocamera (still images only). Again, obtaining beautiful photo prints is easier than ever before because the new Auto Image Fix feature automatically applies the appropriate backlight and exposure compensation for each image.
Index Print and 35mm Film Style Layout (Contact Printing Layout) as well as Shooting Info, which prints the date, camera model, and other information beside the image, are all available with Camera Direct.
(5) Scanning functions
• High-resolution scanning with a 4800 dpi CCD
The MP970 is capable of high-resolution scanning thanks to its CCD with an optical resolution of 4800 dpi.
With 16-bit RGB inputs and advanced image-processing technology, the scanner can faithfully and smoothly reproduce pictures.
Furthermore, the scanner can start operating immediately without any warm-up* because of the white LED light source. Improved data processing methods allow the scanner to scan an A4 color original in just eight seconds (at 300 dpi, reflective original).
*Film scanning requires warm-up.
• Film scanning
The MP970 can convert 35mm film into digital data by scanning 35mm film (negatives or positives) at resolutions as high as 4800 dpi. Six frames can be scanned consecutively using a special film holder.
(6) Intuitive Easy-Scroll Wheel (Photo 3)
The Easy-Scroll Wheel simplifies control of the unit's many functions.
Operation is intuitive since the icons on the LCD monitor track the motion of the wheel. To further improve usability, the layout of the menu icons on the control screen has been redesigned and animated navigation for frequently used modes has been added.
The 3.5-inch LCD monitor has a wide viewing-angle and can be tilted for viewing comfort. It also folds away when not in use.
Photo 3: Easy-Scroll Wheel
(7) Note Navigator and DVD/CD Note Navigator (Figure 2)
The Note Navigator and DVD/CD Note Navigator functions allow users to add frames and hand-written messages and illustrations to their favorite photos without using a computer.
With these functions, users can easily create their own ''handmade'' holiday cards or postcards. Users can also combine photos and handwritten text to create DVD or CD labels.
(8) Built-in multi-paper handling
• Dual paper feeds
The MP970 adds a front-loading paper cassette (Photo 4) to the conventional rear-feeding paper tray to offer two-way paper feeding. Paper doesn't need to be replaced as often and different types or sizes of paper can be loaded simultaneously. And when bulk printing is needed, the MP970 can print up to 300 same-sized sheets consecutively (150 sheets from each tray, plain paper).
Switching between the rear tray and front cassette is possible either from the printer driver or by using the Paper Feed Switch button on the front of the unit.
• Auto Duplex Printing supports photo paper
The MP970 has Auto Duplex Printing (Photo 5), a feature that automatically creates double-sided prints without the hassle of flipping sheets over manually. Auto Duplex Printing works with either plain paper or double-sided photo paper. Special software can be used with this function to automatically print the address side and letter side of postcards.
• Printing and copying on DVDs/CDs
With this feature, users can print photos or text directly on printable DVDs and CDs. It is also possible to copy the label from one DVD or CD and print it on another DVD or CD (Photo 6).
Photo 6: Copying DVD and CD labels
(9) Individual ink tanks
The MP970's individual ink-tank system makes ink tank replacement more efficient and avoids the problem of ink running out while printing. It is equipped with LEDs to indicate empty ink tanks. A dot counter and an optical detector accurately read the remaining ink levels in the transparent ink tanks.
(10) New accessory software
• Easy-PhotoPrint EX (Windows/Macintosh*1)
This high-performance printing software suite combines the functions of the previous software packages Easy-Photo Print, Easy-Layout Print, and Petite Prints for Canon. The program offers easy menu-driven printing for photos, photo albums, DVD/CD labels, business cards, calendars, and stickers. Users can also launch CD LabelPrint from the menu.
Since the program includes Auto Image Fix, introduced above, it is possible to automatically optimize each image using face detection and scene analysis techniques.
Easy-PhotoPrint EX also supports plug-in printing*2 from Digital PhotoProfessional, the software package that comes with EOS Digital SLR cameras (ICC profile mode).
*1 This software supports PIXUS models marketed since fall 2003. (Some models are not supported; check compatibility on our Web site.) The software is available for download from our Web site.
*2 The latest versions of Easy-PhotoPrint EX and Digital PhotoProfessional are required. The latest upgrades are available for download from the Canon Web site.
Feature 2: A Look at Canon Photo Print Gold Glossy
Canon Photo Paper Gold Glossy GL-101 (Photo 7) is a new inkjet paper with the superior characteristics of our conventional Super Photo Paper SP-101, but providing even richer, more vibrant color reproduction while remaining very cost effective. This series is second only to Canon's highest glossy paper grade, Photo Paper Pro PR-101.
Photo 7: Gold Glossy GL-101
The latest inkjet coating technology (Figure 3) dramatically improves the paper's performance - higher print densities, an enlarged color space, and faster ink adhesion. It is available in a wide variety of sizes: 3.5 x 5", postcard, 102 x 152 mm, 127 x 178 mm, 8 x 10", A4, A3, and A3+.
It is sold along with the standard Canon Glossy Photo Paper GP-501 (available in 3.5 x 5", 127 x 178 mm, A4, A3, and A3+).
Figure 3: Inkjet coating technology (Photo Paper Gold Glossy)
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| Photo 8: PIXUS iP4500 | Photo 9: PIXUS MP610 |
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| Photo 10: PIXUS mini360 | Photo 11: PIXUS MP520 |
| All-in-one*1 | A4 | Compact | |||
| MP970 | MP610 | MP520 | iP4500 | mini360 | |
| Max. Resolution (dpi) | 9600*2 | 9600*2 | 4800*3 | 9600*2 | 9600*2 |
| Min. ink droplet | 1 pl | 1 pl | 2 pl | 1 pl | 1 pl |
| No. of inks | 7 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Individual ink tanks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Print speed*4 (3.5 x 5" borderless print) |
-29 sec. | -18 sec. | -37 sec. | -18 sec. | -33 sec. |
| Front paper feeding | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Auto Duplex Printing | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| DVD/CD label printing | Yes (copying also) |
Yes (copying also) |
No | Yes | No |
| Color LCD monitor | 3.5-inch TFT | 2.5-inch TFT | 2.0-inch TFT | No | 2.5-inch TFT |
| Copying | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Scanner | 4800 dpi (film scanning also) |
4800 dpi | 2400 dpi | No | No |
| Max. paper size | A4 | A4 | A4 | A4 | 127 x 178 mm |
| Computer connections | USB/ wireless LAN |
USB | USB | USB | USB |
*2 Prints with a minimum dot (ink droplet) interval of 1/9600 of an inch.
*3 Prints with a minimum dot (ink droplet) interval of 1/4800 of an inch.
*4 Using Photo Paper Gold Glossy. See our catalogs or Web site for detailed measurement conditions.
This concludes this month's look at the PIXUS MP970.
No recommended retail price is set for this product.