📸 Canon PIXMA iP8720 Wireless Printer Review: Pro-Quality Prints at a Consumer Price
The Canon PIXMA iP8720 Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer is a compelling choice for photography enthusiasts and creative professionals looking to produce high-quality, large-format prints without the hefty price tag of a professional-grade model. Offering the ability to print stunning borderless photos up to 13" x 19" (A3+), this single-function printer stands out in the consumer-level market.
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| Canon PIXMA iP8720 Wireless Printer Review: Pro-Quality Prints at a Consumer Price |
✨ Key Specifications and Features
At the core of the iP8720's appeal is its impressive feature set, primarily focused on delivering superior photo output:
| Feature | Specification / Detail |
| Printer Type | Single-Function Photo Inkjet |
| Max Print Size | 13" x 19" (A3+) Borderless |
| Print Resolution | Up to $9600 \times 2400$ dpi (Color) |
| Ink System | 6-Color Individual Ink Tanks (PGBK, Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Gray) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), Hi-Speed USB |
| Mobile/Cloud | AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, PIXMA Printing Solutions (PPS) |
| Special Feature | Printable CD/DVD/Blu-ray Disc Printing |
| Paper Capacity | 150 Sheets (Rear Tray) |
The inclusion of the Gray ink tank in the 6-color system is a crucial differentiator. This dedicated gray ink significantly enhances the printer's ability to produce professional-looking black-and-white photos with smoother tonal gradations and reduced color casts, a feature often reserved for higher-end photo printers.
🖼️ Photo Print Quality: The Star of the Show
The main reason to purchase the Canon iP8720 is its outstanding photo quality, especially for its price point.
Continuous Tone and Detail
Thanks to the $9600 \times 2400$ dpi maximum color resolution and the advanced print head technology, the iP8720 achieves a visual effect often described as "continuous tone." This means that under normal viewing conditions, the individual ink dots are practically invisible, resulting in remarkably smooth, detailed, and professional-looking photographs. This quality holds true even when printing on demanding media like glossy, luster, and satin photo papers.
Color and Monochrome Excellence
The 6-color system provides a good color gamut, delivering vibrant and accurate color prints. However, where the iP8720 truly shines is in monochrome (black and white) printing. The dedicated Gray ink cartridge ensures richer shadows, smoother mid-tones, and more neutral grayscale images compared to standard 4- or 5-color printers that struggle to mix true gray tones. For serious amateur photographers, this feature alone is a huge plus.
Large Format Potential
The ability to print borderless up to 13" x 19" transforms the user's ability to display their work. Whether for portfolios, gallery walls, or large-scale gifts, this capacity makes the iP8720 an incredibly versatile tool for creative projects.
📱 Wireless and Cloud Connectivity
The "Wireless Printer, AirPrint and Cloud Compatible" designation highlights the iP8720's excellent modern connectivity options, making it exceptionally user-friendly in a connected home or studio environment.
Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi): Allows for printing from virtually any computer on the local network.
AirPrint: A seamless experience for Apple users (iPhone, iPad, Mac), allowing direct printing without the need to download or install specific drivers.
Google Cloud Print & PIXMA Printing Solutions (PPS): These features offer flexibility, enabling printing from mobile devices, tablets, and even remotely via the cloud. The companion PIXMA Printing Solutions app (now Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app) simplifies photo and document printing management from a mobile device.
While some older user reviews mention occasional setup challenges with the initial wireless connection, once established, the wireless functionality is robust and highly convenient.
⚙️ Performance and Usability
The iP8720 is primarily a photo printer, so its print speeds are modest compared to dedicated document printers, but still respectable:
Color Photo (4" x 6" Borderless): Approximately 36 seconds
Black Document (ESAT): Approx. 14.5 ipm
Color Document (ESAT): Approx. 10.4 ipm
The printer is simple to operate, adhering to a "Keep It Simple" philosophy. It features an Auto Power On function, which turns the printer on automatically when a print job is sent, and a Quiet Mode, which is excellent for late-night printing. Its single, rear auto-sheet paper feeder is robust and handles a wide variety of media, including heavier photo papers (up to 50 sheets depending on thickness), which is a key requirement for quality photographic work.
⚠️ Potential Drawbacks
No review is complete without mentioning the potential downsides:
Ink Costs: As with most inkjet photo printers, ink consumption can be a significant ongoing cost, particularly when printing large-format, high-density photographs. The printer requires six individual cartridges, and using non-Canon inks is often cautioned against for optimal results.
No Scanner/Copier: The iP8720 is a single-function printer, meaning it cannot scan or copy. Users needing an all-in-one device will need to look elsewhere.
No Automatic Duplexing: It lacks an automatic two-sided printing feature, which is only a minor inconvenience since its main focus is high-quality, single-sided photo prints.
Size: Due to its 13" x 19" capacity, the printer is larger than typical home-use models, requiring adequate desktop space.
🎯 Conclusion: Who is the Canon iP8720 For?
The Canon PIXMA iP8720 is an excellent choice for:
Serious Amateur Photographers: Those who want to elevate their photo printing beyond small consumer sizes and appreciate the depth and detail provided by the 6-color ink system, especially for black-and-white images.
Creative Hobbyists: Perfect for printing large-format artwork, custom graphics, or printing directly onto CDs/DVDs.
Small Businesses/Students: Ideal for creating high-impact presentations, posters, and display materials up to 13" x 19".
The iP8720 successfully bridges the gap between affordable consumer printers and expensive professional photo printers. It delivers truly outstanding large-format photo output, exceptional grayscale performance, and convenient wireless features. If your primary goal is to print beautiful, high-resolution photographs up to A3+ size, the Canon iP8720 is a fantastic, value-driven choice that consistently earns high praise from its users.