Canon Pixma iP6000D

Just when we've finally caught our breath, Canon announces another batch of Pixma printers (the company released four budget Pixma models earlier this summer). This time, instead of workhorse models, Canon treats us to a round of photo enthusiast printers. The six-color Pixma iP6000D, which replaces last year's Canon i900D, should please entry-level photo nuts.

Upside: The Pixma iP6000D takes direct printing a step further than its predecessor; in addition to providing card slots for the major media card formats and direct-from-camera printing, it can output photos from cell phones equipped with infrared capabilities. At 2.5 inches, its LCD is slightly larger than the i900D's 2-inch screen, and the iP6000D lets you edit and search for images on the LCD in addition to viewing them before printing. The iP6000D also comes equipped with all the features found on the Pixma line--from autoduplexing to high-capacity paper loading--and it costs $70 less than its predecessor.

Downside: Aside from its design and slightly enhanced direct-print capabilities, there's not much new here. The iP6000D incorporates older technologies since the latest technology is typically reserved for the year's flagship model--in this case, the Pixma iP5000. This isn't a deal breaker; we awarded the i900D with good performance and print-quality marks.

Outlook: Considering the printer's versatility, $179 (list) is a more than fair price to pay for the iP6000D. Like its predecessor, it should do quite well on the market. We'll give you our full analysis once the Canon Pixma iP6000D ships this fall. Stay tuned. Hide Review