Canon SELPHY CP1500 Review: Portable Photo Printer Worth It?

Anyone who’s ever wanted to print a photo from their phone without waiting for a kiosk or sacrificing quality has probably wondered if a pocket-sized printer could actually deliver. The Canon SELPHY CP1500 promises lab-like prints in under a minute, with claimed longevity of up to 100 years. This review cuts through the marketing to see if this compact dye-sublimation printer is a smart buy for smartphone photographers, especially those in Ireland looking for an affordable and portable photo printer.

Print speed (postcard): 41 seconds ·
Max print size: 100 × 148 mm (postcard) ·
Print technology: Dye-sublimation ·
Color depth: 16.7 million colors ·
Claimed photo longevity: Up to 100 years in album ·
Weight: Approx. 810 g

The pattern from eight key specs: the Canon SELPHY CP1500 is a specialised photo printer with tight integration between ink, paper, and software, not a general-purpose document printer.

The implication: the CP1500 is built around a dedicated photo-printing engine, sacrificing size and paper formats for portability and ease of use.

Is the Canon SELPHY CP1500 any good?

For anyone who prints photos a few times a month and wants something far better than a drugstore kiosk, the answer is generally yes — with caveats. The CP1500 produces continuous-tone prints with 16.7 million colours using dye-sublimation, a process that heats solid dyes into a gas that coats the paper (Canon USA dye-sublimation technology). The results are water-, smudge-, and fingerprint-resistant, and Canon claims they last up to 100 years when stored in an album (Canon USA longevity claim). However, independent testing by TechGearLab found the print quality “satisfactory” but not stunning, with some streaking observed in one image (TechGearLab print quality review).

Who should buy the Canon SELPHY CP1500?

• Smartphone photographers who want to print occasional 4×6 or postcard photos from their phone wirelessly
• Parents who need durable, washable prints for scrapbooks and school projects
• Travellers or event organisers who want a printer that can run on an optional battery (B&H Photo Video battery option)

Pros and cons at a glance

The pattern: the CP1500 prioritises print durability and wireless convenience over raw speed and low cost per page. For anyone printing fewer than 50 photos a month, that trade-off makes sense.

What ink does the Canon SELPHY CP1500 use?

The CP1500 uses dye-sublimation ink cartridges — solid ribbons of cyan, magenta, yellow, and a protective overcoat layer. Unlike liquid ink inkjets, there are no cartridges to spill or nozzles to clog (Canon USA dye-sublimation technology).

Ink cartridge models: RP-108 and others

• RP-108: Standard kit — 108 prints per cartridge, including matching paper pack. Retail price around €25–€30 (B&H Photo Video compatible accessories)
• KP-36IN: 36 prints, smaller paper sizes
• RP-54: 54 prints, postcard size

How many prints per cartridge?

The standard RP-108 yields exactly 108 prints — and the count is built into the cartridge: the printer tracks the remaining prints and displays a warning when running low. Each print consumes the equivalent of one 4×6 page of dye ribbon.

What is the difference between SELPHY 1300 and 1500?

Canon refreshed its SELPHY line with the CP1500 in 2022, replacing the CP1300. The upgrades are incremental but meaningful for anyone deciding between a used CP1300 and a new CP1500.

The pattern from four key differences: the CP1500 improves display size, connectivity, and print speed while keeping the same core print engine.

The implication: the upgrade is about ergonomics and connectivity, not print quality — both printers use the same RP-108 ink and paper kits.

Key upgrades in the CP1500

• Bigger, tiltable 3.5-inch LCD for better preview (from 3.2-inch fixed)
• USB-C replaces Micro-USB — modern and faster
• Slightly faster print speed: 41 seconds vs 47 seconds
• New app: Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY (unified with Canon’s printer ecosystem)

Should you upgrade from CP1300?

If you already own a CP1300, the improvements aren’t dramatic enough to justify the cost unless you need USB-C or the larger tiltable screen. New buyers should choose the CP1500 — it’s the current model with longer software support and a better app experience.

Can Canon Selphy print photos from a phone?

Yes — and this is one of the CP1500’s strongest features. You don’t need a computer at all. Printing from a smartphone works via the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app (available for iOS and Android), AirPrint (Apple), or Mopria Print (Android).

Using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app

1. Download the “Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY” app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Power on the CP1500 and press the Wi-Fi button to enable Wi-Fi Direct mode.
3. Open your phone’s Wi-Fi settings and connect to the printer’s network (SELPHY-xxxxxx).
4. Launch the app — it automatically detects the printer. Select “Photo Print”.
5. Choose your photos, apply corrections (cropping, brightness, date stamp), and tap Print.
6. The printer starts immediately; a postcard print takes about 41 seconds (Ross Jukes Photo review).

Wireless connection methods: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

The CP1500 supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Wi-Fi Direct — no router needed. Bluetooth is included for initial setup pairing with the app. For a home network, connect the printer to your Wi-Fi router once through the app; after that, any device on the same network can print.

How long do photos last in Canon Selphy?

Canon claims that SELPHY prints stored in an album under recommended conditions (archival-quality album, stable temperature) will last up to 100 years (Canon USA product page longevity claim). The prints are also water-resistant, smudge-resistant, and can withstand fingerprints — even marker pen lines can be wiped off.

Dye-sublimation print longevity in albums

The longevity advantage comes from the protective overcoat layer applied during dye-sublimation. Unlike inkjet prints that remain porous, the CP1500 coats the image with a clear polymer that seals ink from moisture and UV. In accelerated aging tests, Canon estimates a 100-year album life based on ISO 18936:2014 standards.

Factors that affect photo lifespan

• Storage conditions: Dark, cool, stable humidity. Direct sunlight and high heat accelerate fading.
• Album quality: Archival-quality albums with pH-neutral sleeves are essential (standard magnetic albums can damage prints).
• Handling: While prints are smudge-resistant, oils from skin can degrade the coating over time. Handle prints by the edges or use gloves.

The catch: the 100-year claim is a lab projection under ideal conditions. Real-world longevity depends on storage environment. For most users, prints will outlast an inkjet’s 10–20-year typical life, but treating them as disposable would be a mistake.

What’s clear and what’s not

Confirmed facts

• The CP1500 is a compact wireless photo printer using dye-sublimation (Canon USA product page)
• RP-108 ink cartridge yields 108 prints (B&H Photo Video)
• Wireless printing works with Android and iOS via Canon PRINT app (Canon USA product page)
• Prints are water-resistant and said to last 100 years in album (Canon USA product page)
• Print speed is 41 seconds (postcard) according to independent reviewer (Ross Jukes Photo review)
• TechGearLab observed satisfactory colour and B&W output but noted streaking in one test (TechGearLab review)

What’s unclear

• Actual 100-year durability under typical home conditions (lab estimate based on ideal storage)
• Long-term reliability of the dye-sublimation mechanism: limited independent data
• Consistency of print quality across all paper packs: TechGearLab’s streaking may be an isolated issue

What photographers say

“Canon claims that SELPHY prints are water-resistant and can last up to 100 years when stored in an album.”

— Canon USA product page (Canon USA)

“The CP1500 produced satisfactory color and black-and-white prints, but not stunning ones. We also noted a bit of streaking in one of our test images.”

— TechGearLab photo printer review 2024 (TechGearLab)

The verdict from reviewers is consistent: the CP1500 delivers solid prints with good durability and wireless ease, but it’s not a high-end photo printer. For smartphone photographers who value practical convenience over pixel perfection, it hits the right notes.

For Irish buyers, the choice is clear: if you print fewer than 50 photos a month, want to eliminate the trip to Boots or SmilePrint, and accept a per-print cost of around 23 cent, the Canon SELPHY CP1500 is an excellent buy. If you print in bulk or need larger prints, consider a compact inkjet like Canon’s PIXMA TR series instead.

Frequently asked questions