The Canon iP8720 is a popular choice for photography enthusiasts and creative professionals seeking high-quality photo prints. Renowned for its exceptional color accuracy, wide-format printing capabilities, and individual ink system, the iP8720 consistently delivers stunning results. However, a common question arises among potential buyers: Does the Canon iP8720 have scanning capabilities? The answer, unfortunately, is no.
Understanding the Canon iP8720: A Printer Focused on Perfection
The Canon iP8720 is designed primarily as a dedicated photo printer. Its core strength lies in producing exceptional photo prints, which is reflected in its features and functionalities. To fully comprehend why scanning isn’t included, let’s delve into the printer’s key attributes.
Exceptional Print Quality
The iP8720 leverages Canon’s FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology, which enables incredibly precise ink placement. This, combined with a high resolution of up to 9600 x 2400 dpi, results in images with remarkable detail, smooth gradients, and vibrant colors. The six individual ink tanks, including a gray ink, further enhance color accuracy and black-and-white reproduction, making it ideal for professional-grade photos.
Wide-Format Printing Capabilities
One of the most appealing aspects of the Canon iP8720 is its ability to print on a variety of paper sizes, including large formats up to 13 x 19 inches. This makes it perfect for creating posters, banners, and other large-scale prints. The printer also supports borderless printing, allowing you to create professional-looking photos without any white margins.
Individual Ink System: Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
The iP8720 uses six individual ink tanks: black, gray, cyan, magenta, yellow, and pigment black. This system allows you to replace only the color that runs out, minimizing waste and reducing overall printing costs. The gray ink is particularly important for achieving smooth tonal gradations in black-and-white photos, a feature highly valued by photographers.
Focus on Print-Specific Features
Because of its focus on printing excellence, the iP8720 boasts features tailored to enhance the printing experience. These include advanced paper handling options, support for various media types (glossy, matte, fine art papers), and software tools for optimizing print settings.
Why the Canon iP8720 Lacks Scanning Functionality
The absence of a scanner in the Canon iP8720 isn’t an oversight; it’s a deliberate design choice. Canon positioned this model as a specialized photo printer, prioritizing print quality and wide-format capabilities over multi-functionality.
Target Audience: Photo Enthusiasts and Professionals
The primary target audience for the iP8720 is photographers and graphic designers who demand the highest possible print quality. These users often have separate, dedicated scanners for their scanning needs, allowing them to choose a scanner with specifications that match their specific requirements (e.g., film scanning, high-resolution scanning).
Cost Optimization
Integrating a scanner into the iP8720 would undoubtedly increase its production cost and potentially its retail price. By focusing solely on printing, Canon could offer the iP8720 at a more competitive price point, making it more accessible to its target audience.
Size and Design Considerations
Adding a scanner would necessitate a larger footprint for the printer. The Canon iP8720 is already a relatively large printer due to its wide-format capabilities. Maintaining a manageable size was likely a factor in the decision to omit scanning functionality.
Preventing Feature Creep
Sometimes manufacturers purposely avoid adding too many features to a product, as it can dilute the product’s primary function and increase complexity. The Canon iP8720 is designed for one thing: printing exceptional photos. Adding a scanner might compromise the printer’s core focus on printing performance.
Alternatives to the Canon iP8720 with Scanning Capabilities
If you require both printing and scanning capabilities, consider exploring multi-function printers (MFPs) from Canon or other manufacturers. These devices combine printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing into a single unit.
Canon Pixma Multifunction Printers
Canon offers a wide range of Pixma MFPs that provide excellent print quality and integrated scanning functionality. Models like the Pixma TS9521C or the Pixma TR8620 are excellent choices if you desire all-in-one convenience. These printers typically feature a flatbed scanner for scanning documents and photos.
Epson Expression Premium Series
Epson’s Expression Premium series offers all-in-one printers that are comparable to Canon’s Pixma line. These printers often feature high-resolution scanning, excellent print quality, and wireless connectivity.
Brother All-in-One Printers
Brother is another reputable brand that offers a diverse selection of all-in-one printers suitable for home and office use. Their models usually provide reliable printing, scanning, and copying capabilities at a competitive price.
Scanning Documents and Photos Without a Scanner
Even without a dedicated scanner, you can still digitize documents and photos using alternative methods.
Smartphone Scanning Apps
Numerous smartphone apps can transform your smartphone into a portable scanner. These apps use your phone’s camera to capture images of documents and photos, then apply image processing techniques to enhance readability and correct perspective. Popular options include Adobe Scan, Microsoft Lens, and CamScanner. The quality may not be as good as a dedicated scanner, but these apps offer a convenient way to quickly digitize documents on the go.
Using a Digital Camera
If you have a digital camera, you can use it to photograph documents and photos. Ensure good lighting and a stable camera position to minimize blur and distortion. You can then use image editing software to crop and enhance the images. This method can produce decent results if you take care to set up the shot properly.
Conclusion: The Canon iP8720 – A Specialized Photo Printer
The Canon iP8720 is undoubtedly an outstanding photo printer celebrated for its exceptional print quality, wide-format capabilities, and individual ink system. However, it’s essential to remember that it is specifically designed as a dedicated photo printer and does not include scanning functionality.
If scanning is a crucial requirement for your workflow, consider exploring multi-function printers or utilizing alternative scanning methods such as smartphone apps or a digital camera. By understanding the Canon iP8720’s strengths and limitations, you can make an informed decision about whether it’s the right printer for your specific needs. The Canon iP8720 remains a top-tier choice for those prioritizing exceptional photo printing above all else.
Does the Canon iP8720 have a scanner?
The Canon iP8720 is primarily designed as a photo printer and, unfortunately, does not include built-in scanning capabilities. It excels at producing high-quality, borderless photos up to 13×19 inches, making it a favorite among photographers and creative professionals who prioritize photo printing. Its focus is entirely on delivering exceptional print results.
Because the iP8720 lacks a scanner, you won’t find any scanning bed, automatic document feeder (ADF), or scanning software integrated with the printer. If you need to scan documents or photos, you’ll need to utilize a separate scanner device, such as a standalone scanner or an all-in-one printer that includes scanning functionality.
What are the primary functions of the Canon iP8720 printer?
The main purpose of the Canon iP8720 is to print high-resolution, borderless photographs. Its strength lies in its ability to produce vibrant and detailed prints, making it suitable for photographers who want to showcase their work or individuals who enjoy creating photo albums and personalized gifts. It uses a six-color ink system, including gray ink, to achieve excellent color accuracy and smooth tonal gradations, particularly in black and white photos.
Beyond printing photos, the iP8720 can also print documents, although it’s not specifically optimized for high-volume text-based printing. While it can handle standard paper sizes, its primary appeal remains within the realm of photo printing. Features like CD/DVD printing further enhance its capabilities for creative projects.
What type of ink cartridges does the Canon iP8720 use?
The Canon iP8720 utilizes six individual ink cartridges: black, gray, cyan, magenta, yellow, and pigment black. This six-color ink system allows for a wider color gamut and more precise color reproduction compared to printers with fewer ink cartridges. The gray ink is particularly beneficial for achieving smoother gradients and more realistic tones in black and white photographs.
Using separate ink cartridges is advantageous because it allows you to replace only the color that has run out, reducing waste and saving money compared to tricolor cartridges. The specific ink cartridge models used by the iP8720 are typically Canon CLI-251 (color inks) and PGI-250 (pigment black ink).
What alternatives are available if I need to both print and scan?
If you require both printing and scanning capabilities, you have several options. One common approach is to purchase a separate scanner to complement your Canon iP8720 printer. Standalone scanners offer a range of features and price points, allowing you to choose one that meets your specific scanning needs.
Alternatively, you could invest in an all-in-one printer that combines printing, scanning, and copying functions into a single device. These printers are readily available from various manufacturers, including Canon, and offer a convenient solution for users who need both printing and scanning in a single footprint. Consider models like the Canon PIXMA TR series or MX series for integrated printing and scanning.
Can I scan using my smartphone as an alternative to a scanner with the iP8720?
While the Canon iP8720 doesn’t offer scanning capabilities, you can leverage your smartphone as a scanning alternative. Numerous mobile apps are available for both iOS and Android that utilize your phone’s camera to capture and digitize documents and photos. These apps often include features like automatic edge detection, perspective correction, and optical character recognition (OCR).
Using a smartphone scanning app can be a convenient way to quickly digitize documents or photos without requiring a dedicated scanner. While the quality may not always match that of a dedicated scanner, particularly for archival purposes, it can be sufficient for many everyday scanning needs. Examples of popular smartphone scanning apps include Adobe Scan, Microsoft Lens, and CamScanner.
Is it possible to connect the Canon iP8720 to a network for shared printing?
Yes, the Canon iP8720 offers both wired and wireless connectivity options, allowing you to easily share the printer among multiple users on a network. It supports Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling you to connect the printer to your home or office network wirelessly. This eliminates the need for a direct USB connection to a single computer.
Additionally, the iP8720 also includes an Ethernet port for wired network connections. This provides a stable and reliable connection, particularly in environments where wireless signal strength may be weak or unreliable. Whether you choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet, connecting the iP8720 to a network makes it easy for multiple users to print from their computers or mobile devices.
Where can I find drivers and support for the Canon iP8720 printer?
You can find the latest drivers, software, and support resources for the Canon iP8720 on the official Canon website. Navigating to the Canon support page for the iP8720 will provide access to downloadable drivers for various operating systems, including Windows and macOS. This ensures that your printer is compatible with your computer and can function optimally.
In addition to drivers, the Canon support page also offers user manuals, troubleshooting guides, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and contact information for Canon customer support. These resources can be invaluable for resolving any issues you may encounter while using the iP8720. Keeping your drivers updated is crucial for maintaining printer performance and security.