Canon took aim at scrapbookers and other creative photo manipulators on Wednesday with the launch of its SELPHY ES2 compact photo printer. The ES2 includes all sorts of built-in options for dressing up ordinary photos with frames, clipart and other effects, making it ideal for someone unfamiliar with Photoshop who still wants to play with his or her images before printing them.
The ES2 gives users a choice of 16 different postcard-sized frames with birthday, holiday and seasonal themes. Nine different clipart “stamps” are also available, with 3rd-grade standbys such as stars, dolphins, and the venerable heart. Image effects allow users to soften the focus in pictures, fade or soften the edges, and add star lights.
All of the editing can be done on a 3-inch LCD using a scroll wheel for control. When finished, the ES2 can make 4 x 6 postcard-sized prints or 2 x 3 credit-card prints. Refill ink and paper are sold together as part of the Easy Photo Pack system.
Canon omitted a hard release date for the printer, but did announce that it would sell for $199.99 when it arrives.
