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Head-to-head compact photo printer comparison

Canon SELPHY CP1500 vs Epson PictureMate PM-400

Epson PictureMate PM-400 is the better compact home photo printer for most families because it handles both 4x6 and 5x7 photos, prints 4x6 photos faster in Epson's listed default mode, uses a 2.7-inch preview display, supports Wi-Fi Direct and memory cards, and has a straightforward ink-plus-paper print-pack path. Canon SELPHY CP1500 is the more portable alternative if you want the smaller body, USB-C data connection, optional battery support, 3.5-inch screen, and card or square label formats.

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Two unbranded compact photo printers on a bright desk with glossy photo prints, a smartphone, memory card, USB-C cable, and stacked photo paper for the Canon SELPHY CP1500 vs Epson PictureMate PM-400 comparison
Last checked
Winner Epson PictureMate PM-400
Portable pick Canon SELPHY CP1500
Verdict

Which one should most people buy?

Choose Epson PictureMate PM-400 if you want a compact printer that stays at home and can handle both 4x6 and 5x7 prints. Choose Canon SELPHY CP1500 if you care more about pack size, optional battery printing, USB-C data, and small-format sticker or card output.

Buy the Epson if this printer will live on a shelf, desk, or craft table.

The PM-400 wins because it gives home users more photo-size flexibility and a clearer high-volume print routine. Its 5x7 support matters for gifts and framing, its print-pack system keeps ink and paper planning simple, and the official 36-second 4x6 speed is useful when several people want prints after a birthday, trip, or school event.

The SELPHY CP1500 is still the better fit when portability is the point. Canon lists a smaller 7.2 x 2.3 x 5.2 inch body, about 1.9 pounds, an optional battery pack, USB-C data for computer or flash-drive printing, SD-family card support, a larger 3.5-inch LCD, and output sizes beyond 4x6, including card and square label formats.

At a glance

The key specs.

Portable alternative

Canon SELPHY CP1500

A dye-sublimation compact photo printer for shoppers who want a small, travel-friendly printer with USB-C data, Wi-Fi, SD-family card support, a 3.5-inch LCD, optional battery power, and several small print formats.

Print method
Dye-sublimation thermal transfer
Resolution
300 x 300 dpi with 256 levels per color listed by Canon
Display
3.5-inch LCD screen
Connectivity
2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, AirPrint, USB 2.0 Type-C for computer or flash drive, and SD-family card slots
Paper sizes
Postcard 4.0 x 6.0, L 3.5 x 4.7, card 2.1 x 3.4, and square label 2.1 x 2.1
Size and weight
Approx. 7.2 x 2.3 x 5.2 in; approx. 1.9 lb
Best for
Small desks, travel bags, events, card-size prints, and optional battery-powered printing.
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Best compact home pick

Epson PictureMate PM-400

A compact wireless photo printer for homes that want 4x6 and 5x7 prints, Wi-Fi Direct, phone/tablet printing, a 2.7-inch color display, SD-family card support, and convenient ink-and-paper print packs.

Print method
4-color drop-on-demand MicroPiezo inkjet
Resolution
Maximum 5760 x 1440 dpi listed by Epson
Display
2.7-inch color display for previewing photos
Connectivity
Hi-Speed USB 2.0, wireless 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Epson Connect, AirPrint, and mobile app support
Paper sizes
3.5 x 5, 4 x 6, and 5 x 7, with borderless support for those sizes
Size and weight
Storage: 9.0 x 6.9 x 3.3 in; printing: 9.8 x 15.1 x 7.9 in; 4.0 lb
Best for
Home photo sharing, 5x7 gifts, stacked 4x6 prints, and users who want ink and paper bundled together.
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Buyer guide

Choose by print routine.

Both printers target casual photo sharing rather than office documents. The decision comes down to whether you want a smaller dye-sub printer that can move around, or a compact home printer with 5x7 output and a more generous paper tray workflow.

Canon SELPHY CP1500

Buy this if / skip this if

Buy this if
  • You want the smaller printer body and lighter carry weight for events, craft tables, dorm rooms, or occasional travel.
  • You plan to print from several sources: phone app, AirPrint, USB-C computer or flash-drive connection, and SD-family memory cards.
  • You care about small-format output such as card prints, square labels, or 4x6 photo handouts more than 5x7 enlargements.
Skip this if
  • You want 5x7 prints from this dedicated photo printer; Canon's listed CP1500 sizes top out at postcard 4.0 x 6.0.
  • You want a larger paper handling routine for batches; Canon lists output tray capacity up to 18 sheets.
  • You prefer buying from a manufacturer-direct page that currently presents the printer as actively available.
Epson PictureMate PM-400

Buy this if / skip this if

Buy this if
  • You want one compact printer for both 4x6 snapshots and 5x7 gifts, keepsakes, or small frames.
  • You like Epson's print-pack approach because ink and 4x6 photo paper can be planned together.
  • You will mostly print at home near an outlet and value the faster listed 4x6 speed over bag-friendly size.
Skip this if
  • You need the smallest possible printer for a cabinet, event kit, or travel bag.
  • You want optional battery printing; Epson's PM-400 workflow is a plug-in compact printer setup.
  • You want Canon's card-size and square-label print formats rather than Epson's 3.5x5, 4x6, and 5x7 range.
Print size changes the whole use case

4x6 is enough for fridge photos, albums, thank-you notes, and party handouts. 5x7 support makes the Epson better for small frames, gifts, and school or family display prints without moving to a larger printer.

Portable and compact are different

The Canon stores much smaller and weighs about half as much as the Epson. The Epson is still compact, but its printing footprint expands to 15.1 inches deep, so it fits better as a home station than a bag printer.

Consumables decide ownership friction

Canon uses SELPHY paper/cassette and dye-sub cartridge planning, while Epson promotes print packs with ink and 4x6 paper together. Before buying either, check that the paper size and refill kit you expect are easy for you to reorder.

Before you buy

Check these compact photo printer details first.

  • Confirm the exact paper and cartridge kit for the printer. The printer is only half the purchase if the refill format is hard to find later.
  • Decide whether 5x7 matters. If every print will be 4x6 or smaller, Canon's smaller body may matter more than Epson's larger format support.
  • Check your source devices. Memory cards, phone apps, AirPrint, USB flash drives, and computer USB connections are not interchangeable conveniences.
  • Verify seller and listing details before checkout, especially for older or marketplace-sold models and bundled printer-plus-paper packages.
Side by side

Compare the trade-offs.

The table focuses on official specs that change ownership: print sizes, speed, storage size, printing footprint, connection paths, screen size, consumables, and whether the printer fits a home station or portable-event setup.

Canon SELPHY CP1500 vs Epson PictureMate PM-400 official spec comparison.
Metric Canon SELPHY CP1500 Epson PictureMate PM-400
Best fit Portable printing, smaller desks, optional battery setups, USB-C data, memory cards, and small card or square label formats. WinnerCompact home photo sharing with 4x6 and 5x7 output, print packs, phone/tablet printing, Wi-Fi Direct, and faster listed 4x6 print speed.
Print technology Dye-sublimation thermal transfer 4-color drop-on-demand MicroPiezo inkjet
Listed resolution 300 x 300 dpi, 256 levels per color Maximum 5760 x 1440 dpi
Print sizes Postcard 4.0 x 6.0, L 3.5 x 4.7, card 2.1 x 3.4, and square label 2.1 x 2.1 Winner3.5 x 5, 4 x 6, and 5 x 7, with borderless support for those sizes
4x6 speed Canon's open page did not expose a directly comparable 4x6 seconds row in the captured technical spec. Winner4 x 6 borderless photo in as fast as 36 seconds in default mode on Premium Photo Paper Glossy
Display Winner3.5-inch LCD screen 2.7-inch color display
Connectivity 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, AirPrint, USB 2.0 Type-C for computer or flash drive, and SD-family card support Hi-Speed USB 2.0, wireless 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Epson Connect, AirPrint, mobile apps, and SD-family card support
Storage size WinnerApprox. 7.2 x 2.3 x 5.2 in 9.0 x 6.9 x 3.3 in in storage
Printing footprint Canon lists the compact printer body size; allow room for the paper cassette and output path. 9.8 x 15.1 x 7.9 in while printing
Weight WinnerApprox. 1.9 lb 4.0 lb
Power flexibility WinnerAC adapter included; optional NB-CP2LH battery pack listed by Canon Plug-in compact home printer setup
Consumable planning SELPHY paper cassettes and dye-sub media/cartridge planning; confirm the exact kit for your print size. WinnerEpson promotes print packs that include ink cartridge and 100 sheets of 4x6 photo paper.
Main drawback No 5x7 output, smaller output capacity, and Canon's official U.S. store page identifies the CP1500 as no longer available from Canon direct. Larger and heavier, no battery workflow, and less convenient if the printer needs to travel often.
Buyer fit summary Canon is the better compact and portable-event printer. Epson is the better compact home photo station.
How we compared

The criteria behind the pick.

We compared official product pages and product-specific Amazon listings. We weighted the details that change daily photo printing: supported print sizes, physical footprint, portability, screen size, phone and memory-card workflows, consumable planning, optional battery support, and whether each printer is better as a home station or a take-along event printer.

Specs checked

Print technology, resolution, supported paper sizes, display size, connectivity, memory card support, dimensions, weight, output handling, battery notes, and refill workflow were checked against manufacturer pages.

Fit checked

The recommendation favors the printer that covers more home photo jobs without becoming a full-size photo printer: 4x6 sharing, 5x7 gifts, wireless printing, memory card use, and manageable consumables.

Data omitted

Prices, ratings, review counts, coupons, and live availability were intentionally left out because they change often and were not needed for this official-spec decision.

Source trail

What the recommendation is based on.

FAQ

Questions before checkout.

Which compact photo printer should most people buy?

Epson PictureMate PM-400 is the safer default if you want a compact home photo printer with 4x6 and 5x7 output, a 2.7-inch display, Wi-Fi Direct, memory card support, and a print-pack workflow built around ink plus paper.

Why choose Canon SELPHY CP1500 instead?

Choose Canon SELPHY CP1500 if portability, smaller storage size, USB-C data connection, optional battery support, a larger 3.5-inch screen, and smaller card or square label formats matter more than 5x7 output.

Do both printers make 4x6 photos?

Yes. Canon lists postcard-size 4.0 x 6.0 output for the SELPHY CP1500, while Epson lists 4 x 6 borderless photo printing for the PictureMate PM-400.

Which one is better for party or travel printing?

Canon SELPHY CP1500 is easier to justify for portable setups because Canon lists a smaller 7.2 x 2.3 x 5.2 inch body, about 1.9 pounds, and an optional battery pack. Epson is better when the printer can stay near an outlet and you want 5x7 support.

Did this comparison use prices or customer ratings?

No. Prices, coupons, ratings, review counts, and live availability were left out because they can change often and were not needed for this official-spec buying decision.

Epson PictureMate PM-400 Compact home photo station.
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