Question about Canon ipf5100 image sharpness

[rpc]

I am considering purchase of the Canon ipf5100. Unfortunately, none of the local stores seem to have the product in stock with sample prints. My concern is about image "sharpness" or "detail" compared to my old Canon i9900. The i9900 uses 2 pl drops and lays them out at 4800 x 2400 dpi. The 5100 uses 4 pl drops at 2400 x 1200 dpi. My question is how does the level of detail compare when printing the same size picture (e.g., 8 x 12 inches)?

I am not worried about 16 x 24 inch prints. At that size, my camera delivers only 208 pixels per inch so the 5100 should have no trouble "resolving" all the available detail. On the other hand, with a 6.6 x 10 print (letter size paper), the camera delivers 499 pixels per inch. The "native" resolution of the i9900 Canon driver is 600 ppi, and I know from experience that I can see on the i9900 print the additional detail with 499 ppi as compared to a print with a cropped image from the camera that only has, say, 300 ppi. The difference is subtle but it definitely is there.

Does anyone with a Canon 5100 (or 5000 or 6100) have enough experience with the i9900 (or another 4800 x 2400 printer like the newer Pro9000) to say how they compare when it comes to printing detail from images with greater than 300 pixels per inch. I know that the Canon driver software for the ipf5100 has a high quality mode with a native resolution of 600 ppi (i.e., identical to the i9900 driver). That suggests that Canon thinks the printer can make use of detail greater than 300 ppi. But what can you actually see on the print?

I would appreciate any insight you can offer.

[sojournerphoto]

I am considering purchase of the Canon ipf5100. Unfortunately, none of the local stores seem to have the product in stock with sample prints. My concern is about image "sharpness" or "detail" compared to my old Canon i9900. The i9900 uses 2 pl drops and lays them out at 4800 x 2400 dpi. The 5100 uses 4 pl drops at 2400 x 1200 dpi. My question is how does the level of detail compare when printing the same size picture (e.g., 8 x 12 inches)?

I am not worried about 16 x 24 inch prints. At that size, my camera delivers only 208 pixels per inch so the 5100 should have no trouble "resolving" all the available detail. On the other hand, with a 6.6 x 10 print (letter size paper), the camera delivers 499 pixels per inch. The "native" resolution of the i9900 Canon driver is 600 ppi, and I know from experience that I can see on the i9900 print the additional detail with 499 ppi as compared to a print with a cropped image from the camera that only has, say, 300 ppi. The difference is subtle but it definitely is there.

Does anyone with a Canon 5100 (or 5000 or 6100) have enough experience with the i9900 (or another 4800 x 2400 printer like the newer Pro9000) to say how they compare when it comes to printing detail from images with greater than 300 pixels per inch. I know that the Canon driver software for the ipf5100 has a high quality mode with a native resolution of 600 ppi (i.e., identical to the i9900 driver). That suggests that Canon thinks the printer can make use of detail greater than 300 ppi. But what can you actually see on the print?

I would appreciate any insight you can offer.
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I use the ipf5000 and it has a native resolution of 600dpi. In the print plugin (also used for the 5100) it allows you to choose various resize algorithms including bicubic as well as bilinear and nearest neighbour). I think that there is value in sending the higher than 300dpi files for small prints as the difference is somehow there - I think I tend to look at small prints as little gems (if they're any good!). The dpi numbers for the printer relate to how the ink is laid down not the image resolution it uses.

Mike

[Kalin Wilson]

Does anyone with a Canon 5100 (or 5000 or 6100) have enough experience with the i9900 (or another 4800 x 2400 printer like the newer Pro9000) to say how they compare when it comes to printing detail from images with greater than 300 pixels per inch. I know that the Canon driver software for the ipf5100 has a high quality mode with a native resolution of 600 ppi (i.e., identical to the i9900 driver). That suggests that Canon thinks the printer can make use of detail greater than 300 ppi. But what can you actually see on the print?

I would appreciate any insight you can offer.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=152011\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I have both the I9900 and the iPF5000. It's been awhile since I've compared prints but my early impressions were clearly on the iPF5000 side. The prints I get from the iPF5000 are remarkable. I think the ink system and updated dithering patterns make a big difference. Besides, the paper flexibility and increased print width are key advantages.

I think the two printers are in different leagues but I haven't done any empirical tests. Might be interesting though, maybe I'll try it. I'll have to update my I9900 profile though.