Canon Pixma Pro 9500 Mark II

Canon Pixma Pro9500 Mark II

We didn't originally plan to review the Canon Pixma Pro9500 Mark II ($849.99 direct), because when it came out, Canon told us that it had only minor cosmetic changes from the Pixma Pro9500 ($849.99 direct, 3.5 stars). Recently, however, a contact at Canon casually mentioned that it printed photos faster than the original without any loss in the output quality that we had liked so much. That sounded like enough of a difference to make the Mark II worth a separate look. And, indeed, it turned out to be just as promised - faster (although still a little slow) with output that's as good or better. The Pixma Pro9500 Mark II falls in the same category as the slightly less expensive Editors' Choice Epson Stylus Photo R2880 ($799.99 direct, 4.5 stars). Both are near-dedicated photo printers, which means that although you can use them for standard business output on plain paper, it would be a waste of their talents. Both offer graphics and photo output quality that's suitable for professional photographers and graphic artists, but at a price that's within reach of serious amateurs. Both are also designed to print on an assortment of fine art papers and on cut sheets as large as 13 by 19 inches.