Citizen vs Mitsubishi: Which Dye-Sublimation Printer to Choose
The Citizen CX-02 and the Mitsubishi CP-D90DW are surprisingly alike on paper: same sizes, near-identical yield and speeds under a second and a half apart. The difference that decides is not in the specs.
Citizen CX-02 vs Mitsubishi CP-D90DW: the Numbers
On speed the Mitsubishi is slightly ahead: 7.8 seconds at 10×15 against the Citizen’s 8.4-9.8. At 13×18 it is 13.2 s against 14.2, and at 15×20, 14.6 against 15.6. Gaps of under a second and a half.
On yield per roll they are tied: both are around 400 prints at 10×15, 230 at 13×18 and 200 at 15×20.
On sizes they also overlap heavily: both do 9×13, 10×15, 13×18 and 15×20, and the Citizen adds 15×23.
On weight, the Citizen is 12 kg and the Mitsubishi about 13.5.
- Citizen CX-02: 8.4-9.8 s · 400 prints/roll · 12 kg · reaches 15×23.
- Mitsubishi CP-D90DW: 7.8 s · ~400 prints/kit · ~13.5 kg.
- Yield per roll practically identical across the three shared sizes.
- Both cover 9×13, which most rivals do not.
Specs Tied, Catalogue Not
When two machines are this evenly matched, the decision moves to what happens after the purchase. And there the picture is asymmetric: the CP-D90DW is listed as discontinued by distributors in the sector, while the CX-02 is still in Citizen’s catalogue.
Buying a dye-sublimation printer means committing to its media for years. With a model out of catalogue the paper survives a while, but the network narrows and support fades. Between these two, and if it is to work with, the live option is the Citizen.
And if You Compare With DNP
Worth knowing before you decide: the DNP DS620 shares dimensions (275 × 366 × 170 mm), weight (12 kg) and yield per roll (400 prints at 10×15) with the Citizen CX-02. In hardware they are practically the same machine. What separates them is the media ecosystem, where DNP has the widest network in the European events market. It is developed in DNP vs Citizen and DNP vs Mitsubishi.
Comparison table
| Criterion | Citizen CX-02 | Mitsubishi CP-D90DW |
|---|---|---|
| Speed at 10×15 | 8,4-9,8 s | 7,8 s |
| Speed at 13×18 | 14,2 s | 13,2 s |
| Speed at 15×20 | 15,6 s | 14,6 s |
| Prints per roll at 10×15 | 400 | ~400 |
| Prints per roll at 15×20 | 200 | ~200 |
| Weight | 12 kg | ~13,5 kg |
| 15×23 size | Yes | No |
| Model status | In catalogue | Discontinued |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Citizen or Mitsubishi Better?
On specs they are very close: the Mitsubishi CP-D90DW is slightly faster (7.8 s at 10×15 against 8.4-9.8) and yield per roll is practically the same. The deciding difference is that the CP-D90DW is listed as discontinued, while the Citizen CX-02 is still in the catalogue with support and media.
Which Is Faster?
The Mitsubishi CP-D90DW, by a little: 7.8 seconds at 10×15 against the Citizen CX-02’s 8.4-9.8. At 13×18 it is 13.2 against 14.2 seconds. We are talking under a second and a half per print.
Do They Yield the Same per Roll?
Practically, yes. Both are around 400 prints at 10×15 cm, 230 at 13×18 and 200 at 15×20. On autonomy there is no reason to pick one over the other.
What Size Does One Do That the Other Does Not?
The Citizen CX-02 reaches 15×23 cm, which the Mitsubishi CP-D90DW does not cover. Otherwise they overlap: both do 9×13, 10×15, 13×18 and 15×20.
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