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Silhouette Cameo 4 vs Cameo 3- Whats the Difference?

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With the newly released Silhouette Cameo 4, many are wondering what is new and exciting about this machine, and how does it compare to the Silhouette Cameo 3?

I have got those answers and more as we explore exactly what the hype is on the new Silhouette Cameo 4.

Silhouette CAMEO 3 and Silhouette CAMEO 4 next to each other

Silhouette sent me a Cameo 4 for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Silhouette Cameo 4

The Silhouette Cameo 4 was announced in May 2019 and is now available and shipping in 2020.

This new machine is bringing several new highly anticipated features to the cutting machine. As someone that has cut with almost every machine Silhouette has ever produced, so far, I am impressed!

Below we will go through some key features, differences from previous models and what is coming next!

If you are a crafter, the Silhouette Cameo 4 is definitely the best machine on the market for cutting vinyl, fabric, leather, wood, felt, magnetic material, and so many other types of media.

Key Features

The Cameo 4 is bringing some highly anticipated, user requested features to the machine.

  • Cuts more materials! The re-vamped dual carriage tool holder will now work with a rotery blade for cutting fabric, and a kraft blade to cut thicker materials like felt or balsawood.
  • Easier to use! With a roll feeder and cross cutter built in, it makes working with longer pieces of vinyl easy.
  • Touch Panel The touch screen interface is smooth, sleek and responsive.
  • Retractable Lid The lid now folds up and back to the top of the machine to take up less space and stay out of the way.
  • Bluetooth communication transfer designs from your computer to the machine without the hassle of wires.

What is different from the CAMEO 3?

If you are wondering what the differences are between the older model Silhouette Cameo 3 and the new Cameo 4, and whether it is worth upgrading, it will depend on your needs for the machine.

Silhouette CAMEO 4 with craft supplies

There are quite a few differences in the newer machine and some rank as pretty major upgrades!

Here are the biggest highlights:

  • Faster The Cameo 4 has the fastest cut of any machine in its class at 30 cm/sec.
    From my experience, the machine is fast, but it is still smooth and precise.
  • Most Powerful Not only is it the fastest, but also the most powerful with additional downward force at 5000 g.
    This is really important if you work with thick materials like felt, leather, or wood.
  • New Tools The new carriage design allows for tools that cut additional materials more precisely, like the rotary blade which allows you to cut fabric without a stabilizer.
    NOTE: The Silhouette Cameo 4 comes with adapters to allow you to use tools from older machines with it. The tools made for the CAMEO 4 cannot be used on older machines.
    Silhouette CAMEO with vinyl roll holder
  • Built in Roll Feeder The integral roll feeder folds out from the bottom of the machine for when it is needed to cut longer pieces of vinyl, and tucks back in seamlessly and completely out of the way when not in use.
    I really like this because the external roll feeder is really bulky and a pain to store. Having it built in is very handy for anyone who works with vinyl often.
  • Higher Clearance Along with the increased force and new Kraft blade, the Silhouette Cameo 4 now has a 3mm clearance for materials allowing you to cut thicker materials than the Cameo 3 at 2mm.
    This makes a big difference for those using felt, leather, and wood in their machines!

These are a few of the biggest differences you will see off the bat. There are other differences as well, such as the design, the lid that tucks back into the machine, and the touch panel. The things that will have the biggest impact on your crafting though, in my opinion are listed above.

So, is it worth it to upgrade?

It depends on how you use your Silhouette Cameo! There are certainly many compelling reasons if you want to be convinced though!

If you work with fabric, in my opinion, an upgrade is a no brainer! If you work with felt, leather or wood, this machine is most definitely the best craft cutting machine on the market.

If you are doing vinyl and work with larger cuts, the roll feeder will be immensely helpful to you as it allows you to keep your vinyl feeding into the machine straight without anything extra to store, set up or find.

Although both the Silhouette Cameo 3 and 4 come with an autoblade, they are actually sized and shaped differently and the blade for the 4 is not compatible with the 3.

Silhouette CAMEO 4 Autoblade

Upon my first tests with the machine I did find the new autoblade to be less fickle than the old and produced smooth and precise cuts on the material I was using with minimal adjustments, which means so far I am a big fan!

What comes in the box?

What comes with Silhouette CAMEO 4
  • Silhouette Cameo 4
  • Power cable & USB cable
  • 12-inch Cutting Mat
  • AutoBlade
  • Tool adapters
  • Cross cutter
  • Ratchet blade key
  • 100 exclusive designs (download)
  • 1-monthSilhouette Design Storesubscription (available with tool registration)

You will also need to download the latest version of the Silhouette Studio Software to use this machine. The software can be downloaded for free from the Silhouette America website.

Specs + Tech

If you are into the numbers and tech crunch, here are the stats for the new Silhouette Cameo 4.

  • True 12-inch cutting width (when using a cutting mat)
  • Matless cutting capabilities*
  • Cut up to 10 feet length materials (when using select materials)
  • Dual motor system
  • Tool detection sensors
  • Most powerful force in machine class (5,000 grams force)
  • Fastest cutting speed in machine class (up to 30 cm/second)
  • Smart tangential mode for cutting fabric without a stabilizer (requiresRotary Blade)
  • 3 mm clearance for thicker materials.
  • Feather touch responsive panel
  • Built-in roll feeder allows you to easily load and cut rolled materials like vinyl and heat transfer.
  • Built-in crosscutter lets you trim vinyl or heat transfer right from the roll.
  • Sliding lid and backlit touch panel give your machine a sleek, compact aesthetic.
  • Bluetooth connectivity allows wireless cutting.
  • Print & Cut registration capability
  • PixScan compatible
  • Driven by free Silhouette Studio software to give you limitless design options to customize your project.
  • Mac/Windows compatible

How much is the Silhouette Cameo 4?

There is a lot to be excited about with all of the new features and technology built into the CAMEO 4. The best part is that they are introducing this crafting machine at the same price point as they have traditionally with older machines instead of raising the price!

The Silhouette Cameo 4 retails at $299 and can be bought in white, pink and black.

How thee Silhouette CAMEO 4 lid tucks in

Although bundles are not currently available on the Silhouette website, they are generally introduced as promotions seasonally, so keep your eye out if you are hoping for one!

Hopefully this gives you a pretty clear picture of what the Silhouette CAMEO 4 offers and how much you will enjoy it for taking your crafting to the next level.

If you have any questions I missed, make sure and leave them in the comments section below!

The post Silhouette Cameo 4 vs Cameo 3- Whats the Difference? appeared first on The Pinning Mama.


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