Canon MP520 Ink
PIXMA MP520 Ink Cartridges

Canon MP520 Printer Review

The Canon Pixma MP520 is an all-in-one inkjet unit designed to simplify photo printing while providing multiple services for office use. It does, however, lack faxing and networking capabilities, which is vital in a business atmosphere. It can print a 4x6 color photo in as little as 46 seconds, and it can print up to 30 pages per minute using black Canon MP520 ink, and up to 20 in color.

The Pixma MP520 is compatible with Mac and Windows, and has a USB 2.0 Hi-speed interface which transfers images at the highest speed a PC is capable of. There is an AutoFix feature that helps adjust and enhance photos for the highest quality results. Using Pixma MP520 ink, this unit prints at a resolution of 600x600 dpi in black and 4800x1200 dpi in color. It also has a interpolated scanning resolution of 19,200x19,200 dpi.

Canon MP520 ink cartridges are sold and stored separately within the unit. There are four different colors of printer ink—cyan, magenta, yellow and a pigment-based black. The black pigment-based Pixma MP520 ink cartridge is a newer addition to Canon inkjet units, whereas it used to be dye-based. The pigment-base helps to provide more crisp text and less smudge. The print head technology now standard in inkjet printers consists of 1,600 nozzles that eject 2 or 5 picoliter sized drops of Canon MP520 ink per inch of paper. This fine and precise system makes photos more realistic and vibrant.

There is an easy scroll wheel near the 2.0" LCD that flips out from the top of the Canon Pixma MP520. The LCD is there to help preview images being loaded directly from memory cards, digital cameras and phones. The wheel is just for optimal navigation. The MP520 is a good multi-purpose unit, with quality printer ink and exciting features making it a good fit for any home or small office.