Canon Pixma MG5220

Canon Pixma MG5220

The Canon Pixma MG5220 color inkjet multifunction (print/scan/copy) offers strong speed and output quality, and it's competitively priced ($150 as of August 25, 2010). It's a suitable match for families or home offices with light scanning needs. The Pixma MG5220 is outstandingly simple to install, whether by USB or wireless. The Canon installation software even automatically adds the printer on a Mac--a rarity. The 2-inch color LCD flips up for easy viewing, the menus are simple to navigate, and the other controls are nicely laid out. Canon also provides a comprehensive software suite that takes advantage of all the unit's capabilities, from scanning to copying to producing outstanding photos. Most home-oriented MFPs such as the MG5220 lack an automatic document feeder for scanning multipage documents. We miss it on this otherwise capable machine. That minor complaint aside, the MG5220's impressive paper handling includes automatic duplexing (two-sided printing) and two 150-sheet input trays: one undermounted drawer for plain paper, plus a vertical rear feed for thicker media. The scanner cover telescopes to accept thicker material. Memory card slots support CompactFlash, Memory Stick, SD Card, and XD-Picture Card.