Canon Pixma G7050
This multifunction printer has it all, but if you don’t need every feature consider its cheaper siblings
SCORE
PRICE £325 (£390 inc VAT) from store.canon.co.uk
The Pixma G7050 sits at the other end of the scale from the Pixma G3501. It uses the same base ink tank concept but adds in every feature you could ever need from an MFP, right up to fax functions. Consequently, the printer is massive and looks busy – the control panel needs an entire number keypad built into it so you can dial out to send those faxes. At least this tilts up nicely, meaning you can operate it from seated or standing.
Every function on the printer is controlled using a two-line text-only LCD screen, which sounds woefully inadequate but is actually okay in use. A snazzy touchscreen would certainly make life easier than scrolling
through one text option at a time as on this model, but you can also operate the G7050 via a computer connected through USB or Ethernet, or any suitable device via Wi-Fi.
There are other benefits to buying this larger Canon “MegaTank” printer rather than the smaller and cheaper G3501. It has a 250-she 250-sheet plain paper tray built i into the base, meaning that yo you can keep this main tray stocked with plain paper and also print onto speciality spe media using the rear feeder. T There’s also an automatic sheet feeder on the top that can rattle through copying or faxing a 35-page document.
Just don’t expect improvements in printing quality. Its mono prints are solid and dependable, and the colour prints are reasonable – especially when you consider how much they cost. Photos didn’t come out as strong as we’d expect from a Canon printer in our tests, but again the affordability of the ink makes some compromise acceptable.
None of the tank printers are particularly fast when compared to other printers in this test and the Pixma G7050 follows the same path, usually sitting somewhere between the middle and the bottom of the speed tests.
If you need fax capabilities, the G7050 is a great choice; if you don’t, you should consider the G6050 for around £300 – or the Argos-exclusive G5050, which doesn’t include a scanner but is something of a bargain at £190.