Canon Multifunction Inkjets: 2009/10

We haven't yet had a chance to publish our tests of Canon's latest multifunction printers, but they won't be long now.  In the meantime, here's a quick look at their main features and how to choose between them.

You can easily divide Canon's range of printers into two halves: the very cheapest models, which still use single cartridges with all colours combined; and the others with separate cartridges and more options, including WiFi and duplex printing.

In the former group, there are two models, the MP250 and the MP270, but we're pretty certain their main interest is to give competing retailers distinctive products so they don't end up attacking each other directly.  So if you see these two printers on sale at the same price, then don't be alarmed: they're clones, down to one important detail: the MP270 is a little faster than the MP250, so we recommend you avoid the latter.

Canon MP250: Very cheap, single cartrdiges, low speed

Speed: 7 ppm B & W, 4,8 ppm colour Ink drop size: 2 pl Colour screen, WiFi, duplex? No/No/No Cost per page: 9.5 p (XL cartridges) Cost per page for photos: 15.4 p (XL cartridges)

MARCHANDS €     Mypix.com  24.90  Batterieland  50.90  Rue du comm...  52.00  Compare prices

Canon MP270: More of the same, but a little faster

Speed: 8,4 ppm B & W, 4,8 ppm colour Ink drop size: 2 pl Colour screen, WiFi, duplex? No/No/No Cost per page: 9.5 p (XL cartridges) Cost per page for photos: 15.4 p (XL cartridges)

MARCHANDS €     Mypix.com  24.90  Batterieland  50.90  Rue du comm...  52.00  Compare prices

Next up are printers with separate cartridges for each colour ink, which are around 20% more efficient than those with a single cartridge.  Canon hasn't made any revolutionary changes in printing speeds, document quality or extra features this year, and its line-up for 2010 is very much a continuation of its 2009 offering.  While we're glad to see the return of some positive features we enjoyed last year, it's a shame to not have some of the new features found on some of Canon's competitors' printers.  WiFi and double-sided printing are only available on some of the most expensive models, and none of Canon's multifunction printers yet has a touchscreen or Internet connectivity.  Instead, the manufacturer is sticking to its interface based on a scroll-wheel, which, although it's useful enough, isn't anywhere near as good as a real touchscreen device.

Canon MP550: Separate cartridges and a colour screen, but no WiFi

Speed: 9,2 ppm B & W, 6 ppm colour Ink drop size: 1 pl Colour screen, WiFi, duplex? Yes/No/No Cost per page: 7.6 p (XL cartridges) Cost per page for photos: 13.6 p (XL cartridges)

MARCHANDS €     Mypix.com  24.90  Batterieland  50.90  Rue du comm...  52.00  Compare prices

This is the first member of the family to have some serious power, with faster printing and lower running costs.  But if you use a laptop (and that's a lot of people these days) the lack of WiFi can be a real problem.  If that's a deal-breaker for you, you'll need to move up the range.

Canon MP560: WiFi at last!

Speed: 9,2 ppm B & W, 6 ppm colour Ink drop size: 1 pl Colour screen, WiFi, duplex? Yes/Yes/No Cost per page: 7.6 p (XL cartridges) Cost per page for photos: 13.6 p (XL cartridges)

MARCHANDS €     Mypix.com  24.90  Batterieland  50.90  Rue du comm...  52.00  Compare prices

Wireless printing doesn't come cheap, but for some people it's essential.  Getting rid of cables really is useful, especially if several people are sharing the same printer.  Double-sided printing still isn't included at this price, which is a shame as it allows you to save money on paper when you have long documents to print.  If you're familiar with Canon's range, then it seems that the MP560 is a replacement for the very popular MP620 … except that for the same price, it has a smaller screen.

Canon MP640: Double-sided printing

Speed: 9,2 ppm B & W, 8,1 ppm colour Ink drop size: 1 pl Colour screen, WiFi, duplex? Yes/Yes/Yes Cost per page : 7.6 p (XL cartridges) Cost per page for photos: 13.6 p (XL cartridges)

MARCHANDS €     Mypix.com  24.90  Batterieland  50.90  Rue du comm...  52.00  Compare prices

Until recently, being able to print on both sides of the page was something reserved for professionals.  But Canon's competitors--Lexmark in particular--have been bringing it to a much wider audience.  HP did try something similar around ten years ago without much success, but it seems that duplex printing is here to stay.  Once you've tried it, it's hard to not appreciate the savings made by cutting the number of pages you need in half.  It's a little faster than the MP560 for colour documents, but nothing stunning.

Canon MP990: An extra grey cartridge, a negative scanner, slides ...

Speed: 11,9 ppm noir, 9;1 ppm couleur Ink drop size: 1 pl Colour screen, WiFi, duplex? Yes/Yes/Yes Cost per page: 9.4 p (XL cartridges) Cost per page for photos: 14.5 p (XL cartridges)

MARCHANDS €     Mypix.com  24.90  Batterieland  50.90  Rue du comm...  52.00  Compare prices

This time, Canon has got its sights set firmly on business users, or enlightened amateurs with plenty of photos.  There's a separate grey cartridge alongside the five others (black, photo black, cyan, magenta and yellow) and the speeds have risen again.  The scanner comes with extra tools for scanning slides and negatives.

> Products of the Year: Christmas Gift Guide 2009

> Product Survey: Multifunction Printers

> Buyer's Guides: Our Pick of The Best Products