IN CONTEXT REPORT
Canon Pixma MG6120 -- Almost
An 8120 Minus Film
By MIKE PASINI
Editor
The Imaging Resource Digital Photography Newsletter
Review Date: February 2011
(With this piece, we introduce our new In Context reports. While not reviews, they report the Features, System Requirements, In the Box and Consumables section of a review, adding a comparison table of the other printers in the company's lineup. -- Editor)
The Pixma MG6120 represents something of a compromise between the company's entry-level $150 Pixma MG5220 and top-end $300 Pixma MG8120 all-in-one-devices.
Printer specifications are identical to the Canon MG8120, which has more nozzles than the Canon MG5220. Copier specifications for all three models are identical.
Scanner specifications show the scanning element is the same as the Canon MG5220 but resolution is as high for reflective copy as on the Canon MG8120. Like the Canon MG5220, the Canon MG6120 does not offer film scanning.
Card reader support is identical across all three models.
From a functional point of view, the Canon MG6120 offers most of the benefits of the Canon MG8120 -- including its Intelligent Touch System (albeit on a smaller 3.0-inch LCD) -- without the film processing. And you save $100.
Like the Canon MG5220, the Canon MG6120 includes Canon's new Movie frame printing function built into Easy-PhotoPrint. The new tool makes it easy to find a Canon-captured movie frame to print, automatically enhancing the image for printing as a still.
The six-color ink system with individual cartridges for each color includes five dye-based inks including a dedicated gray ink tank for black and white photos. The pigment black is used for text.
The WiFi MG6120 can also print iPhone and Android images wirelessly using a free Canon app. Other connections include built-in Ethernet, a memory card reader, Hi-Speed USB port and a PictBridge port that can, with an optional adapter, communicate via Bluetooth.
And, of course, you get Canon's built-in duplex printing (except with borderless pages), auto-document fix and auto scan mode.
The duplex feature is just one of the several ways the Canon MG6120 represents Canon's Generation Green program. Other ways the Canon MG6120 goes green include being able to print as many as four pages on one side, individual ink tanks (and cartridge recycling), the white LED that requires no warm-up time, the energy efficient Quick Start feature, the restricted use of hazardous materials, Canon's hardware recycling program plus its own refurbishing program.
The control panel features Canon's Intelligent Touch System of back-lit touch-sensitive buttons and Light Guidance. Together they make using the Canon MG6120 much easier to use than previous Canon multifunction devices and most competing products, too. See our MG8120 review for more on this feature.
CONSUMABLES | Back to Contents
The five ChromaLife100 CLI-226 color ink and gray cartridges are $13.99 each. The larger PGI-225 black pigment cartridge for text is $15.99. Canon sells combo packs of the color inks for $55.99 and double packs of the pigment black for $29.99 or a four pack for $51.99.
All of Canon's photo papers are available for the Canon MG5220 with the exception of the heavy-weight art papers. Fifty sheets of 4x6 glossy Photo Paper Plus costs $12.99. Twenty sheets of 8x10 in the same surface costs $13.99. We found 100 sheets of 4x6 Photo Paper Plus Glossy II at Office Depot for $19.49.
These consumables are dye inks intended for printing on swellable papers. You should not use these inks on instant-dry porous papers because you will compromise their longevity (quite severely). Prints on swellable paper take a while to dry. Canon warns against stacking the prints without letting them set for 15 minutes and the company suggests letting them dry for 24 hours.
MG6120 |
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| Printer Specifications | |||
Print Speed |
Approx. 20 seconds for a 4x6 borderless photo; approx. 11.0 ipm for black and approx. 9.3 ipm for color | Approx. 20 seconds for a 4x6 borderless photo; approx. 12.5 impressions per minute for black; 9.3 ipm for color | Approx. 20 seconds for a 4x6 borderless photo; approx. 12.5 impressions per minute for black; 9.3 ipm for color |
Number of Nozzles |
4,096 color, 51 black, 4,608 total | 5,632 color, 512 black, 6,144 total | 5,632 color, 512 black, 6,144 total |
Picoliter Size |
1, 2 and 5 | 1, 2 and 5 | 1, 2 and 5 |
Print Resolution |
Up to 9600 x 2400 dpi in color and up to 600 x 600 dpi in black | Up to 9600 x 2400 dpi in color and up to 600 x 600 dpi in black | Up to 9600 x 2400 dpi in color and up to 600 x 600 dpi in black |
Paper Sizes |
4x6, 5x7, 8x10, Letter, Legal, U.S. #10 envelopes | 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, Letter, Legal, U.S. #10 Envelopes | 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, Letter, Legal, U.S. #10 Envelopes |
Paper Compatibility |
Plain: Plain Paper, High Resolution Paper; Super High Gloss: Photo Paper Pro Platinum, Glossy: Photo Paper Plus Glossy II, Photo Paper Glossy; Semi-Gloss: Photo Paper Plus Semi-Gloss; Matte: Matte Photo Paper; U.S. #10 Envelope |
Plain: Plain Paper, Canon High Resolution Paper; Super High Gloss: Photo Paper Pro Platinum; Glossy: Photo Paper Plus Glossy II, Photo Paper Glossy; Semi-Gloss: Photo Paper Plus Semi-Gloss; Matte: Canon Matte Photo Paper; Fine Art: Canon Fine Art Paper "Photo Rag"; Envelope: U.S.# 10 Envelope | Plain: Plain Paper, Canon High Resolution Paper; Super High Gloss: Photo Paper Pro Platinum; Glossy: Photo Paper Plus Glossy II, Photo Paper Glossy; Semi-Gloss: Photo Paper Plus Semi-Gloss; Matte: Canon Matte Photo Paper; Fine Art: Canon Fine Art Paper "Photo Rag"; Envelope: U.S.# 10 Envelope |
Printer Features |
Auto Duplex Print, Auto Photo Fix II, Borderless Printing, Camera Phone Printing, Document Printing, Full HD Movie Print, ID Photo Print, Smartphone Photo Printing, Photo Direct Print (Memory Card/Camera/USB Flash Memory), Photo Printing |
Auto Duplex Print, Auto Photo Fix II, Borderless Printing, Calendar Print, Document Printing, Full HD Movie Print, Grayscale Printing, ID Photo Print, Smartphone Photo Printing, Photo Index Sheet, Photo Direct Print (Memory Card/Camera/USB Flash Memory), Photo Printing, Template Print, Wireless Printing | Auto Duplex Print, Auto Photo Fix II, Borderless Printing, Calendar Print, Document Printing, Full HD Movie Print, Grayscale Printing, ID Photo Print, Smartphone Photo Printing, Photo Index Sheet, Photo Direct Print (Memory Card/Camera/USB Flash Memory), Photo Printing, Template Print, Wireless Printing |
Output Tray Capacity |
Both the auto sheet feeder and the cassette hold 150 sheets | Both the auto sheet feeder and the cassette hold 150 sheets | Both the auto sheet feeder and the cassette hold 150 sheets |
| Copier Specifications | |||
Copy Speed |
Approx. 15 seconds for color |
Approx. 15 seconds for color | Approx. 15 seconds for color |
Resize |
25 to 400 percent | 25 to 400 percent | 25 to 400 percent |
Copy Features |
4 in 1, 2 in 1, Auto Exposure/Intensity Copy, Borderless, Continuous Copy, Face Brightener/Fading Correction, Fit-to-Page, Gutter Shadow Correction Copy, Intensity, Image Repeat, Manual Color Adjustment, Masking Copy, Multiple Copy: 1-9, 99 Pages, Photo Reprint, Trimming Copy, Zoom | 4 in 1, 2 in 1, Auto Duplex Copy, Auto Exposure/Intensity Copy, Face Brightener/Fading Correction, Fit-to-Page, Gutter Shadow Correction Copy, Image Repeat, Intensity, Manual Color Adjustment, Masking Copy, Multiple Copy: 1-99 Pages, Photo Reprint, Preset Copy Ratios, Trimming Copy, Zoom | 4 in 1, 2 in 1, Auto Duplex Copy, Auto Exposure/Intensity Copy, Face Brightener/Fading Correction, Film Copy, Fit-to-Page, Gutter Shadow Correction Copy, Image Repeat, Intensity, Manual Color Adjustment, Masking Copy, Multiple Copy: 1-99 Pages, Photo Reprint, Preset Copy Ratios, Trimming Copy, Zoom |
| Scanner Specifications | |||
Scanner Type |
Flatbed | Flatbed | Flatbed |
Scanning Element |
Contact Image Sensor | Contact Image Sensor | Charged-Coupled Device |
Max. Resolutions |
2400 x 4800 dpi optical and 19,200 x 19,200 dpi interpolated; 600 x 600 dpi ADF | 4800 x 4800 dpi optical; 19,200 x 19,200 dpi interpolated | 4800 x 9600 dpi for film and 4800 x 4800 dpi reflective; 19,200 x 19,200 dpi interpolated |
Scanner Features |
Auto Document Fix, Auto Scan Mode, Gutter Shadow Correction, Push Scan, Network Scan, Scan to Memory | Auto Document Fix, Auto Scan Model, Gutter Shadow Correction, Network Scan, Push Scan, Scan to Memory, Wireless Scanning | Auto Document Fix, Auto Scan Mode11, Film Scan, Gutter Shadow Correction, Network Scan, Push Scan, Scan to Memory, White LED, Wireless Scanning |
Color Depth |
48-bit internal/24-bit external | 48-bit internal/24-bit external | 48-bit internal/24-bit external |
Max. Document Size |
8.5x11.7 | 8.5x11.7 | 8.5x11.7 |
| Photo Connect | |||
Media Card Support |
SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC+, miniSD/miniSDHC, microSD/microSDHC, RS-MMC, USB flash memory, CompactFlash, Microdrive, Memory Stick/PRO/Duo/PRO Duo/Micro, xD-Picture Card/M/H |
SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC+, miniSD/miniSDHC, microSD/microSDHC, RS-MMC, USB flash memory, CompactFlash, Microdrive, Memory Stick/PRO/Duo/PRO Duo/Micro, xD-Picture Card/M/H | SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC+, miniSD/miniSDHC, microSD/microSDHC, RS-MMC, USB flash memory, CompactFlash, Microdrive, Memory Stick/PRO/Duo/PRO Duo/Micro, xD-Picture Card/M/H |
| General Specifications | |||
Other Features |
Wi-Fi LED, 2-Way Paper Feeding, 2.4" LCD, Auto Duplex Print, Dual Color Gamut Processing Technology, Self-Opening Paper Output Tray, Scroll Wheel, Self-Opening Output Tray, Quick Accesss UI, Quick Start |
Intelligent Touch System, Wi-Fi LED, 2-Way Paper Feeding, 3.0" LCD, Auto Sheet Feeder, Dual Color Gamut Processing Technology, Ethernet, Self-Opening Paper Output Tray, Scroll Wheel, Quick Access UI, Quick Start |
Intelligent Touch System, Wi-Fi status LED, 2-Way Paper Feeding, 3.5" LCD, Auto Sheet Feeder, Dual Color Gamut Processing Technology, FAU, Scroll Wheel, Ethernet, Self-Opening Paper Output Tray, Quick Access UI, Quick Start |
Interface |
Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11b/g/n), USB 2.0 Hi-Speed | Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11b/g/n), Ethernet, USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, Card Slots, PictBridge, Bluetooth v2.010 (optional) | Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11b/g/n), Ethernet, USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, Card Slots, PictBridge, Bluetooth v2.010 (optional), IrDA |
OS Compatibility |
Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and Mac OS X v. 10.4.11 to 10.6.x | Windows 7, Windows Vista , Windows XP, Mac OS X v10.4.11 to v10.6.x | Windows 7, Windows Vista , Windows XP, Mac OS X v10.4.11 to v10.6.x |
Software Included |
Setup Software & User's Guide, CD-ROM, MG5220 Printer Driver, Easy-PhotoPrint EX, Easy-WebPrint EX (Windows Only), Full HD Movie Print, MP Navigator EX, Solution Menu |
Setup Software & User's Guide CD-ROM, MG6120 Printer Driver, Easy-PhotoPrint EX, Easy-PhotoPrint Pro, Easy-WebPrint EX (Windows only), Full HD Movie Print, MP Navigator EX, Solution Menu | Setup Software & User's Guide CD-ROM, MG8120 Printer Driver, Easy-PhotoPrint EX, Easy-PhotoPrint Pro, Easy-WebPrint EX (Windows only), Full HD Movie Print, MP Navigator EX, Solution Menu |
Dimensions |
14.5 x 17.9 x 6.3 (W x D x H) | 18.5 x 14.5 x 6.9 inches (W x D x H) | 18.5 x 15.5 x 7.9 inches (W x D x H) |
Weight |
17.7 lbs. | 20.2 lbs. | 23.6 lbs. |
Warranty |
One-year limited warranty with InstantExchange program. One-year toll-free technical phone support | One-year limited warranty with InstantExchange program. One-year toll-free technical phone support | One-year limited warranty with InstantExchange program. One-year toll-free technical phone support |
Price |
$149.99 | $199.99 | $299.99 |
