Canon PIXMA iP5300 Ink Cartridges

Although dedicated home photo printers are becoming more popular, the Canon PIXMA iP5300 stands out among its class because the machine is able to provide lab-quality images for a considerably low price tag. Expert tests show the iP5300 excels when it comes to output quality and it can tackle a range of different jobs with quick efficiency, printing standard monochrome text in as fast as 31 pages per minute and a 4x6-inch photo in less than 1 minute. Buyers whose chief concerns are cost-efficiency, output speeds and quality will benefit from this inkjet printer, but the unit's small PIXMA iP5300 ink cartridges and minimal control panel features may be enough to drive others toward higher-end models.

The iP5300 offers a handful of features unseen in rivaling image devices in its price range, such as built-in duplex capabilities for automatic double-sided printing and its flexible media support. The unit's media input can handle an impressive 300 pages at once, providing two trays that will enable users to easily switch between standard plain paper text printing and specialty glossy and matte photo media. The unit also supports printing directly on CDs and DVDs to make labeling quick and easy.

As a photo device, the iP5300's main drawback is its lack of standard photo features like built-in memory card slots for direct printing capabilities or a color LCD to preview images. Instead, the device includes a nice software suite that can be installed and used on a computer using Windows and Mac operating systems, as well as a rear PictBridge-enabled camera port and a standard USB port for a wired connection.

Output tests reveal that this machine is able to print photos with natural skin tones, precise detail and a crisp maximum resolution of 9600x2400 dpi using color Canon iP5300 printer ink. The use of its ChromaLife100 technology also means that photos will last behind a frame or photo album for decades without fading.

The machine operates with 4 individual Canon iP5300 ink cartridges that can be replaced separately to save users money. With each black, cyan, magenta and yellow PIXMA iP5300 ink lasting only 280 pages, users will run up expenses if they have frequent printing needs. One way to combat high costs is to purchase remanufactured Canon iP5300 printer ink cartridges over expensive OEM options.

Experts are cited saying the iP5300 is quicker than a majority of the dedicated inkjet printers in its class, as well as consistent with its sharp and reliable output quality. Features are a mixed bag, however, offering benefits like support for CDs and double-sided printing, but leaving out the option to preview images on a display and make quick computer-free edits.