Canon MP540 Ink
PIXMA MP540 Ink Cartridges

Canon MP540 Printer Review

The Canon PIXMA MP540 is an affordable and easy-to-use inkjet device, but this doesn't mean it isn't rife with impressive features from its multifunction print, scan and copy capabilities to its full-fledged photo printing function. The MP540 isn't the quickest unit in its price range, printing below its estimated maximum of 26 pages per minute for monochrome documents and 17 pages per minute for color. Despite its office-centric design, this machine is best suited for light-duty homes due to its slow speeds and low-capacity PIXMA MP540 printer ink.

Although it has a 3-in-1 design, the MP540 manages to be moderately compact with a size of only 17x14x6 inches that will enable it to fit on a desktop or even be stored when not in use. Included on its small frame is a unique front panel design, which is hidden beneath a protective flap that lifts to reveal a 2-inch color LCD for displaying images and a scroll-wheel that will enable users to navigate through menus and settings.

The MP540 does includes features like memory card slots and a PictBridge-compatible port for PC-free photo printing and scanning from cameras, but users will have to pay a little more for a device with Wi-Fi connectivity, as it is not included. Users can connect their computer straight to the device through its rear USB port, and its driver and software package is compatible with Windows or Mac operating systems.

The unit's media handling is designed with versatility in mind, providing users one 250-sheet main input tray for plain paper and a separate photo paper tray. Depending on the current project, the device will effortlessly and automatically switch between the two trays. This doesn't leave much room for a dedicated automatic feeder for continuous scanning, which would have been a nice. Whether it be on glossy, plain or specialty photo paper, this machine is tested to consistently print documents with detail and a sharp resolution of 2400x4800 dpi using Canon MP540 printer ink.

The unit's 5-color PIXMA MP540 ink system incorporates 5 individual supplies, including cyan, magenta, yellow, black and pigment black. The color and black supplies can each last 420 pages, while the pigment black Canon MP540 ink cartridge has a capacity of 350 pages. To keep costs for replacements low, users can opt for inexpensive remanufactured Canon MP540 ink cartridges instead of pricier OEM supplies.

From photo enthusiasts to those looking to tackle some work projects at home, the MP540 is a great device for users that have a multitude of needs and want a single compact device. While it lacks some advanced features seen in other pricey home office inkjet printers, this device definitely bundles a decent media input capacity and flexible connectivity to make it worth its price.