The $149.99 Canon Pixma MG5320 multi-purpose printer is a decent home printer that offers a sleek look and quality output at a suitable price. This is an MFP, multifunction printer that can not only print, but that can also copy and scan.
The MG5320 has good looks, which is where it all begins. The black casing is smooth and justified by rounded corners. It measures 8.9×21.4×18.9, coming in at around 18 pounds. On the top side, a 3-inch LCD monitor displays previews of images that are to be printed or that have been scanned. Once users can get over the attractive body of the printer, they can consider its impressive abilities.
The MG5320 can scan not only to the PC via either a USB connection or a Wi-Fi one, but it can also scan directly to e-mail, memory cards or a USB flash drive. In addition to this capacity to output to various locales, it can also take input from several different devices at once. The USB port can connect to the PC, or it can be attached directly to a PictBridge-ready camera.
Canon’s MG5320 boasts a hefty paper capacity topping out at 300 sheets, half in a tray dedicated to a multipurpose stash and the other the main stash. It uses 5 ink tanks, making it so that users won’t have to be constantly going to the store for refills. The output ability or input abilities of the printer are due in part to the USB ports, and also to the multi-format card slot.
The MG5320 prints at the average speed of 3 sheets a minute. Double-sided printing is possible thanks to an integrated duplexer. The overall quality of the output is good, as long as the printed sheet doesn’t display super small fonts.
When it comes to printing graphics, the MG5320 just misses the mark. There’s a bit of dithering in a number of the images, and extra-thin lines are difficult for the printer to negotiate. The ink seems to be laid on thick, so users will have to remember to keep their hands off until the sheet cools.
The prints of photographs come out better than the average graphic. Though, there might be a small hint of tint and incorrect variations of brightness patterns. Overall, the photos are top-notch.
Thanks to Canon’s innovation, the MG5320 can print onto discs and covers. There’s a dedicated disc tray, in fact. On the little LCD screen, users can configure the font and style of the labels.
The high connectivity of the MG5320 is particularly impressive. Besides the ability to connect input and output to various other devices, the printer can also print from online photo albums at Canon Image Gateway or Picasa without requiring the computer intermediary.
If users plan to use the computer for light jobs, then the high expense per printed page can be justified, and the machine can be considered a decent buy. Regardless, it is a good working machine.