Canon Pixma MG5550 review

Canon Pixma MG5550F Scanner

The MFP has a 1,200×2,400dpi CIS scanner, but it’s impossible to judge quality based on specifications alone: most modern MFPs are similarly equipped. Fortunately, the MG5550 has one of the best scanners we’ve seen on a sub-£100 all-in-one printer. Subtly different shades of colour are accurately captured, while fine details are clearly visible even at high zoom levels. Always challenging shaded areas were delicately gradated, too, and scan speeds were reasonable, if not exactly blistering: 13 seconds for a 150dpi A4 scan up to a minute and 39 seconds for a 1,200dpi 6x4in scan. We were pleased to find that even a 150dpi document scan was legible, although if you want to zoom in on text a great deal, you’re still better off with a 300dpi scan, which took 20 seconds in our tests.

Copy quality is highly dependent on the quality of your scanner, but a good scanner alone doesn’t guarantee top-notch copies. Contrast was great even in our mono copies, making illustrations clearly visible. 8pt text was sharp and legible, but dark areas on both mono and colour copies were a little grainy, with visible print head marks in places. A mono copy took 14 seconds, while a colour copy took 18.

Canon Pixma MG5550F Conclusion

The MG5550 is a well-built all-in-one printer, with excellent print and scan quality for an inkjet of this price. Its running costs are reasonably low, with a mixed-colour page costing just 7.4p and a mono page a fantastic 2.3p. Combining speed, plenty of features, good print and scan quality and a price that’s well under the £100 mark, this is an ideal home or home office MFP for practically anyone, whether you’re into photos, scanning artwork or just printing reams of double-sided documents. It earns a well-deserved Best Buy award.