Canon PIXMA MG6150 review

The PIXMA MG6150 is aimed at those wanting a little more than a basic inkjet MFP. Its price reflects the higher specifications: the scanner can capture images at an impressive 4,800×4,800dpi, there’s a comprehensive set of interfaces that includes wireless networking and (unusually) infrared, and the print engine uses six inks.

Unlike some six-ink systems, the MG6150 doesn’t use light cyan and light magenta. Instead, there’s a large pigment-black cartridge that’s used almost exclusively for printing text on plain paper, and five dye-based inks: black, cyan, magenta, yellow and grey. The latter should give the printer better control over the shading in light regions of a picture and help deliver good black and white prints. All six cartridges and the print heads must be inserted before the printer is ready to go.

As we’ve come to expect from the PIXMA range, the MG6150 is extremely stylish, with a predominantly high-gloss black plastic case. Although this is a bulky MFP, it wouldn’t look out of place in the sitting room next to expensive AV equipment. At least, not at first. Our test units weren’t brand new and had already picked up several light marks and scratches that took the edge off their appearance. While review units do have a hard life, this does suggest that the PIXMAs’ gloss finish is less durable than more run-of-the-mill alternatives.