Review Canon PIXMA MX895

In spring 2012, Canon has released a new series of all in ones, one of which is the Canon PIXMA MX895. Another word for this type of printer is 'multifunctional' and the main feature is that it can print, copy, fax and scan. Once you have an all in one at home, you find out how often you scan or copy. Is the Canon PIXMA MX895 printer better than printers from the previous series?

What is different in comparison with other Canon all in ones?

• Cheaper all in ones, like the Canon PIXMA MX435 and PIXMA MX420, use only 2 cartridges. The color range of this ink set is limited and it never happens that all 3 color ink of the combined cartridge are empty at the same time. You always throw away ink when changing an ink cartridge as a result.

• The PIXMA MX715 is virtually the same machine. The screen of the Canon PIXMA MX715 is a bit smaller and the Canon MX715 lacks the Google Cloud possibility

• The Canon PIXMA MG6150 has a gray cartridge, it is designed for lovers of high quality black and white prints

Data Canon PIXMA MX895

Ink and ink costs

For the Canon PIXMA MX895, Canon uses an ink set that includes 5 cartridges. I encounter the familiar 3 colors and these are complemented with a black cartridge for photos and a supersized black cartridge for text on plain paper. Very handy, an all in one is often in an office-like environment and you often use plain paper there. The color range is 758,186, which is somewhat less than the color range of the Canon PRO 9000 MKII, which amounts to 811,122. In addition, I miss a cartridge with gray ink in order to get neutral grays. The cost per A4 is € 0.93. A high amount but many printers have a similar amount. Awkward to use are the small cartridges; with a large print or copy job, you keep changing cartridges.

The printer software

Installing the Canon PIXMA MG895 is fast and without a hitch. The software is organized. However, if you want to work under color management, you have no useful overview screen as some Epson printers offer. Conveniently, Canon delivers a number of ICC color profiles for fine art papers. Uniquely, the device is prepared for Google Cloud. You connect the Canon PIXMA MX895 to a Google Account and around the world, you can give the printer print instructions from a PC, a mobile phone or another application.

The practice

The Canon PIXMA MG895 is built a little higher than a 'bare' printer because the scan area requires some additional space. Things like the paper tray, the sheet feeder and the top cover feel sufficiently solid. The hinge of the top cover is constructed in such a way that a book can be copied as well. Printing is fast, an A4 photo in highest quality takes a little over 2 minutes. The Canon PIXMA MG895 is a top loader but there is an additional paper tray at the bottom, intended for writing paper and envelopes, very useful. The Canon PIXMA MG895 is equipped with a bell, you hear this when you ran out of paper or ink. Nice idea. But if you print using Google Cloud from a different location, far away, all you can do is hope that someone hears that bell and takes appropriate action.

Test Result color on Canon Platinum Photo Paper

The color reproduction of the Canon PIXMA MX895 is good, almost all colors are displayed accurately enough. The dark brown is pretty dark and, typical of a dye ink printer, the yellow looks very fresh. All in all, the colors are displayed slightly better than with the Canon PRO 9000 MKII, an A3 + printer with a very extensive ink set. The black of the Canon PIXMA MX895 is much more shallow than the black of the Canon PRO 9000 MK2.

Test result black and white on Canon Platinum Photo Paper

The different shades of gray insufficient are displayed insufficiently neutral by the Canon PIXMA MX895. The black is neutral in color but not deep enough. The Canon PIXMA MG895 is less suitable for the critical black and white worker.

Test Result on writing paper 80 grams

Making a copy is reasonably fast, 22 seconds, and no copy is plagued by streaks. The latter phenomenon we encounter at many all in ones. The copy function is easy to use just like the other functions, the manual does not have to be read. The colors look good and dark gray does not run. The handy paper tray is already mentioned and in the document feeder fits a full stack of paper that can then be copied sheet per sheet. In short, the Canon PIXMA MX895 is a very good copier.

Gloss and surface of Canon Platinum Photo Paper in comparison to other paper types

The Canon Platinum Paper is 300 grams and therefore feels firmer than many other types of photo paper. The gloss is higher when using dye ink rather than pigmented inks. The color of this photo paper is almost white. Bronzing and gloss differential, see FAQ, are completely absent by using dye ink. The photographs are taken at an angle of 45 degrees.

The first material for comparison is the Hahnemühle Museum Etching fine art paper where an Epson 4900 printer is used. The color of this fine art paper is warm in tone and there is no gloss and bronzing. In the surface, there is a very slight texture.

The second material for comparison is the Epson Traditional Photo Paper where an Epson 4900 is used. The color of this paper is almost white and in the surface is a structure; because of this structure, you can see the gloss. The paper is plagued much by bronzing. The dark areas at the bottom are darker than the dark partitions between the patches. In reality, these partitions are black and the dark patches are dark gray. In addition, you see a warm glow; this gives the name 'bronzing'.

Conclusion

Pros 

• High print quality color
• deep gloss
• No bronzing and gloss differential
• Fast print time
• Good copy quality
• Easy to use because of document feeder and second paper tray
• Prepared for Google Cloud

 Cons    

• Black is not deep enough
• Gray shades are displayed insufficiently neutral
• High ink costs and small ink cartridges