If you've read PCWorld's other Canon inkjet reviews, you won't be surprised to learn that our test prints of the Pixma MX512's color graphics had an orangish tint. This emphasis adds warmth to many subjects and the effect is quite subtle on glossy photo paper, but on plain paper the spray-tan look that some human faces acquire can be annoying. Black text looked excellent--crisp and sharp--as did monochrome graphics, though the latter had a purplish tint on plain paper and bordered on sepia with glossy paper.

The Pixma MX512's speed won't take your breath away, but it usually won't have you drumming your fingers in anticipation, either. Monochrome pages (text and some graphics) print at nearly 7 pages per minute on both the PC and Mac. Normal-size photos printed at 2.6 ppm on plain paper and 1.1 ppm on glossy paper. Full-page photos took 4 minutes to print, which is rather slow even for a low-cost MFP. Our test scans and copies posted times that were a little faster than average.

Canon makes some very nice multifunction printers, but the company's efforts to reinvent the control panel make the Pixma MX512 more irksome to use than it should be, and the pricey black ink will cut into your bottom line. The has the same selling price, but offers cheaper inks and more features.