I am in need of a printer and am looking at getting either the Canon Pixma MG5460 ($118 at Good Guys with $20 cashback = $98) or the Epson Workforce WF-3540 ($195 at MSY with $100 cashback = $95).
They're completely 2 different classes of printers so it's hard to compare but features-wise they're similar. The main differences I can see:
Epson has the top feeder tray, LCD touch screen, higher paper capacity, much much larger due to the fax (which I don't need), much faster printing, auto-duplex for printing scanning and copying (Canon is auto-duplex for printing only it seems), loads of rave reviews on the internet
Canon is smaller and sits flush against the wall (this actually is a selling point for me), it has photo quality print, silly little image filters which could be fun for kids, prints directly on a disc (which I probably would never use but if I bought the Epson I bet you I would need this function once in its lifetime). I think the MG5460 is the model name in Aus and NZ, 5420 in USA and Canada 5450 in Europe and UK and 5430 in Asia… if so, the 5420 gets some meh reviews (mostly complaining of the slowness and start up time), but 5450 and 5430 seem to get 4/5 stars as well.
I am leaning towards the Canon but I can't help but think that the Epson is better value - it retails for $269 at Officeworks, does anyone know what the print quality is like? I've read the Canon printed photos can be better than drugstore photos.
Ink-wise it's about the same price, maybe $10 difference (Canon has 5 inks, Epson 4).
And if you're going to suggest laser, I don't want laser as I already have one that is broken and I found that I couldn't print some things due to the heat issue (e.g. t-shirt transfers which I may need to do for an upcoming bday party…)
Help!
WHat is your main requirement for printing, documents or photos?