Pros
- Wi-Fi connectivity is a bonus at the price
- Dual cartridge system makes for simpler stocking of replacements
- Very compact and fairly quiet in operation
- Simple to use in both standalone and computer-connected or Wi-Fi print modes
- All-black finish looks quite sleek
Cons
- No PictBridge port or card reader slots for direct printing
- No LCD menu screen for advanced standalone print settings
- Running costs with dual cartridge system can be expensive
- Wi-Fi set-up can only be carried out via a connected computer rather than on the printer itself
- Photo quality isn't up to Canon's typically high standards
Physically, the build retains the rounded edges and the small footprint at a manageable 18 inches wide, 13 inches deep, and 6 inches tall, but the MP495 keeps the cost low by departing from the classic LCD screen we saw on previous models, in favor of a side panel with buttons for typical printing functions like start, stop, color vs. black and white, toggling between plain and photo paper sizes, and, of course, a power button.
The Canon MP495 all in one printer prints, scans, and copies over a USB 2.0 connection by default, but you can also connect to a computer wirelessly with the built-in 802.11b/g print server inside. The easiest way to do this is by first establishing a wired connection, then adding wireless access by proxy, as indicated in the simple manual. Unfortunately, you can't share the printer over a wired network, as the MP495 lacks an Ethernet port. Standard quality photo output actually proved 15 seconds quicker than with the more up-market Canon MG5150, at one and a half minutes for a borderless 6 x 4-inch photo.
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