best photo printer

[popsy]

What is the best Canon photo printer? I have the Pixma mg5420 and have never been satisfied with it. I did try a search for this information but didn't see anything that applied. I don't want a pro type printer, just one that will give me as good prints that I used to get with my old i860.

 

[palombian]

Why you are not satisfied with the MG5420 ?
It has 5 colors as your old one.

In the same (non-pro) range Canon has printers with 6 colors. The additional grey allows better toning and B/W prints without color cast.
Using the same cartridges look at the 6300, 7100 and 8700 series.

 

[popsy]

I can't get it to print sharply and clearly. I use Canon papers, Canon ink, and have tried various settings but they still lack the clarity I expect. I have seen results from other similar models and their results are quite acceptable. Could their just be something awry with mine? I recently downloaded drivers from Canon.

 

[palombian]

Do you mean the same printout on the new printer is less sharp and clear than on the old ?
How do you process and print your photos ?

 

[popsy]

Yes, I formerly had an i860 that printed high quality. As good as could be expected from whatever quality the original picture had. The current printer mg5420 prints a lower quality picture. Oops, you just reminded me of something (as was probably your intent) that I'm not printing with Canon application. I'm using Picture Window. I now recall that I got better prints with Canon software. I'll keep that in mind as I print more. Can't do anything right now as I'm low on Y and don't have another cart. :-( I will continue this once I get ink. I'll update my bitching. ;-)

 

[Saphire]

You should try Qimage. You can download trial version for 30days. I had same problem with mine i9950. I use Canon application only for pictures from smartphone, and pictures that are not sharp well. I think that program use some interpolation to do picture brighter and that they are look more similar like conventional pictures. But then sharpen suffer.

 

[palombian]

If you want to print your own photos the best way is to (let) profile your printer/paper/ink combination, set color management in the printer driver to "None" and use a processing/printing application to manage the printer by indicating the right profile.
I am using Lightroom, but you can do this also with other applications as the free (and not so bad) Canon Digital Photo Professional.