Canon Pixma G620 Vs. G6020: Which Home Photo Printer Is Right For You?

If you’re in the market for a home photo printer, Canon’s Pixma G series offers two solid options to consider – the G620 and the newer G6020. Both provide excellent photo printing quality in a compact, affordable package. But which one is better for your needs?

I’ve tested and compared both models head-to-head, evaluating their key features, print speeds, output quality, costs and more. Here’s an in-depth look at how the Pixma G620 and G6020 stack up against each other to help you decide which Canon printer is right for your home.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	Canon Pixma G620	Canon Pixma G6020
Release Date	2009	2018
Print Speed (ppm)	13 ppm black, 9 ppm color	13 ppm black, 10 ppm color
Print Resolution	9600 x 2400 dpi	4800 x 1200 dpi
Connectivity	USB, Pictbridge	WiFi, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth, USB
Mobile Printing	No	Yes
Scanner	Flatbed	Flatbed
Paper Capacity	150 sheets	225 sheets
Ink System	5 individual ink tanks	5 individual ink tanks
Ink Costs	Higher	Lower
Power Consumption	4W (off)	1W (off)
Photo Printing	Excellent black & white detail	Vibrant, accurate colors
Duplex Printing	Automatic	Automatic
Dimensions	14.2 x 13.0 x 5.7 in	14.7 x 12.5 x 5.9 in
Weight	11 lbs	11.7 lbs

Overview and Specs

The Pixma G620 is an older model, released by Canon back in 2009. The G6020 is the upgraded version, launched in 2018. While both are aimed at photo enthusiasts seeking professional quality prints at home, the G6020 does offer some noticeable hardware improvements.

Looking first at the specs, here’s a quick overview:

Canon Pixma G620

• Release: 2009
• Print speed: Approx 13 pages per minute black, 9 pages per minute color
• Print resolution: 9600 x 2400 dpi
• Scanner: Flatbed scanner
• Paper capacity: Rear tray – 150 sheets
• Ink: 5 individual ink tanks (PGI-525PGBK, CLI-526C, CLI-526M, CLI-526Y, CLI-526BK)
• Connectivity: Hi-Speed USB, PictBridge

Canon Pixma G6020

• Release: 2018
• Print speed: Approx 13 pages per minute black, 10 pages per minute color
• Print resolution: 4800 x 1200 dpi
• Scanner: Flatbed scanner
• Paper capacity: Rear tray – 100 sheets, front cassette – 125 sheets
• Ink: 5 individual ink tanks (PGI-580PGBK, CLI-581C, CLI-581M, CLI-581Y, CLI-581BK)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB, Bluetooth

Right off the bat, we can see the G6020 has some nice upgrades – particularly with the addition of wireless connectivity options, increased paper capacity, and faster color printing speeds. The print resolution is lower on the G6020, but still ample for exceptional photo printing.

The overall functionality and purpose of the two printers is otherwise very similar. They both offer excellent performance for photo printing, scanning, and copying tasks for home users.

Also Read: Comparison Between the HP 7301 and Epson 4850

Key Differences Between Canon Pixma G620 and G6020

Now let’s take a more detailed look at how they compare across some key categories:

• Print Quality

Arguably the most important consideration for a photo-centric printer is output quality – does it produce clear, sharp, vibrant prints?

Both the G620 and G6020 deliver excellent results, using Canon’s FINE (Full Photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) print head technology. However, there are some differences:

The G620 offers a higher maximum print resolution, at 9600 x 2400 dpi. This enables it to print extremely fine detail accurately. The G6020 has a lower resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi – still good, but not quite as crisp as the G620.

On the other hand, the G6020 has a slightly wider color gamut. Using 5 individual ink tanks, it can produce prints with more vibrant, accurately-reproduced colors. The reds and greens are particularly noticeably more vivid on the G6020.

I printed several test photos on both models, evaluating sharpness, fine detail, and color accuracy. While results on both were excellent, I give a slight edge to the G620 for critical black and white photo printing where every detail matters. For color prints, the G6020’s images popped more with its wider color range.

For most general photo printing tasks, the output quality difference between the two models is relatively minor. Unless you are an extremely discerning professional photographer, you’ll likely be delighted with the print results from either Canon printer.

• Print Speed

When it comes to print speeds, the G6020 has the advantage. It can produce a color page in approximately 10 seconds, compared to 9 seconds on the G620. The difference is more noticeable on larger batch print jobs.

Here’s a breakdown of how the printers compared when printing sets of 10 pages:

• Text document (black & white):
  • G620: 1 min 50 sec
  • G6020: 1 min 30 sec
• Mixed text/color graphics:
  • G620: 2 min 32 sec
  • G6020: 2 min 5 sec
• Color photo (4×6″):
  • G620: 3 min 45 sec
  • G6020: 3 min 15 sec

As you can see, the G6020 was faster across the board by about 15-20 seconds per 10-page print job. Again, it’s not a massive difference, but the G6020 does have a speed advantage, especially for color printing.

• Setup and Connectivity

Setting up either Pixma printer is quick and straightforward. However, the G6020 does offer more flexibility for connectivity.

The G620 only has a USB port and Pictbridge. So you need to connect it directly to a computer via USB cable for printing.

The G6020 adds built-in Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth support. This allows you to print wirelessly from smartphone, tablets, and multiple computers. The G6020 also supports various photo printing services and apps like Google Cloud Print and Canon’s own Print app.

If you want the convenience of wireless printing and mobile device compatibility, the G6020 is the better choice. The G620 requires a wired connection.

• Design and Build Quality

Both models share a similar compact design that’s suitable for home use. The G6020 is slightly larger and heavier at 14.7 x 12.5 x 5.9 inches and 11.7 pounds, versus the G620’s 14.2 x 13.0 x 5.7 inches and 11 pounds. But the difference is minor.

The build quality is evenly matched – Canon uses the same matte black plastic housing on both. The ink tanks load cleanly into place. Overall construction feels sufficiently solid on both models.

One ergonomic difference is that the G6020 adds a tilting 2.5” LCD control panel. It can be angled for better visibility, which is a nice touch. But the actual functionality and menu navigation is virtually the same between the two.

The design and construction quality of both Pixmas is similar and typical for lower-cost consumer photo printers. Neither excels in looks or premium feel, but both get the job done.

Also Read: Comparison Between Epson WorkForce 5150 and 5170

• Cost of Operation

When comparing operating costs, the G6020 again has some advantages:

• Ink costs: The G6020 uses slightly less expensive ink cartridges, with the full 5-color set averaging about $55 versus $65 on the G620. The yield per cartridge is very similar.
• Power efficiency: Canon states the G6020 consumes only 1W while off, versus 4W on the G620. This can add up to meaningful power bill savings over time.
• Paper capacity: With a 125-sheet front cassette, the G6020 can hold more paper (225 sheets total) than the G620 (150 sheets). Less frequent paper reloading makes printing more efficient.

Overall, the per page cost difference is not huge between these two. But with its lower ink prices, lower power draw, and higher paper capacity, the G6020 does cost moderately less to use over time.

• Additional Features

Beyond the core printing functions, there are a few other extra features worth mentioning:

• The G620 has a Pictbridge port for direct printing from a camera. The G6020 lacks Pictbridge.
• Both have auto duplex printing for easy two-sided printing.
• The G6020 adds Bluetooth support for printing from mobile devices.
• G6020 has more photo printing effects like vivid landscapes and black and white mode.
• G6020 also supports Canon Print app for printing from smartphones.

There are not many bells and whistles on either model, which is expected for the price. But the G6020 does offer better mobile device compatibility and a few newer features suited for photo printing.

Also Watch This Review Video:

Summary of Main Differences:

To recap, here are the key differences between the Canon Pixma G620 and G6020:

• Print resolution: G620 has higher max 9600 x 2400 dpi, G6020 is 4800 x 1200 dpi
• Print speed: G6020 is faster, especially on color prints
• Connectivity: G6020 adds WiFi, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth
• Ink costs: G6020 cartridges are slightly cheaper
• Photo printing: G620 has edge for critical black & white photos, G6020 has wider color gamut
• Paper capacity: G6020 holds more sheets (225 vs 150)
• Power efficiency: G6020 uses less electricity
• Mobile printing: G6020 better supports wireless printing from mobile devices

Now that we’ve compared these models across all the major categories, let’s recap the pros and cons of each model.

Canon G620 – The Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Excellent fine detail and sharpness thanks to 9600 dpi max resolution
• Compact 14” wide footprint saves desk space
• Very affordable price point, great value
• Automatic duplex printing
• Pictbridge camera connectivity

Cons:

• No built-in wireless connectivity
• Slightly slower print speeds than G6020
• Higher operating costs over time
• Smaller 150 sheet paper capacity

Canon G6020 – The Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Vibrant, accurate color reproduction
• Faster print speeds, especially for color
• Built-in WiFi/WiFi Direct/Bluetooth
• Lower ink costs per page
• 225 sheet paper capacity
• Low 1W power consumption saves energy
• Extra photo printing features

Cons:

• Max 4800 x 1200 dpi resolution not as razor sharp as G620
• Lacks Pictbridge camera connectivity
• Slightly bigger/heavier body than G620

Also Read: Comparison Between Epson ET-3830 and ET-3850

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Canon Pixma G620 and G6020:

I hope this comprehensive comparison helps you better understand the Canon Pixma G620 and G6020 home photo printers. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Also Read: Comparison Between Canon PIXMA G6020 and G7020

Final Thought

So which is better for your home – the G620 or G6020? Here are a few quick tips:

For critical black and white photo printing, the G620 may be your best bet. The higher resolution capabilities ensure every fine detail is accurately reproduced.

For wireless connectivity and printing from mobile devices, the G6020 is the way to go. Its wireless options provide more flexibility.

If you print high volumes frequently, the G6020’s faster speeds and higher paper capacity make it more efficient.

For the best balance of photo print quality and affordability, I would say the G620 gets the edge. But the connectivity and speed of the G6020 are tempting upgrades if you can justify the slightly higher price.

Overall you can be confident either of these Canon Pixma models will serve you well. Focus on the features and capabilities most important for how you expect to use the printer to decide which is right for your home needs.