Canon PIXMA G3270 Review — Features, Printing Quality & Value
The Canon PIXMA G3270 is an all-in-one inkjet printer from Canon’s MegaTank series that combines low-cost printing with reliable performance. Designed for home offices, students, and small businesses, this printer delivers impressive print quality for documents and photos, while keeping long-term ink costs exceptionally low.
In this review, we take a detailed look at the G3270’s design, print quality, performance, usability, connectivity options, and overall value to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your everyday printing needs.
Design & Build Quality
Right out of the box, the Canon PIXMA G3270 impresses with a clean, compact, and functional design. It is relatively lightweight for an all-in-one printer but feels sturdy enough for regular use.
- Dimensions: Compact footprint suitable for desks or shelves
- Build: Durable plastic body with intuitive layout
- Control Panel: Simple buttons with a small LCD display
The front ink tanks are visible through a transparent panel — a staple feature of MegaTank printers — allowing users to easily monitor ink levels. The refillable ink bottles are designed for mess-free refilling and long print life.
Print Quality: Documents & Photos
Print quality is one area where the G3270 performs very well for its class. Whether you’re printing text documents or family photos, the results are consistent, detailed, and vibrant.
- Text Documents: Crisp, sharp text — great for reports, essays, and letters.
- Graphics: Strong contrast and smooth shapes — ideal for charts and flyers.
- Photos: Bright colors with decent saturation — perfect for everyday prints.
While the G3270 may not match high-end photo-specific printers for professional photography, its performance for casual photo prints is impressive considering the price point.
Performance & Speed
The Canon PIXMA G3270 offers competitive print speeds for an inkjet all-in-one printer in its price range. It is responsive and handles typical document tasks efficiently.
- Black Text: Fast output for everyday printing
- Color Documents: Steady and reliable
- Photos: Slower than text but delivers quality results
This pace makes it suitable for moderate daily use — whether for student assignments, office memos, or creative projects.
Connectivity Options
The G3270 offers versatile connectivity options that make it easy to print from multiple devices.
- USB for direct connection to a computer
- Wi-Fi for wireless printing from laptops, phones, and tablets
- Canon PRINT app support for mobile printing
- Apple AirPrint
Wireless setup is straightforward with Canon’s built-in tools, and mobile printing works smoothly via the Canon PRINT app. The printer also supports printing from cloud services if configured.
Scanning & Copying Capabilities
As an all-in-one printer, the Canon PIXMA G3270 includes built-in scanning and copying functions. While not as advanced as dedicated scanners, the feature set is robust enough for most home and office tasks.
- Scan Resolution: Up to 1200 dpi
- Copy Functionality: Repeat copies, resizing options
The scanning performance is reliable for documents and everyday images, though image quality may vary slightly for detailed photos.
Ink Efficiency & Cost Savings
One of the key selling points of the MegaTank series is ink efficiency. The PIXMA G3270 uses high-capacity refillable ink tanks, which significantly reduce the cost per page compared to traditional cartridge printers.
- Large ink reservoirs reduce refill frequency
- Low cost per page for text and color prints
- Easy and clean bottle refill system
For users who print frequently (documents, photos, forms), the long-term savings can be substantial compared to standard cartridge-based models.
Software & Driver Support
Canon provides comprehensive driver support for the PIXMA G3270 across major operating systems, ensuring compatibility and full access to printer features.
- Windows 11 / 10 / 8.1 / 7
- macOS Sonoma / Ventura / Monterey
- Canon PRINT app (iOS & Android)
Installing the correct driver is important to enable full functionality and avoid compatibility issues. Always download the latest driver from the official Canon support page.
Pros & Cons — Unbiased Summary
Pros
- Excellent low-cost printing with MegaTank technology
- Strong document and everyday photo quality
- Wireless and mobile printing support
- Easy ink refill system with visible tanks
- Good overall performance for daily use
Cons
- Not ideal for high-end professional photography
- Scanner quality is basic compared to dedicated units
- No automatic document feeder (ADF)
How the Canon PIXMA G3270 Compares to Similar Models
Compared to Canon’s PIXMA G series siblings like the G4210 or G5020, the G3270 offers a balanced mix of features at a competitive price point. While the G4210 may offer slightly larger ink tanks, the G3270’s everyday performance is more than sufficient for most users.
Against cartridge-based printers in its class, the MegaTank’s cost per page advantage shines, making the G3270 a better long-term investment for frequent printing.
Final Verdict
The Canon PIXMA G3270 is an excellent choice for home users, students, and small office environments that want dependable performance, low operating costs, and versatile printing capabilities. It strikes a strong balance between quality, speed, and long-term savings — making it one of the best all-in-one inkjet printers in its segment.
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