Canon is taking on Lexmark’s challenge for entry-level multi-function devices at low prices. Shop around online at the Pixma MP160 can be found for less than £40, which is super value for this substantial piece of kit.

It will print, scan and copy and has its Pictbridge socket allows direct printing from digital cameras. It also comes with a good mix of software, including Arcsoft Photostudio and Omnipage OCR.

Styled in two tones of grey, the scanner flatbed has a slight lean towards the front of the machine, so pages you are copying slide naturally into their correct position on the bed. The scanner uses a Contact Image Sensor (CIS) scan head, which means the scanner section can be conveniently thin too.

Hinge the scanner section up and you have access to the twin ink cartridges. The Canon PIXMA MP160 uses a black and a tri-colour cartridge for full, four-colour printing and either standard or high-yield versions of the cartridges clip easily into place.

Paper feeds from a hopper with a fold-up support at the rear, to a fold-down tray at the front, but because of the design of the MP160, the paper-out tray doesn't need to be telescopic, keeping the overall footprint small.

One of the few compromises in the design lies with the single-digit, orange LCD display, which is cleverly used to indicate various status conditions, as well as the number of copies selected.

You have to learn the hieroglyphics, but they’re very straightforward. The rest of the control panel is well laid out, with individual buttons for copy, scan and to cancel a printing job.

Prints from the Pixma MP160 are remarkably good, especially for a device at this price. Black text has a slight feathering, but is still clear and with a good weight. Block graphics are solid and with little noticeable dither. Photo images are well-balanced, though with a slight tendency for greens to veer the yellow.

Print costs are comparatively high though, with black pages costing around 4.5p and a 15 x 10cm colour photo on A4 paper just a touch under 38p, but this is where Canon recoups for the low asking price of the machine. Nevertheless, it still represents excellent value for money.

Also consider
Lexmark X3480
Another take on the budget all-in-one printer from Lexmark, but is it a big improvement?

Brother MFC-440CN
A mid-range entry from Brother’s new all-in-one range

Olivetti Any_Way Photo Wireless
A piece of sleek Italian style, but is this print, scan and copy device as functional as it looks?

All multi-function device reviews.