What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MG7120 Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all Canon PGI-250 & CLI-251 Ink Cartridges – 250XL & 251XL → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide listed NFC among the MG7120's features and gave the dye black and gray tanks a yield of about 125 photos. The MG7120 has no NFC, and Canon rates the CLI-251 black at about 1,105 pages and the gray at about 780.
Quick answer: The Canon PIXMA MG7120 uses six ink tanks: PGI-250 pigment black plus CLI-251 black, gray, cyan, magenta and yellow, in standard or high-yield XL sizes. Castle Ink's remanufactured PGI-250XL and CLI-251XL tanks are $9.95 each, about $60 for a full set.
CastleScore · October 2026
81/100 — Highly Recommended
Canon PIXMA MG7120
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 70 | PCMag 3.5/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 90 | About 2.9¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured PGI-250XL (500 pages) and CLI-251XL colors (about 680 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 87 | Most-reported problems: B200 print-head/logic-board error that often means a dead print head, with replacement costing more than the printer |
| Features (12%) | 73 | Print, copy, scan, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen. No document feeder, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. Canon launched the MG7120 in 2013 at $200 and no longer sells it. The later MG7520 uses the same six PGI-250/CLI-251 tanks.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 9, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
PGI-250XL / CLI-251XL 5-packPGBK + BK/C/M/Y
PGI-250XL Black6432B001 · ~500 pages
CLI-251XL Cyan6449B001
CLI-251XL Magenta6450B001
PGI-250XL / CLI-251XL 5-pack
PGI-250XL Black
CLI-251XL Cyan
CLI-251XL MagentaOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
What Ink Cartridges Does the Canon PIXMA MG7120 Use?
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. yield | Castle Ink |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGI-250 / PGI-250XL | Pigment black (text) | ~300 / ~500 pages | PGI-250XL black, $9.95 |
| CLI-251 / CLI-251XL BK | Dye black (photos) | ~1,105 / ~4,425 pages | CLI-251XL black, $9.95 |
| CLI-251 / CLI-251XL GY | Gray | ~780 / ~3,350 pages | CLI-251XL gray, $9.95 |
| CLI-251 / CLI-251XL C | Cyan | ~304 / ~660 pages | CLI-251XL cyan, $9.95 |
| CLI-251 / CLI-251XL M | Magenta | ~298 / ~680 pages | CLI-251XL magenta, $9.95 |
| CLI-251 / CLI-251XL Y | Yellow | ~330 / ~695 pages | CLI-251XL yellow, $9.95 |
Yields are the manufacturer's ISO estimates at about 5% coverage; photos and heavy graphics use more ink. Castle Ink prices checked September 2026.
Which Printers Use the Same Ink as the MG7120?
PGI-250/CLI-251 tanks fit a large family of PIXMA printers, including the MG5420, MG5520, MG5620, MG6320, MG6420, MG6620, MG7120, MG7520, iP7220, iP8720, iX6820, MX722 and MX922. Six-ink models (MG6320, MG7120, MG7520, iP8720) also use the CLI-251 gray tank. The MG6420 is a five-ink model with no gray. Look up any model in our find ink by printer directory.
What Is the Cheapest Ink for the MG7120?
Remanufactured XL tanks are the cheapest way to run the MG7120. Canon's original PGI-250XL and CLI-251XL tanks typically cost around $15–$25 each at retail, so a full set can run $90–$130. Castle Ink's tanks are $9.95 each, and since each color is separate you only replace what runs out.
Should I Buy Standard or XL Tanks for the MG7120?
XL. PGI-250XL prints about 500 pages versus about 300 for the standard PGI-250, and CLI-251XL colors roughly double the standard yield, for a much lower cost per page. All sizes fit the same slots, so you can mix them.
How Do I Replace the Ink in the Canon PIXMA MG7120?
- Turn the printer on and open the scanner unit/cover; the print head holder moves to the replacement position.
- Press the tab on the empty ink tank and lift it out.
- Remove the new tank from its packaging, then twist or pull off the orange protective cap (and any film).
- Insert the tank into its matching color slot and press the PUSH mark until it clicks. The tank's lamp should light red.
- Close the cover. If prompted about a non-genuine or refilled cartridge, confirm to continue.
Will Remanufactured Ink Work in the MG7120?
Yes. Canon PIXMA printers are generally friendly to third-party cartridges. You may see a message that a non-genuine or refilled cartridge is installed, or that the ink level can't be detected; confirm to continue printing, and keep a spare of the colors you use most since levels may not display. Using third-party ink does not void your warranty (here's why).
Why Does My MG7120 Say the Cartridge Isn't Recognized?
Remove the cartridge, make sure all protective tape and caps are off, wipe the chip or copper contacts gently with a dry lint-free cloth, and reinstall until it clicks. Confirm the part number matches this printer, then restart. With a non-Canon tank you may also see a non-genuine or ink-level message; confirm it to keep printing. Full steps: ink cartridge not recognized.
How Do I Fix Streaky or Faded Prints on the MG7120?
From the printer's Setup/Maintenance menu (or the Canon IJ utility on your computer), print a nozzle check, then run one Cleaning cycle and check again; use Deep Cleaning only if needed. See how to clean Canon printer heads.
What Are the Canon PIXMA MG7120's Key Features?
The PIXMA MG7120 is a six-ink wireless photo all-in-one (print, scan, copy) with a 3.5-inch touchscreen, automatic two-sided printing, CD/DVD printing, memory card slots, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi with AirPrint and Canon PRINT app support.
Is the MG7120 Still Worth Using in 2026?
Yes, if it prints well. The MG7120 is discontinued, but PGI-250/CLI-251 tanks are among the most widely available Canon inks. Its print head is separate from the tanks; if cleaning can't restore missing colors, the head may need replacing, which often costs more than a new printer. Compare current models in our printer buying guide, or take the ~60-second PrinterIQ Finder quiz.
For drivers and the manual, visit the Canon PIXMA MG7120 support page.
Canon PIXMA MG7120 Ink FAQs
What ink does the Canon PIXMA MG7120 use?
Canon PGI-250 pigment black plus CLI-251 black, gray, cyan, magenta and yellow tanks, in standard or XL sizes.
Can I mix standard and XL tanks?
Yes. PGI-250 and PGI-250XL (and CLI-251/251XL) fit the same slots.
Can I use PGI-270 or CLI-271 tanks in the MG7120?
No. PGI-270/CLI-271 tanks look similar but are for newer models and won't be recognized.
Why does the MG7120 use a gray ink tank?
The CLI-251 gray improves neutral tones and black-and-white photos. All six tanks must be installed for the printer to work.
Are remanufactured cartridges safe for the MG7120?
Yes, from a reputable seller. See are compatible ink cartridges safe?
Need help choosing? Contact us with your printer model. Orders placed by 4 PM ET Monday–Friday ship the same day, with free shipping over $50.
More PGI-250/CLI-251 printers: five-ink models include the PIXMA MG5420, PIXMA MG6420, PIXMA MG6620, PIXMA iP7220, and PIXMA MX722; six-ink models that add a gray tank include the PIXMA MG6320, PIXMA MG7520, and PIXMA iP8720.
What PIXMA MG7120 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, Canon's support community and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Why are there two black tanks?
The PGI-250 is pigment black for sharp text on plain paper. The CLI-251 black is dye ink used for photos. When an ink alert appears, check both the cartridge code and the color before you order.
What does error B200 mean, and can it be fixed?
Canon describes B200 as an internal print head or logic-board fault. Switching the printer off and on and reseating the print head and tanks sometimes clears it. If not, the head needs replacing, which often costs more than a new printer.
Can I connect it with a network cable?
Yes. The MG7120 has Ethernet as well as Wi-Fi and USB.
Where do photo paper and plain paper go?
Plain paper goes in the lower cassette, which holds 125 sheets. The upper cassette takes 20 sheets of 4×6 or 10 sheets of 5×7 photo paper.
Can it print on CDs and DVDs?
Yes. It prints on printable CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs using its disc tray.
PIXMA MG7120 quirks worth knowing
- The dye black and gray tanks last far longer than the colors. Canon rates the standard CLI-251 black at about 1,105 pages and gray at about 780, against roughly 300 for each color, because both are used sparingly on everyday pages.
- It has memory card slots (SD, CompactFlash and Memory Stick) and Wireless PictBridge, so you can print photos without a computer.
- Ink is the catch. PCWorld's 2013 review put a four-color page at about 16.6 cents with standard Canon tanks.
- Canon's support page now lists Windows 11 drivers, even though the original spec sheet stopped at Mac OS X 10.9.
Other printers that use PGI-250 and CLI-251
Canon PIXMA iX6820 · Canon PIXMA MX922 · Canon PIXMA iP8720 · Canon PIXMA MG6320 · Canon PIXMA MG6620 · Canon PIXMA MG7520 · Canon PIXMA MG6420 · Canon PIXMA MX722
More Canon ink guides: Canon PIXMA TS3722 · Canon PIXMA TR4720 · Canon PIXMA MG3600 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- Canon PIXMA MegaTank G3290 — CastleScore 88
- Canon imageCLASS MF275dw (laser) — CastleScore 81
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 9, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Canon PGI-250 & CLI-251 Ink Cartridges – 250XL & 251XL? Shop Canon PGI-250 & CLI-251 Ink Cartridges – 250XL & 251XL at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.