What Ink Does the Canon PIXMA MG7520 Use?
Last Updated:CastleScore · October 2026
80/100 — Highly Recommended
Canon PIXMA MG7520
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 78 | 4.00★ average across 1,027 ratings at Amazon (4.0) |
| 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: B2xx support codes that indicate a print head or internal hardware fault |
| Features (12%) | 73 | Print, copy, scan, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen. No document feeder, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | 84 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
No longer sold new. Canon replaced the MG7120 with the MG7520 in 2014, and today it is found mainly used. Canon still hosts its drivers and manuals.
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 8, 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.
Quick answer: what ink does the Canon PIXMA MG7520 use?
The Canon PIXMA MG7520 uses six individual ink tanks: PGI-250 pigment black plus CLI-251 black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and gray. High-yield PGI-250XL and CLI-251XL tanks fit the same slots, and you replace only the color that runs out. The gray tank is what separates this model from the five-ink PGI-250 printers.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Type | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| Canon PGI-250 / PGI-250XL | Pigment black (text) | ~300 / ~500 pages |
| Canon CLI-251 / CLI-251XL cyan, magenta, yellow | Dye color | ~300–330 / ~660–695 pages (varies by color) |
| Canon CLI-251 / CLI-251XL black | Dye black (photos) | ~1,105 / ~4,425 pages |
| Canon CLI-251 / CLI-251XL gray | Dye gray (photos) | Rated in photos |
*Approximate Canon-rated yields based on ISO/IEC test pages. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.
Common questions about Canon PIXMA MG7520 ink
Standard or XL: which should I buy?
XL. PGI-250XL is rated for about 500 text pages versus 300 for standard, and the CLI-251XL colors roughly double the standard yield, so the cost per page drops sharply. Because the tanks are separate, you can also buy XL only for the colors you use most. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.
What other printers use PGI-250/CLI-251 ink?
The five-ink models are the PIXMA MG5420, MG5520, MG5620, MG6420, MG6620, iP7220, iX6820, MX722, MX922, and MG5422. The six-ink models that add a gray tank are the PIXMA MG6320, MG7120, and iP8720. Every size of the shared colors fits all of them, so one stock of cartridges covers several printers.
Will other Canon cartridges fit the MG7520?
No. PGI-270/CLI-271 (used by the PIXMA MG5720, MG6820, and TS5020) and PGI-225/CLI-226 (used by the MG5320 and MG6120) look almost identical but have different chips and notches. Always match the number printed on your current cartridge.
Why are there two black cartridges?
They do different jobs. The larger pigment black (PGI) prints sharp, smudge-resistant text on plain paper. The dye black (CLI) is used for photos and glossy paper, where pigment ink would sit on the surface. Both must be installed, and on plain-paper documents the pigment black does most of the work.
Are compatible or remanufactured cartridges safe for the MG7520?
Yes. We found no Canon firmware that blocks them on this model, and using them doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. The printer may show a message about a non-genuine or refilled cartridge; choose OK or Continue and print normally. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.
How do I replace the ink in the MG7520?
Turn the printer on and open the cover; the print head holder moves to the replacement position. Press the tab on the empty tank and lift it out. Remove the new tank from its bag, pull off the orange protective cap, insert it front end first, and press the top until it clicks. Match the color labels on the holder. The tank's lamp lights red when it's seated correctly. Walkthrough: How to replace the ink in a Canon PIXMA printer.
Why won't the MG7520 recognize a new tank?
Make sure the orange cap and any film are removed, press down on the tank until its lamp lights, and check that it's in the slot with the matching color label. If the lamp stays off, remove the tank, wipe the contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, reinstall it, and power-cycle the printer. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.
Why are MG7520 prints faded, streaky, or missing a color?
The print head is built into the printer, so a clogged nozzle won't be fixed by a new tank alone. Print a nozzle check, run a cleaning, and if gaps remain, a deep cleaning; let the printer rest a few hours if it still streaks. If lines look jagged or doubled rather than faded, align the print head. Guides: How to clean Canon printer heads, Faded or streaky prints: causes and fixes, and our print head alignment guide.
Can I keep printing when one tank is empty?
Canon printers stop when a tank runs out. On many models you can override the warning by holding Stop for about 5 seconds, but Canon cautions that printing with an empty tank can damage the built-in print head, so replace it as soon as you can. Keeping a spare pigment black on hand avoids most downtime.
What does the gray tank do?
The CLI-251 gray tank smooths gradients in black-and-white and low-light photos. It's used by six-ink models like the MG7520; five-ink models such as the MG6620 don't have that slot.
Does the MG7520 work on Wi-Fi?
Yes. It connects over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and works with the Canon PRINT app. If it keeps dropping off the network, make sure your router broadcasts a 2.4 GHz band. Setup help: How to connect a printer to Wi-Fi.
MG7520 key facts
- Type: wireless photo all-in-one (print, scan, copy)
- Ink: 6 individual tanks, PGI-250 + CLI-251 BK/C/M/Y/GY (XL fits)
- Extras: printable CD/DVD/Blu-ray discs, automatic two-sided printing, Ethernet, NFC tap-to-print, 3.5-inch touchscreen
What PIXMA MG7520 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.
My MG7520 shows support code B203. Is it finished?
Not necessarily, but B2xx codes point to the print head or another internal fault. Unplug it for 10 minutes, reseat the tanks and clean the head. If the code comes back, Canon treats it as a service repair, which often costs more than the printer is worth.
Can I connect it to my router with a cable?
Yes. Besides Wi-Fi and USB, the MG7520 has a wired Ethernet port, plus NFC for tap-to-print from Android phones.
Where do I load 4x6 photo paper?
In the upper front cassette, which holds 20 sheets of 4x6 or 10 sheets of 5x7. Plain paper goes in the 125-sheet lower cassette.
Can it scan or copy a stack of pages?
No. It has a flatbed scanner only, with no document feeder, so multi-page and two-sided originals go on the glass one page at a time.
Can it print on CDs or DVDs?
Yes. Canon lists printable CD, DVD and Blu-ray disc support.
PIXMA MG7520 quirks worth knowing
- Canon files the drivers and manuals under "MG7500 series", not MG7520, so search for that name on Canon's support site.
- Canon announced the MG7520 in August 2014 alongside the MG5620 and MG6620, and it replaced the MG7120 at the top of the line. Both use the same six tanks.
- Both paper cassettes load from the front, and there is no rear feed tray.
- The standard cyan, magenta and yellow tanks are rated for only about 300 pages each, so on a six-tank printer you change a tank often unless you buy XL.
Other printers that use PGI-250 and CLI-251
Canon PIXMA iX6820 · Canon PIXMA MX920 · Canon PIXMA iP8720 · Canon PIXMA MG6320 · Canon PIXMA MG6620 · Canon PIXMA MG6420 · Canon PIXMA MX722 · Canon PIXMA iP7220
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 8, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Canon ink cartridges? Shop Canon ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.