Let me start by saying this printer is a game-changer for photo enthusiasts. The 6-color dye-based ink system (including Red and Gray) delivers vibrant, gallery-worthy prints that rival my old 8-ink professional printer. I was skeptical at first, but the color gamut is impressively wide - skin tones look natural, and blacks are deep without appearing muddy.

The mega ink tanks are the real MVP here. After printing 150+ full-page photos, my ink levels barely budged. At ~2.5 cents per 4x6 print, it's cheaper than drugstore prints with FAR better quality. The keyed ink bottles prevent messy mistakes - each color snaps into place like LEGO pieces.

Setup was surprisingly painless: remove tape > load ink > install software > calibrate. Pro tip: dial down the default density by one notch for perfect results on Canon's pro-luster paper (my go-to). For fine art prints, pairing with Hahnemühle paper using their ICC profile produces museum-quality depth.

Now for reality checks: Speed isn't this printer's forte. An 8.5x11 high-res photo takes about 90 seconds - grab coffee during large batches. The scanner requires manual sheet feeding (annoying for multi-page docs), and that postage-stamp-sized display is comically tiny.

After two months of heavy use printing restored family photos, I'm convinced this is the best value photo printer under $500. Just don't expect office-level document features - no duplexing or large paper trays here. For photographers and memory-keepers wanting pro results without cartridge headaches, the G620 delivers.