8 MIN READ | SHARP VS CANON COPIERS
Sharp vs Canon copiers are a comparison of features and usability vs reliability. The differences between a copier's main functions are pretty marginal, but depending on the needs of your business or organization, the smaller details might make all the difference.Are you looking for affordability or the advantages associated with a more established brand? We breakdown the differences between the most popular Canon and Sharp copiers on the market so that you can make a more informed decision when selecting your next machine.
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Canon vs Sharp Copiers Ratings Formula
Canon vs Sharp Ratings
Canon Copier Reviews
Sharp Copiers Reviews
Recap and Next Steps
Canon vs Sharp Copier Ratings Formula
As a Canon and Sharp dealer, we like both brands; however, we decided to take this article one step further by using data from our friends at Buyer's Lab. They're a third-party company that exists to test and evaluate copiers and printers on the market, today.
To create our comparisons, we at SOS created a formula and input our Buyer's Lab data into that formula to create an overall score:
(IQ + EU + S + F + R) / 5 = SOS Copier Rating
Glossary of Metrics
IQ = Image Quality - the quality of a machine's prints are incredibly important. It's the difference between a print job looking professional or looking cheap.
EU = Ease of Use - although image quality is pretty consistent from machine to machine, ease of us isn't. How intuitive is it for a new user to walk up to a machine and use the copier to complete various tasks.
S = Security - most business owners are aware of cyber threats and the importance of protecting their network, but some don't realize the vulnerabilities that lie with their copier. Today's copiers are connected to company networks, and as a result, they can access sensitive data. The copier you purchase needs security features and safety protocols to make sure private company and customer information doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
F = Features - features are where we see the widest range between machines. This doesn't mean that it should be the deciding factor, though, as the features you consider should be completely based on the needs of your company.
R = Reliability - the uptime you can expect based on the manufacturer's specifications. This is an important factor because it's an indicator of how often you can expect a machine to need a service call.
Canon vs Sharp Ratings
Our list is based on the eight most popular Canon and Sharp models (four each) that we sell at Standard Office Systems. To offer complete transparency and trust to our readers, our ratings of each of these models are based on the information obtained by Buyer's Lab.
If you're interested to see a more comprehensive list that includes models from a wider variety of manufacturers, just take a look at our best office copiers list for 2020.
Canon Copier Reviews
Canon imageRUNNER Advance C5535i III (color)
Market Entry Year: February 2019
Speed: 35 ppm
Dimensions: 37-3/8" x 24-3/8" x 29-1/4"
Our most popular Canon machine sold to businesses that includes features like HDD encryption, Universal Login Manager, Remote Operator's Software Kit, and more. Designed to reduce maintenance costs and downtime, with long-life drums, high-capacity toner cartridges and a waste toner container that is 3x larger than its predecessor.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 10 |
Total Score: 9.4/10
Canon imageRUNNER Advance 4545i III (black & white)
Market Entry Year: February 2019
Speed: 45 ppm
Dimensions: 47" x 23-1/8" x 29-1/8"
A dependable A3-sized copier, this Canon is a good choice for mid-to large-sized work groups. Additionally, you can expect fast print times for short-run documents, fast duplex scan speeds, and fast first-copy out times. This allows your employees to accomplish tasks more efficiently and not waste time waiting for copy jobs to finish.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 6.5 |
Total Score: 8.3/10
Canon imageRUNNER Advance C3530i III (color)
Market Entry Year: February 2019
Speed: 30 ppm
Dimensions: 45-1/5" x 22-1/4" x 29-1/4"
This compact machine includes a number of benefits that make it great for medium-sized work groups. This is one of the highest rated machines when it comes to durability, which means your machine is up and running longer, making your employees more efficient. Additional features include user replaceable toners and drums and a strong ease-of-use rating. Where it lacks on features, this machine makes-up in uptime.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 6.5 |
Total Score: 8.7/10
Canon imageRUNNER Advance C7570i III (color)
Market Entry Year: February 2019
Speed: 70 ppm
Dimensions: 48" x 27-1/8" x 37-1/8"
If you need a production level printer with outstanding reliability and performance, it doesn't get much stronger than this Canon. At 70 pages per minute, this machine is ideal for large offices or internal print departments. Downtime is minimal on this machine and its simple procedure for replacing consumables like toner, staples, paper, and more, deliver maximum uptime and increase efficiency. It's difficult to find a color printer with this kind of speed and reliability.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 9 |
Total Score: 9.2/10
Sharp Copiers Reviews
Sharp MX 3071 (color)
Market Entry Year: December 2018
Speed: 30 ppm
Dimensions: 30" x 24" x 26"
Great for small and mid-size workgroups, this machine's reliability is consistent with other top copiers. The real value, though, is in the machine's highly rated yields for toner, drums and developer, and easy to operate procedure for loading paper, clearing paper jams, and replacing toner. This allows users to easily keep the machine running without relying on a service technician from their local dealer. Additionally, users can be assured that quality output will be maintained from first copy to last.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 7 | 9 | 9.5 | 9 |
Total Score: 8.7/10
Sharp MX 5071 (color)
Market Entry Year: April 2019
Speed: 50 ppm
Dimensions: 33" x 24" x 26"
The MX 5071 enters the market right at the threshold between standard print speed and production speed. As a result, this machine is a perfect choice for medium to large-sized workgroups. According to Buyer's Lab, this machine is "highly reliable, easy to use, and very productive in all modes tested." If you need to program jobs and build workflows, the MX 5071's redesigned interface make these tasks very simple. Additionally, output for both print and copy are above the industry's average, so you can expect high quality with each print job completed.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.5 | 7 | 9 | 9.5 | 7.5 |
Total Score: 8.5/10
Sharp MX M4070 (black & white)
Market Entry Year: November 2017
Speed: 40 ppm
Dimensions: 33" x 24" x 26"
If you're in need of flawless reliability, then the Sharp MX M4070 may be the right device for you. In addition, its succinct procedures for replacing toner, clearing paper jams, and loading paper make this an incredibly effective option for medium-sized workgroups who need to minimize downtime. This machine is a 2019 Buyers Lab award winner and boasts an efficient, centralized device management system that's perfect for IT personnel, including its easy-to-use Remote Device Manager.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 7 | 8.5 | 9.5 | NR |
Total Score: 8.75/10
Sharp MX 7580N (color)
Market Entry Year: June 2017
Speed: 75 ppm
Dimensions: 48-1/8" x 33-1/4" x 33-1/4"
A highly recommended Buyer's Lab 2019 Bronze Award winner, the MX 7580N is an extremely reliable production printer. This machine serves mid to large-sized offices or print shops where the need to print large volumes in a timely manner is a high priority. During Buyer's Lab's test of the MX 7580N, only two minor misfeeds were experienced while printing 275,000 impressions. Like all Sharp copiers, the design of the interface (coupled with its retractable keyboard) make programming jobs and entering data effortless.
| Reliability | Image Quality | Ease of Use | Security | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8 | 8.5 | 9.5 | NR |
Total Score: 9/10
Recap and Next Steps
There are many more factors to consider when purchasing a copier. For instance, a great machine with terrible support or service becomes a very average piece of equipment. If reliability is at 99%, but the one time it does have issues takes weeks to receive service, then you negate that reliability.
We wrote an article on the myths of comparing copier dealers and manufacturers, and it has become an eye-opener for many. You might be surprised to learn that there are many similarities to the two and a few key differences.
Regardless of the decision you make, be sure to fully understand how to choose your copier vendor so that you can be assured your machines will be up and running without issue. With copiers being so comparable from manufacturer to manufacturer, the real difference is in the service you receive after the purchase.
