Product:
Price:
Intended Users:
iR ADVANCE C5500
$15,000-$23,000
Small, Medium, Large
Speed Color:
Processor:
Memory:
35ppm-60ppm
Dual Custom Processor
4GB
Product Overview
The new Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5500 Series is the third generation in the imageRUNNER ADVANCE family building upon new features and upgrades from previous models. Some of the upgrades include a 10.1″ color flat-panel control panel, display screen that’s personalized to each user, higher-yield toner and advanced finishing options. There are four devices in this series – they all offer standard printing, copying and scanning as well as optional faxing. With the exception of speed and first-page-out-times, they all share identical features.
The four devices are:
- The imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5535i ($15,000) copies and prints at 35ppm and has a first-page-copy time of 7.4 seconds in color
- The imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5540i ($17,000) copies and prints at 40ppm and has a first-page-copy time of 6.1 seconds in color
- The imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5550i ($20,000) copies and prints at 50ppm and has a first-page-copy time of 5.2 seconds in color
- The imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5560i ($23,000) copies and prints at 60ppm and has a first-page-copy time of 4.5 seconds in color
All four models include the Canon Dual Custom Processor, 4GB of memory and a 250GB hard drive that can be expanded to 1TB. There is also a 10.1″ color control panel with a flat touchscreen that works like a smartphone. The control panel uses a new feature called My ADVANCE that allows each user to customize specific features (i.e. a personal address book) based on their specific workflows.
Printing language, such as PCL, PostScript and Canon’s proprietary UFR II, is supported. USB, Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity are also standard. The devices support mobile printing and scanning with Canon’s new PRINT Business app.
More details on the devices’ features are in our Features section below.
Canon has consistently improved upon its MFPs with better upgrades over the years and the imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5500 Series is no exception. They provide strong features and scalable options for an office that expects to have medium or high-volume printing needs.
Features
Paper handling: All devices include a standard dual 550-sheet paper trays and a 100-sheet bypass. Canon offers additional paper trays as options, such as two more 550-sheet trays, a 2,700-sheet paper deck unit and a high-capacity 2,450-sheet feeding unit. The maximum capacity is 6,350 sheets. With the exception of the paper deck unit and feeding unit (both accept 8.5″ x 11″ paper only), the other trays can handle paper size of up to 12″ x 18″.
Automatic duplexing is supported. All devices has a standard 150-sheet single-pass duplexing document feeder. The document feeder supports paper up to 11″ x 17″ in size and has a scanning speed of 80ipm single-sided.
Standard output capacity is 250 sheets. There are a few finishing options. First, there is an inner finisher with a two-tray 545-sheet capacity and 50-sheet multiposition stapling. There is an optional 2/3-hole punch with this finisher. Second, there is an external stapling finisher with a two-tray 3,250-sheet capacity and 50-sheet multiposition stapling. It also includes an optional 2/3-hole punch kit. And finally, users can add a booklet finisher that includes two trays with a 3,250-sheet capacity, 50-sheet multiposition stapling and 20-sheet booklet making capability.
We want to note that all three finishers supports Canon’s new Staple-free Stapling and Staple On Demand features. Staple-free Stapling allows the user to stack and staple finished documents with fewer staples. Staple On Demand lets users re-staple originals after any copying or scanning is done or staple printed paper without having to select any stapling settings. Both features were designed to help improve efficiency and productivity in producing finished documents.
Scanning and faxing: The color scanning function allows for sending scans to multiple destinations, such as email, SMB and mailbox. It supports file formats, such as TIFF, JPEG and compact and searchable PDF. Optional formats include encrypted PDF and PDF with digital signature. LDAP is also supported.
The devices include document storage functionality with a maximum of 100 user in-boxes that includes a capacity of 30,000 pages stored. The Advanced Box mailbox and storage system that allows users to store work in an expanded number of shared boxes on hard drive. It also allows users anywhere on the network to store files created on their PCs, and is accessible, subject to authentication.
The optional faxing feature uses a 33.6kbps modem with JBIG compression and up to 30,000 pages in fax memory.
Security: The Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5500 Series include many security features, both standard and optional. Some of the standard features include user authentication, device and function-level log-in, hard disk drive erase, IP/Mac address filtering and secure print, to name several. Optional security features include hard disk drive mirroring, hard disk drive removal, data loss prevention, secure watermarks and document scan locking.
EFI Fiery controller: The ColorPass-GX500 controller is only available on the imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5550i and C5560i. This optional controller personalizes printing documents with either a built-in Fiery FreeForm or a variable data printing format. In production environments, it can also integrate with prepress workflows.
- Automatic Document Feeder?
- Duplexing?
- Ethernet Connectivity?
- Wireless Connectivity?
- Mobile Printing/Scanning?
- Finishers?
Shortcomings
Although Canon touts the imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5500 Series as targeted for SMBs, these devices may be too expensive or too fast for very small offices. Those offices can check out our reviews on other Canon devices or other color MFPs.
About
Canon is the number-one copier company in the U.S. if measured by the total number of units sold.
The company has an impressive line of multifunctional devices, and it’s one of the leaders in this market. Most of Canon’s multifunction printer (MFP) line carries the imageRUNNER brand name.
Over the years, Canon’s print controller strategy has involved partnering with EFI, the third-party controller company that dominates the color market. The company also relies on controllers developed by Canon itself. The controllers, which feature Canon’s IP architecture (the “IP” stands for “Image Platform”), can be found on all imageRUNNER models.
Canon’s MEAP architecture (Multifunctional Embedded Application Program) has been a significant addition to Canon’s controller strategy. It’s featured on most of its mid-to-high-volume models. The MEAP platform features an open architecture for providing custom software applications, some for private use and others sold on the open market as add-on products from third parties.
