Canon PIXMA TR7120 (7178C002) vs Epson EcoTank ET-2900 (C11CL63201)
Would you rather replace ink cartridges or refill ink tanks, and do you need an automatic feeder for stacks of single-sided pages?
Products compared
ASIN B0FMB4JBJ8
Canon PIXMA TR7120 (7178C002)
You want a feeder for batches of up to 35 plain-paper originals; Canon says double-sided originals still cannot be scanned automatically through the ADF.
Last observed offer
$172.00
- Confirm offer eligibility on Amazon
Size: Medium
Price checked
Observed condition: new. Coupon and subscription requirements unverified.
ASIN B0GSSBQGX7
Epson EcoTank ET-2900 (C11CL63201)
You prefer refilling built-in ink tanks from keyed bottles rather than replacing cartridges.
Last observed offer
$239.99
- Confirm offer eligibility on Amazon
Price checked
Observed condition: new. Coupon and subscription requirements unverified.
Prices are per listed package. Pickoryx may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through the paid Amazon links on this page, at no added cost to you.
Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-10-01 · Source checked 2026-10-01 21:03 UTC
The main trade-off
Canon's cartridge replenishment and 35-sheet ADF favor buyers who want a feeder for multi-page scanning; Epson's bottle-refilled tanks and flatbed-only scan path suit buyers who prefer tank refills and usually scan one original at a time. These are documented workflows, not cost or speed measurements.
Quick verdict
The Canon PIXMA TR7120 uses listed replacement cartridges and adds a 35-sheet ADF, making it the clearer fit for scanning stacks of single-sided pages. The Epson EcoTank ET-2900 uses keyed bottles to refill built-in tanks and relies on its flatbed scanner. Choose based on these work routines; no total ink-cost or performance winner is established.
Choose Canon PIXMA TR7120 (7178C002) if
- You want a feeder for batches of up to 35 plain-paper originals; Canon says double-sided originals still cannot be scanned automatically through the ADF.
- Replacing Canon ink cartridges is a better match for your replenishment routine.
Choose Epson EcoTank ET-2900 (C11CL63201) if
- You prefer refilling built-in ink tanks from keyed bottles rather than replacing cartridges.
- A flatbed scan workflow fits the originals you usually handle, without an ADF.
When the recommendation changes
- How often you scan multi-page single-sided originals changes the value of TR7120's ADF.
- Whether you prefer cartridge replacement or bottle refills changes which ink task fits; this comparison does not calculate lifetime ink cost.
The differences that matter
| Decision point | Canon PIXMA TR7120 (7178C002) | Epson EcoTank ET-2900 (C11CL63201) |
|---|---|---|
| Ink Refill Workflow | Canon lists PG-295 black and CL-286 color ink cartridges as TR7120 replacement supplies; its product page describes a two-cartridge hybrid ink system.[1] | Epson describes the exact ET-2900 (C11CL63201) as using built-in ink tanks refilled from uniquely keyed EcoFit bottles.[3] |
What this changes: Choose by the replenishment task you prefer: replace Canon's listed cartridges, or keep Epson ink bottles available and refill built-in tanks. This describes handling only; it does not establish total ink cost, savings, refill frequency or a payback point.[1, 3] The better fit depends on your priorities | ||
| Multi Page Scan Workflow | Canon lists a flatbed plus 35-sheet ADF for plain paper (5 sheets for legal size); its manual loads originals face-up. The ADF does not automatically scan both sides of a duplex original.[1, 2, 5] | Epson identifies a flatbed scanner on the ET-2900 product page. Its guide covers ET-2900 series and says ADF is only available on ET-4900/L5390 series, not ET-2900.[3, 4] |
What this changes: For stacks of single-sided pages, Canon's feeder takes up to 35 plain sheets; ET-2900 uses its flatbed path and has no ADF per Epson's series guide. Canon's feeder still requires manual handling for two-sided originals.[1, 2, 3, 4, 5] The better fit depends on your priorities | ||
Best for your routine
You scan stacks of single-sided plain-paper documents and want an automatic feeder.
Best fit: Canon PIXMA TR7120 (7178C002)
Based on listed features, not comparative testing.
Canon documents a 35-sheet ADF for plain paper; Epson's ET-2900 is documented with a flatbed scanner and no ADF in the applicable series guide.
You prefer replenishing ink by refilling built-in tanks from bottles.
Best fit: Epson EcoTank ET-2900 (C11CL63201)
Based on listed features, not comparative testing.
Epson documents keyed EcoFit bottles and built-in tanks on the exact ET-2900; this does not predict ink costs or refill frequency.
Value and trade-offs
One or both observed offers have eligibility conditions, so no unrestricted price difference is shown.
Compare live checkout prices after deciding whether the ADF or bottle-refill workflow matters to you; this comparison does not establish that either system costs less to own.
No purchase-timing recommendation is supported by this workflow-focused comparison or its current-only price context.
Limitations
- No hands-on print, scan-speed, image-quality, reliability or ink-cost testing was performed; no performance winner is claimed.
- Canon's stated ADF capacity is 35 plain-paper sheets and 5 legal-size sheets; double-sided originals are not automatically scanned through it.
- Epson documents the ET-2900-series flatbed path and specifies ADF only for ET-4900/L5390 in the shared guide; verify current model support if configuration changes.
- No total ink-cost, cartridge-versus-bottle savings, refill frequency or break-even estimate is calculated.
Questions shoppers ask
Can the TR7120 automatically scan both sides of a double-sided original using its ADF?
Canon's TR7120 support page lists the TR7100-series online manual. That manual says double-sided originals cannot be scanned automatically with the ADF, so those originals need additional handling.
Methodology and sources
We verified TR7120's listed cartridges and ADF capacity/instructions against Epson's C11CL63201 product page and the user guide covering ET-2900 series. We compare documented workflows only and infer neither ink economics nor scan performance. Canon's exact TR7120 support page was also checked to establish that Canon links its TR7100-series online manual for this model.
We checked the manufacturers' published ink replenishment and scanning instructions. Pickoryx did not conduct hands-on printing or scanning tests.
View 5 sources
- 1.Shop Canon PIXMA TR7120 Wireless Multi-Function Home PrinterCanon U.S.A. · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-01 20:46 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Exact TR7120 page: two-cartridge hybrid ink; scanner/ADF specs and compatible PG-295/CL-286 cartridges.: Canon's exact TR7120 product page describes a two-cartridge hybrid ink system and lists PG-295/CL-286 replacement cartridges. It identifies a flatbed plus 35-sheet ADF for plain paper (5 legal sheets).
- 2.Loading Documents in the ADF (Auto Document Feeder)Canon Inc. · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-01 20:46 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- TR7100 series ADF loading steps 1-5; note on duplex originals.: Canon's TR7100-series manual loads originals face up into the ADF and says double-sided originals cannot be scanned automatically with the ADF. Canon identifies TR7120 within the TR7100 series.
- 3.EcoTank ET-2900 Wireless All-in-One Color Supertank Printer – BlackEpson America, Inc. · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-01 20:46 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Exact Model C11CL63201 product page: keyed EcoFit bottle refill and high-resolution flatbed scanner.: Epson's exact C11CL63201 black ET-2900 page describes built-in tanks refilled from uniquely keyed EcoFit bottles and a high-resolution flatbed scanner. Marketing savings/yield claims are excluded.
- 4.Introduction to the Manuals — ET-2900 Series User's GuideSeiko Epson Corporation · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-01 20:46 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Shared User's Guide intro lines 24-33: ET-2900 covered; ADF is a feature only for ET-4900/L5390 series.: Epson's guide covers ET-2900 series and explicitly limits ADF to ET-4900/L5390. Combined with its exact ET-2900 product page's flatbed scanner spec, this supports the ET-2900 scan-path distinction.
- 5.Canon Support for PIXMA TR7120Canon U.S.A., Inc. · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-01 21:03 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Support page product heading identifies PIXMA TR7120 (line 621); Manuals section lists “TR7100 series (PDF) Online Manual” (lines 1067–1074).: The official U.S. support page for PIXMA TR7120 links the TR7100-series online manual, establishing that its ADF guidance applies to the assigned TR7120.