I am using it and the color is accurate and vibrant, about the print fading I think it depends upon the paper quality, if you use Canon archival papers it will last a long time. Canon should also market its papers. I live in India and it is hard to find Canon papers. It would be great if they can market the Panaroma photo papers too. All we get in name of photo papers are Desmat, Mitsubishi, VMS. I think all these papers are the same with different with back prints.
Chromalife100 is a synthetic dye ink that Canon introduced since the early 2000's until it was succeeded by Chromalife100+ (which as of this date, still exclusive to cartridges). Unprotected, it can take about a year before it starts fading. In my experience, the most durable synthetic dye ink is Brother's Innobella, which unfortunately, also still exclusive to cartridges. Well at least those Brother cartridges aren't as expensive as the ones sold by Canon.
Canons chromalife100 inks which are used in this printer don't last long at all unless they're in a binder. It's an ink from the early 2000's, they really should've put the chromalife100+ inks instead.
Worst printer ever. Dont buy it for a continous usage purpose. It is sucha head ache. And service is too bad. If u complaint it today u will get the respose next year. I am fed up.