Dye Sub Review Roundup: Sony DPP-EX50

Like most dye-sublimation printers, the Sony DPP-EX50 produces top-quality photos, according to all its reviewers. They noted that the best feature is the printer's ability to connect to a TV and display which images to print, and how to print them (for example, in a calendar you can also do some editing, such as applying a fish-eye lens effect. However, the reviewers also complained that, unlike most other photo printers, the DPP-EX50 doesn't include any photo paper in the package._z_printscan_z_);

Price: $179.95
Type: Dye sublimation photo printer
Max. Print Speed: Approx. 90 seconds for a 4 x 6 print
Max. Print Size: 4 x 6 inches
Special Feature(s): Video output for viewing and editing via a TV

CNET Review

Rating: 7.1 out of 10

Liked: Fairly inexpensive; excellent print quality; fast; can view and edit photos on your TV.

Disliked: Design isn't for everyone; can't view or edit photos on LCD; no connection between removable media drives and your computer; no paper or ink included.

In Short: This snapshot photo printer makes beautiful prints for a reasonable price, but its design could use some work.

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PC Magazine Review

Rating: 4 out of 5

Liked: Gorgeous print quality. Versatile image input using flash media or attached to a PC or Sony digital camera. Very easy to use.

Disliked: Limited to snapshot-size photo printing.

In Short: You can't use the DPP-EX50 dye-sub printer for anything but digital snapshots in three sizes (4-by-6 max), using media that costs $0.50 to $0.67 per photo. But the print quality rivals or beats conventional film prints, and convenience and ease of use are major benefits.

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Steve's DigiCams Review

Rating: N/A

Liked: There are no messy ink cartridges to deal with -- ever. The print quality is like every other dye-sub printer that we've reviewed to date. This is not a bad thing as every dye-sub printer that we've reviewed has produced prints the equal of their wet-processed, film counterparts.

Disliked: The print speed at approx. 80 seconds is about average for a 4 x 6" dye-sub, there are faster printers out there.

In Short: The DPP-EX50 has a smaller footprint than the most compact upright Hi-Ti printer so if space is at a premium in your work area it may be just the thing you're looking for.

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