Compact, High Quality Snapshot Printer
Written: Aug 18 '03 (Updated Aug 18 '03)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Paper Handling: |
|
|
|
Pros: Waterproof, smudgeproof, lightfast
Cons: A tad noisy, 'Print by Sony' on the back of the photos
The Bottom Line: If you want good quality snapshot sized photos from your digital setup that will last and you don't mind spending a little extra, this printer is for you.
|
|
|
| bjcook's Full Review: Sony Digital Photo Printer DPP-EX5 Dye Sublimatio... |
One day I found myself in the Electronics department of the local Wal-Mart and noticed a stack of boxes on the end of the clearance shelf, low and behold they were closing out these once $200 printers for $75. I should note up front that this device can print without a PC if you own a Sony Digital camera, don't let that discourage you because it also has a USB connector. I personally don't own a Sony camera so this review is written from the perspective of it being connected to a PC via USB.
A few years ago a dedicated photo printer would have gone after such a niche market almost nobody would make them. Then came the Kodak Personal Picture Maker which promised photo printing without a PC, basically it was a Lexmark inkjet printer with a Kodak label and it didn’t require a PC. Fast forward to present day, not only is about every other printer produced now labeled a ‘photo printer’ but we now have dye-sublimation in competition with traditional inkjet printers.
Dye Sublimation vs. Traditional Inkjets
Of course we all know how an inkjet printer works, it sprays ink in microscopic droplets onto paper (or whatever you’re printing on) and your ink usage will depend on what type of photo you’re printing. Your prints usually are subject to fading quicker than traditional prints (although technology is improving this) and one drop of rain or ring from a glass and the picture is often ruined.
If you look simply at supplies, dye sublimation seems similar: you have an ink cartridge and paper – that’s where the similarities end. If you look at a dye sublimation ‘cartridge’ you’ll find it contains what looks like colored cellophane. These ribbons contain the dyes required to make any color you can see. Where the big difference lies is in the actual print process, rather than spraying ink droplets like an inkjet, the print head heats up and moves over the ribbon of the color, the ink is then vaporized momentarily before settling on the paper. Prints contain smooth color gradations and are ready to handle without any drying time. More often than not the prints are run through a 4th pass to add a protective overcoat which helps make the photo more lightfast and water resistant. And you will always get the same number of pictures from an ink cartridge since each sheet requires the same process.
A Downside To Dye-Sub?
So let’s assume you’re printing pictures on Christmas for relatives who are heading back home in a couple of days when your inkjet runs out of ink or paper, well most of us can run to Wal-Mart/BestBuy/Circuit City and purchase additional supplies. But if you’re using a dye-sub printer you will probably have to order supplies and stock up unless your local Best Buy or Circuit City carry the supplies. However most dye sublimation packages include the paper and the ribbon, so when one is gone you just open up a new pack and you’re ready to go. Keep in mind because of the proprietary nature and small number of owners (compared to inkjet owners) of dye-sub printers, you can’t buy ‘generic’ dye-sub packs like inkjet cartridges so they’re usually more expensive.
The Sony DPP-EX5 dye sublimation printer uses packs of 25 sheets of 4x6” paper and an ink cartridge for each pack, these cost about $17 from Sony. Keep in mind that the dye sublimation printer will not be suitable for anything but photos.
Unpacking The EX5
When you open the printer you find it's not much bigger than a dictionary or reference book and sits vertical so it only takes up about 4 inches of horizontal desk space. Another nice feature that us geeks appreciate is the AC adapter - it's not a wall-wart that takes up two spaces on your already crowded surge protector. The USB cable is not included and had I paid $200 I would be a little upset about this. Also missing is a 'starter pack' or anything to print on, so be sure to pick up at least one package of paper.
Installation under Windows XP Home Edition could not have gone smoother, XP drivers are on the included CD. The DPP-EX5 then appears as just another printer on your computer. I use the built-in Windows picture viewer and it works seamlessley with this printer, just click the print button at the bottom and the photo print wizard starts up. Choose the EX5 and 'Properties' then 'Advanced' and select your paper size. This is actually a pain because when printing this way the driver software defaults to 3x4" paper and I have to change it each time. Maybe the included software would work around this but I like the Windows picture viewer and don't want to install software just for this purpose.
Each print takes about 2 minutes and the paper loading device seems a little noisy but not any more annoying than the whizzing of my Epson. The paper is taken through the printer a total of four times - the last trip is for the clear overcoat which does an excellent job of protecting your precious photos.
Okay, Enough Already, Is It Good?
Is it ever, I have printed many pictures from my Fuji S602 and the print quality is excellent. The protective overcoat which Sony has dubbed 'SuperCoat 2' does an excellent job, I poured water on a photo and it rolled right off. I even let my four year old play with a print and the smudges just wiped away. Price per print is a little higher than inkjet but presently the Sony store offers free ground shipping. Keep in mind the maximum print size is 4x6" and this printer will only do photos so you will need to keep that inkjet/laser for your other printing duties.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 75
Operating System: Windows
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
bjcook
|
|
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.