Customer Reviews

Sony DPP-EX50 Digital Photo Printer

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

One of the first things I noticed upon opening up and unpacking the box, was that Sony does NOT include any ink (ribbon) or paper for this printer in the box. Not even one sheet. So, to avoid disappointment about not being able to immediately start using the printer, make sure you buy one of the ink/paper packages too.

The included software is "so-so". Sony's included photo application is rough, and I fell into fatal errors with it quite easily. Their photo application works directly with the printer, bypassing Window's printer drivers, which brings me to my next software comment.

It also includes a printer driver for Windows that allows other applications, presumably for photos, to print using the DPP-EX50. However, while it worked, it had a little annoying problem where the image was slightly off centered. This results in "borderless" prints actually getting a thin white border on the bottom and right sides. I found no way around this bug, including trying to manual re-size the image slightly larger, and trying to move it slightly down/right.

While the DPP-EX50 prints absolutely wonderful pictures, I am patiently waiting for Sony to release some software fixes.

If you want photo lab quality pics in the comfort of your home--this printer is it. It is Exif and Pict bridge compatible. You can print from your TV, PC (you will need to buy a USB cord), camera or memory card. The colors are gorgeous and the images are crystal clear.

The printer is small enough and light enough to take with you--just plug it into your camera or TV-and you have instant pics to give everyone on your vacation.

The photo packs are easy to install and if you don't like the color or contrast of the picture no need to take it back to the lab---fix it on the computer and make another print.

We received this printer Christmas 2004 from my parents, presumably as a hint that they wanted loads of pictures printed of their new granddaughter. We had just retired an old HP/Kodak printer that was pretty good but not photo-lab quality. We were blindsided by the amazing quality of this Sony printer and went crazy with printing pictures.

Then the ugly truth about this printer reared its head: It's not always easy to find supplies for this machine. As other reviewers noted, you have to replace the ribbion/ink cartridge with every new pack of paper. We live in a small town, so we have to re-order our supplies online. The closest reseller that stocks this stuff is Circuit City, about 35 miles away. (Wal-Mart and Best Buy do not carry the packs.) And it's pretty expensive, too. We worked it out that it costs us 57 cents per print on our PictureStation. We can get them printed elsewhere for 19 to 25 cents a print.

The fact that Sony offers ZERO support, drivers, etc. for this printer on its website is ominous as well. If we had bought this printer ourselves we definitely would have returned it and bought something that was easier to re-supply and find support for.

This printer does excellent, quality, professional printing but I cannot recommend purchasing it. Sony has changed the ink cartridge when they came out with the DPP-FP30 & the DPP-FP50 and no longer make the cartridge for this printer. If you purchase this printer, make sure you get a lifetime supply of ink cartridges before buying or you will find that the printer is useless.

I've had this printer for about 6 weeks. I do think it's strange that it doesn't come with ink and paper but I was warned before I bought it. I do find the prink packs a little hard to find and too pricy on sony's website but the printer itself is wonderful and fairly simple. I love the quality of the photos, I think they're comparable to other regular 1 hour photo shops.

If you're going to a wedding or birthday party and want to leave some prints for the celebrants, the EX50 is a great toy to have. You can print up to 4x6 with very high quality on smudge-free paper - and for its intended use, that's important. You can print directly from Memory Stick or Compact Flash, or you can strap it to your laptop and work that way. You can use the video out jack to view the images on a TV. All this in a compact little package for about $180 - not cheap but this is a good quality tool.

Purchased few years ago and start to use it again reacently. Worried about the ink if dried after few years but the picture came out perfectly. Thubms up

If you want really great color and image sharpness and do not want anything larger than 4" X 6" prints, then this printer is a good choice. I've used it for about two years with no problems. I figured that if I ever wanted a larger print, like an 8" X 10", then I would have a lab do it. Sony does make the ink and paper for this--Look up "Sony SVM-75LS"--it is available from Amazon, among other places. I have to say that the supplied "Picture Gear Studio" software is pretty awful. It is slow and not very user friendly. So that is why I give the printer a 4-star rating and not a 5-star rating.

This printer is fantastic to print 4x6 prints. But I recently lost the CD for it. It took quite a bit of searching and after I read some of these reviews that SONY does not give good support and no driver was available, I was depressed. But, I finally found the driver online. And what's more, it was from a SONY website!
[...]
Good luck. Hope that helps all those that need a print driver for the Sony DPP-EX50 !

Kevin

I have this printer for over 2 years, it is great the print out is the best! I have both ink jet photo printer and this Sony photo printer and the ink jet printer is nowhere close to the DPP-EX50.

I would give this printer 5 stars but Sony support take away 2 of the stars. Like the other reviewer said there is no support for Vista and Sony have no plan on releasing any drivers update for Vista. Typical Sony product great product and no support.