Pair of new dye-sub printers from Sony

2nd September - 2002
By Ian Burley

Sony is a dye-sublimation printer stalwart and has just launched two new models, the DPP-EX5 (above left) and DPP-EX7 (above right).

Dye sublimation printers, or dye-sub for short, use a thermal process to transfer coloured dyes from a roll of thin polymer film onto special print media. The process requires layers of dye, made up from cyan, magenta and yellow, to be deposited, building up the image in three passes. Image quality is very good and characteristically grain-free. However, in recent years ink-jet printers have been able to match the best dye-sub printers.

With dye-sub printing, there is no liquid ink to dry up or run out and costs are easy to calculate. Sony printers add a waterproof finishing coat for added longevity.

The EX5 and EX7 are aimed at home users. Raymond Mesterom, product manager at Sony UK for the dye-sub range, explains: “The high quality and immediacy offered by digital photography has proved to be a key factor in driving a dynamic new market. These two printers extend user options in the home, whilst offering a stylish appearance and easy operation.”

Both the EX5 and EX7 share the same 403dpi print engine, producing 6x4 inch prints. Sony has now added a 5x3.5 inch media which has removable borders. The EX5 is a compact model that can be used in a space-saving sideways mode. The EX7 sports a large colour preview screen. Both print from Sony Memory Stick card direct from a camera or via a host computer.

Sony’s new DPP-EX5 and DPP-EX7 are expected to be available in the UK from October.

Sony UK

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