Why wait for stellar snapshots? One of these four portable snapshot printers will deliver quality 4x6 prints on the spot, and several of these printers come with convenient photo-oriented features, such as media slots and PictBridge support. Read on to find out how they compare. No matter how invested you are in the myth of the paperless digital culture, you have to admit that it's still cool to have a copy of a prized shot in your hands only minutes after you've snapped it. Nowadays, it's possible to crank out a great 4x6 photo from just about anywhere, thanks to the portable snapshot printer.
Designed strictly for on-the-spot photo printing, portable snapshot printers come in two flavours. One type uses thermal dye-transfer technology (also known as dye sublimation) in which heat changes the physical state of solid inks until they infuse specially coated paper, solidifying as they cool. The second type uses six-colour inkjet technology, adding light cyan and magenta to the usual cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Both types typically come with convenient photo-related extras, such as an LCD for previewing and selecting images, digital media card slots, and ports that allow for direct printing from supported cameras or external storage devices. Some portable printers come with a rechargeable battery or car chargers, though truly mobile printing is typically accompanied by a premium price.
We rounded up four snapshot printers from leading vendors, put them through their paces, and rated them on their design, features, speed, print quality and quality of their tech support. Though the Sony DPP-EX50 appears to have the best print quality, its prints don't last very long -- a mere four years, according to Wilhelm Imaging's tests -- and they suffer the worst metamerism, colour shifts under different light sources. So, all things considered, the Epson PictureMate's vibrant, accurate, long-lived prints take top honors. But print quality aside, there's no clear Editors' Choice winner in the group. Each one of these printers has pros and cons; the one you choose has everything to do with your needs. The economical Epson PictureMate cranks out quality prints, but it's slow, and if you're a photographer on the go, you'll wish it came with a battery pack. The Canon DS-700 wowed us with its stylish design, but it's expensive and lacks battery-powered operation, which could be a deal breaker for some.
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Minutes per photo |
To help you figure out which snapshot picture might be right for you, we've put together this chart detailing each printer's features. And as always, we encourage you to read the full reviews for the whole story.
| Printer |
 Canon Selphy DS-700 |
 Epson PictureMate |
 HP Photosmart 375 |
 Sony DPP-EX50 |
| Power supply options | AC only | AC only | Rechargeable battery option (Photosmart 375B) | AC only |
| Media slots | Flash I and II, Secure Digital/ MultiMedia, SmartMedia, Sony Memory Stick, and xD | None | CompactFlash I and II, Microdrive, SmartMedia, Sony Memory Stick, Secure Digital/ MultiMedia, and xD; optional Bluetooth adapter | Compact- Flash I and II, Memory Stick |
| LCD | None | None | 2.5-inch, colour LCD | 1.5-inch LCD |
| PictBridge compatible | Yes; also supports printing from mobile phones via IR | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 kg | 1.3 kg | 1.2 kg | 3.4 kg |
| Summary | It's stylish and ultraportable, but this Canon is missing some key photo-related features. | This Epson produces excellent prints, but to do so, it sacrifices speed. | This HP is packed with features, but the print quality isn't all it could be. | This quirky photo printer is meant to work alongside your wide-screen TV, but its design won't appeal to everyone. |
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Lorna Powell
29/06/2005 09:13 PM
I purchased the Epson Picturemate some time ago. It does take quite some time to produce the photos but I have been very pleased with the results. It is very easy to use even during the first print it guides the user by very explicit straightforward instructions. The colour is superb and will last a lifetime. There now a new model Picturemate 500 (released about 24.6.05) which has a screen to preview photo shots and an optional battery for extra use. However my Picturemate is a very good all round printer without any hassles. I am pleased I purchased it.
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