Review of the Sony DPP-FP55

www.sony.co.uk In the past couple of years there’s been a huge expansion in the small-format printer market, with models from Epson, HP and other print companies, as well as from more unusual firms such as Sagem, Samsung and Sony. The FP55 fits in the middle of the market, producing 6x4in prints either from PC (via PictBridge) or using either of two card slots – for Memory Stick cards and Secure Digital format. Unfortunately the printer doesn’t have CF or XD slots, so cameras with those cards would need to be connected via USB. This isn’t an obvious phone-camera printer either, with no iRDA or Bluetooth, though again USB would work with most phonecams. It’s an attractive printer with a small footprint and nice pearl finish. The buttons are all big, bold and easy to follow, while a 2inch LCD allows image preview and menu screens. Image-editing features include colour options, redeye reduction and so on, and a creative print option for printing personalised calendars, for instance. Print quality is about average for these units. I’ve seen a lot worse, but generally prints are a bit flat, while colours are a tad on the blue/magenta side. Detail doesn’t match that of a good inkjet, but it’s okay for quick snaps. And at £100 it’s about average in price too.