Sony launches the PictureStation DPP-FP30.

Got a digital camera? Want a way to print out high quality pics while on the go? Don’t want to break the bank to do it?

Then check out the PictureStation DPP-FP30 from Sony. Measuring around 7- by 5.5- by 2.5-inches this little printer uses a dye-sublimation process to output images you’d be hard pressed to tell apart from the ones you got from your favorite drug store. In addition to producing some beautiful pics the DPP-FP30 helps protect them by sealing each picture with SuperCoat 2 laminate during the printing process. Dye-sublimation printers have been around for years, but they’ve been much more expensive than their ink jet counterparts until relatively recently. This new Sony is slated to have a retail price of around $150 with 40-sheet print pack included and supports PictBridge allowing you to hook a compatible camera to directly to it for printing without the need of a PC. It’ll print both 3.5 x 5-inch and 4 x 6-inch photos.

No word on replacement print packages will run, but looking Sony’s current low-cost option—the DPP-EX50 ($179)—the various printing package refills for that printer range from $14.95 to $19.95 each and includes options to print out sheets of stickers for use as envelope seals and the like which is pretty cool. I’m definitely going to have to check this one out once it hits store shelves.