Sony Introduces SnapLab Digital Photofinishing System

With digital photo kiosks gaining popularity, Sony is unveiling the SnapLab™ digital photofinishing system here at today’s opening of the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) convention.

Billed as an “on-location photo lab”, the SnapLab system provides quick, premium quality digital prints, all in an easy-to-use tabletop unit.

Equipped with a user-friendly 8-inch (viewable area measured diagonally), 640 x 480 dot resolution LCD touch screen, which is larger than traditional consumer digital photo printers, the new system is suited for both commercial and at-home use.

“We have pushed the parameters of digital printing for customers who want a convenient alternative to traditional photo labs,” said Shari Sentlowitz, Sony Electronics’ marketing manager for digital photofinishing. “The SnapLab system’s ‘all-in-one’ technology allows you to view, edit, personalize and print your digital photos quickly and easily, directly from the printer without the use of a computer. Its compact design also enables easy storability and portability.”

Featuring integrated Memory Stick™, CompactFlash, SD, SmartMedia, xD and USB slots, SnapLab system users simply insert their digital media and use its LCD touch screen keys to operate. A newly developed thermal print mechanism enables the printer to function at high speeds, regardless of print size. For example, a 3.5 x 5-inch digital photo prints in about 13 seconds, while a 4 x 6-inch digital photo prints in about16 seconds, and a 5 x 7-inch digital photo in about 17 seconds. Additionally, the system’s built-in micro computer minimizes start up time.

The unit uses dye sublimation technology to output crisp colors on UV-protected archival quality paper. The SnapLab system features a robust set of editing tools, which include Zoom and Crop, rotate, color adjustment, red-eye reduction and sepia or black and white transformation. Custom designed borders can be loaded onto the system for logos, event names or to create decorative frames, greeting cards and announcements. Text can also be added for further personalization. The system also offers 30 multiple layout templates that enable users to create anything from ID cards to novelty products.

Screen savers, displaying various images, such as a company logo or a special promotion, can be personalized when the printer is not in operation

The SnapLab digital photofinishing system is now available at authorized resellers nationwide with a suggested list price of $1,995.