New Sony DPP-F700 Doubles as Printer and Photo Fra

Remember how HP and Lexmark recently released competing all-in-one printers with PC-free web connectivity? Just when you thought Epson might have a virtual monopoly on the market for digital photo frame printers with the PictureMate Show, Sony recently announced the upcoming release of the DPP-F700. This printer comes out January 15, 2010, and it features a 7” wide LCD photo frame, 940 MB of usable memory (1 GB total), a remote control to save you some exercise, USB and memory card connectivity, and a number of built-in photo editing and creative options. You can view photos in full-screen mode, quickly search for photos in thumbnail view, or create your own slideshow montage. MSRP will be $199.99.

So how does the DPP-F700 stack up against the PictureMate Show in the early tale of the tape? Let’s do a quick comparison of some noteworthy features:

MSRP for the DPP-F700 is $199.99. MSRP for the PictureMate Show is $299.99. EDGE: DPP-F700
The DPP-F700 has 940 MB of memory. The PictureMate Show has 270 MB. EDGE: DPP-F700
Ink cost per page for the DPP-F700 is 29.2 cents for the 120 sheet paper/ink pack. Cost per page for the PictureMate Show paper/ink pack is 25.3 cents. EDGE: PictureMate Show
Otherwise, based on a quick glance at the spec sheets for both printers, I’d say it’s a push. Sony may be starting at a notably lower price point and offering more memory for photos because it’s not as established in the printing industry. That said, with a notably lower cost per page for ink, the PictureMate Show may be more affordable over the long run for photo hobbyists who print liberally. The only way to see which one is better is to read the reviews, and we’ll be keeping close tabs in the weeks and months to come.