One of the most high quality photo printer is a Dye-Sublimation Photo Printer since it use multiple layers of ink on pieces of film which is on special photo printer.
The downside is most Dye-Sub. photo printers print only 4x6" and it is very wasteful since you can only use the ink film once, an d you throw out the unused ink that was not used in the printing process.
But, I think these types of printers are for convenience and simplicty because you don't even need a computer in most cases to print photo since there is already a computer built into the printer designed for printing. Plus, you don't need to mess with the paper tray since only one size of paper fits in most cases.