1. 3.2 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
2. 3x optical and 5x digital (15x total) zoom lens with autofocus
3. HP's Instant Share features lets you designate image destination (e-mail or printer)
4. 16 MB internal memory; compatible with Secure Digital and MMC memory cards
5. Powered by 2 AA batteries (alkalines included, rechargeables recommended); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1

Customer Review :

A Decent Snapshot Camera, but Buy a Newer One

I have owned this camera for almost 3 years now, and it is the sturdiest and most reliable one that I have had. Once, I dropped it from 5 feet onto a sidewalk and it didn't even get a scratch. The outdoor picture quality is excellent, as well as the macro mode, but if you have shaky hands (like me), you will have a ton of blurry pics. The screen just can't compete with new cameras, being too small and dim to see outdoors. The flash is weak, but if you know how to use aperture and ISO settings, indoor shots will turn out pretty good. Personally, I think buyers would be better off buying one of HP's new R-series cameras (R717, R817, etc). While this camera is cheap and pretty reliable, the newer models have much more features and are still around $200-$300.

Rating :

My Favorite Digital Camera

Because I spilled coffee on my first model 735 photosmart camera, then fried it by charging it before it had dried out. SAME model was purchased 7-7-08. FROZE CLOSED because I did not know I was to check for updates. Bought #3 (9-5-9) and updated it immediately. It is working fine. Bought #4 1-18-2010 as a spare in case I do something dumb to #3. I am not insane; they do not make or service this model anymore and although easy to use it makes pictures that "real" photographers rave over. Another fine feature is the dock in which it recharges, is always ready to capture that one-of-a-kind moment!

Rating :

okay

this cam was great when untill the flash didnt work! i went online for support but after talking to them, they said it was a internal malfunction or something like that but by then the warrantee already expired so im stuck with a flashless camera. Ive miss many special moments due to no flash. and its really hard taking pictures with no flash and no tripod.

But overall good camera! batteries seems as though they die quick but like i turn it off for like a few hours then the batteries came back to full power again. The video mode is pretty good....i also recommend using the power adapter when possible! that way you can turn the camera on as long as you want without worrying about the batteries dieing out!The printer is a really great printer as well!...but sadly i cant live any longer with a flashless camera so im going to sell this up or just give it to my brother or something and saving up for a Fuji Finepix s5100...Good luck!

Rating :

use it right, it does the job

This was my first digital camera and it's because of this camera that I stuck with HP when upgrading. It's a very good point and shoot camera with enough modes and settings to satisfy those who like fiddling with such things.

Many of the reviews here complain about battery life. Turn off the live display, you don't need it anyway since the viewfinder is accurate. I never got *fewer* than 60 pictures (sometimes more) in two star mode with the live display off, on a pair of 1800 mAh rechargeables. I also had a big difference when I changed the auto shutoff to a shorter time period.

Also, yes, you need a memory card -- but what digital camera doesn't? I had a 64 MB card with mine and only once completely used the card up.

Shutter speed is a little slower than average for the class but fine for everything except action shots. Lens glass is by Pentax and is good quality. No, you won't get digital SLR quality from this camera, but at <$140 it's a great deal.

Rating :

horrible waste of money

You can literally take 8 shots and the camera is dead. I've missed so many photo opps. Definitely NOT worth buying.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 5 MP effective resolution
2. 2332 x 1740 effective pixel count
3. 16 MB internal Flash memory
4. 1.5-inch Color LCD
5. Slot for memory card Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia Card (MMC) memory card

Editorial Review :

Take photos at 5 MP resolution for beautiful 10 x 15 cm prints and enlargements up to poster size. Get closer with 4x digital zoom. Grab short video clips with sound. No complicated set up, just point and shoot and your camera does the rest.Find your way around in no time using the intuitive button layout. Frame and review your photos via the clear, bright 3.8 cm display. Store dozens of photos with 16 MB internal memory; choose optional SD/MMC card for extra capacity.Print with or without a computer - print to any PictBridge-enabled printer or via memory card. Send photos by e-mail without large attachments using HP Instant Share. Edit, organize, print and share photos using HP Image Zone software.

Customer Review :

this camera is a pain

My mother gave me this camera on a trip we took out of the country, this camera ate through batteries like nobodies business, also half my pictures would come out very grainy looking. then, if you don't use a case for this camera and just slip it in your purse the cover on the front will slide open in your bag and start eating batteries. and finally without me touching any of the settings the camera would decide to have a very long exposure time making it nearly impossible not to take blurry photos. in short save yourself a lot of trouble and find another camera.

Rating :

Great, reliable, little camera

I'm surprised to see low reviews for this camera! I purchased one a little over 3 years ago, my first digital camera! It was great, easy to use, never any problems and I used it for my first photography class and was taking better pictures than most of the more expensive models! After about a year, I purchased a larger more expensive camera and gave this one to my daughter to "use". Two years later and I still haven't gotten it back...she loves it, hasn't had any problems with it either; and has no intention of returning it! I'm thinking about getting another one to carry with me for those unexpected photo ops.

Rating :

bad camera, bad cust service from HP

I used this camera while studying abroad. It lasted until the last day of my trip, then the memory card wouldn't stay in the slot. I'm careful with my equipment and never dropped the camera or anything like that.

However, I disliked the camera prior to it completely not working, as the view screen (there is no view finder) jerks around so that you cannot see what you're aiming at unless your hand is completely still. Also, the battery cover does not like to stay closed.

As I'm still under the mfr warranty, I faxed the receipt, model and serial nbrs, and my contact info several times and am still experiencing unresolved customer service issues with HP tech support. If you want to avoid the possibility of problems like the above and do not want to deal with a cust service headache, go with a decent camera for a little more money. Sony Cybershots have worked well for other people I know.

I should also add that I bought this camera even after reading all the reviews on Amazon about it, because it was the cheapest thing (about eighty bucks) available in the little town I'm from. I thought the worst reviews were maybe overrated, but just on the basis of the horrible customer service I've received so far I would not buy another HP camera again and likely will never buy another HP printer, either.

Rating :

Good but a pain

I got this camera as a gift for Christmas last year and I was happy that i got it. the only thing that i have to complain about about this camera is the fact that it eats the battery up like there is no tomorrow. i can't tell you how many batteries i went through so that I can use the camera. and also the flash takes a long time to charge up and that really mad the people i was trying to take a picture of very irritated. Though it has its flaws, the camera is overall a good camera. it takes very good pictures and they are as clear as day. But I just feel this isn't the camera for me and that's why I'm about to buy another one.

Rating :

Decent pics, good price

I've had this HP Photosmart E317 for almost two years. Use it for taking still pictures of items I auction online. For this and for distance shots, it's alright. For close-ups, not so great...just can't get the nitty-gritty details. Like others have said, alkaline battery life is lousy though double when you're not using the flash. Display is clear; it's easy to use; settings are adequate; downloading easy; price was right. Don't expect professional grade pics from this. As a backup or for a camera you won't have to worry about, this will work.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 5.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
2. 3x optical zoom; 1.8-inch LCD display
3. Software-free, in-camera red-eye removal
4. Stores images on SD and MMC memory cards; 16MB internal memory
5. Powered by AA-size batteries

Editorial Review :

roduct Condition:* NewProduct Category:* Digital CamerasProduct Manufacturer:* HPUPC: N/ADescription:* Take exceptional photos that make beautiful 4 x 6-inch prints and enlargements up to poster-size. Get crisp detail at 5 MP resolution and 21x total zoom-HP Precision 3x optical lens, 7x digital. This easy-to-use camera features HP Real Life technologies to help you take better photos. Snap photos easily using an intuitive button layout. A unique, sculpted grip keeps the camera steady for one-handed shots. View shots on a bright, 1.8-inch image display. Shoot video clips or a series of photos in Burst mode. HP Instant Share - allows you to send your photos by e.mail without attachments Edit, organize, print and share digital photos easily using included HP Image Zone software HP Adaptive Lighting automatically brings out details normally lost in shadows Identifies and removes red-eye without software touch-ups Shoot a video clip with audio or take a series of photos in rapid succession Shutter speed - 2 to 1/2000 sec Burst rate - 2 shots / second, 3 pictures maximum Shooting modes - Auto, Action, Landscape, Portrait, Macro, Fast Shot Easily transfer and print photos, recharge in-camera batteries, and more using an optional dock (not included). USB connectivity Uses rechargeable NiMH batteries or disposable AA photo lithium batteries Compatible with Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP; Mac OS X v 10.2 or later System requirements - USB-compatible Macintosh with Mac OS X 10.1.5, 10.2.x or later, 10.3.x; 500 MHz PowerPC processor; QuickTime Version 5.0.1 or later; 128 MB RAM; 240 MB disk space; SVGA monitor (800 x 600, 16-bit color); CD-ROM drive; open USB port Size - 4.1 x 1.3 x 2 Weight - 6.2 oz (with batteries) 1-year limited warranty and support.Warranty DetailsProvider:* ManufacturerDuration: 1 YearProduct Features

Customer Review :

camera review

Camera seems to do different things at different times, no pattern to problems. Quite frequently will display "error in storing", also lens will stay out and camera will turn off. Ralph

Rating :

COMPLETE JUNK!

This is the most over priced and poorest quality cameras on the market. I have returned mine twice for repairs and now the auto focus is going out. The camera's MACRO function is a joke and if your looking for a camera that can take pictures in low light then this ain't it because it won't. DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA!

Rating :

Not a very good camera

I have had this camera since December of 2005.But i got i with the printer too.The printer is very good.But more can be said for the camera.For a few reasons The battery life is very poor.Like it can probley last you 30 mins at the most.And some times if you take a lot of pictures you can use them from the camera.And it will say photo can not be found.And sometimes whene you turn the camera on the screen will be off.And the screen is kind of bleek and dark and blurry too.And the video quality is horrible.And when you are taking a video with the camer the videos are very blurry and poor.And when you take a video you can look at the video on the camera but you CAN NOT HEAR THE SOUND.You have to have a computer to here the sound.And my grandpa has a canon and you can watch the video and hear the sound on the camera too!!!!!And in my opinon HP makes better computers then cameras. Thanks.

Rating :

so-so camera

This camera i have had for a while, and i personally think it stinks. It is somewhat heavy for this range. The mega pixels are only 5, zoom is only 3x, and it takes AA batteries. It's battery life is not very good, it is heavy, and overall i would not suggest it.

Rating :

good camera

I've had this camera for well over a year, and I love it. It does take a while to recharge its flash and that has frustrated me at times. This can be helped, but not totally avoided, by always having freshly recharged batteries.

It does eat batteries quickly, but I find that as long as I recharge them enough, it's fine. It only takes two AA batteries and most rechargeable batteries come in sets of at least four, so I always have an extra two with me and switch them out if need be. Of course, if you're the kind of person who always forgets to/never charges their batteries, this is a bad choice for you.

It takes wonderful pictures. I've used it in pretty much any setting you can think of and it's been great. If you leave it someplace cold it'll take a bit to turn back on, but I imagine any other camera would have a similar problem.

Some other reviewers have said this isn't a hardy piece of machinery. Maybe I've just been lucky, but I've dropped the thing a number of times and it's still good as new. A little scratched, of course, but it works just as well as it did when it was new.

I pretty much recommend this to anyone, unless you have a problem with being patient about things. Yes, the flash can take a bit to recharge, so just anticipate that. Make sure your batteries are charged. That's all. =)

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 6-megapixel CCD for beautiful prints up to poster size
2. 2.5-inch LCD screen
3. 3x optical zoom; anti-shake mode for steady pics
4. In-camera red-eye removal
5. 16 MB internal memory; capture images to SD cards

Editorial Review :

The HP M537 Photosmart digital camera snaps 6-megapixel photos for stunning 4 x 6-inch prints, and enlargements up to poster size. Zoom in for clear distance shots at up to 18x total zoom -- 3x optical and 6x digital -- and easily see your photos indoors or outside on a bright 2.5-inch display. Get the photo you intended to take, using in-camera red-eye removal and HP's steady photo anti-shake mode. Choose fun colors and borders to apply to your photos in the camera with HP Design Gallery. Plus, you can get started right away, thanks to long-lasting batteries and 16 MB internal memory. Grab the camera and start snapping intuitive buttons and easy menus make photo taking a breeze. Snap your best shot with easy to use shooting modes, including theater, landscape, sunset, and more. Recording your moving memories is simple, using one-touch video with audio. Quickly store your favorite photos in a dedicated folder for easy sharing, or snap a photo and decide right away where to e mail it, using HP Photosmart Share.

Customer Review :

Fantastic camera for the money.

I've purchased over a dozen of these cameras for our field technicians. They are easy to use and take great photos. We have had issues with the battery cover integrity and displays that fail over time. Keep in mind these cameras are subject to quite a bit of abuse over their service life. I had one as a personal camera that was subject to a lot of shock. The display finally bit the dust but not after a couple of years of rough and tumble.

Rating :

Great camera for the price!

I have not had any of the problems I am reading on here, so I can't comment on what happened to them. All I can say is that this is a great little camera for the money, it takes pictures in brilliant color and is so easy to use. I do agree with one reviewer who said pictures in the dark are hard to see, you do have to guess, and pictures at a distance (cityscapes at night don't come out very well, that would be my only minor problem and the only thing that keeps me from giving five stars) I bought a camera dock and rechargable batteries right from the start so I have no battery problems and I can download my pics right to my laptop either directly through a USB cable or through the camera dock. It also has great and easy to use settings for borders, color schemes and antique to black and white settings as well. I've never had a camera that takes such great pics, so easy to use and costs so little. I would tell anyone looking for a good basic camera that isn't going to break you to go for it, I don't know what these other people on here are using their camera for but mine is just fine and I love it!

Rating :

Nice little camera

For the price, this nice little camera is very handy and the menus are simple to navigate and use. Unlike some professional reviewers, I have no complaint about its picture quality. The zoom functionality is fun and comes in handy at times. I like it's small size; I can easily carry it in a trousers' pocket.

Rating :

Third Times A Charm?

OK, I'll admit it.....this is my third purchase of this exact camera model. I keep buying it as I also own the matching photo printer which I love.

My first camera was dropped on New Years Eve and ever since exhibited the dreaded "Lens Error" message in the LCD display. I bought a second supposedly "new" camera through [...] but when it arrived, I could tell it was not of the new retail variety. It was shipped, camera only, wrapped in bubble wrap without manuals, cords, plugs, etc. It didn't last 60 days before it too was showing the "Lens Error" message. A call to [...] for warranty replacement was a waste of time as this "new" camera only came with a 30 day warranty. (Last purchase from them by the way!)

Now on to this latest purchase. This camera was also listed as "new" by a company called Gamzi Digital. When I received it however, it was packaged just like the last one I had purchased. No retail packaging, no manuals, cords, plugs, etc. It did however have the original plastic film covers on the LCD screeen. A quick email was placed to Gamzi Digital to inquire about the "New"-ness of the unit. They assured me that their factory rep stated the units were new but since it was a discontinued model, this was how they were sold and shipped. Gamzi also guaranteed me a year warranty for the model and offered to replace it with another model if I did not wish to keep my original purchase. Very good customer service and quick response by Gamzi.

So, how does it work? Well, at first I had my doubts. I put in a set of rechargeable AA batteries and right away, received the "Len's Error" message....my heart sank as this was supposed to be a surprise for my wife (she dropped and broke the original). I changed to new batteries and the error message went away. Maybe the batteries weren't fully charged? Anyway, the camera seemed to work fine after that. Oddly enough, subsequent uses brought on the same "Lens Error" when I first turn on the camera but if I turn it back off and then on again, it seems to work fine.

Overall, if the cameras worked without error, I'd say it is a decent camera. Slow shutter speed and click responsiveness but the picture quality is usually ok for family photos and candid shots. The layout and user interface is simple and easy to use. The digital zoom is OK but can be grainy at long distances with a lot of darkening/graying out of colors. Not a professional grade piece by any means but ok for the price.

Bottom line? Once this camera dies, and I don't doubt that it will soon enough, it will be my past HP. I'll put the photo printer up for sale and go with a different brand.

Rating :

Nice digital camera.

Can't buy this camera in stores anymore. It's obsolete. This is a replacement for an identical camera that I dropped and broke. I liked the picture quality and features of the original so much, I wanted to replace it with the original. I like it.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 4-megapixel sensor captures 2,272 x 1,704 images for prints at sizes up to 11 x 14 inches
2. Autofocus lens with 3x optical/7x digital (21x total) zoom
3. Included 16 MB SD card stores 15 images at default settings
4. Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
5. Uses 2 AA batteries (disposable batteries included)

Customer Review :

DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT

First, it sucks up the battery real fast, I said well that's not such a big problem, but after 3.5 months the camera started making this crankling noise and got stuck forever. It's supose to be the logic card, that's like the motherboard for a PC. I was reading some of the reviews, and I saw the same problem in some of them. Apparently costumer service is not going to do much for me, so I guess I lost the money. Maybe at the end they'll loose more than me.

Rating :

This camera cannot recharge its own batteries

Well I have this photosmart 812 camera and a C8881a dock. I thought it would be a good combo since it came with two sets of batteries and easy connectivity to my computer. Seems to have nice menu's and iPhoto recognizes the camera right away. Windows XP brings it right away as well in drive mode.

The batteries that came with the camera will not charge. According to HP the camera will not charge if the batteries less than 1.2v in them. Well of course new batteries out of the box will have less than 1.2v in them!!! HP says to upgrade the firmware on the camera which will fix this issue, but it still does not work! Another annoying thing is that you need to reset the date everytime you take the batteries out, or in this case whenever you unhook the camera from the dock since the batteries never charge!

Rating :

HP no tiene repuestos para sus camaras digitales

Un cordial saludo.
Les cuento que compre mi cámara HP812 en Amazon.com, me funciono regularmente, y ahora resulta que tiene una falla en el lente y pregunto al centro autorizado de soporte HP en mi país y me indican que si pueden arreglar la camara con un mantenimiento normal, perfecto!. Sino perderé mi inversión, por que HP no tiene repuestos para sus cámaras digitales a nivel mundial. Esto me desconcierta, por que siempre había confiado en esta marca, tengo muchos productos de ellos, y ahora estoy a punto de perder muchos dólares por su culpa.

Les recomiendo revisar otras marcas que si tengan un verdadero servicio al cliente, esto no es servicio al cliente, es la comercialización de cámaras "desechables", las vas a tener que cambiar tu cámara en 1 o 2 años. Triste no? para una inversión de tanto dinero.

Saludos, espero que te sirva mi experiencia al momento de tomar tu decisión, ahora me tocará comprar mi 3 cámara (las dos anteriores fueron HP), pero seguro no será HP.

Rating :

Decent- But only for outdoor still pictures!

I Previously owned the HP Photosmart 320, a decent 2 MP camera. I am somewhat dissapointed with the Photosmart 812. Anyone buying the PS 812 should be aware that there is a one to two second delay between the time that the shutter button is fully depressed untill the picture is actually taken. I've gotten tons of shots of the back of my baby's head- She'd turn by the time the camera actually took the picture! The images taken indoors are slightly off color and faded compared to my other cameras- seems to be the way the flash reflects off objects.The movie mode with sound is decent, and the outdoor pictures are fairly sharp. Even so the camera doesn't do that great of a job focusing. as mentioned in the other posts, the 812 is powered by 2 AA batteries, so even two NIMH rechargeables don't last more than 40 shots or a few minutes f movie mode. HP mentions in the manual that you must conserve the batteries, but many of the other companies out there get 300 to 800 shots on their baterries, so the 812 really cant be considered acceptable. Overall I'm thiking of switching to a Cannon.
The Cannon line of cameras seem to actually take a picture when you click- and they don't have a 4-5 second delay between shots while the previous picture loads to memory. Plus theres no nedd to chage the batteries every few pictures. HP definitely needs to get their act together.

Rating :

great camera for nonprofessional photographers

I've taken this camera to New Zealand and Paris, and I have brought home many nice shots. I'm no professional, but I do enjoy taking pictures. This camera has several nice settings such as video, timer, and still, and has served me well. I would recommend this camera to anyone needing a quality point-and-shoot camera.

Rating :

More reviews...