1. 5.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
2. 2.0-inch LCD; 3x optical zoom
3. 32MB of internal memory
4. Edit on a PC using included HP Image Zone software; e-mail photos (without attachments) using HP Instant Share
5. Stores images on SD memory cards; powered by AA-size batteries (rechargeable NiMH batteries included)

Editorial Review :

Take exceptional photos that make beautiful 4 x 6-inch prints and enlargements up to poster-size. Get crisp detail at 5.2 MP resolution and 24x total zoom-HP Precision 3x optical lens, 8x 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, 2 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 frames per second, 3 pictures maximum Shooting modes - Auto, Macro, Fast shot, Action, Portrait, Landscape, Beach Snow USB connectivity 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 Dimensions - 4.3 x 1.46 x 2.09 inches (110 x 37 x 53 mm) Weight - 0.32 pounds (0.15 kg) without batteries

Customer Review :

A fairly decent bundle for a beginner.

About a year ago I was looking for a camera/printer bundle because I was interested in taking/printing pictures to make scrapbooks. I had owned a couple digital cameras before this one but figured I might as well buy a new one since printers alone are so much money. If I was spending money on a printer, I might as well get a new camera to go with it. ESPECIALLY if it would cost me next to nothing to get the camera. So I found this bundle on Amazon. I noted that it had 5 megapixels and 3x optical zoom which is pretty darn good. And HP is a decent brand. So I went ahead and bought it.

Now for my review of the camera. Let me first start off by saying that I'm not a camera expert by any means. However, I do know what I want my pictures to look like and I do know that there ARE cameras out there that can take really good pictures (I know this because the camera that I'm currently using is one of those cameras). One thing that I didn't want is a camera that takes a while to process after taking a picture. Not only does this camera take a while to process pictures, but if you move even slightly within 5 seconds after taking a picture, the picture comes out blurry. This is extremely inconvenient if you need to take several pictures in a row very quickly or if you want to take a picture of someone in movement or if your subject is jumpy (I know this because my cousin owns this camera as well and has trouble taking pictures of her 8 month old daughter). Also, the brightness doesn't always show what the true brightness is. I know how to use the flash and I understand what ISO settings are so I don't think that I'm the problem. I've taken plenty of pictures using other cameras and haven't had this problem. As far as the options on the camera, they are decent. You can play around with different settings to alter your photos (like changing the picture to black and white or sepia). These options are a little bonus.

The screen is a good size. No problems there whatsoever. The internal memory is typical. Most cameras can only hold a handful of pictures so an SD card is a necessary purchase.

As for the printer, I don't have any real problems with it. I'll admit that I've only used it with the few photo papers that came with the printer. The pictures that I DID print came out looking like pictures that you get developed. So if it's easier for you to use this printer instead of going to a drugstore to get them developed, this printer is a great option. The picture looks exactly like how it was taken. Nothing was cropped out of the original picture. The printing time isn't too long so if you want to print multiple pictures at once, time is not a huge problem. One thing that I did like about the printer is that you can dock the camera on it. Not only does docking charge the camera (let's face it, camera batteries die pretty often), but it also lets you review the pictures you took. This is pretty handy if you don't have a computer around.

So would I recommend this bundle? If this is your first digital camera and you're ok with a) having pictures with incorrect brightness and b) having to play with the camera a bit to get a good picture, go for it. I think it's a great bundle if you're scrapbooking and don't necessarily need to get "the perfect shot". Or if you're purchasing this just for the printer, that's a great idea too. However, if you've owned a digital camera before and want accurate pictures, I'd skip on this bundle. I have a Sony DSC-H2 and it works wonderfully (no playing around with the camera to get a good shot... just press the shutter and you've got a good picture). You truly get what you pay for. I'd suggest testing out cameras at a store before buying one.. If I had tested this one at a store, I would have passed on it hands down.

Rating :

Poor

I purchased the HP Photosmart camera/printer bundle for 99$ on Black Friday 2007. Coming from a 450$ Olympus 1.3Mp camera, I had high expections of image quality since the M517 is 5.2Mp.

The M517 is really slow at taking pictures. I've missed dozens of picture opts waiting for the 'charging flash' indicator to finish flashing. When it does finish, the bracketed focus indicator is red, (meaning out of focus) It takes 3 to 4 depresses/releases of the button to finally get an infocus picture. After months of use, and hundreds of blurry useless pictures, I've finally mastered (tolerated) the photo taking procedure required for this model.

The pictures, even when focused still seem blurry. I expected to be able to crop a 5Mp picture to my old 1.3Mp size. However when you digitally zoom in on the pc, the pictures simply lack the clairity needed for editing. Macro mode has its own list of problems.

The batteries included (NiMH 1800ma) die within hours. The screen turns off at around 30 seconds, considering 25 of those are charging flash and focusing...... The video mode is very grainy and always dark, much worse than a standard webcam. The top buttons started to stick after 6 months of use. The printer now sucks the paper crooked, leaving 4 white triangles on my 'borderless' prints.

There is more, but all in all, I'm unhappy.


Rating :

Camera broke only 3 uses!!

Purchased this camera Nov 2006 but never took it out of the box to use until Aug 2007. Used it 3 times and the camera BROKE! HP wants $70 for customer support to talk to me since it has been over a year. What kind of camera breaks after 3 uses?? HP has very poor quality products.

Rating :

research before you buy

I have this camera and the shutter speed is way too slow for me. The flash takes forever to charge, especially between shots. It also eats the AA batteries, especially rechargables. My next camera will definately be better than this!

Rating :

A lightweight piece of JUNK

I could not believe the glowing reviews that I found about this camera. I am not a professional photographer but have been an avid photographer as a hobby since I was a kid. I own another digital camera and received this one as a gift. Thank GOODNESS I did not waste my own money on this piece of junk.

Here are my main issues with the HP:

1. The LCD screen sometimes goes black after taking a picture. Nothing will bring it back without powering it down and bringing it back up.

2. The pictures are NOT crystal clear. They are clear enough, but they lack that sharp, focused look of my other digital camera.

3. There is a TREMENDOUS lag time between when you "take" the picture and when the camera actually flashes and takes the picture. I suppose if you're photographing a lot of adults or still objects, this is not a big issue. I, however, spend most of my time these days photographing my kids. I have missed MANY great shots because the picture you take and the picture the camera catches is NOT the same picture! I know that some will argue that this is true of all digital cameras, and let me assure you that it is NOT. My other camera has some lag, but I get reasonably close to the picture I wanted...if not the exact one. This is my biggest complaint with this camera.

4. My camera drains the batteries so quickly! Friends of mine have this camera also (they also complain about #3), and theirs don't seem to do this. I have tried various batteries without different results. I can sometimes only take 6 or so pics before needing new batteries. And this IS with the Ni rechargeables.

I called HP to see what could be done about the tech issues, and ~SURPRISE~ my warranty expired a couple of weeks ago. I will not spend my money on an HP camera EVER and would highly recommend that you put your own money into another camera, too. There are more reliable cameras of better quality (and some for less money!) out there. BUY SOMETHING ELSE!

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 3.1 megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 8 x 10 prints and medium-quality prints up to 11 x 14
2. 5x continuous digital zoom
3. Snap a photo and select your preferred destination--e-mail addresses, printers, and more
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 :

Got is used for $1 and I love it very much!

I like it because it has a timer and takes video and good pictures. The battery does wear out quickly so turn off the flash. But other than that it's great!

Rating :

Do not waste your time and money on this product.

This camera was a gift. After using it for three months, the LCD screen became unreadable and the pictures stored in the memory disk were pixelated to the point of abstract art. I do not recommend buying this camera for personal use or anyone else for that matter. Another alternative would be Nikon or Canon brand point and shoot digital cameras. (Not endorsing other products but HP are not known for digital photography, though a admirable attempt at it).



Rating :

My first digital camera!!! :D :D :D

This was my first digital camera. In fact, I still keep it around. In think is a pretty good and decent camera. It is easy to use and it is not heavy. Is perfect for vacations, party's, and other activities.

Ok, so the flash it is not so great. And it really uses up batteries rather fast.

Anyway, I would buy it again if i could :D :D!!



Rating :

Okay for a cheap older camera

Good for quick and easy shots at parties and such. It's not a tiny little camera and obviously not pro material, but the quality is reasonable considering the cost and age. At 3MP, it is a good choice for someone who wants snapshots to post online or wants only smaller-size prints. I'm the world's worst about fuzzy pictures and this camera is fast enough to offset my shaky hands.

The only real drawback - and it's significant - is that the lens cover slides open too easily. Mine opens inside the camera case. Considering that opening the cover also turns on the camera, that means battery drain as a side effect. Presumably everyone uses rechargeable batteries these days. Even so, I'd recommend keeping the batteries out of the camera until you're ready to use it, or you'll find that you don't have enough power to snap anything.

Rating :

I've had better.

The pros about this cam is that the pictures.. were decent. And the software was pretty cool.

But the cons? You could not keep enough batteries around to keep it goin.. and the flash is way too bright.. it even actually effected the pictures.

Rating :

More reviews...

1. 5-megapixel CCD for beautiful 4 x 6 prints, and enlargements up to poster size
2. 2-inch LCD screen
3. 3x optical zoom; 15x total zoom
4. One-touch video capture with sound
5. 16MB internal memory; SD memory card compatible

Editorial Review :

The HP M437 Photosmart digital camera lets you snap 5-megapixel photos for beautiful 4 x 6-inch prints, and enlargements up to poster size. Zoom in for clear distance shots at up to 15x total zoom -- 3x optical and 5x digital -- and easily see your photos, indoors or outside, on the bright 2-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. Get everything you need, including 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 :

a good camera for its price

I bought the second time this camera for my friends and I am very satisfied of the quality of the photos, specially the photos taken in the nighttime. A good camera for the best price.

Rating :

Excellent value for your money.

Purchased the Photosmart M437 for $100/- from Walmart. I was able to use all its features without even reading the manual. What a relief from the other cameras that I used that were cluttered with buttons and dials all over, half of which I did not even know what to use for. The use of the buttons on this camera is intuitive. It has just what we need, no more, no less. I take multiple pictures for every pose and select the best one for printing when I view them on the computer.

If you are not a professional and just take family pictures this is the camera for you. And if you think you need more than 5 megapixels, you are insane.

This is my 3rd camera in the last 7 years. My first camera was a $400/- Kodak, 2nd was a $280/- Canon. Both of them broke after 2-3 years of use. Every year technology is progressing at such speed, why spend hundreds of dollars on electronics that gets cheaper every year and also on features that you will never even use ?

HP is a name I trust. I have used 4 laptops over the last 5 years, 1 Sony, 1 Dell, 2 HPs. The Sony broke down, the Dell is the slowest though it is the latest and has a unfriendly keyboard/mousepad layout, the 2 HPs I'm most happy with. One of the HPs I have been using for the last 5 years. By now I know HP is a quality company. That is why I purchased this camera and I'm happy with my decision.

Rating :

Decent Camera

I owned this camera for about a year. The only reason why I have to get a new one is because I carried it in my purse and broke the LCD screen.

Generally, I really liked this camera. It was quick and easy to use (hence carrying it in my purse) and it took pretty good pictures. I did have some blurry ones, but not too bad. Usually if I was in too much of a hurry.

The only drawbacks are that it takes lousy nighttime pictures (everything is dark) and it has a fairly slow shutter, so you have to wait for the camera to focus.

It's the first digital camera I owned, so I can't compare it to others at this point. I thought it was good for the money. (I paid about 90.00 from wal-mart)

I used rechargeable batteries, and usually didn't have to recharge them for weeks. I would use the camera several times a week. I did use it for an entire week when I first purchased it (for a trip to Vegas) and the rechargeables worked well the entire time.

Rating :

1. 4.1 megapixel sensor creates 2,320 x 1,744-pixel images for photo-quality prints at 11 x 14 and beyond
2. 3x optical plus 7x digital zoom (for 21x total)
3. 1.5-inch diagonal LCD; records MPEG-1, QVGA video; 7 shooting and 4 capture modes
4. Compatible with Secure Digital/MultiMedia Card (SD/MMC); includes 32 MB internal memory
5. Powered by 1 HP Photosmart R07 lithium ion battery (included); connects to PCs and Macs via USB

Editorial Review :

Start snapping outstanding shotsboth up close and from a distancewith the petite R507xi camera's impressive (4.1 megapixel) resolution, super zoom (21x total; 3x optical, 7x digital), 8 shooting modes, and automatic and manual focus options. Features HP Real Life Technologies so you can do things like erase red eye right in the camera; plus preview panorama shots.

Features:

• Easily snap quick shots (even with one hand) with the sculpted, easy-grab grip
• Take it places: the compact design and durable metal front are perfect for travel
• Automatically brighten dark areas of photos, thanks to HP's adaptive lighting technology
• Capture sweeping vistas with the panorama preview
• E-mail photos without heavy attachments to e-mail addresses and on-line albums via HP Instant Share when you dock the camera
• Be a photo artist by exploring adjustments to resolution, compression, sharpness, saturation, and contrast
• Improve your photography skills with HP Image Advice: after snapping a shot, the camera suggests how you can improve next time
• Crop, rotate, and enhance photos, plus organize, create album pages, and make photo CDs, with the included Image Zone software
• Capture the action in MPEG movie clips with sound or in series of still photos via burst mode
• Save photos and videos using the 32MB internal storage or SD or MMC cards
• Enlarge your favorite prints up to 11 x 17" for framing
• Print without a PC to select HP printers with the included cable (which supports PictBridge formats)
• View photos on your TV and recharge batteries with the optional dock

Customer Review :

HP Cameras don't last very long

I would not recommend any HP camera. This camera was an upgrade from one that broke down a month after the warranty was up, and that one was an upgrade from one that broke 2 months after the warranty was up. I'm not getting another! None of the 3 HP cameras I had could be repaired. The only option I was offered was to upgrade. For the upgrade I sent my old camera back and paid slighly less that I would if I bought a new one. They sent me a "new" camera. It was a refurbished camera, not new. None of the damage on any of my 3 cameras was through carelessness or misuse. The first 2 cameras gave me error messages and shut off. I was told this was an internal problem that could not be fixed. On the third camera the screen went blank. It can't be fixed. I'm going to do a lot of research before buying my next camera, but one thing I'm sure of - it won't be an HP!

Rating :

Be informed.....

Bought an HP Photosmart R717 in the summer of 2005 for $324.74. 4 months after the camera warranty was up and after minimal usage the camera was displaying: 0000000F-10FB-1BD-024 Error Message, on the display screen.

When I called HP about getting my camera repaired I was told that it would be too expensive to repair. I was informed it would cost around $200.00 dollars to receive most likely a refurbished replacement camera, with only a 3-month warranty.

After trying the replacement camera for 15 days I was then to send my old camera back as partial payment for the replacement camera.

I told HP no thanks, because they had already gotten enough money from me.

Rating :

Fun, Inexpensive, Great Warranty Coverage, and Fits in the Palm of Your Hand

This is my first digital camera. I've always had good experiences with HP products, and this camera is yet another one to add to my list. I love that it has both optical AND digital zoom features. Secondly, it's quite handy and tiny that you can fit it in an average pants, coat or even shirt pocket. Finally, the warranty is simply amazing. This past new year's eve, during the fireworks and festivities downtown, I slipped the device into my pocket along with the car keys. The car keys punctured the quick-view window, BUT HP kindly replaced it with a brand new camera! Yes, the warranties don't last long, but it certainly offers great coverage in the meantime. If you are a first-time or amateur digital photographer, you will have tons of fun with this camera. It's really fun to use and at a reasonable price.

Rating :

HP R507 camera is great. Would buy another.

Got R507 bundled with HP laptop. Thought it was just a cheap one. Boy am I happy with it. It has so many features that the book is 180 pages long. All the light condition compensations realy work well. I go inside and turn off the flash. You do not need it, camera compensates. I used 35mm single lens cameras since 1952, and lost my Pentax just before I got the R507. Do not want a 35mm now. Get extra battery and the 1 gig SD chip. Gives 8,400 pixs on lowest res. Suggest you buy any R, (not M) series. New R817 has 5X optical zoom, 40X total.

Rating :

1. 4 MP effective resolution - 2048 x 1536 effective pixel count
2. 16 MB internal Flash memory - 1.5-inch Color LCD
3. Slot for memory card; Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia Card (MMC)
4. Fixed focal length: 7.7 mm, 35 mm equivalent (approximately 36 mm)
5. Built-in flash: 1 to 6 second recharge-

Editorial Review :

The HP Photosmart E217 digital camera with HP Instant Share delivers true-to-life photo quality in a snap. With 4 MP effective resolution, 4x digital zoom, and great shot-to-shot speed, it is so easy and fast to capture great digital snapshots. Share them with family and friends using HP Instant Share, the easy and fast way to send photos to email addresses, printers, and more. Get yours today!

Customer Review :

Not for the real world - get a Kodak

I recieved this camera for christmas. A month later, I dropped it about a foot onto a carpeted floor and it stopped working. I was told by HP that I could get it replaced if I bought a accidental replacement warranty. The thing is my 6 year old has had a Kodak digital camera for over a year which has been dropped on linoleum, hardwood floors and even concrete - from far more than a foot. Heck, I suspect it went flying through the air before hitting the floor a few times. Yet we've never had any problems with it. My HP gets bumped and now it won't work? I wouldn't even feel comfortable packing the thing in luggage for a trip! A bumpy road might do it in. Also, my brother recently get sand inside his new Kodak after taking it to the beach. Kodak found sand inside the darn thing when they opened it up but they replaced it free of charge for him. No additional warrenty needed. Before it went kaput it worked fine, although I wish it had a view finder. However, I recommend to you and to everyone you know that you buy a Kodak. They're good cameras, they stand behind their products and they sure a heck of a lot more durable than HP's are.

Rating :

Good camera - Great value

Update: May 2006 - Still have and use the camera frequently. I've also learned that you can take movies and the HP share tools will let you extract still pictures out of the video...very cool. I will agree with the review after mine that the camera doesn't feel sturdy but it fits in your pocket, so there really isn't a need to pack it in luggage. Plus, no matter who made your camera you probably want to shy away from dropping it on the floor.


I didn't buy this camera from Amazon, I got it at an after Thanksgiving sale at Staples, but I am very impressed with it. It's about the least expensive 4MP digital camera I could find and it takes very good pictures.

Downloading photos is a quick process, about a second per 4MP photo, and the HP instant share tools that come with the camera make it easy to edit, e-mail, and print the pictures. There is a video with sound feature on this camera that is about average but it appears to record video for as much as the memory can hold. I currently have a 64MB card in the camera and I can film video for three minutes and I see that as a big positive for this camera.

I would second the previous review that you will need to buy additional memory if you want to shoot more than 20 pictures in 4MP in between downloading them but that is the only thing that keeps me from giving the camera five stars.

Rating :

HP Photosmart E217 Digital Camera

Very nice Camera. Good zoom and display. Easy navagation. Not a very big built in memory. I recomend you buy a memory stick for it. It only holds 16 megs. and 33 photos at the most. Otherwise it is a great camera

Rating :

Didn't last a week!

I purchased this camera becuase I needed something for a weekend. The pictures initially were excellent. I accept the simplicity of the camera due to the cheap purchase price. However, the standard AA batteries wore out in an afternoon. There is no rechargeable option. Within a week, the camera was taking blurry photos with strong black vetical lines. I did not drop this camera or mis-treat it in any way. Additional problem, video clips didn't download with a usable sound track.

Rating :