5-megapixel effective recording * 8X optical/7X digital zoom (56X total) * JPEG resolution options: 2608 x 1952; 1296 x 976 * 2" color LCD viewscreen * LCD viewfinder *
The HP PhotoSmart 945, featuring an 8x optical zoom lens and a 7x digital zoom (for 56x total), is one of the most affordable "big zoom, big megapixel" digital cameras on the market. Geared for the advanced amateur, it features a 5.3-megapixel resolution, advanced photo features, and a wide variety of manual controls. But it also has such automatic features as an on-camera wizard for getting the best shot, direct printing, and HP's Instant Share.
Optics and Resolution
With its 5.3-megapixel resolution, you can snap bright, detailed images with the PhotoSmart 945 that can be enlarged to poster size. It features two resolution options: 2608 x 1952 (5 MP) and 1296 x 976 (1 MP). The Fuji Photo lens has an 8x optical zoom that's coupled with a 7x digital zoom for a 56x total zoom. It has a focal range of 7.6-61mm (35 mm equivalent: 37-300mm).
Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the PhotoSmart 945 can also record up to 60-second movie clips with sound at a 288 x 208 pixel resolution. The QuickTime Motion JPEG format offers a limited resolution, which is great for capturing a short movie that can be e-mailed to friends and family, but is no replacement for a true camcorder.
More Features
The 945 also includes HP's new, exclusive Adaptive Lighting technology, which balances brightness relationships between bright and dark areas in a photo, preserving gentle contrasts but compressing harsh contrasts. With clear and easy to use "low", "high" and "off" settings, the camera automatically balances shots by lightening specific areas within a photograph.
HP's on-camera help allows you to access quick and clear guidance on how to take the best picture with the HP PhotoSmart 945 digital camera's wide ranging functions. In addition, its enhanced manual controls allow concurrent photos to be taken through "burst" mode without having to wait for the camera to prepare before each shot. Other available creative controls include aperture, ISO, shutter speed, exposure, white balance, color and sharpness
With HP's Instant Share feature, you can customize your camera with e-mail aliases and distribution lists of your family and friends. For each picture, you can designate up to 14 destinations, including e-mail addresses, compatible printers, and more.
Other features include:
- Large 2-inch LCD monitor
- Built-in flash with auto, on, off, night, and red-eye reduction modes
- Print photos directly to select HP PhotoSmart printers and all-in-one devices via include USB cable
Optional Camera Dock The PhotoSmart 945 is also compatible with the HP PhotoSmart 8881digital camera dock, which enables you to easily transfer images to your PC or charge a set of included rechargeable batteries. Cutting down on desktop clutter, this convenient remote-controlled device enables you to easily transfer image files to your PC, print photos, or even view images on TV--all in one easy step
Storage and Transfer
The PhotoSmart 945 is compatible with Secure Digital (SD) MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards; a 32 MB SD card is included. When shooting in Best mode (2608 x 1952), you can store 11 images on the included memory card. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.
Power and Size
The camera is powered by 4 AA batteries (alkalines included, rechargeables recommended). It measures 4.84 by 3.35 by 3.35 inches and weighs 13.7 ounces excluding the batteries or 15.7 ounces when loaded with batteries.
What's In The Box
This package includes the HP PhotoSmart 945 digital camera, 32 MB SD memory card, neck strap, 4 AA alkaline batteries, USB cable for camera to PC, USB cable for camera to printer, and dock insert for use with optional HP PhotoSmart 8881 Camera Dock. It also comes with a CD-ROM featuring HP Photo & Imaging software for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh and ArcSoft Funhouse.
1 why pay 300? get it fro FREE
nice camera that you can get here http://www.cameras4free.com/default.aspx?r=345693 thanks for read
2 What a nightmare!
After a fair amount of research, I purchased this camera thinking it would be a good buy. The first time I used it after the 15 hours it takes for the dock to charge the batteries(!), it quit and locked up.
When I finally got through to a PERSON at HP tech support, I was told the camera was defective/defunct. Tech support said a "replacement" was available--but not a new camera---a refurb. When I said this was unacceptable, I was told that I would not get a new camera from HP, and "the warranty clearly states that replacement products can be refurbs." *How convenient for HP that I never had access to the warranty until I bought and opened the camera* When I asked for someone in customer service I was told my only options were to pursue a refund or exhange through Amazon, and to contact HP.com if I had a comment.
It has been extremely difficult to contact a person at Amazon to pursue the refund, but I think it's going to get taken care of *fingers crossed* And, by the way, kudos for the quick shipping--the camera arrived 2.5 days after I placed the order!
As for HP.com--they don't list a customer service phone number but after a long time in automated hell, I found their executive customer relations line: 800-756-0608 (option 7). As expected, they were about as helpful as the tech support people. I will NEVER buy another HP product again, and I certainly wouldn't advise anyone else to take a chance on them--they don't even attempt to back up their product, and they could care less about customer service. If ZERO stars were an option, I'd have chosen that.
3 Awesome image quality, a little slow but manageable.
I've had this camera for about 3 months now, and while I agree with other reviewers that it can be a bit slow and you sometimes have to have a steady hand, I've gotten fairly used to using it and love it now. The bottom line is can it take great quality images, and the answer is yes, I love the quality. And the 8X optical, 56X total zoom is great too. I'd highly recommend this camera. A quick tip: when shooting indoors you should bias towards almost always using the flash, otherwise your images might be blurry (they look great when you use the flash). Outdoors when its sunny, there is no need for the flash and the shooting is quick and not blurry.
4 Photosmart 945 is unreliable.
I have owned this camera for a year and it has malfunctioned twice requiring it to be replaced with a refurbished camera. It's autofocus function does not take clear pictures consistently. My son's Canon takes much better pitures. I would not recommend this camera to anyone.
5 This is a dog!
I bought this camera and spent weeks trying to get it to take a decent picture. I had previously used an Olympus which was an excellent camera.
The HP will not tolerate even slight movement in the AUTO mode, and the quality of the photos is poor. I complained to HP and they sent me a replacement. The replacement was no better.
You had best avoid this camera and I will never again buy any HP camera product.
6 I do not recommend this camera to anybody
I used to own this specific model and it was the worst digital camera I ever owned. Even my pre-historic Kodak DC-40 gave me better photos than this HP camera. It has problems with both indoors and outdoors photos. If you are indoors, you need to use the flash if you want to get a quality picture, if you are in the sun, your photo will be too white. Battery life is short too, and there are many other things I can mention but it will make this review just too large. All I can say is, buy a camera from a manufacturer with years of experience in photography, like Canon, Kodak, Fuji, etc, and avoid new comers like HP.
HP should stay with printers and avoid everything else because they are not good at anything else other than that.
This camera is only good for beginners, but you can get a cheaper camera that can give you equal or better photos for much less. Just my 2 cents.
7 ok for regualr everyday shots
I have probloms with getting indoor shots w/o the flash on. If I keep the flash off, all shots come out blury. And in museums or public places having the flash on isnt allowed, causing me too lose some good pictures. However, when I take outdoor pictures or use the flash indoors, they come out great; if I can hold the camera straight enough to get the shot. I love using the black and white, sepia features. great focous, has three second delay to shoot. Overall; good for childrens b-day parties or regular use where you wont get upset losing a few shots. In that case theres plenty of cheaper camera that have the same quality. The professionals are recomendin kodaic products in the digitals. I bought mine at another retailer w/ only a thirty day return policy and couldnt return it to upgrade.
8 Beware of battery life and pic quality
I bought this camera expecting superb resolution, having previously owned a 1MP Sony Mavica that was powered by a rechargable battery. My new HP camera's battery life is horrible! I can, literally, only take 4 (FOUR!) pictures with standard AA batteries before the camera rejects them and demands fresh batteries.
Imagine how many AA batteries I've gone through, I should buy stock in Energizer or Duracell. I picked up some rechargable high-capacity AA batteries and can get about 20 pictures out of them, much better but still lacking! The included memory card is of course a joke, buy a large capacity one or you'll regret it.
A note on picture quality - be VERY sure that you have a completely steady hand or your pictures will be terrible. Not only that, but you need to hold the camera steady even AFTER the little "picture" sound goes off, otherwise you'll ruin your photo. I have no idea why this is.
I had called HP customer service about the battery problem and was promptly transferred to India, who barely understood me and ran me around in circles for a good hour. Bottom line: I would recommend a different manufacturer, stay away from this HP camera.
9 SAVE $ BUY THE HP 707
AFTER SPENDING $ 500 BUCKS MY CAMERA STRAP CAME OFF AND THE ZOOM MOTOR BUSTED! I found out through the camera guy at Costco that they stopped selling them because " THEY R JUNK " IM NOT KIDDING THAT IS WHAT HE SAID.
Now I don't agree but you get so much more from the 707 because it has biult in MEMORY ! as well as plenty of zoom, it is so much more durrable to( hard metal! not plastic shell) I picked one up in the box and I am verry happy w/ the results I get from the H.P. 707............BOTTOM LINE the 945 looks so much more like an s.l.r. but it's too bulky and cumbersome.........the 707 fits in your pocket too and so you don't have to lugg it around your neck lookin like a TOURIST !!!
10 Great digital SLR
This camera is a great value. It has the best battery life of any that ive used that took normal batteries. It does a great job at taking detail shots, and it was very easy to figure out the controls. The veiwfinder is really cool too. Turns on when you bring your eye close, again saving battery life. Good optical Zoom as well.
11 100% Digital Now...No More Film For Me!
OK, I sat here and read every review (25) about this camera. I had owned the HP Photosmart 850 previously and I decided to upgrade, albeit slightly to the 945xi. I have a website on the internet where the reader can view some photos from this camera. It's http://echotekjh.sonographer.net I have been thoroughly pleased with this camera and it's abilities. I purchased a TIFFEN adapter from BugEyeDigital.com as well as some additonal lenses to augment my photo shoots. I recommend buying the Tiffen HP adapter along with a .5x wide angle lens and a 2x telephoto lens. You might want to pick up a circular polarizer too. The last two items to complete your digital photography are the HP Photosmart 145 Photo Printer 4X6 prints and a Velbon MAXi 343E tripod. We travelled up to Acadia Nat'l Park in Maine back in July (http://www.geocities.com/echotek/acadia_barharbor.html) and this camera performed beautifully with handhold shots as well as tripod photos. I use a Sandisk 1.0GB SD card that gets me about 385 photos at the highest resolution.
12 Sadly, mine was defective.
I purchased the 945 as an upgrade to the 620 that I already owned. I figured it would make sense to utilize the same docking station and SD media given my limited budget. The camera arrived, included photo-lithium batteries, docking station adapter, 32MB SD card and various cables and straps. It fired right up and the first thing that struck me was the amount of time it took all the "auto" features to settle down (on the order of 2-3 seconds). I took a photo of some stuff on my desk (oddly enough, an HP printer). The picture quality looked excellent, even on the large lcd display.
That was the last picture for this camera. The "live picture" mode stopped working, and all that was visible on the lcd was slowly flashing screens of dim color. The menus and such continued to act normally. I read the manual, which called out a diagnostic mode whereby the I/O, displays, ram, SD card, etc can be tested. Sure enough, the "live display" portion of the test failed. I've lost some faith in HP.
I returned the camera to Amazon whose return system couldn't be much easier. I will invest in a brand other than HP. I'm looking at Kodak DX series....
13 MP and Battery Life issues
Having already purchased a HP 3.2 MP camera and being completely happy with it, the 945 looked like a perfect upgrade.
For the most part I liked the camera however when my concern for the battery life became an issue (I couldn't shoot 25 Best pictures and I did try different batteries)I began to look at other settings which would require less drain on the batteries. It was at this point that I realized there are no options. At 5MP your files are huge 2.25 to 3MB which is fine sometimes when you want large files but if you don't you then have to go down to 1MP. That's quite a drop, who shoots in 1MP if they don't have to anymore. As for other options, you can change the compression but then your picture quality suffers because the original resolution stays the same. As far as I am concerned this is too big of an issue to ignore. I returned the HP945 yesterday and am very disappointed that HP would put out a camera that would be so limiting in this respect.
14 Great value, very good image quality.
I'm customer from south east asia (sorry about my english).
I bougth this camera last week (not from Amazon) and have taken about 200 photos. If someone reported that takes any seconds for the time from when you pressed the shutter button until it takes a picture, I experienced too, especially in poor lightning (sometimes even in sufficient lightning). And this is frustating when you have to keep it steady or your photos will be blurry. Then I try to use the AF/AE lock by pressing the shutter halfway, rescene the subject and go! This little baby will go faster to take a picture. I think the problem caused by the time the camera need to calculate the focus and exposure. Could this fixed by firmware ? Ask father. (HP, r u listening ?). So if you follow my suggestion above, every single photo you take will be a great picture (very good color, saturated, and sharp). Some my macro photos are also excellent. With $440 I got 5 MP camera with 8x optic zoom plus 128mb HP SD card, a mini tripod, and a camera bag as a bonus is very interesting to me. Great value !
15 Easy & Afforable
My husband & I just bought this camera a week ago and we absolutely love it!!! It takes excellent pictures. We bought it to take pictures of our little one, due in September. We didn't think that we would use it very much before then, but we were wrong. We can't stop playing with it!
The zoom is a great feature. It is a little loud when zooming, but it allows you to get great shots of things far away. Once you have used the max amount of optical zoom, it switches to digital zoom. The only thing about it is it doesn't show you the digital zoom up close until after you have taken it, but it always looks great. I wouldn't take away a star for that.
Make sure that you take time to read the manual, and you will have wonderful pictures! It has great tips on how to adjust everything and what features work best in different situations. I've always liked HP computer products, but was unsure of the photo products. HP didn't disappoint!!! This is a wonderful, easy to use, people friendly, high quality digital camera for an affordable price!
16 hp945 review
The HP945 is an exceptional digital camera. I am able to zoom in on wildlife at long distances. I have taken some incredible pictures of nesting eagles. This camera is very user friendly and downloading to a computer is a snap. Pictures can be blown up without losing resolution. I have taken pictures that compare with any 35mm camera. I have recieved many compliments on the wildlife pictures I have taken. I would recommend this camera to anyone wanting a great digital camera.
17 Your moneys worth!
I just recently got my hp photosmart 945, i love the design and the way it fits in your hand. I have to say i read the negative reviews before i got it, but since i never had a problem with my HP hardware, I decided to go for it anyways. It was the right thing to do, because I haven't got many of the problems that people comment about on this site; my camera seems to work just fine, and although the rechargeable batteries dont work quite as well as the ones specifically designed for digital cameras, their performance is still acceptable.
Now, I have to say it is true that, given a specific set of values, it takes the camera a while to take the picture, as the screen goes blank it is hard not to move and ruin the shot. However, it is also true that the same thing happens with the slow speeds on a Reflex, and its just a matter of practice until you get the precision you need in order not to ruin a shot, and if it never happens, you can always use a tripod! haha
What can I say, if you are either a starter, or a professional amateur, stay away from this camera and go for a Sony or Canon instead, which have similar features and near same quality. If you are like me, a student who requires the best PC-friendly camera, stay with HP. I'm sure you will love it.
18 wonderful camera
This is my second digital and my best. I've got a 35mm also. The HP945 when you read the instructions takes outstanding photos. I've read of the problems with the Kodak 10x optical and the Olympus 10x optical. For example the pictures out of focus and the LCD going black during the shutter release and this camera can experience these same problems but when you just read the easy to follow instructions this little baby will give you some of the best QUALITY pictures you will ever see. My only limitation is I don't get enough time off from work to enjoy it. In my opion this camera is only second to the $1,000.00 digital SLRs the colors are brilliant and sharpness excellent. And as for the 8x optical zoom with 7x digital Wow! I zoomed in on a tansformer atop the power pole accross the street approximentlly 140 feet away and when I magnified the picture I could read the serial number from the Data Tag. WONDERFUL CAMERA! P.S. Don't forget to read your instructions.
19 First digital camera and I love it!
This is the first digital camera I have owned and I am very happy with it. I have not had any of the problems mentioned in the other reviews. I bought it from BestBuy.com about 2 months ago and for the price of the camera I feel that the zoom and quality of the photos are great. The camera was very easy to figure out how to use. I didn't have any problems with it.
Batteries don't last as long as I am used to with a regular camera, but I suppose that is to be expected. I think I took about 250 photos with with the batteries that came with.
I am going on an 18 day trip this summer and am excited to use the camera there. I will be bringing a lot of extra batteries though!
20 Camera should be re-named the lag master 945
We just finished re packing the camera for return. Tried for three weeks to get an un blurred shot, to say the lag time was excessive would be an understatement! if you are a person who only shoots slow moving land mammals while using a tripod this could be the camera for you, but for the rest of us, alas this camera is of no use.
21 What a zoom!
This is my second digital and I love it. I print out on my Hp 7660 printer and the shots are excellent. Clear and sharp. The zoom is increditable. I can zoom in on a license plate from over 100 feet away and read it after it's printed. I've taking shots of ducks flying away from the ground and it all came out clear and sharp. I recommend this camera. Im not a pro but I do know a good shot when I see one. Also it's easy to operate. i am pleased with this camera.
22 Too Slow....
We were very unhappy with the performance of this camera. The shutter speed was very slow, and the photos were often blurry as a result - you really need a tripod with this one. It's a bit bulky and has a lightweight feel to it. We sent it back...
23 It died !
Just received the HP 945. It took 8 great pictures and then locked up, cannot shut it off. I am deciding whether to return it, or have HP replace it. Probably return it, this is the first AND last HP camera I will own.
24 Great Camera
I got this camera for Christmas. What a great present. It's easy to use with very good quality. I would recommend HP camera's to all of my friends it is much better than the previous digital camera I had.
25 Mixed Bag - Works Than Locks - Not to used with Win2000
My new HP 945 arrived two weeks ago as a replacement for a HP 315. New camera worked nice but battery charging seemed to go on and on even after just couple of pictures.
Started me to wonder. Pictures were fine and the learning curve was easy. AS I needed a bigger card I went ahead and purchased a 256 MG SD card after checking with HP Support.
Now the strange problems start -- the camera would lock up and only unlock if batteries were removed. Pictures taken seem OK but sometimes it would say it couldn't read the 256 Mg Secure Digital Card. Then once it was rebooted it would record pictures and upload to the computer. Finally today it locked up again so I called and they want it returned for repair - as usual good service they even pay the courier.
The HP rep however told me that loading pictures from a 256 MG card to a Win 2000 Operating System may not work and that I might need to get a card reader.
Whoa this is getting really off base - camera goes down within two weeks and a 256 MG card may not work with my Win 2000.
This is starting to get me a little upset. No mention by anyone in reviews or on the HP Support site about Win 2000 issues with this camera and 256 MG card. I have their email saying the camera will handle 256 MG; but how am I'm going to get some assurance about it always working with Win 2000.
There are some issues here and I want to get at the answers.
26 Great features, but problem with some images
While having great features, the camera seems to suffer a serious flaw: Some pics have Horizontal lines which ruin the pics. I've seen other reports of the same flaw, some indicating and exchange from HP support might help. Yet, HP support does not acknowledge any problem (offered an exchange, but would not say if that fixes anything or acknowledge others reported the same problem). Watch for this and be aware before purchasing this camera. I'd wait for the next version or go with another brand.
27 Great Camera, Great Features
Great camera with great features. The sepia and BW features are cool. Also, the zoom is really useful. When doing the digital zoom, make sure to use a tri-pod or put the camera on a stable device as it can be blurry. The 5.3 MP makes the images really clean and clear. I also bought the docking station and the HP photo smart printer. Great accessories. You will need much more than the 32 MB memory card. I bought a 256 MB and it gives me 90 or so photos at the top resolution. That plenty for me, but if you plan on going on a 2 week vacation, you may want the bigger one.
Overall I highly recommend this quality HP product.
28 This camera does the job
I had a chance to compare this camera with Toshiba M700 and Kodak DX4690. I rate this camera as much ahead in image quality than two above, so that HP 945 comes at the top, then Toshiba M700 and the last one is Kodak DX6490. I haven't bought this camera at Amazon, I bought it at Business Depot. To be short, I would agree with almost all negative reviews about lacking some features in this camera but it does the job.
About a negative review given by Steven Kozuch. Steven, you probably got a camera with a manufacture defect. I had something like this with the first Kodak DX6490, everything was wrong and it was freezing every few minutes. The second one was okay. Steven, I tried to reproduce you problems and I couldn't. I had reviewed more than 300 pictures/images (from the internet, my friends and myself) taken by all three cameras and the HP 945 was the best. Indeed, non of the digital cameras can give you the same quality as a film camera in the same class, so you can really compare them when you have a chance to put one next to another under the same conditions.
The HP 945 was the fastest in getting focus and it was the best in white balance and it was the best in image quality and it was the best in taking pictures in low light and without any light at all (only flash).
Sure, there are better cameras, but as many people are excited about Kodak DX6490 I can say, take the pictures and compare them, be very picky about image quality, the rest you can live with.
29 Very nice macros
This camera would make a great off-the-shelf camera for e-bay photography. I have a Sony DSC-V1, a Canon A-80, and this HP 945, and the HP does the best job of focusing in on small details. It also has nice white balance and good depth of field in Portrait mode. All things considered, I find myself reaching for this camera most often.
30 Great Camera
I recieved this camera as a gift for Christmas and I love it! I've used 35mm cameras for years, but this camera allows me to quickly upload the beautiful and sharp images it takes within seconds. The pictures are very sharp due to the 5.1 effective resolution. Using the 300mm zoom though can cause some blurriness to the photos, but this is only because of the difficulty in holding a camera steady. I purchased a tripod which quickly solved the problem. I can't say enough about this camera. The most important thing is this; You will not find a better camera, with more featers, and manual controls, that takes better pictures for less than $500 anywhere, period.
31 It's a Camera, not its a ROCK, NO it's a ......
I know my title is a little strong but after 3 hours I hated the camera and had to return it. I have used 3MP cameras that take better pictures then the HP 945. I rated the camera a 1 because there are no negative values or zero to assign to this rating.
To understand a little about myself, I use and have used 35 mm cameras both SLR and the disposable ones. I have also used a couple digital cameras. I enjoy using the disposable camera more that I do the HP 945. I hate using disposable cameras.
When I found this camera I was enthused based on the 8X Optical Zoom and the price!! I ordered the camera and as usual shipped promptly by Amazon.
When I received the camera, I was happy with the shape and the way it fit my hand, very nicely designed. The buttons are easy to use. Below is a quick list of what I liked and did not like about this camera.
Pros
Great Price,
8 x zoom 300mm for camera buffs
design fits hand near perfectly.
Light weight,
can use AA batteries non-proprietary camera sounds cam be easily shut off suing the menu. (this does not include of course mechanical noises)
Cons ( a much bigger list)
* Auto focus very slow.
* Auto Focus will not always work, the only way I can get it to work was to power off and remove the batter is, similar to rebooting your PC.
* Manual Focus very slow.
* During focusing the LCD screen will periodically go blank for no reason.
* 4 AA batteries went from brand new fully charged to dead within 25 pictures at the best settings.
* My 1 MP web cam has sharper images as well as my 3mp Casio.
* This is the worst feature. The following is true when the flash is on and light is sufficient. When you press the shutter button it may take 2-5 seconds before the shutter will release. This occurs even when I try pressing the shutter 1/2 way for a pre-meter reading. We all know that this time period is way too long. By then the people or subject can be long gone. This problem is like the auto focus problem it is unpredictable and occurs way too many times. Out of the 25 pictures I snapped, this problem occurred on 20 of them.
(I AM NOT DISCUSSING THE WRITE TIME! THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE TIme FROM WHEN YOU PRESS THE SHUTTER UNTIL IT DECIDES TO TRIP THE SHUTTER curtain.)
In closing, I have to recommend that you stay away from this camera. I returned the Camera to Amazon.com, the very next day without hesitation. It's a Camera, no it's a rock, No it's a useless piece of technology.
32 Love The HP-945
I have had mine for about 3 weeks.I am still using the batteries that came with it.I have taken about 300 pictures.It takes very Sharp pictures.The 8x Zoom is outstanding.The Auto-Eye start EVF and large LCD are very good in Low light or Sunlight.LCD Gains Up so it can be used in Very Low Light.Even the digital zoom seems to be sharper than usual.Very low red-eye,uses 4AA Batteries,Aperture Priority,Shutter Priority,Low light Focus Assist Lamp.Lots of Advanced settings Video with Sound,and just Plain Fully Automatic.I also bought one for my Wife.I think it is a Very Outstanding 5.3mp Ultra-Zoom Digital Camera.Lots of Very Nice Features.Other Family Members also own HP-945 and They Love it too.It is Very Easy for beginners.Advanced settings for Advanced users.Help is built into Camera Menus.I Highly Recommend the HP-945.
33 Very convenient, excellent qualitty images!
I have been holding off buying another digital camera until the price tradeoff and quality was right. This was a good deal for the image quality and ease of use. The 8x optical zoom is a pleasure. With or without the Digital Flash feature, this camera does an amazing job figuring out appropriate lighting situations and adjusting accordingly. The macro mode delivers beautiful crisp close-ups.
I compared many shots at 5MP between the top two compression settings and it's very hard to tell the difference, both are excellent. It does not provide a "raw" format, however, but it does not seem necessary.
I'm disappointed is the slow reaction times after pressing the shutter. I knew this ahead of time, but you have to get used to it. This seems typical of affordable digital cameras. The autofocus speed is less than stellar. Also, the "burst" mode seems almost useless. It's a good idea, but because of variable focus time and SD-card write times between shots, you have no idea what's in frame or whether or not it's in focus. Again, only big-bucks gets past these issues.
I took several hundred photos on the first day, at least half of which were action shots outdoors in fading light. Most of them were surprisingly impressive quality and focus, only a few had out-of-frame or out-of-focus subject due to the shutter lag.
Overall, I'm very pleased. This camera will hold me long into the next generation of affordable digital cameras (I'm still drooling to replace my Nikon SLR, this camera does _not_ do that!).
34 Love the Zoom!!!
I wanted a digital camera with a large zoom to replace my Nikon F50. The HP takes great picures and is very easy to use but the 8X optical zoom along with the electronic viewfinder makes this camera a great deal. Also put something in called Digital Flash on the menu. I am not sure how it works but brings out the details in shadows like no other camera I ahve ever used.
35 Love this Camera!
I've just purchased this camera and I love it! It takes me back to my 35mm SLR days. It is not a light-weight camera, but feels solid. Lots of features and beautiful prints. The shutter speed is a bit slow so you'll need a steady hand or tripod. But for the price and all of the extras it is excellent. I also purchased the docking station and it works like a breeze. I have an XP operating system and was able to set up in a matter of minutes.
