HP PhotoSmart 850 4MP Digital Camera w/ 8x Optical Zoom
by Hewlett Packard

List Price: $499.99
Our Price: $89.99
You Save: $410.00 (82%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details

• 4-megapixel sensor captures 2,272 x 1,704 images for prints at sizes up to 11 x 14 inches
• Autofocus lens with 8x optical plus 7x digital (56x total) zoom
• Included 16 MB SD card stores 15 images at default settings
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port; powered by 4 AA batteries (disposables included)
• Movie mode records video and audio for up to 60 seconds

• Adobe Photoshop CS5 Upgrade [Old Version]
• AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to Mini-B Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
• AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to B-Male Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
• Adobe Photoshop CS4 Upgrade [OLD VERSION]
• AmazonBasics SDHC Class 4 32GB Secure Digital Card

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of HP PhotoSmart 850 4MP Digital Camera w/ 8x Optical Zoom

Customer Review: New at digital but not 35mm photography! Lots of info!
Summary: 4 Stars

The view finder does not work until you get your face about 2 inches from the camera. This saves battery power.
The shutter can easily be partially depressed for focusing. You do noy easily set off the shutter.
I found the view screen great as a view finder when taking delayed shutter and time exposure photos.
The camera is light and fits my hand very nicely. The controls are easy to access and work. You do not need a tooth pick or pen. Once you learn the options and programs they make sense and are easy to use (I have not figured out the 4 white light options yet well enought to comment on them.
Shop around for a bag. Don't forget to make room for extra batteries and an extra memory disk.
I purchased a battery charger and two sets of NIMH rechargable batteries. I have not regretted it a minute.
What I did not like:
The camera takes some getting used to but then it may be me getting used to digital photography.
The view finder goes black and there is about a 1 - 1/2 (noticable) second delay before the camera takes the pictuer. This makes taking pictures of moving objects (ex = waved breaking or hitting a rock, standing wildlife - they seem to move constantly, people walking or swinging a golf club)a real challenge since you are never really sure what you are going to get and you have to anticipate. Of course you can always review and erase/try again. It also makes long distance shots using a lot of zoom very hard without a camera support of some kind.
My wife, who has problems with a point and shoot, had problems with the focus in low light (set at central area of view finder). She does not understand the need to aim the camera onto the focal point of the photo and 1/2 press the shutter button to set focus. She is smart so it would probably help if I spent some time a explained it to her.
The 16mb disk that comes with the camera is basically worthless as are the four batteries they provide.
When asking others (waiters, bus boys) to use the camera the view finder going black, the shutter delay (1 second about) and 1/2 shutter button focus really throws them. I usually had them take 3 pictures then edited for the best. It helped to tell them what to expect first off and of course thier patience and ability to listen/learn are factors.

Description of HP PhotoSmart 850 4MP Digital Camera w/ 8x Optical Zoom

Unfortunately, the autofocus didn't always show us a crisp image on the LCD--the photos would show up sharply, but it was difficult to decide where exactly to line up the shot.

Other than minor issues with the zoom, we're enamored with the 850. Its 4.1-megapixel resolution results in deeply detailed images, while its 2-inch LCD displayed photos more brightly and in much higher quality than other digital camera LCDs. And the camera can record video (complete with audio) in clips of 288 x 216 pixel resolution and up to 60 seconds long. You can even record audio with your still photos to give them more life.

You'll want to spend some extra cash to upgrade the camera, however, as it only ships with a 16 MB Secure Digital media card. The optional docking station makes it easier to transfer images to your PC and also includes rechargeable batteries (the camera comes with four disposable AA batteries).

If you have a compatible HP printer, you can also print directly from the camera--no need to pass images through your PC. Although, if you do send your pictures to your computer, you can use HP's suite of tools, including HP's Instant Share, which lets you automatically send pictures to an e-mail recipient or the Web.

With its depth of resolution, high level of zoom, and versatility, the HP Photosmart 850 is a camera worth considering. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• 8x optical zoom
• Audio with still images
• 60-second video clips

Cons:

• Not as portable as some
• Focus issues

Optics and Resolution
The 4-megapixel CCD sensor creates sharp and brilliant images with a total resolution of 2,384 by 1,734 pixels. The 36-bit color depth renders even the subtlest variations in the image to make photos vibrant and real to life. With an 8x optical and 7x digital zoom, the 56x total zoom won't let anything out of your sights. Focusing can be set to manual, automatic, or macro for greater control.

Storage and Transfer
The 850 already has a built-in flash and 32 MB of SDRAM memory. Also included is a 16 MB SD card for even more storage, as the camera is compatible with MMC and SD memory cards. You can transfer your files onto a PC running Windows 98 or higher or Macintosh running OS 9.1 or higher. The USB port is easy to connect, and uploading and downloading files is fast and error free.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the 850 can also record up to 30 seconds of video with sound using the movie mode.

More Features
The HP camera includes many presets and automatic functions to fit your photographic needs, such as autoexposure, shutter priority, aperture priority, white balance, and light metering. There are also preset picture modes to use when shooting action, portraits, or landscapes. Add variety to your shots with the black-and-white and sepia color filters. You can easily keep track of all these modes, as well as compose your shot and review photos, using the large 2-inch color LCD screen.

Power, Size, and Contents
Included with the 850 are four AA e2 titanium batteries. The camera itself measures a 4.5 by 3.3 by 3.3 inches and weighs 13.7 ounces. Other standard accessories are a neck strap, CD-ROM with imaging software, user manual, USB cable, and USB host cable to printer.

Digital Cameras

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