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HP PhotoSmart 735 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

HP PhotoSmart 735 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

List Price: $299.99
Your Price:
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Hardware error on the first month of use
Review: I was taking pictures when the camera unexpectedly shut down (probably because the batteries were depleted), only this time it did not close the zoom lens. Now the camera has the zoom lens extended and it is blocked. When I turn it on, it shows an error E106 and shuts down again.
The idiots at HP have an extremely stupid troubleshooting guide with only the obvious and intuitive problems (remember to put on the batteries, etc) but without error descriptions. I wrote and called, but still don't have a solution.

For those of you thinking of buying it:
- The camera is OK for the money
- The display is not too great
- The time delay between the time you press the button and the actual picture taking is long, but I think this is standard for cheap digital cameras
- ALKALINE BATTERIES CAN'T BE USED, the description of the camera is deceptive in this respect, if you look into the manual you will see that you HAVE to use rechargeables, so take a note of that in your budget

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Excellent Camera For The Price
Review: I've been using this camera for the past month and have been very happy with it. I have but a few pet peeves with this camera:

1. Batteries ran out too quick -- I just took a dozen pictures and the included Energizer batteries ran out?!
2. Internal 16 MB memory is inadequate. At highest resolution, you can only take 8 pictures before memory runs out.
3. Processing time after taking a picture takes too long. You have to wait for about 20-25 seconds before you can take another.

Fortunately, the first two problems are easily solved. I immediately bought 6 good quality NiMH rechargeable batteries (the camera accepts 2 at a time). Other digital cameras fix this problem by using 4 batteries at a time for longer life, but I think I would rather have the compact design of the 735.

Then I bought a 256MB SD flash memory card and it now shows it can accomdate 164 pictures at max resolution. That's a lot of pictures!!

The third problem, I guess I have to get used to since I always like taking pictures at max resolution, making the processing phase a little slower.

The last thing I did was buy a camera bag at Target for $6.99. It fits the camera perfectly and has an additional pouch for the extra batteries.

As can be surmised from my issues above, I'm not a professional (or even amateur) photographer. I just like taking pictures during events, and of my son (who's growing so fast!!). I just want a camera that works. And since I'm upgrading from a non-digital camera, seeing these problems that I didn't have with the old camera is a little annoying.

Despite all that, at this price, I really think the 735 gives the extremely good value for a 3.2 megapixel camera.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent "value for money" option
Review: I've gotten this camera for Xmas and I am attached to it. It takes great pictures in 3 different formats and has a video option as well (you can record pretty nice videos too).
It's really easy to use, and the USB plug & play feature for connecting to any PC is awesome since you do not need to have the special software installed, thus enabling to download the photos in every computer (especially handy when you are traveling and do not carry with you your own) and emailing them.
I have heard about "swallowing batteries" by a hundred, but the time I have had the camera, I only needed to change batteries once and before running out of them it kept on warning me about it.
I am truly happy about it.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Trouble 2 months out of warranty
Review: Only two months out of warranty I now face replacing this camera. I cannot take a photo--when I depress the button I get a message of "charging flash." After two calls to Technical support it still won't work and they offer (at $99 on up) that I can upgrade to a refurbished model. This sucks, especially since I'm expecting twin grandaughters to arrive in less than two days and I won't have a camera! Also this camera has a slow shutter--making me miss a lot of shots of a moving grandchild.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good Camera for the price...
Review: Th hp735 is an good value for a 3.2MP camera. The image quality surpassed my expecations for an HP camera. The sharpness and contrast has never been an issue. The color seems to be on the blue side and a little under-saturated. But as long as I have a sharp picture, I can deal with tint and saturation in pretty much any software.

If you're starting out with a new digital camera, the HP735 is an excellent value for the price. The shutter to shot, shot to shot and turn-on time is slow but tolerable. The beginner photographer will enjoy this camera.

Pros:
1. focus brackets indicate focus lock; invaluable when you don't have time to review after the shot is taken; pretty reliable
2. lcd on the top of the camera keeps the back panel display from being cluttered
3. nice, sharp images.
4. the macro feature renders excellent close-ups with nicely blurred backgrounds.
5. their software detects already uploaded pics and gives you the option of only transfering new images.

Cons:
1. does not automatically return to your settings; you must hold the "ok" button when powering on the camera
2. not enough cursor keys to pan when zooming in to review an image.
3. slow shutter to shot; slow shot to shot; slow turn-on; this is typical of entry level digital cameras;
4. battery life but i typically carry an extra set.
5. tint and saturation is a little off; but correctable with software

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: not so bad
Review: that's right,i run out of batteries in a very short time.i bought lots of rechargable batteries,they are always in charge. so this solved my problem in a way.
secondly when i saw my friends' cameras(like fuji) i ve been shocked.because their image quality was better.but then i learned their prices..really high!
i think this is not a bad camera considering its price..

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: HP 735
Review: The photos were extremely blurry and only took good pictures of closeups the digital zoom is useless for photos.

Battery don't last more that about 10 pictures.

Kodak DC210 1 mega pixell takes much better photos.

Taking mine back after one day of poor pictures.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: No power
Review: This camera has been a real disappointment. It eats batteries. It is so frustrating to use this camera for a few minutes and the camera shuts down and tells you it is out of power. I can't believe anyone could have the nerve to design or sell it.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: No Batteries
Review: This is a terrible camera. It run out of batteries with less than 10 pictures. It should be recalled. Is a very bad product.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great camera, great price!
Review: This is my second digital camera. My first (canon) turned up missing. We believe our 20 month old daughter may have tossed it in the trash. Even she knew that it was garbage..LOL! So we replaced and definately upgraded to this HP. I LOVE IT!! I take a ton of pictures between my 2 babies and selling on ebay and I couldn't be happier. The pics are crisp and clear, and you have so much control with all the manual settings. Yes, there is a delay from the time you push the button to the time the pic is actually taken but that is because it is focusing. All digitals have some kind of delay. If you are taking action pics you can manually set it for such but the quality won't be real great. If you want great quality, action pictures you are gonna need to spend a heck of a lot more than 200 on a camera, or better yet use a regular one and have the pics put on disk. I compared every single camera in this price range in person, online, and asked around to see what people had to say and I think I found the best. If you go to best buy, walmart,whatever...pick up each camera and look at it closely you can definately tell which ones are better quality, and this is definately a great quality camera. Buy this one you won't be disappointed!


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