HP Cameras any opinions???

[jann1033]

if this is the wrong place please move, wasn't sure where to post so the picture takers would see it . actually hope this is ok to do anyway since it's not buying or selling, if not... so sorry!

ok i give in and am buying a digital...I have a slr that i can use for "creative outlet"( ) so i am mainly interested in great quality snaps...i have a hp printer so would like the camera to since it meshes with the printer for email ect.( will also use for hubby's work so that might be important) I am looking at R717 in particular since the R817 wasn't so well reviewed on a few places( although i like the better optical zoom) and i do like the panaromic feature offered on both plus i'd like to stay around the $200 range give or take a couple$. so anyone ever use one of these for say the disney,food or resort pic. threads? or love or hate HP cameras? ( i hate canon but that's another story)

 

[jann1033]

 

[formernyer]

I sell on ebay for a living. I've purchased many, many digital cameras for resale and I have some pretty strong opinions on this topic.

Sony and Canon are the only cameras I would ever use for personal use. I'm not a professional photographer by any stretch of the imagination, but I like an easy-to-use camera which takes good pictures and doesn't have a cheap/flimsy feel to it.

I'm not trying to make you feel bad here, but HP cameras are basically bottom of the line. Three years ago I managed to get some 3MP HP cameras for $70. I sold most of them on ebay, but I save two to give to my kids at Christmas. They were 6 and 7 at the time and they are still using those camera today. The camera take ok pictures...nothing to write home about. The functions are minimal and the camera is NOT user-friendly like the Sonys and Canons are. I think the HP cameras are great for kids and people on very low budgets, but I would not recommend them for anybody who is looking at the camera as an investment in quality photography.

 

[blestmom]

I don't know much about cameras, but I do know that I have the HP R707, and it has been great, with excellent pictures. I've been very happy with it.

 

[makinorlando]

I don't know much about cameras, but I do know that I have the HP R707, and it has been great, with excellent pictures. I've been very happy with it.

I know that HP camera's don't usually get good reviews, but I also have a HP R707, and my sister has the HP717. Both take excellent pics. I think some have issue with the length of battery life, but it never really seemed a problem for me, I did have a spare for long days out and about. I was/am very happy with the photos I took with the camera. and the ease of use. I like the compact size, and it went everywhere with me. I always kept it in my purse.

That being said, I did purchase a new camera a couple months ago - a Canon S2-IS, as I wanted to be able to have more manual options, and a better zoom. I absolutely LOVE this camera!

My DD uses the HP, and we have been using it recently to photo our new kittens, it's smaller and more compact, and we just leave it near the "nest"!

 

[daddyof2]

i personaly love my 4mp kodak easy share/dock very versitile camra for my family needs and easy to use

 

[tinker&belle]

I have an HP photosmart with 3 megapixels, and NEVER AGAIN! The shutter speed is SLOW. I hope they have improved since this time. I would consider a camera made by a camera company (instead of a computer company): canon, nikon, olympus. I've also heard good things about sony. We are looking to replace the hp because it is so slow at taking pictures and the pictures are very grainy, and we are looking at olympus.

 

[PRINCESSMOMX3]

We had a very expensive HP camera, as my husband is the wiz on the cameras I will not even attempt to say what kind. It took great pics. However, one month after the 12 month warranty expired so did the camera. We tried to have it repaired at all the local camera shops who would not touch it b/c they said HP does not sale replacement parts. SO we called HP and they would not repair it but would sale us a refurbished one. I dont think so. If the new ones wear out that early why would I want to buy a used one? Anyway we sold it on ebay as a nonworking camera and apparently someone knew how to fix it b/c they paid 70.00 for it. We then bought a cheaper one......Nikon I think, and it takes great pics and has been going for a couple of years now.

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

I have an HP Photosmart M417. It is 5 MPs and I love it!! It is easy to use and takes great pics!! I think it was like $200.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

We have the 817. It is awesome. I've never had better battery life and it is sooooo simple to use. Colors are vibrant and the optical zoom is fantastic. I'm not a techo-phobe by any means, and I LOVE my camera.

 

[jann1033]

thanks for the imput....

actually i have gone to a number of photog. websites and all have raved about the r707 and 717 and they were listed as one of the best in pc mag. too. i think all brands have improved and wouldn't expect much from a 3 mp. plus i'm sure other models aren't as good ( like everything you buy )

any one with the hps...if you have an hp printer, have you used the pictbridge / email features? if so is it iyo worth buying a hp camera to use those features?

daughter has the kodak easy share, 4 mp and it takes ok pix. till i got the hp printer( which i love love love) i would have considered it but would like to utilize the instant share and stuff the hp offers if it is worthwhile... i would send husband's work photos via it although i can just load them via the memory card ports too. just wonder if it 's worth it to save the step.

i wouldn't get a canon due to the horrendous problems i've had with the "cuss"-tomer service from my old canon printer( first one never worked , fought with them for 1 yr, finally they sent a refurbished replacement with the same problems which was it wouldn't print, much less copy, fax or scan then $40 bucks a call just to see if it's something they will fix, then the huge charge to fix it after i treked it over 30 miles to an "authorized repair" since no one else would touch it) and the fact they charge an arm and a leg for fixing anything ( like my slr whose flash won't pop up and i could practically replace for what they want to fix it) which i should have known given the problems i already had had with them so never again will i buy anything canon. other daughter has a sony that has a class action suit beginning does any one make anything that is not junk it's like the warrenty really means..."plan on replacing me as soom as the warrenty is over"...end of rant against junky but expensive toys

tom morrow...have you had any problems with the viewfinder outdoors? i have lousy vision and that was one thing they mentioned...with no optical view finder the display was hard to see outside. i really like the better zoom also as i like to take landscape shots and while i could use my other camera for that i'd like it with the panoramic feature

. again thanks for your imput