Hewlett-Packard PhotoSmart C215/215xi Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: Cheri
(Intermediate)

Review Date
July 22, 2003

Overall Rating
1 of 5

Value Rating
1 of 5

Used product for
2-5 years

Review 1 of 40

Price Paid: $299.00 from London Drugs

Summary:

Don't buy this camera. Sucks up 4 AA batteries for every 20-30 pictures. HP provides absolutely no support for hardware or software problems. If you upgrade to Windows 2000 or Windows XP you have to BUY new driver CD's from HP. I've searched for almost 2 years for updated drivers because I refuse to pay for basic support that every other camera company provides for free...with no success. The camera itself takes low to mid-range quality pictures. My recommendation is to choose another camera from another company.

Strengths:

Maybe a beginner would appreciate the quality for the price.

Weaknesses:

Expensive to maintain. No free driver updates.

Customer Service:

Search the camera in the HP support forums. I believe that you'll change your mind about buying this camera when you read the messages there looking for help.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Nick
(Casual)

Review Date
July 4, 2003

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
2-5 years

Review 2 of 40

Price Paid: $200.00 from Sears

Summary:

Good camera for the price, especially being 2+ years old. Battery life is an issue, but get some Engergizer 1600 mAh rechargables and you won't regret it. (I actually have a mixed set of 1200 and 1600 and it gives me no problems at all) The batteries will hold a charger for weeks in the camera and take 100-150 pics for you on a full charge. You get what you pay for and the 215 is solid. And about the software, just buy a 10 dollar USB card reader, XP is works great with them.

Strengths:

Simple point and click photos, good resolution, an idiot can work this thing.

Weaknesses:

Viewfinder is off, kinda anoying.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Cheri
(Intermediate)

Review Date
March 6, 2003

Overall Rating
1 of 5

Value Rating
1 of 5

Used product for
2-5 years

Review 3 of 40

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

Don't buy it and don't buy anything else from HP.

Strengths:

It's not a bad camera. Takes a decent with the right lighting.

Weaknesses:

Where do I start. Sucks up batteries. Uses 4 AA for every 24 to 36 pictures. If you leave the batteries in the camera when the camera is off...it'll drain the batteries dry. Worst weakness is a lack of support from HP. If you upgrade to XP OS then you have to PAY for new drivers. HP should be ashamed...charging for support that other manufacturers give for free. Don't buy the camera.

Customer Service:

When I questioned HP support on this subject they refused to answer my inquiries.

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Rating
Reviewed by: martinsc
(Beginner)

Review Date
February 11, 2003

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
3 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 4 of 40

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

well, it does it's job - but not much more (for 500 NIS - israeli shequel about 100USD). It's a nice cam for taking casual pictures. With a 64 MB Memory card I took about 200 Pictures. Since the auto-focus is not that good i recommend 2 pictures everytime from differen angles. nice camera for a beginner in the digital world...

Strengths:

easy-to-use cheap easy menu

Weaknesses:

batteries batteries batteries batteries batteries batteries batteries batteries

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Rating
Reviewed by: Kirk Long
(Professional)

Review Date
November 20, 2002

Overall Rating
2 of 5

Value Rating
1 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Review 5 of 40

Price Paid: $30.00 from a store..

Summary:

It is a great camera for the price MP 1.3. But for the XP drivers you will need to buy them at HP.com for $10.95 and wait 5 days for the CD or 2 days you pay more. So after this i give it a bad report for service and quality effect.

Strengths:

Its Cheap and it will get you started in the digital world.. I Would save up the extra $200 and get into SLRs, or higher end 3.0 Digy cameras.

Weaknesses:

Very low budget camera shell. 1 drop and say good by to it, DRIVERS for XP will cost you money!!!, time!!, and effort!!! Stay away from HP products in the Camera area just a warning if you want to make good images!! Makes a great toy for my 5 year old!

Similar Products Used:

None of this low quality.

Customer Service:

Very poor!

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