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Photosmart 812

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Hewlett-Packard Photosmart 812


 
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Rating
Reviewed by: Albert Horn
 (Casual)

Review Date
January 22, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

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Review 1 of 9

Price Paid:  $300.00 from gift?

Summary:

To begin with the other reviews for this product are to a degree accurate. One, it does take great pictures at the 2 quality setting; the only one I have used so far in a setting area of 1-4. Second, the software is excellent-no problem so far. The viewfinder is only good indoors or outdoors in low light. On a sunny day forget about looking at it. If you combine the live view with a flash you really only get about 2-3 shots. Turn the camera off and the batteries do bounce back. This means you have to use the live view selectively. Not so bad if you think about it. You are able to use the camera right out of the box-it is easy. Could use a few more options. It did not recognize the first SD card that I put in it at 64Mb. Not good. The second one I bought, it recognized. The first one was recognized in another digital camera; an HP 3 series. Hassle! Had to return first card. Picture quality is excellent. Lastly when you go to take a picture the delay is about 1-2-3 seconds. Does not sound like a long time-it is. The pentax optical zoom is great.

Strengths:

Great pictures Software is good The pentax zoom is great Seems sturdy Small and lightweight Easy to use

Weaknesses:

Kills batteries in live view Long delay in taking picture Could use a few more options Can not see the viewfinder in high light Does not recognize all SD cards

Similar Products Used:

First digital camera

Customer Service:

Hopefully I do not have to use



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Rating
Reviewed by: Rob
 (Intermediate)

Review Date
August 21, 2003

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
1 votes

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Review 2 of 9

Price Paid:  $430.00 from WalMart.com

Summary:

I hope that someone can learn from my mistakes... Please take heed and do not purchase this camera if you are serious about getting some bang for your buck. Don't get caught up in the ease of transferring pictures or the 4.0 megapixel sticker that adorns the box. The camera is a glorified disposable (except that it's digital). You will have to predominantly use the view finder in lieu of the LCD if you intend on using the camera for more than 3 pictures with the flash. There is a flaw that I encountered with BOTH cameras (yes, I had HP send me a replacement with no change in performance) where the LCD screen turns to a red screen and a low battery message comes on. I bought fresh lithium batteries and changed those with fresh rechargeables and nothing changed. Luckily, I purchased this camera through Wal-Mart and they have a 90 day return policy. I will stick to HP printers, but never again will I purchse a digital camera from them.

Strengths:

Despite the difficulties with the LCD screen, the pictures were pretty sharp. The digital zoom was incredible with very little pixelation or noise. That was what disappointed me most about this camera... Despite the strength of the pictures, it was overpriced and flimsy.

Weaknesses:

1. Aforementioned LCD/battery issues. 2. Camera felt "flimsy" and cheaply made. 3. There was a cheap knob by the shutter button (right index finger) for changing to self-timer and video mode that tended to get in the way.

Customer Service:

It took 45 minutes and three representatives before someone offered to send me a new camera (it was only four weeks old). When I received the "new" camera, it was a refurbished model and that also had the same battery issue. I am extremely turned off by the rep specifically asking if I cared for a new model or refurbished model and then receiving a refurbished camera after specifically stating otherwise.



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Rating
Reviewed by: conrad brink
 (Intermediate)

Review Date
February 27, 2003

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
1 votes

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Review 3 of 9

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from Photo Shop

Summary:

Review of the HP850: I bought the HP 850 and within 5 days had it exchanged for 3 times. Excellent camera but after reading the reviews of the HP812, I can see HP are helpless with their shutter speed.

Strengths:

Excellent menu, Zoom - Optical & Digital easy to use a really great camera BUT the problems and hassle do not make up for the advantages

Weaknesses:

Shutter Speed Lock Ups - up to 6 times per 128MB card CCD to small for the fantastic features After aprroximately 5 x shoots on 128 MB card the Optical & Digital Zoom stays blurred, close up picture are useless

Similar Products Used:

Olympus Sony

Customer Service:

Only online - Firmware upgrade worsened the problem Exchanged it for Sony DSC F707



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Rating
Reviewed by: niteowl302002
 (Intermediate)

Review Date
November 11, 2002

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

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Review 4 of 9

Price Paid:  $750.00 from Future Shop

Summary:

I had purchased this camera from Future Shop. I had some great times with it! Then the lens jammed something fierce :( I didn't know what to do I used my cell phone and called future shop immediately... They knew me personally from buying tonnes of computer stuff. The responce was excellent I was able to return the camera after 1.5 weeks for a new one without the reciept. I am skeptical now. I was reluctant in the beginning anyhow becuz I love SLR's.

Strengths:

I like the overall quality of the pics not photos these things lack depth from 35mm cameras. They are sharp! Overall Decent

Weaknesses:

It is long to focus and I hate waiting to see a green lite telling me it's ok to shoot... more often it blinks the green lite telling me to try to refocus... AAAAAHHHHHH

Similar Products Used:

First time touching a Digital Camera I use SLR's hey if you don't want pics go SLR

Customer Service:

Excellent service at Future Shop however they know me from going in weekly so I can exchange things at will.



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Rating
Reviewed by: alanar
 (Intermediate)

Review Date
October 19, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
2.33 of 5,
3 votes

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Review 5 of 9

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:

Took this camera to 27,200' on Mt. Everest. It performed very well but I was very pleased with the durability, lightweight and ease of use. I took over 1,000 pictures and the vast majority came out very nice. Please see some of them on my website at www.alanarnette.com

Strengths:

Easy to use. Small and light. Great picture quality.

Weaknesses:

Autofocus is tricky in difficult lighhting conditions. Time from push to clik too long.

Similar Products Used:

Olympus 3030Z

Customer Service:

Full disclosure- I work for HP



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