Is this HP camera okay?

[lecach]

HP Photosmart E317 Digital Camera - $98.88


Thats the Walmart black friday price. I can only spend around $100 and would like to get a digital camera for my Mom and stepdad for Christmas. They now have 4 grandchildren and really need one. They dont need any fancy features and this one seems just as good as my Kodak 3.1 megapixel. What do you all think? i dont want to drag myself out of bed that early unless its really worth it.


Here are the stats. It normally sells for $148

Display Screen
1.5" Active Matrix TFT Color LCD 61600 Pixels p-Si (PolySilicon)
Image Sensor
CCD (Charge Coupled Device)
Effective Resolution
4.92 MegaPixels
Image Resolution
2560 x 1920 JPEG
640 x 480 JPEG
Video Resolution
320 x 240 @ 24 fps MPEG-1
File Formats
JPEG
MPEG-1
White Balance Modes

Auto (default)
Manual:
Sun
Shade
Tungsten
Fluorescent


Lens
Lens Type
Focal length: 6.11 (w) (35 mm equivalent: 36.7 mm)
Optical Zoom
Not Applicable
Digital Zoom
4x
Aperture Range
f/2.8 to 6.5
Focus Mode
Auto Focus - TTL
Focus Distance
20" to Infinity Normal Mode
8" to 20" Macro Mode

Exposure
Shutter Speed
15 to 1/1800 Second(s)
Exposure Compensation
3EV in 1/3EV Steps

Flash
Flash Modes

Flash OFF
Anytime Flash
Red-eye Reduction
Flash ON
Night Mode

Flash Range
16.5ft
Flash Recycle Time
6 Second(s)

Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type
LCD

Storage
Internal Memory
16MB
Storage Media

1 x Secure Digital (SD) Card Supported
1 x MultiMediaCard (MMC) Supported

Image Storage

13 x Best Quality JPEG 2560 x 1920 - With 16MB internal memory
18 x JPEG 2560 x 1920 - With 16MB internal memory
125 x JPEG 640 x 480 - With 16MB internal memory


Controls/Indicators
Camera Modes
Shooting Modes:
Auto (default)
Manual:
Macro
Action
Landscape
Portrait
Panorama
Beach
Snow
Sunset

Date/Time Printing
Yes
Self Timer/Remote
10 Second(s) Self-timer

Interfaces/Ports
Interfaces/Ports
1 x USB

Battery Information
Batteries

2 x AA Alkaline Included
2 x AA Lithium Supported
2 x AA NiMH Supported


Physical Characteristics
Dimensions
1.93" Height x 1.13" Width x 3.78" Depth
Weight
0.26 oz - Without battery

Miscellaneous
Package Contents

Photosmart E317 Digital Camera
2 X AA alkaline batteries
USB cable mini-B
Wrist strap
Quick reference poster
Warranty/regulatory information
Software CD
Promotional battery coupon
Accessories guide

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You will get a lot of varying opinions on this. With that said, I love the HP Photosmart digital camera that I've had for 4 years. It takes beautiful pictures and I've learned how to use it pretty well. I like the fact that it has internal memory and video capability if I need them. The one problem I see with this particular camera is that it has no optical zoom. Personally, I wouldn't buy a camera without that feature, because I use it even up close. It depends what features your parents would use.

 

[ndelaware]

While not having a zoom would bother me, I don't think an older person would care, unless they are very high tech folks. That said it has good specs and should take good pictures,but I couldn't find any examples of the images for this camera. It is a very new camera that has only been on the market about 2 months. And the price at Wal-mart is $50 cheaper than any othe price I could find!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This is one of my favorites taken with my HP camera. It was taken from the top of a trash can.

 

[Dan Murphy]

What a beautiful picture, Linda, that is a great one!!!!!

Here is a review on the camera.........

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0508/05082301hp_e317.asp

 

[ndelaware]

Not to argue Dan, but i believe that is a copy of HP's press release announcing the E317 camera. I looked and couldn't find a review at dpreview.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you, Dan. It's a real compliment coming from you. I recently enjoyed some of your photos as well. I also wanted to tell you I know now why you like the S/D so much - we really enjoyed our Dolpin stay last month, too.

 

[clh2]

It would bother me not having an optical zoom too.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Maybe somethin here, andthe links within??

http://www.dcviews.com/_hp/e317.htm

Thanks, Linda, glad you enjoy the pictures. And good to hear you liked S/D.

 

[CaptinJackSparrow]

i agree Hp camrea's are very nice they do get the job done, i personally preffer Cannon for a cmera

however when it comes to printing the only way to go is the HP photosmart series

 

[goofymom/pop]

I dont know this particular HP camera but loved loved loved my HP850 until it died. It took amazing pics.

I too have to second the no zoom thing....I would lose my mind. Love to zoom. But as you say some people never really have so they wouldnt' miss it.

If I get around to it I will post some of my shots from my HP tomorrow. I now have the Rebel XT and sometimes still miss the HP...it was a good friend.