Boatloads of Features
Pros:
Great resolution, small size, MPEG mode, onboard battery (removable), durable.
Cons:
Slow shutter speed, plethora of features: Steep learning curve for some.
The Bottom Line:
This is a great feature-packed camera for the novice, but has enough to keep the intermediate photographer busy with special features. I recommend it for that.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Price for me was $0 as I got it from a rep as a seed model. Sorry...
They say that the determining factor in a digital camera is the lens. All "lenses" being equal, the HP Photosmart R707 is a great camera on features alone.
The standard features include red-eye reduction, onboard memory, onboard Li-Ion battery (very nice...especially since it's removable and can be replaced with a store-bought alkaline, etc.), multiple extras including panorama stitching (great for our trips to the Grand Canyon...), and easy-to-use included photo editing software (for those who can't afford PhotoShop).
The resolution is great at 5.1MP, and the memory, of course is as upgradable as you want it to be. I plug a 1GB card into mine without issue.
The battery life last as advertised and a little extra. If you leave the preview screen (1.5" diag.) off, you can take pictures ad infinitum. As mentioned, having an extra Duracell on hand covers your backside in case the lithium says no more and needs a charge. An exhausted lithium takes a couple of hours to charge completely.
The extra add-on charger base is unnecessary. The included cables do the trick, so unless you absolutely have to have it, save your $$$.
The features take a while to get used to, seeing as there are so many, but with time, you can really do a lot with this tiny camera. It fits in a jeans pocket and is encased in goldish-hued aluminum, which survives the little bumps and jostles that the active photo-taker can dish out.
An added feature that makes grandparents happy is the video mode. By depressing the video button, you can shoot MPEG video up to the amount allowed by your memory card. A bonus for this activity is that the time remaining on your card (if continuing in MPEG mode) is counted down for you in m/s format. You always know what you have left. You can upload your videos and e-mail them to granny so she can see the grandkids in "action" not just still life. You can't zoom while "filming" but you can treat it just like a video camera.
The shutter is a bit slow, and the delay takes some getting used to, but with practice, you can take great pictures. Of course, digital photography lets you keep what you want and dump the rest, so trial-and-error doesn't cost you anything other than missing the occasional shot. Digital zoom allows for extreme closeups, but you'll need a tripod for stability unless you prefer your pictures and MPEGs looking like that grainy Sasquatch footage from the 70s.
