Print
Discuss
Send to friend
HP is well known for its high-quality printers and scanners, but its Photosmart digital cameras haven't quite achieved the same sort of reputation. That could change though, with new models such as the Photosmart 945.
The 945 is HP's top-of-the-range model, aimed at those who want to do more than catch auntie having a cheeky Christmas tipple. It costs over £300 but its impressive image quality and wide range of features more than justify its price. It's also dropped £60 in price in the last month.
The 5-megapixel resolution produces extremely clear and sharp images. There's an 8x optical zoom, plus a built-in flash unit, self-timer mode, optical viewfinder and a small screen with a menu system that allows you to select a variety of image controls.
There are other nice touches, such as the sensor that temporarily turns off the screen whenever you put your eye up to the optical viewfinder, saving battery power.
There's also the inclusion of a new 'digital flash' technology (also referred to as 'adaptive lighting'). This analyses each shot to detect areas that are especially light or dark and then automatically balances the lighting to produce maximum visibility across the image. It works very well and can improve the quality of many photos, especially when you're using flash photography.
The sheer number of buttons on the camera may be intimidating at first, but HP puts a help menu on the screen so you can access information about specific features without having to refer to the manual. Our only criticism is that putting both the screen and the bulky lens unit right on the left-hand edge of the camera makes it awkward to hold properly. No rechargeable batteries are included either.
That's a minor irritation though, and the attractive combination of features, quality and price make this an excellent choice for the keen photographer.
Contact: HP 0870 010 4320
www.hp.co.uk
See also:
All Digital Cameras
del.icio.us
Digg this
reddit!
