Customer Reviews

HP 612 2.3 MP Digital Camera with 2x Optical Zoom

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I am new to digital cameras, and picked up one of these. I found a few things that I didn't care for (see the reviews for the 318, similar comments). First, the focusing process seemed slow, I'd guess upwards of a second to focus. Second, the display image, when using it as a viewfinder, was very dark and hard to use. In display mode (reviewing your pics) it was also quite coarse and grainy. It also seemed to have what in a film camera would be a very slow shutter speed-inside, with room light (and flash) it had a tendency to blur pics unless the camera was held rock steady.

I am exchanging it for a Fuji 2600, for only slightly more money. To me, it seems to be a better camera, and has none of the problems described above. LCD display is much sharper and brighter, doesn't seem to have the same propensity to bluring, and is a 3X optical zoom to boot.

I really wanted to like the HP, due to familiarity with their other products. In all honesty, it seems to be a very solid camera, and would probably preform adequatly. Setup of the software was simple and straightforward.

This is a great entry level digital camera. The pictures look good, even on the lowest quality setting. In response to the people who say the pictures are too dark, use some "photo-sense" and don't shoot into unlit corners. Or, simply force the flash option.

I particularly enjoy the large photo capacity. One the low setting the camera can hold 110+ pictures. If you find the need to take pictures on the maximum quality setting, an expandable memory card is recommended.

The only thing keeping me from awarding the 5th star is the fact that the AC adapter is sold separately, which is necessary if you plan to use the camera to recharge batteries. If you own a charger, then it's a moot point.

Let me say again for clarity, this is a great entry level camera. The photography enthusiast may not be won over, but for shooting birthday parties, holiday gatherings, and Jimmy's T-ball game, this camera is a good buy.

This is my first digital camera, got tired of missed photos only discovered when developed on my 35mm....I am so impressed with the HP612.. the set up is easy, using the camera for a novice like me made me look good. I did buy all the accessories: recharge batteries with adapter, adapter for downloading, case, so I'm set to go. Have printed my downloads on regular paper, still experimenting, and they came great. The only con, and that's why I gave the camera 4 stars, is that the HP program allows all manipulation except "reducing red eye". I have to go to another picture program on my computer to use this feature. All and all I am pleased with my 612.

I recently purchased the HP Photosmart 612. I think this is a great camera! It's extremely easy to use!! I found the software so easy to install...I didn't need to refer to the manual! The downloading of photos to your system (I have a HP computer as well) goes fast (no sitting around waiting for the download). For personal use...it's perfect. The photo quality is excellent. The only 2 "con's" I have for this camera is: getting used to having to hold down the shutter button to allow the camera to adjust for 1-2 seconds before actually taking the photo (some great shots were missed until we got the hang of it).. and the fact that it goes through batteries like water. It also doesn't come with the ACD Adaptor - so that is an additional expense - but rechargeable batteries are the answer!
Overall - a great investment!!!

After shopping around long and hard, I finally decided on the HP 612. I think my biggest reason for choosing it was the optical zoom. Which by the way, works quite well.

No one ever seems to talk about picture quality in reviews. Well I'm going to. The pictures as they come straight out of the camera are a little bit grainy. But it comes with ACD photo software, and all you have to do is click enhance, despeckle, and adjust your level, and it looks better than a lot of point and shoot 35mm cameras. It captures skin tones very well, it captures the complex greens in outdoor settings, and the lighting is very accurate. I'm very pleased with the quality of the photos after playing with them in the software.

It has a very nice preview screen, as most digital cameras now do, and a very simple interface. Its somewhat bulky, but still very comfortable to use. And you just don't find optical zoom in this price range. Overall, I think I made the best decision for my price range and needs, and I highly reccomend this camera.

After being around Digital Cameras my entire high school life I decided that it was time to get one for myself. After watching my friend blow [money] on a 4MP camera that he will never use to its full potential I decited that this was the camera for me. It is realy simple to use and is a very tough camera compared to what is out there today. I only noticed two problems: 1 is that it goes through batt like water (I highly recomend a batt charger and a CF card reader), and 2 that is slows down when taking high res pictures. Other than that the CF expantion slot is nice (I have 128MB which gets 1953 low res, 277 med res, and +100 high res pictures) and I recomend it to any one who needs a good digital camera

This is my first digital camera and I have found it quite nice. My friend had this camera, which is where I got the idea. I have always been into photography but have never really heard good things about digital cameras. Yet i thought this camera put out good quality photos judging from looking at my friend's camera. I went and bought it and it is outstanding. The picture quality is amazing and with 2x optical and 2x digital zoom it can get upclose. The only problem i have found is that it eats up batteries incredibly quickly. But with rechargeable batteries i have so much fun with this camera.

I have found this to capture excellent pictures even in
fairly low light (which can then be lightened with the
ACD software). a 64mb flash card can hold A LOT of pictures

pros:

the LCD viewer, and the ability to zoom in on the viewer after
the picture is taken to see just how clear the picture is.

Very easy to use

Software is Excellent (Although I find MSpaint better to add
in captions).

Cons:

Battery use, Battery use, Battery use, and using Alkalines doesn't quite cut it, you need those mp3 level ones.

If your subject is moving, it takes 2-3 seconds for the
camera to focus and click, by then your picture is gone.

It would be really nice to have a never-mind button, like
after you missed your shot, you could cancel it, since it
takes about 5-10 seconds to process a picture at high res.
Since you know right away if you missed your shot, it would
be great to just cancel it and maybe get a second chance

This is a good quality camera and is extremely easy to use. It is easy to follow the display indicators as they are similar to what most people would be used to in a non-digital camers. Focusing is simple; viewing pictures on the LCD display is simple; deleting unwanted pictures from memory is easy. The easiest part is uploading pictures to your PC--the software installs itself, and the pictures can be set to upload automatically if the camera is turned on when attached to the USB port on your PC. The camera comes with a set of alkaline batteries, a wrist strap and a USB cable. It is hard on batteries if you use the LCD display a lot, so purchasing a set of rechargeable batteries and a charger is a good idea. (As an aside, I purchased a set of rechargeable batteries made specifically for digital cameras. They are more expensive but worth it).

I bought this camera for a present for my wife. We found it to
be easy to learn on and quite flexible. The software was easy enough to download and instruction booklet was quite informative. I found this camera to be a value at the price and did quite a bit of comparison shopping before making the purchase. Would recommend to the novice or even the more experienced.
Just wish manufacturers would include more memory instead of minimal so you are forced to buy an additional flash card