Customer Reviews

HP PhotoSmart 935 5.3MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

Back at the start of November 2003, I wrote a review of another HP digital camera, the HP Photosmart 435, a 3MP model. That review was hard to write, as I have had good experiences with HP products for a number of years, and the 435 was simply the worse HP product I had ever used. To give a fair review, I had to score that camera very low, and a part of me just could not reconcile the fact that HP had made a bad product.

With the HP Photosmart 935, I feel that HP has vindicated the trust I have always felt for their products. While not perfect, and in fact flawed in a very few places, the HP Photosmart 935 is a great camera, one I would happy replace my aging Kodak with.

The HP Photosmart 935 is a 36-bit 5.3 -megapixel digital camera sporting 3x optical zoom lens, using a 7.6MM - 22.8MM Pentax Zoom lens. It also has 7x Digital zoom, which for any serious picture taker or photographer knows to avoid like the plague. (Digital zoom is worthless if you want quality pictures.)

The 1.5 inch backlit LED (521x218 pixel) digital viewfinder is remarkable in its clarity, but suffers from the same ailment most viewfinders on digital cameras does, which is blurry and hard to view from any angle except right behind the unit. Not a criticism of the 935, but simply pointing out the need for better LCD's in all digital cameras.

The controls are easy to use, in both settings and operation. Too many cameras try to pack as much controls as they can on the top and back on their digital cameras, and while there are quite a few on the 935, all buttons and controls are easy to use and in appropriate spots, rather than a hodgepodge of tiny buttons clustered together. Kudos to HP for understanding that a degree in engineering should not be needed to simply change shutter speed, or even turn on/off the viewfinder to save battery life.

Speaking of battery life, I found that the HP Photosmart 935 goes through them like there is no tomorrow. A brand-new set of Duracell batteries (the 935 uses two AA for power) only lasted for fifty pictures before running too low to allow the viewfinder to work. While battery life can be prolonged simply by not using the viewfinder, getting close to 250 pictures before needing a battery change, I found that the 935 still used up batteries faster than any of the previous digital cameras I have used. I do applaud HP for using standard AA batteries rather than the more expensive, and harder to find, CR-V3 variety, power consumption may be an issue. Look for rechargeable batteries for this unit.

I was a skeptic when HP came out with their line of cameras, but since I work in electronic retail I got a chance to play with it (and all other cameras) before choosing to buy it. Here's my list of reasons why I purchased it over other cameras:

- 5.3 megapixel
- 21x total zoom
- Automatic controls
- Video recording up to 90 seconds
- Consecutive shooting
- Pentax Lens
- Price was lower compared to most other 5.0 megapixel cameras

To me, these were a lot of features for the price. Better zoom than most, if I need to get in close on a subject (of course optical is better than digital, but you will be spending quite a bit more for a camera with a higher optical zoom. Best suited for "professional" photographers). I can take video for longer bursts compared to most cameras (which are 15-30 seconds). I have the options for manual controls. On top of that, it has automatic settings, easy to use and navigate (simple layout, not too many buttons to confuse people, menu system is self-explanatory and easy), great color accuracy (though sometimes it's slightly muted) and can record audio clips for pictures. You can change the camera setting to "removeable drive" so you can put the pictures back on the camera.

Of course there are always cons, but only a few consistent ones. It does have a shutter delay, but all cameras do (prime the focus to get around it. Works with all cameras). It's a little slow to save pictures, but if you press the shutter within 1 sec of the last picture, you'll take another (the consecutive shooting feature). Keep in mind that this is a 5mp camera so larger files will take a little more time to save. It has only a few auto-modes, the macro shooting doesn't work well, the flash is excellent up to about 10ft only, and your choice of file size is either 5 or 1 megapixel (but the 1 megapixel pictures are quite good too). It's true that this camera loves batteries, but I can fill up 128mb card with 5mp pictures and video on one pair of rechargeable (anything else will get drained VERY FAST) AA and still have some juice left. People who use the LCD screen like a CRUTCH will have less battery power. LCD screens in general don't show well when used outdoors. I don't understand people who try to use it when it won't work well at all, or who even complain about it (and not just on cameras). Slow startup time? I'm not picky about the difference between 2 and 5 seconds. Bad video? It's a CAMERA, not a camcorder.

Reviews that complain about the printing, connectivity, card-errors, software, etc. either got a lemon, didn't do something, have pc issues (I have lots of customers with pc issues on a weekly basis) which can interfere, or had expectations past what the camera can do. Otherwise HP's software for their products is the best for ease of use and compatibility. If you're looking for a "professional" camera, this may not be it and you might want to spend a little more in a different brand. But for most people who aren't "professional" photographers, then this is a spectacular buy. If I had to choose a different camera instead of this HP, it would probably be either a Canon or a Sony, since they have some great cameras. Probably a Canon though, since I like the manual controls and since I don't prefer the shape of most Sony DSCP cameras.

First let me say I read all the poor reviews (mostly because of battery life) and I haven't had any of these problems myself. I am not sure if HP 935's had a defect which they have since fixed? Anyway, I acknowledge the problem, but have not expierenced it myself. I was able to take 70-100 pictures before charging my batterys.

I bought the HP 935 just a few weeks ago and I love it. It is simple to use, but at the same time takes great pics! I also bought the docking bay and it makes it very easy to upload / print / edit pics.

The only complaint I have is the fact that you can only take pictures in 1mp or 5mp. There is no way to take 2mp,3mp or 4mp pictures. That doesn't really bother me, but it is a small disadvantage.

For the money this is a great buy.

As far as accessorys go get some NiMH batterys, some extra SD cards, the camera dock and plenty of ink and photo paper! You are going to be printing beautiful photos right away!

HP's new 5MP, 3x zoom digicam offers point-and-shoot ease to value buyers. this camera will provide pictures for large prints or cropping. uses HP's instant share system, making printing and sharing photos very simple. however, performance lags the competition.

pros:
- accurate color reproduction
- very good auto white balance
- consistent contrast and wide dynamic range
- low noise at ISO 100 and 200
- good flash performance (limited range though), good exposure, good contrast, no color cast
- uses HP's instant share system makes it very easy to print and share photos
- easy to use interface
- clear full text message display
- has excellent in-camera manual that provides help each setting
- control over image parameters (tone, color, sharpness)
- audio clip recording
- optional dock provides additional functionality
- excellent battery life
- uses non-proprietary AA battery - just make sure to buy rechargeables
- includes a remote (for viewing images only)
- USB connectivity
- compact 3.8 x 1.8 x 2.6 in and light 9.9 oz

cons:
- extremely slow processing and file write times - this is a deal-breaker for me
- artifacts show up when you enlarge photos
- no AF assist lamp so you'll need some light for this camera to focus
- unimpressive macro performance
- no manual exposure mode and limited preset exposure modes - only 3 built in (sports, landscape, and portrait)
- aperture-priority mode only allows two apertures
- slow start-up: almost 5 seconds
- slow auto-focus with shutter lag in the 1.5 second range
- shot-to-shot time runs 2 to 3 seconds with no continuous-shooting mode
- dark and slow frame rate 1.5-inch LCD is difficult to see outdoors; what you see is jerky
- limited flash range of 8.2 feet
- only two image size options
- the supplied 32MB SD card is inadequate; be prepared to shell out more $$ for more memory

as indicated, this camera is very easy to use but the processing and file write times are glacial. for the same price, a canon s50 will provide more flexibility and manual control yet still be a perfectly good point and shoot camera.

this camera is worth every bit of the money.it was up and running in less than 5 minutes.it had no software problems whatsoever..the software installed in about 4 minutes or less.on an hp 9995 with windows xp.it takes awesome pictures and they are real easy to unload into the computer.and with the easy share option its easy to share the pics online in a matter of seconds.this is a really easy camera to operate.you cannot find a better deal for the money for a 5.3 mp camera. i highly recomend this camera. ps. my camera came with the 2.0 software.so you dont have to worry about the problem described in the other reviews.hp already took care of it.

This camera performs excellently and is an amazing value. I have read many complaints about the battery life, and I haven't had a problem at all with mine. I think it is quite easy on the batteries compared to many cameras I have dealt with. I have never used alkaline batteries with the HP935, so I don't know how it would do with them. I use rechargeable NiMH batteries, because they save you so much $$$.
The other thing people complain about is that it takes 5 seconds from the point when you touch the power button to the time it is ready to take a picture. I can't believe that anyone would actually be upset about a measley 5 seconds. I have an Olympus SLR camera and it takes that long for the flash to power up and the lens to extend and everything to be ready on it as well. Why is 5 seconds so horrible?
I love the feel of the camera in your hands, it is substantial enough that you can feel it there and hold it still, but lightweight enough that it doesn't tire your arms when taking many shots.
The optical zoom is really great, but the digital zoom is only okay. The screen tells you the MP size you are lowering it to when you use the digital zoom, which is nice. All in all, digital zoom isn't very good on any camera, so don't expect much out of it!
I love the video function and the fact it records sound, too. The speaker for playback sounds a little scratchy, but when you play it back on the computer it sounds fine.
You can turn off the LCD display to save batteries if you want, and it will automatically show you a quick preview of the shot you just took. I love that! Also, the optical viewfinder is big enough that it is easy to see out of, a feature that I have a problem with on many other digital cameras.
I think that the optional dock is a waste of money, because you can easily upload your pictures onto the computer using the USB cord that came with the camera. As far as the advantage of the dock charging batteries, you can get a great battery charger with 4 batteries for around 15 bucks and you can have extra batteries always charged and ready to go, and that is a lot cheaper than the 80 or so dollars that HP wants for the dock which only comes with 2 batteries anyway. Skip the dock and save some $$$$! Use the money you save to buy a bigger memory card, you will need one! The 32 MB card it comes with fills quickly, about 23 pictures on the medium compression 5 MB picture quality setting. You will want another card if you like to take lots of pictures. I have a 256 MB card and that works great for me.
The quality of the pictures the HP935 takes is superb. I am just thrilled with it. It is easy to use and a wonderful value. I got mine on buydig.com and they were really nice to me, and everything came as promised. They have the best price I have seen online, even after you add shipping and handling. I definitely recommend this camera!

This is a really great camera, but just try and call HP tecnical or customer service to ask about upgrades, and you will be sent from incoherent message to incoherent message without access to a human being to answer questions. I cannot believe HP would put a product on the market and walk away from their customers!

I bought this camera at Sears about a year ago. It was origionally listed as $353 but I ended up getting it for only $118. This camera has MANY cons and hardly any pros.

-->The audio is junk.
Anything above a whisper makes the audio clip so you just get this annoying loud ticking as audio (in videos and audio comments). It makes the video mode completely useless.

-->Picture quality isn't all too good.
I expected much more from a 5.3MP camera than this one offers. The picture quality on it's highest setting is all but decent. It's barely acceptable in any other condition than high light outdoors photography.

-->The flash is HORRIBLE!
There is absolutely no happy medium with it. it either over exposes the picture, or underexposes it. Any low light situation results in pictures with alot of noise and blurryness.

-->Battery life is NONEXISTANT!!!
This is the absolutely worst feature of the camera. It takes about 5-10 pictures on a brand new set of duracell photo batteries (the kind that cost almost $10 for a pack of two). Recently I was taking pictures of my girlfriend and I went through 22 Duracel AA batteries.

The only pros of this camera is that it's digital and not film, and that it boasts a SD card that my laptop has a built-in reader for. I was much happier with my Cannon Powershot S10 2.1MP camera.

I own a nice 35mm SLR camera with many differnet lenses and accessories, and I now use that camera more than the digital becuase of all the cons this camera has. I would rather pay to get my film devoloped and have decent picture quality than use this digital camera.


Overall rating: 1/10
Would be good for a novice user looking to make printouts from a photo center or computer, but for anyone that has a slight interest in photography, you definately need to look elsewhere.

After quite a bit of research, I bought this camera (HP PhotoSmart 935) and thought I had made a good choice. I was wrong. When I received the camera, the SD card that came with it could not be accessed by the camera. I called HP and they sent me a new one. The new card worked, but even with lithium batteries, I was only able to take 2-3 pictures before the camera shut down due to low battery power. However, I could start the camera back up after 1 minute and take another 2-3 pictures before it shut down again, and I could repeat this process multiple times before the batteries gave out altogether. I also tried rechargeable batteries and the HP docking station, but had the same problem, so I returned the camera and HP sent me a new one. The new camera had the EXACT SAME PROBLEM. After talking to several HP techies, I returned the second camera and received a third. And of course, the third camera also had the EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I can only conclude that there is a design and/or production flaw in this camera. I strongly recommend that no one buy this camera until HP can discover and correct the problem.

Well, what can i say. It's really a fantastic camera. i took only 50 pics in these 5 days, and the camera works great. Fast fast and fast. You can see the pictures really fast on the LCD, and just plug it in to the 8886 Digital Camera Dock and click the button. That's it, it dowloads the pictures and store them into dated files so you can remember when you took them. You have the option to delete the downloaded pictures or leave them in the camera.

The menu is easy to use and i didn't even open the manual. I bought the SD256M-P card and now I will store 97 pictures @ 5.3MP. I am waiting tomorrow to see how the new card will do and then will let you know if i have problems. i know there was the same card for less in amazon, but i spent more and bought the new one, with the -P in the end.

I bought also a Tamrac 5692 - Digital 2 Bag for the camera and I am set.