HP Photosmart R817 5MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom

by HP

Product Details

• Item Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009JQROK
• Item model number: L2031A #ABA
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,311 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 11, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Get closer than comparably priced 3x cameras, with 5x optical zoom (40x total, 8x digital)--up to 70 percent more zoom than 3x lenses. Take exceptional photos at 5-megapixel resolution that make beautiful prints and enlargements. This stylishly small camera is made with durable stainless steel and fits easily in your pocket. View photos and menus easily on a bright, 2-inch image display.

Exclusive HP Real Life technologies provide the easiest path to brilliant photos. Remove red-eye in the camera, get photo-taking tips, and automatically bring out details normally lost in shadows. Stitch and preview panorama shots right on the camera, and save high-quality VGA video stills to print. Easily take better photos in a variety of settings using 15 optimized shooting modes, including action, sunset and more. Express your creativity using the ultimate in robust manual controls. Get sharp focus for the best shot automatically with multi-zone focus.

Big Zoom, Exceptional Photos
Use 5x optical zoom and get closer than comparably priced 3x cameras.

• Snap photos at 5 MP resolution that make exceptional prints and enlargements up to poster-size.
• E-mail photos--without attachments--using HP Instant Share, and edit using HP Image Zone software.

Stylish, Ultra-Compact Design
This stylish, ultra-compact camera--made of durable stainless steel--fits easily in a pocket or or purse.

• Clearly frame and view photos, menus and more--indoors or out--on a bright, 2-inch image display.
• Easily connect to a PC and recharge an included Li-Ion in-camera battery, using a matching cradle.
• Increase the camera's 32MB internal memory with optional memory cards.

Brilliant Photos the Easy Way
HP Real Life technologies make it easy to take brilliant digital photos.

• Remove red-eye in the camera, and learn how to take better photos with help from HP Image Advice.
• Automatically bring out details normally lost in shadows with HP adaptive lighting technology.
• Take up to five photos, see a preview of the panorama shot, stitch the photo in-camera and save.
• Shoot high-quality VGA video with audio at 30 frames per second, then save stills for printing.

Take Control
Do more with optimized shooting modes, robust manual controls and accessories.

• Get the best photos, using 15 optimized shooting modes, multi-zone focus, and burst mode.
• Add creative touches with robust manual controls, or customize settings to save as your own mode.
• Print PC-free, using optional memory cards, or to any compatible PictBridge printer.
• Choose from a wide variety of optional accessories--dock, cases, quick recharge kits, and more.

Product Description

Hewlett-Packard (L2031A#ABA) HP Photosmart R817 Digital Camera with HP Instant Share, HP Photosmart

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars R817 is a great buy!, October 30, 2005

By 

D. Corbishley (Skillman, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HP Photosmart R817 5MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Now that I've used the camera for a few months I'd like to update my review (scroll down to see original). The problem I mentioned about using the camera in bright sunlight can easily be fixed by increasing the screen's brightness. Battery life has been great, far better than my last camera with rechargeable AAs. Camera is super easy to use and gives great pictures. For example, I frequently change modes depending on the lighting and that feature is easily accessed from a button on the top of the camera, not through a series of menus. Friends have been impressed that you can zoom in video mode, something there cameras cannot do, and the built in help screens. Used the panorama feature on a recent trip to Vancouver and was simple to use and gave great results. I highly recommend this camera for its size, features, and ease of use.

Original: I'm really enjoy my new R817. It's easy to use and the buttons are all in the right places. Menus use are easy to follow. Friends I've showed it to all liked the feel and ease of use without no dials. I bought it for the size and zoom and I'm not disappointed. Like all cameras without a view finder, it can be hard to see the screen when shooting into direct sunlight, my only negative. Also bought the quick charger for the extra battery and case and like the case. Looked at the new Nikon L1, but the one in the BestBuy was broken so I have no idea how it works. I figured this was not a good sign.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very happy with my purchase, April 21, 2006

By 

Truth Teller (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HP Photosmart R817 5MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I first borrowed an r817 (same as r818 except for color) from a friend for a trip to the grand canyon and a trip to Vegas. I was a little worried about the lack of a view finder (only LCD) because I thought it may not work well in bright light or might run the batteries out, but I quickly got over that worry. The camera did incredibly well in the bright sun light at the grand canyon and I never had battery problems. The panorama mode was awesome! I was able to create some phenomenal shots using it at the grand canyon.

So, I purchased the r818 (same as r817 except for color) myself about a month ago and I am very, very pleased with my purchase. The camera is small, light-weight and does not compromise on quality. It is also very easy to use. I actually considered a higher megapixel camera, but after my experience with the quality of photos from my aforementioned trip using the r817 I simply didn't see a need for the additional megapixels. I actually decided that 5x optical zoom was more valuable to me than the competing 3x optical zoom.

My only nitpick on this camera are that the indoor shots can occasionally come out a little off color. However, the image zone software that comes with does a good job with correcting it. This is my third digital camera in the last 4 years and I have to say that I am the most pleased with this one. It is really easy to use and has loads of extra little features.

24 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Camera, July 30, 2005

By 

M. Bridges "Shopcat" (SO. CA. U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HP Photosmart R817 5MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I love to try different cameras, I have been using the R-707
for a year and like it very much.

I have been using this new R-817 for two weeks, and I love it.
It supports high speed SD cards, the 640 X 480 Video is Great.

The 5X optical zoom is very nice.

I carry this camera in a radio pouch with a belt clip (not loop)
everywhere I go, in seconds I am ready to take a pic or vid.