Hewlett Packard PhotoSmart C618xi 2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

by HP

Product Details

Product Manual [15.18mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 2.2 x 5 x 2.8 inches ; 10.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000051YGV
• Item model number: C6325A#ABA
• Batteries: 4 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,761 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The PhotoSmart 618 features a 3x high-quality Pentax zoom lens and a 2.1-megapixel CCD that captures images up to 1,600 x 1,200. The vivid photos are enhanced with the simple use of HP's PhotoSmart technology, which augments color and focus in poor shooting situations. The 16 MB CompactFlash card can hold up to 165 photos (minimum resolution), and you can easily and quickly download your photos via a USB port or card reader. Its comfortable point-and-shoot design make it easy to tote around on trips, and with either auto or manual control over aperture, ISO, picture and metering modes, you have your choice of easy automatic operation or creative control.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great little camera., February 22, 2001

By 

Helmut Hess (Warminster, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hewlett Packard PhotoSmart C618xi 2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Just recently I purchased a Hewlett Packard C618 digital camera. Although I have not used a digital camera before I find that it is very easy to use, even for a retiree as I am. If you wish, you can just turn on the camera, point and shoot. The camera will take care of everything else, such as exposure, focus, flash, white balance to compensate for various light sources, advance to the next frame, etc., etc. It is really a great little camera that comes up with pictures that rival the pictures I have taken with my Pentax.

The instruction book is detailed and covers just about everything you may want to know about the camera. It includes features that I will probably never use, but they exist nevertheless. The camera simulates a single lens reflex as closely as possible, and that includes the sounds of the shutter when taking a snapshot. There is also a quick start guide that gets you on the road quickly.

I purchased the 48 meg memory chip, NiMH batteries with battery charger, and a camera case. All seem necessary, matter of fact, a spare set of batteries is probably a good idea. I'm also planning to purchase the AC power supply because you can spend a fair amount of time at the computer with the camera in operation when working with your images.

Although minor in nature, the automated registration was a problem because the serial number on the camera did not match the number of digits required by the registration form. Also there is an automated camera software download that could become a problem, especially if one is working with brand new NiMH batteries. Initially these batteries seem to have a significantly reduced capacity until they have been recharged several times. Dead batteries during a download may become a problem. A quick call for help to HP solved both issues.

All in all I'm very pleased with my purchase and I'm looking forward to using this camera extensively this summer.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pentax optics and H-P electronics equals Great Value!, November 9, 2001

By 

Robert Ross "iinsic" (Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hewlett Packard PhotoSmart C618xi 2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

After extensive research into 2 and 3 megapixel cameras, I settled on the H-P C618xi (identical to the C618 except for included software). I was going to Europe for two weeks and wanted to give digital photography a serious workout. Boy, did I make the right choice!
The camera is worth much more than it costs, an idea supported somewhat by resell prices higher than what I paid for it new. It has tremendous versatility: Easy to use automatic features for carefree snapshots and excellent manual capabilities for greater artistic control.
I do professional work for feature and spot news stories. Over the last two or three months, I gradually have pared down the "film" equipment I keep with me until all I take along is the C618xi. The lower JPEG settings are great for newspapers, yet the highest rez TIFF images reproduce perfectly in 4-color glossy mags. Instead of a bulky kit, now I have only a small tote with a wrist strap, containing the camera, 4 spare AA's, a lens brush and CF memory cards. That will last me all day in just about any setting. If I'm doing a flash-heavy shoot, I carry along 4 extra AA's just in case.
This camera is not as power-hungry as some I've seen. However, any user will find that 1600mAH NiMH batteries are the way to go to keep the energy costs down. My personal recommendation is to go with Ray-O-Vac: Their AA's are the highest potency around and they make a great compact 1-hour charger that will charge 4 AA's at once (...).
For the amateur or the professional, I can't recommend this camera highly enough. I wouldn't part with it for anything.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HP 618 Beats expecations, May 13, 2001

By 

"texdwc" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hewlett Packard PhotoSmart C618xi 2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I went from a HP C30 to the HP 618. I am impressed. The body just fits my hand, the buttons/controls are readily available and easy to operate. The 3x zoom beat the others I was looking at hands down. The camera can easily be put into auto mode, then just point and click. Or, it has lots of manual settings to experiment with. The HP software isn't super great, but putting the camera into "USB Disk Drive' allows me to treat it as a removable disk - I Love It!! Good clear LCD, Just an all around great camera! Highly recommend!