HP PhotoSmart 945 5.3MP Digital Camera w/ 8x Optical Zoom

HP PhotoSmart 945 5.3MP Digital Camera w/ 8x Optical Zoom
Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard
Product Type: Photography

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Thanks to HP Instant Share this HP PhotoSmart 5.3MP Digital Camera lets you shoot a picture and instantly mark where it will go next time you dock or connect your camera to your computer. Features: 5.3 megapixels; direct photo printing allows you to attach your HP digital camera directly to an HP Photosmart printer or select HP all-in-one with a USB cable and print photos; view photos and video clips immediately; large 2 LCD; 8x optical zoom and 7x digital zoom; 2,608x1,952 pixel resolution; white balance; 32MB removable Secure Digital card; multiple flash modes including red-eye reduction; USB interface; Mac and PC compatibility; HP Photo and Imaging software; HP Memories Disc Creator software; ArcSoft; FunHouse; ArcSoft; and Panorama Maker. Click on Help at the top of the page, then on Product Rebates where you can download the rebate form.
Amazon.com Product Description
The HP PhotoSmart 945, featuring an 8x optical zoom lens and a 7x digital zoom (for 56x total), is one of the most affordable "big zoom, big megapixel" digital cameras on the market. Geared for the advanced amateur, it features a 5.3-megapixel resolution, advanced photo features, and a wide variety of manual controls. But it also has such automatic features as an on-camera wizard for getting the best shot, direct printing, and HP's Instant Share.

Optics and Resolution
With its 5.3-megapixel resolution, you can snap bright, detailed images with the PhotoSmart 945 that can be enlarged to poster size. It features two resolution options: 2608 x 1952 (5 MP) and 1296 x 976 (1 MP). The Fuji Photo lens has an 8x optical zoom that's coupled with a 7x digital zoom for a 56x total zoom. It has a focal range of 7.6-61mm (35 mm equivalent: 37-300mm).

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the PhotoSmart 945 can also record up to 60-second movie clips with sound at a 288 x 208 pixel resolution. The QuickTime Motion JPEG format offers a limited resolution, which is great for capturing a short movie that can be e-mailed to friends and family, but is no replacement for a true camcorder.

More Features
The 945 also includes HP's new, exclusive Adaptive Lighting technology, which balances brightness relationships between bright and dark areas in a photo, preserving gentle contrasts but compressing harsh contrasts. With clear and easy to use "low", "high" and "off" settings, the camera automatically balances shots by lightening specific areas within a photograph.

HP's on-camera help allows you to access quick and clear guidance on how to take the best picture with the HP PhotoSmart 945 digital camera's wide ranging functions. In addition, its enhanced manual controls allow concurrent photos to be taken through "burst" mode without having to wait for the camera to prepare before each shot. Other available creative controls include aperture, ISO, shutter speed, exposure, white balance, color and sharpness

With HP's Instant Share feature, you can customize your camera with e-mail aliases and distribution lists of your family and friends. For each picture, you can designate up to 14 destinations, including e-mail addresses, compatible printers, and more.

Other features include:

Large 2-inch LCD monitor
Built-in flash with auto, on, off, night, and red-eye reduction modes
Print photos directly to select HP PhotoSmart printers and all-in-one devices via include USB cable

Optional Camera Dock
The PhotoSmart 945 is also compatible with the HP PhotoSmart 8881digital camera dock, which enables you to easily transfer images to your PC or charge a set of included rechargeable batteries. Cutting down on desktop clutter, this convenient remote-controlled device enables you to easily transfer image files to your PC, print photos, or even view images on TV--all in one easy step

Storage and Transfer
The PhotoSmart 945 is compatible with Secure Digital (SD) MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards; a 32 MB SD card is included. When shooting in Best mode (2608 x 1952), you can store 11 images on the included memory card. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 4 AA batteries (alkalines included, rechargeables recommended). It measures 4.84 by 3.35 by 3.35 inches and weighs 13.7 ounces excluding the batteries or 15.7 ounces when loaded with batteries.

What's In The Box
This package includes the HP PhotoSmart 945 digital camera, 32 MB SD memory card, neck strap, 4 AA alkaline batteries, USB cable for camera to PC, USB cable for camera to printer, and dock insert for use with optional HP PhotoSmart 8881 Camera Dock. It also comes with a CD-ROM featuring HP Photo & Imaging software for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh and ArcSoft Funhouse.

HP PhotoSmart 945 5.3MP Digital Camera w/ 8x Optical Zoom

Average customer rating:

Good Camera Overall
Crash and burn
My favorite camera ever!!!
zoom lens motor mechanism FAULTY after 2.5 years
Another stuck lens on the HP 945 Photosmart

HP PhotoSmart 945 5.3MP Digital Camera w/ 8x Optical Zoom

Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

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Accessories:

HP Digital Camera Accessory Kit for Powershot 735, 935 & 945 Digital Cameras
Kodak K600 C+2 Kodak Max Charger with 2 AA Ni-MH Kodak Max Rechargeable Digital Camera Batteries
SimpleTech 256 MB Secure Digital Card (STI-SD/256)
HP PhotoSmart 145 4" x 6" Photo Printer
Ceiva Advanced Digital Photo Receiver

Product Features:

5.3 megapixel sensor captures enough image information to make photo-quality 11x17-inch prints
8x optical zoom and 7x digital zoom
Large 2-inch LCD screen; Direct photo printing allows you to attach directly to an HP Photosmart printer or select HP all-in-one to print photos
Store images on Secure Digital (SD) memory card (32 MB card included)
Powered by 4 AA batteries (alkalines included, NiMH or photo-lithium recommended)

ASIN: B0000C8WLU

Product Description

HP's big zoom camera, the HP Photosmart 945 digital camera with 5.3 total, 56x total zoom - 8x precision optical lens and 7x digital - delivers beautiful photos and enlargements. Snap a photo and select on the camera where it will go the next time you dock or connect to your PC using HP Instant Share. One-touch, fully automatic technology delivers great shots with manual overrides for adding creative touches. On-camera help wizard acts as a guide. An on-camera microphone also allows attachment of real-life audio clips to videos and still photos. Easily print without a computer via USB cable, or the camera's memory card. Optional dock enables effortless sharing of photos to computer (or select HP printers), recharging of batteries, and slide shows on TV.

Amazon.com Product Description

The HP PhotoSmart 945, featuring an 8x optical zoom lens and a 7x digital zoom (for 56x total), is one of the most affordable "big zoom, big megapixel" digital cameras on the market. Geared for the advanced amateur, it features a 5.3-megapixel resolution, advanced photo features, and a wide variety of manual controls. But it also has such automatic features as an on-camera wizard for getting the best shot, direct printing, and HP's Instant Share.

Other features include:

Large 2-inch LCD monitor
Built-in flash with auto, on, off, night, and red-eye reduction modes
Print photos directly to select HP PhotoSmart printers and all-in-one devices via include USB cable

Customer Reviews:

Good Camera Overall.......2007-04-20

I liked the look, feel, and operation of this camera, it served me quite well and has now been passed on to my daughter to go along with her new HP computer. I replaced my 945 with an R967, because I wanted a higher resolution camera, and the smaller size of the 967 was a huge plus. Anyway, the only things I did not like about my 945 are a)it SUCKS BATTERIES!!! and b)this cam does not take pix in low light well (although I must admit I am far from an expert on how to do this anyway)

As far as dealing with HP, I'm quite pleased, they are fast and competitively priced.

Crash and burn.......2007-03-21

It takes pretty good pictures but it's slower than Jake's dog. Press the shutter release after a lengthy auto focus and wait awhile for it to 'click'. Then wait some more while it saves the picture (it shows a message asking you if you want to delete it, a play to make you believe it's waiting on YOU.) The only plus I can think of right now is the 8X optical zoom.

Now it doesn't want to do anything, pretty much. In the docking port it shows that it's on aux power and won't recharge the batteries. The lens comes out but a get a multitude of different actions: red light flashing, lcd screen won't come on, no battery charge indicator because the first screen won't stay on long enough, etc., etc. Even the diagnostic test (hold the flash button and turn on the camera) doesn't work anymore. I guess it's just a boat anchor now unless someone has a better suggestion.

I think I'll just go top notch and buy a GOOD camera, like a Nikon D2x!!

My favorite camera ever!!!.......2007-03-13

It's lighter weight than my previous favorite camera (broken while on
plane), takes better pictures, has a better zoom, it's just perfect!!!
This is my "happiest" purchase, so far, from Amazon.com.

zoom lens motor mechanism FAULTY after 2.5 years.......2006-12-10

I've owned this 2.5 years, and love the zoom, clear photos, close-ups, action settings, etc. When it was new, I would have rated it 5 stars. Now I'd give it 1 star, so I posted the average.

Today HP's online troubleshooting concluded that the zoom lens motor seems to be faulty (slow to zoom, fails to focus after zoom, whirring noise during zoom). After paying $450 for the camera, they offered to repair it for $180, or upgrade it for >$226 (slightly less than retail). I will not buy another HP camera due to my extreme disappointment with HP's refusal to stand behind their product.

When I pay $450 for a camera, I expect it to last many years, not 2.5. This model is discontinued. I've now read many other reviews from people who had similar problems with zoom lens failures.

Another stuck lens on the HP 945 Photosmart.......2006-08-01

I admit, I bought my HP 945 Photosmart digital camera used, and I got a great deal on it...but after 4 months and hundreds of photos (very good quality, I might add), the lens stuck. Attempts to release it resulted in sickening grinding and whirring noises. After loving this camera, getting to know it and taking some terrific vacation photos with it, it pooped out. Reading other's reviews of HP's lousy customer service does nothing to elevate my spirits. No, I think I'll take my money elsewhere and invest in a camera with a warranty. In the meantime, I've happily gone back to my old and VERY reliable Canon AE-1!

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