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HP Photosmart R717

84

Very Good

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Pros
In-camera image advice
Very sharp images
Cons
Battery life is about average

Performance: Good: 77
Features: Good: 79
Design: Very Good: 80

Find out how these scores, and their relative weights, combine to produce the PC World Rating.

Performance
Battery Life (minutes)	124.25
Battery Life Score	Fair
Image Quality Score	Very Good
Image Quality, Color	61.5
Image Quality, Distortion	49
Image Quality, Exposure	59.5
Image Quality, Exposure--Flash	63
Image Quality, Exposure--Normal	58
Image Quality, Overall	63
Image Quality, Sharpness	49
Number of Batteries	1
Number of Shots	227

Performance
Image quality: To gauge picture quality, we take a series of shots, with and without flash, at the camera's highest resolution and default automatic settings. We photograph a complex still life and a mannequin to see how well each camera captures details and subtle colorings such as skin tones. A panel of judges reviews the on-screen and printed photos and assigns image-quality scores; we then average those scores. Data based on tests designed and conducted by the PC World Test Center. All rights reserved.	Very Good
Ease of use	Very Good
Features	Good
Maximum effective pixels/resolution	6.2 megapixels/2934 by 2170
Bundled media	32MB internal memory plus SD Card slot
Focal range (35mm equivalent)	39mm to 117mm
Maximum aperture(wide/telephoto)	f2.8/f4.9
Shutter speed range (seconds)	16 seconds to 1/2000 second
Viewfinders	Optical viewfinder, 1.8-inch LCD
Video/audio recording	320 by 240 video with audio; clip length limited by size of media
Semi-automatic/manual modes	Twelve scene modes; aperture-priority and manual modes; manual focus
Continuous shooting speed	Up to 3 frames per second for a maximum of three frames
Optional lenses	None
Software	HP Image Zone
Other features	N/A
Battery score	Good
Battery life	227 shots, 124 minutes
Battery type	Rechargeable lithium ion
Dimensions (w/d/h) and weight	3.8 by 2.4 by 1.4 inches; 5.8 ounces
Support policy score	Very Good
Support policies	One-year parts and labor warranty; 24-hour daily toll-free support

User Reviews for HP Photosmart R717

Reviewed by: mllewendy

Duration of ownership: 10 Months

Strengths: Great camera--very beginner user-friendly, great photos

Weaknesses: MAJOR negative--battery life is less than minimal, it's atrocious!!

Overall Evaluation: The strengths of this camera are FAR overshadowed by it's only weakness: its battery life. You can buy one IF you can find it for about $10, but it, too, lasts for a period of little to nothing. A rechargeable battery comes with the camera but it takes several hours to return it to a full charge, so having a backup on vacation is not very possible since it needs to be recharged while IN the camera. I purchased this camera based on the rave reviews PC World gave it, but they were misleading when it came to the realities of its battery life. Unfortunately, I found this out after I was unable to return the camera. :-(
Reviewed by: lantern

Duration of ownership: 7 Months

Strengths: Great picture quality, fast shutter speed, runs off SD cards which is a plus since they are so cheap, compact, useful helps and hints built into the camera, tons of presets for different environments (i.e. snow, beach, landscape, action, portrat)

Weaknesses: Not able to change start up default settings. The focus can be a little tricky. I would never recommend just pushing the capture button down. You have to push it down halfway to focus on the object you are capturing otherwise you might be focused on the background.

Overall Evaluation: I love this camera. I picked it up for $200 at Christmas of 2005. Since then I have taken over 2,000 pictures with it. The resolution is phenomenal for the price range. I even used this camera to take me and my wife's engagement pictures. Since then it has gone to 7 states and 4 countries with me. I love it. For everyone who is a little nervous about going with HP for a camera don't be. I had my doubts too but this is a first rate camera and there is a reason it has been #1 on the top ten point and shoot camera list for over 7 months now.