Rating: 
Summary: More than 2 Years Later And...
Review: ...I'm still using this camera with no plans to upgrade.It's a great buy and a great camera. If you're new to digital photography, you won't find this camera difficult to use and will be amazed with its clarity and easy-to-use advanced features. I have had no problem with back-lighting or finding the pictures too dark in quality, as some people have commented upon. Also pleasantly surprising is the sturdiness of the unit. I've been using it since January 2002 and have used it more times than I can count. Being a motorcycle enthusiast, I've packed it into saddle bags, which subjects it to considerable vibration, and it still performs flawlessly; have had amateurs borrow it (sometimes without me even knowing it); let it (unknowingly) sit outside on our patio table one damp night in August; and have packed it in luggage bumping across some of the worst roads in Pennsylvania only to use it and have no problems at all. Like most digital cameras, this one is not easy on batteries-- which is why I purchased two rechargeable sets and take the charger with me when I travel. But I also figure that the cost of AA batteries is considerably easier on the wallet than say a gallon of gasoline or paying to have traditional film developed these days, and continue to use my sweet little HP 318 non-stop. As of now, I have hundreds of photographs permanently recorded, and those memories of family are precious. As an information technology professional, I would not hesitate to recommend this to even the most technologically-challenged person. Hey, even my mom, who is in her 70s, has used it successfully, and to this day, she still can't operate her VCR or upgrade her anti-virus program without help. I think that's 'nuff said about this camera.
Rating:
Summary: More than 2 Years Later And...
Review: ...I'm still using this camera with no plans to upgrade. It's a great buy and a great camera. If you're new to digital photography, you won't find this camera difficult to use and will be amazed with its clarity and easy-to-use advanced features. I have had no problem with back-lighting or finding the pictures too dark in quality, as some people have commented upon. Also pleasantly surprising is the sturdiness of the unit. I've been using it since January 2002 and have used it more times than I can count. Being a motorcycle enthusiast, I've packed it into saddle bags, which subjects it to considerable vibration, and it still performs flawlessly; have had amateurs borrow it (sometimes without me even knowing it); let it (unknowingly) sit outside on our patio table one damp night in August; and have packed it in luggage bumping across some of the worst roads in Pennsylvania only to use it and have no problems at all. Like most digital cameras, this one is not easy on batteries-- which is why I purchased two rechargeable sets and take the charger with me when I travel. But I also figure that the cost of AA batteries is considerably easier on the wallet than say a gallon of gasoline or paying to have traditional film developed these days, and continue to use my sweet little HP 318 non-stop. As of now, I have hundreds of photographs permanently recorded, and those memories of family are precious. As an information technology professional, I would not hesitate to recommend this to even the most technologically-challenged person. Hey, even my mom, who is in her 70s, has used it successfully, and to this day, she still can't operate her VCR or upgrade her anti-virus program without help. I think that's 'nuff said about this camera.
Rating:
Summary: HP finally got it right
Review: After a few bonehead moves like the fatal delete flaw with the HP 215 software (the cam was great, but deleting photos within the software rendered some 215's useless afterwards, HP has settled in to making a great camera. The 318 model is about 30% smaller than the 215. It is lightweight and ergonomically superior to most other cameras out there. I equipped mine with a 64mb card and rechargeable batteries. It is now my primary camera and it is wonderful. I bought an HP Photosmart 100 printer to go with it and together they make tremendous and beautiful photos.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth It
Review: After a few weeks, I like the 318 just fine. It is, however, a tremendous battery pig, as all the digital cameras are, and you'll need to pick up the 8 rechargeable batteries and a charger. This'll run you 40 simolians. Litium AA batteries are about 10 bucks a quartet, so you'll be ahead of the game by Xmas if you get the rechargeables. You might also want to get a 32 or 64 meg flashcard. I want one, but I haven't got it yet--I'm still playing around and getting used to digital photography. One thing that astonishes me is the tremendous light sensitivity of this system; if you play around with the autofocus (that is, if you learn how to manipulate what the camera thinks it wants to do), you can literally, faithfully, and often very dramtically, shoot the light you see. This is probably characteristic of all digital cameras, but I LOVE the chiaroscuro effects this one captures. Mild gripes: at the lowest resolution (there are 3 settings options), the 2x "zoom" (which doesn't scale out, it just pops out to 2x--hence "zoom" is a misnomer) is useless and pixilates ridiculously. And it takes some time to get used to the fact that the camera will take a second or two--literally--to focus, and it won't let you snap off a shot in virtually real time unless you're already depressing the button for focus. And it's clear that HP low-balled the market with this system because they plan on selling you a big box of exorbitantly (yes, exorbitantly) priced accessories--wait until you get a load of the catalogue HP includes in the packaging. But the camera is nice, the softward and cable are useful, and the price is spot on. Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Annoying, but Useful
Review: After having th HP 318 for a couple of months, I feel upset to have wasted my money. AFter two days in use, the camera ony worked on and off. WIth little features, and a horrible zoom, I suggest you buy a better camera.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent value, great quality
Review: After much comparison shopping, my wife and I bought this camera just before the birth of our baby. It was in the delivery room, capturing those first special moments. I've been using the camera for almost four months now and I'm very satisfied with it. Friends and family constantly comment about the good quality of the pictures we email them. Also, the resolution of the camera produces beautiful prints. (We use Shutterfly to print our digital pics.) I would recommend rechargeable batteries and a flash memory card to get full enjoyment of your camera. A good buy!
Rating:
Summary: Whoa! BATTERIES!
Review: And by BATTERIES I mean BATTERIES! Make sure you have a bundle, because I didn't know I'd need them until I used my HP 318 for about 30 minutes! Dead batteries. So this is my first Digital Camera. They (store's name not to be mentioned) kept trying to sell me those cheapo web cams that also serve the purpose of digital cameras. That's not what I wanted, I wanted the little LCD on the back so that I could easily see what I pointing and shooting at. There is a 2X digital zoom and timer feature on the camera. As far as photos go, I believe you start out with around 60 at the 1 star level (worst) and 12 at the 3 star level (best). That's not enough pictures, so I bought a 64MB Flash Card and I can get easily 1000 1 star level photos and 60+ 3 star level photos. There is nothing that comes with the camera to protect it, so I strongly urge you to buy something to cover up the lense and the LCD. It's also quite easy to turn on by just barely moving it. Another down side is the warm up time. If you need your camera "RIGHT NOW!" then this one is definitely not the way to go. It takes this baby about 15 seconds to warm up after hitting the on switch to being able to take a picture. If you're sitting there thinking that you'll just leave it on with the LCD display off, think again. I haven't timed it, but somewhere between 3 and 6 minutes the camera will shut itself off after being idle. Software comes with the camera for automatic unload once you plug it in via USB port. Like I said in the beginning... Batteries! It takes AA's. Pick up some rechargables and a charger to save you some extra cash!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent DCamera...but
Review: batteries die to fast (specially when connecting it to a PC) and AC Adaptor is to expensive...Do all DCamaras have this issue?
On the other hand, software is user friendly with links to online web sharing, plus camara usage is very simple without the bulkiness (compare the price to other DCamaras and this is an great choice for the avarage family picture taker)
Rating:
Summary: Not for the impatient photographer
Review: Cons:
1. Incorrect focus at times.
2. Flash doesn't go off causing you to lose a good picture moment.
3. Battery drain is fast.
4. Takes a long time to "actually take a picture" once you press the button. Reason is the auto focus takes a few seconds to work, then you have to press button another step down for the process to complete. Slow and awkward. I don't know if this is a standard for all digital cameras but not a good thing.
5. Subject needs to be still, or a blurry picture will result.
Reason number 4 above is why I am currently looking for a new camera.
Pros:
1. More times than not, takes acceptable picture (the subject needs to be still due to the autofocus problem).
2. Durable construction.
Great for the beginner or first digital camera, but there are cheaper ones at Walgreens and Eckards that will serve the same purpose.
Avoid if possible.
I bought the camera a few years ago based on price. Make sure you do the research before you make a blunder like mine.
Rating:
Summary: Hewlett Packard 318 Digital Camera
Review: Great camera, very easy to use and comes with software that is simple and works well. I will never go back to film again. I would highly recomend this camera for average person for non professional use. For the price I do not think you will find a camera that will beat it.
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