HP PhotoSmart 735XI 3.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom with Dock and 32MB Memory Card

Rating:
Summary: A fine camera for the money
Review: Unless you're a avid photography buff, you really don't need too many megapixels or very high-quality lenses. The 3.2 mp HP 735 is a fine camera. It reads the Secure Digital format which is preferable to CompactFlash. Storing a picture sometimes takes too long, especially when the camera first boots. Battery life it what I would expect from a digital camera. They all could make more efficient use of power. Overall a decent camera

Rating:
Summary: solid performer
Review: Very solid, Auto mode makes point and shoot easy, Bright clear photos, Easy download, workable manual, tons of features, Feels good in hand. Easy to review pictures

Weaknesses:
Hard to see display in bright outdoors. Batteries go fast. slightly confusing access to Image Display and Capture Menu. The Capture Mode more confusing than handy. Limited shots at high resolution

Summary:
I have enjoyed using this camera, my first digital. I find it easiest to use this camera as a basic "point and shoot" I hardly use the Live Image Display although tempted to. It's fun to play cinematographer, but It burns out the batteries too fast.

I don't mess around too much with the Capture Mode option's offered; shoot Micro, Landscapes, Portraits, or Action. My technique is too spontainious for me to set the mode every time I want a shot.

More functional is the capture menu, not the easiest to locate and manipulate when you want to modify a shooting mode, but helpful when an artistic effect is desired. Items from the Capture Settings Menu that I use; The White Balance feature is good to be aware of, for example, If I shoot in the shade mode, even in bright daylight,I don't worry about backlighting. I also like the Saturation feature, nature can be Psychidelic. I leave all the other options to the default (auto) mode. I skip things like EV Compensation, although well laid out in the manual, it is too much to recall on the verge of a picture, the default (auto) mode will take a good picture.

Another Menu, the Playback Menu allows you to review your thumbnails, delete or rotate your images.

I guess I have to buy a memory card if I wish to shoot in only the 3.2MP mode. I only get 8 shots in the highest quality mode. The lowest setting is most memory efficient at 80+ pictures. 14-18 pictures in middle setting is respectable. Next stop? 5MP maybe a digital SLR