Rating: 
Summary: Best value for 8x zoom and 4mp
Review: 1. Zoom:
I don't understand why people buy 3x zoom cameras (digital zoom should be banned because it's absolutely useless -- if you want to crop, it's much better to take the bigger one and do it with software). I've used an Olympus 3x zoom film for years, hardly ever using the zoom. 3x is not powerful enough to be of value.Now 8x, we're talking. 2. 4MP:
Do I really need 4mp? Not really. How many times have you EVER enlarged a picture you took with film camera? Or enlarge to >11x17??? I didn't think so. I could be quite happy with 2mp. I wish they made it 2mp with a lower price but, hey, with this price I'm not complaining about 4mp, either. 3. Size:
If you want the tiniest, cutest thingy, don't get this. This is the size of an SLR (without lens attachments). But you never get 8x zoom out those cuties. I actually like its retro styling. 4. Photo quality:
Superb, even still objects in VERY low light. I did one with 2 sec shutter, holding it with my hands (which are not the steadiest I'm sure), and it came out OK. Macro is very nice, too. Yes, there's noticable delay between shots, the lower the lighting, the longer. Under sunlight, it feels quite "normal"; under dim indoor lighting, it can take 2-4 secs. But this is the thing about digitals -- the higher the mp, the slower it gets. As for complaints about shooting moving objects, 1st of all, don't do focus lock by pushing the button half way down. Push it all the way down. This way, the camera focuses and then takes the pic (after the necessary delay for focusing and exposure). For moving objects under bright light, choose "action" or "shutter priority" as the exposure mode. If you're talking about moving objects in low light, heck, no $... camera can do it, be it film, digital, or extraterristial. And, why do you need to shoot moving objects in dark? 5. Features:
Menu very easy. I took it out of box, put in the (included) batteries, and started shooting right away. Installed the software on CD, plugged in USB cable, and got them into my PC. It does NOT get any easier than this.
Focus assist light -- VERY useful under dim light.
Movie & sound -- cool, occasionally could be useful.
TV out -- a must have for digitals, but this one doesn't include a CABLE!
HP share -- it does NOT get any easier than this! 6. Bad part?
Battery -- this thing CHOMPS down batteries. The included Energizer Titanium e^2 (sounds impressive huh?) gave me ~15, only ~4 with flash (and mostly via LCD). Then I tried some el cheapo ones. They gave me ~10 without flash (and mostly via EVF). Yes, the zoom, the larger LCD screen...but still! I'm waiting for the charger now. ---------------Update
1. Got rechargeable batteries. Battery life is quite good now. Forget about disposables, no matter how sexy the name sounds. 2. I tried to upgrade the firmware from hp website, and failed after several times. In the end, the camera is dead. But HP support has been GREAT through this. After advicing me to try a few things, they sent me a new one, with a return shipping sticker for me to return the old one. This kind of warranty replacement policy is something I haven't seen! So, be careful before you do the firmware upgrade (as always with any firmware upgrade). If you have to do it, then do it before the warranty expires. Kudos to HP for GREAT service!
Rating: 
Summary: Exceeds my Expectations!
Review: After researching digital cameras extensively, and comparing the HP PS 850 with Canon G2/G3...I purchased the HP. It's awesome. I've read comments about battery life...no problem...get rechargeable NiMH. I read negative comments about its size/weight, but given how far you can zoom, the larger camera body and "extra" weight help stabilize it. The camera is excellent in low light, even w/o using the flash. The menus are easy to navigate, and the eye-start feature is amazing. I like the larger LCD for previewing pics. Only negative is that when taking extreme close-ups using the flash, the extended lens casts a shadow on the lower left of the image. The camera exceeds my expectations, and the quality of the zoom is beyond comparison.
Rating:
Summary: Camera Review
Review: Am more than pleased with this camera. It took a very short time to become accustomed to features and focusing (especially during zoom). A great all around camera!
Rating: 
Summary: Batteries are a huge problem and the Shutter Speed too
Review: Bateries are spent too fast. Moreover, when the batteries are spent the camera freezes and will not work again--even if directly connected through the AC adapter or dock, and even with *new* batteries. Got a replacement from HP but the problem persists. Will try to return it for a second time and exchange it for something that really works.
Also, the shutter's time response is too slow and all the pictures are taken a second later than when you press the shutter--in other words, you can't time the taking of the picture and must rely on *luck* to get a good shot.
Rating:
Summary: Great camera
Review: Be sure to buy GOOD quality disposable batteries if you don't have the rechargables yet. I went to a dinner party last night with NEW batteries from a name-brand (though not the big ones), and my camera would not turn off (yes, it would NOT turn off), and would not function when it was on. Usually you would think bad batteries would simply cause the camera not to work, but instead I got a bunch of strange errors that made me think the camera (brand new) was defective. Once the batteries were changed however with Duracell (love those guys), it worked fine. I'm going to start charging up the new rechargable batteries I got. The camera's a dream. The zoom feature is amazing, and the megapixel count really allows you to digitally zoom in. You can even zoom around on the LCD screen of the camera. Good job HP!
Rating: 
Summary: Insatiable battery eater
Review: Beware; this camera eats batteries. You would not want to take this camera on a backpacking trip. Within a week (and about a dozen photos) I had to replace the batteries 3 times. The camera was warm to the touch even when off. HP technical support said that the batteries should be removed after every use and that they can only be expected to last 1 day (alkaline) to 2 or 3 days (rechargeables) with the camera off (although the manual didn't mention this limitation). I've had several other digital cameras (Kodak DC 240 Zoom, Olympus C2100 UltraZoom, Olympus C-740), and none of them have had this problem. I'd recommend the C-740 instead of this camera.
Rating:
Summary: For those in doubt
Review: Despite a few bad reviews from people who don't read the directions on how to use this camera, I think that this is the best camera I have ever owned. The 8x zoom is what sold me on this one. I wanted a digital camera but I didn't want one that only sold digital zoom, which reduces the MP the second you use it. The focus on a few pics has been fussy, but then I learned how to use it. By holding the shutter button halfway down the camera focuses, which takes 2-3 seconds, and when the "action" shot is ready press it down all the way. This mean this takes planning, which is impossible for some. But I have a 16-month old and cathching him smiling is a trick, but I continue to do so with this camera. Also the amount of different modes that this camera contains is amazing. To list a few action, landscape, potrait, black and white, sephia, etc... Well for those in doubt read the directions, you may learn something.
Rating:
Summary: Good camera; good value
Review: Easy to use: I was taking photos within an hour of receiving the camera, and this is my first digital camera. Pictures are great looking and easy to take. Flash pictures are excellent. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: great feel, great pictures, great zoom
Review: First the great feel. This is a fairly large camera that feels comfortable in my (large) hands. I can grip it well without fear of accidentally pushing a button I didn't intend to. The huge, bright 2-inch LCD screen makes it easy to compose shots. The 8X optical zoom is AWEsome! Some reviews here have talked about not catching the image they intended to when pushing the shutter. I took close-ups of a clock's second hand, and the capture was immediate and in perfect time. There is a very short blanking of the display when the 4.1 megapixel image is written to the card-barely a problem. I also love the fact that the electronic viewfinder automatically turns on when you put your eye to it. Much better cam than both the Fuji 6X zoom or the Olympus 720 with 8X zoom. I tried them both. Love this one!
Rating: 
Summary: Needs an optical viewfinder
Review: Good camera---but--- there is no way to follow the subject and coupled with the delay the subject may be out of the frame by the time the shot is made. I would not buy again forn this reason.
| 
