Luis Fonseca - Net Pocket

HP PHOTOSMART 945

FOR
? Price
? Zoom
? Versatility

VS
? Digital Viewfinder
? Zoom Noise
? It has no battery (uses batteries)
? Impossibility of setting and shutter speed independently in parallel

This test is done only on a user's perspective and reflects only the opinion of the author, based on common use of this particular model.

Although HP does not have a history as a manufacturer of cameras, since these machines have yielded new technologies and began to convert to the digital world, HP has used in successive releases of new models better and better, not only the quantitative level (more features and options), but also qualitatively (5.3 M pixels is the last HP bar).

As I am a normal user, but with a taste for photography, or my photos go a little further than the family, was accustomed to using a reflex camera from Canon , specifically the model EOS 888. Rendered to digital photography, this model of HP followed on Canon and therefore satisfy the type of use that had until then.
Of course, this is not an HP REFLEX model (in terms of digital, the price of the reflex is still prohibitive) but making use of my analysis, this was one of the models, within budget, was closer to my needs and that according to tests I read, had an excellent price / quality ratio.

Overall, the machine is quite satisfactory. Highlight the main features and have also been important factors in the choice, a 5.3 MP and 8x optical zoom (digital 7x-56x Total)

In addition to photographs, is also a reality the possibility of using this machine as if it were shooting. Obviously, the capacity is much lower, since the film is recorded on the memory card and not a tape, but still, it's a movie with great quality, and with an excellent sound (imagine your baby hits the first palms when there's a film camera around).

The number of options to configure the machine are various. You have the ability to balance the white image, color balance depending on the photograph is taken on a sunny day or rain, etc., allows you to adjust the place of the photograph (seen on the screen) as the basis for focusing the picture.

You can set between ISO 100, 200 or 400 or even put in an automatic mode, in which the machine will adjust according to surroundings. You can also use a function, which is a novelty of this machine (and same for the market) that it is a digital flash, ie, the machine can be set to lighten or darken certain areas of the picture in an intelligent manner.

In terms of colors, you can choose between black and white, color or sephia (aged image).

In terms of resolution, the options are the 5 MP (2608 x 1952) and an MP (1296 x 976). This last option should be considered in cases where the objective is to print the photographs. Within each of these options also have the choice of three compression modes, Good, Better and Best. Any resolution or compression modes chosen will affect the number of pictures that can be stored on the memory card (the machine back home a 16 MB SD card which is clearly insufficient).

Besides all these options would also have the opportunity to adjust the photographs with respect to saturation, contrast and sharpness of the image.

I think the level of options available are more than enough so you can remove all the potential of photography.

As for the machine itself, and each photo to be registered with the date and time, have the possibility to select a specific picture and add a record, audio (eg, the location pictured) and adjust the camera sounds (issued every touch the buttons, thus simulating a traditional camera), choose the screen turns off when you feel closer view of the display (this option in my opinion, is very useful since it allows a real savings of energy, in this case, batteries) .

It also lets you lighten or darken the LCD screen as you are using it inside or outside the home; define how long the photo will be displayed on the LCD, indicating how long before the machine turns itself off when not in use ; Adjust the format according to the television that is being used (NTSC or PAL) and can still put a set of reminders that will allow the machine to suggest certain configuration (according to all the possibilities that already addressed above, ie For example, suggest the use of flash, if you notice that there is little light in the environment you want to shoot).

Do not be too consider this machine as a semi-professional machine. Although it is possible and very easy to use by a lay user in the field, it is also true that this machine allows, in the case of a more demanding user, set several
items that give a professional touch, since the level of available settings on this machine, let me say that in fact we have a machine with an amateur professional finesse.

Since, as mentioned earlier, the type of use that the machine I go a little further than an amateur use, I must mention some drawbacks.

The fact that the viewfinder is digital, it becomes a negative aspect, since, when we want to do a quick photo, the time between the moment the view that we intend to register until the machine is able to focus, is eternal, ie leaves display the one blocked in the first image we saw.

To be more specific, if we are to take a picture of a bird, it is possible that when we focus no longer worth soar since the image when it updates you might have flown.

Alternatively, we can shoot right the machine even before seeing the end result, but we run the risk of yet we do not target as well (after all, we are not truly see what we are focusing on) and running the same risk the bird has to be there).

Another point that I note as negative, this is related to the noise of the zoom. It is true that when we take pictures, this noise does not affect anything, but I use the machine when in movie mode, if things change. The noise emitted by the zoom is registered in the movie, not to the extent we do not hear the audio collected, but is really annoying.

The fact that this machine does not have a battery, I think that turns out to be an error of the brand. The need for batteries eventually "tarnish" the good overall quality of this machine, after all, is very annoying to have to worry about having batteries are always at hand. It is suggested therefore that refer to rechargeable batteries and, if possible, have two sets of four batteries to power switch when its use has exhausted the energy of one of the sets.
The inability to adjust both the speed of the machine or the opening of the shutter independently and simultaneously is another downside.

Vel.: 1 / 15 sec.; Shutter: F/2.8

Do not put this issue for most users of this model, after all have this option to Auto and if the photo will not be good, will repeat it until you find the ideal image, however, for my kind of demand, this issue is relevant.

The consequences of this will be shooting with low speed for a good clarity (which can be commonly called "shake"), or if a good speed, the picture will be darkened with an image and may omit certain details that included the photo because they have become too dark or slightly enhanced.