- 1 megapixel sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 4 x 6 prints
- 2x digital zoom with autofocus
- Included 8 MB SmartMedia card holds 24 images at default resolution
- Connects to PCs via serial port
- 4 AA batteries included
Amazon.com Product Description
The PhotoSmart C200 is a relative breakthrough in its market–it’s a name-brand, quality digital camera at a price that puts it in the reach of most consumers. It boasts a good top resolution, a color LCD display, point-and-shoot operation, and a lens system with a macro mode for extreme closeups. It uses removable, reusable CompactFlash memory cards, and comes with an 8 MB card that can hold up to 80 photos. The C200 also offers a 2x digital zoom and a b… More >>
Hewlett Packard C200 1MP Digital Camera
Related posts:
A nice camera. since the other reviews list all positives, letme list the downsides of picking this otherwise-cool cameraup.
1. Does not include an AC adapter. The HP adapter costs a fortune ($55). Buy a cheaper Sony 6v 700mA adapter as another reviewer notes…it’ll do the same thing for about $20.
2. Get NiMH batteries and a charger (Target carries these) otherwise you’ll soon begin to hate this machine, especially if you download pics to your PC a lot.
3. This one includes no carrying case. Consider the PDC 700 instead.
4. This camera is a good quality HP one, but has a cheap plastic look to it. Alternatives in the same $ range include the Kodak DC215 for about $260
Rating: 3 / 5
I’ve had my c200 for a few days now and haven’t really found anything wrong or have any regrets about buying it. If you plan on taking a lot of photos, you’ll need the extra storage. I found the set-up very easy. The included software is really neat; there is a lot you can do with it. Transfer of the photos to my computer posed no problems whatsoever. Everything is included except an AC power adapter, which I definately recommend when you download pictures to your computer. There isn’t a problem per se’. You just may want to preserve batteries, but really no big deal since the camera uses 4 AA batteries. The problem I encountered however is that no one seems to sell the AC adapter by itself. So I went on-line to HP’s website and purchased it there; no problem. The thing is a bit expensive @ $50 but I think it’s worth it. Perhaps a more generic AC adapter would work but I wasn’t going to take the change and cook the camera. The next step up in a digital camera in my area would cost another $200. I’m happy with this one.
Rating: 4 / 5
Nice picture quality and easy to use. This unit doesn’t include the external power supply, so I would buy one or a card reader for downloading the photos to your PC – or if you are buying a photo printer, too, the HP models (1000, 1100) have a built in card reader. Downloading drains the batteries quickly. I like the color LCD for reviewing your pictures and the megapixel resolution produces nice, photo quality shots with good detail.
Rating: 5 / 5
I needed a digital camera, my first one.. because I’ve taken over 800 photos in the past two years alone. Add the film and developing costs! I shopped Amazon and really did my homework. I was considering the Olympus D-340R also.. You need to buy the C200 for your first digital camera.
I’ve been experimenting with it the past few days. Here’s the scoop on everything everyone else has been saying: First, don’t use the LCD unless you NEED to. It’s a luxury you can have when the time is appropriate. Experiment when you might need it. I only need it for closeup work. Save the battery power! The LCD drains all the power fast particularly if you are using it to take pictures. Just use it when you need ‘menu’ function. Second, downloading pictures to your PC is not the hell everyone says it is. Yes, takes some time..but not forever. When you download, set it all up, and go have lunch or dinner. When you return, its all finished. This saves time and worry. Third, buy rechargeable batteries and charger, it’s all you need. The Kodak charger kit I bought on Amazon recharges in 3 hrs. That’s overnight on a trip. Easy. Then, have one or two sets of regular “AA” batteries handy just in case. Fourth, buy an extra flash card, YOU CAN LITERALLY TAKE SOME 300+ pics on your next vacation! You get 70 low res pics on 8MB card. Good enough for family album shots of Grandma going flying! Last, the camera has all you need for most photo taking. It has 2x digital zoom, tripod mount, and the self timer for those family shots. Buy a color printer and you’ll have a blast! Oh, the software is excellent, read the manual and learn to use it fully. Digital age is here and getting better, see ya later polaroid, and forget $5 for a roll of film anymore! Now, does anyone make a “portable digital photo album viewer”?
Rating: 5 / 5
Image quality *** Performance **** Ease of use ***** Cost/Benefit *****
This camera has really easy operation and produce good pictures, battery life seems to be prety good too. Pictures are not as good as from Powershot A5 Zoom (which I own), but for web or TV use are good enough quality. Colors are for sure nice and sharpnes too. Some pictures I’ve took were actualy looking good even after printing on photopaper, but most of pictures showed a bit of color bleeding after printing. Seems like all three image modes has the same resolution of 75ppi(A5 Zoom produces 180ppi), which could be reason for decrease in print quality. Camera takes good pictures in the dark, flash seems to be strong enough for indoor shots without lights. Nice feature is option to set PAL or NTSC TV output. For the price and included 8MB CF card and software it’s great deal.Display as viewfinder is worthles, it’s jerky and slow. Only time to use display, is make sure, that settings in harder conditions produce good enough pictures. One thing you should watch out for, is messing with CF card into your computer if you use CF adapter or reader. Camera seems to be sensitive on content of CF card. It happend to me that camera wouldn’t even formate CF card after I copied some files on the CF card using card adapter. Finaly I somehow deleted whole content of the CF card and formating worked again. If you use adapter, I suggest not to delete or copy any files (except for original dumps from prewious picture taking)using card adapter and computer, instead use deletion in camera menu after you copy all your pictures. If camera wouldn’t read the CF card, delete all files from card (I suggest use del *.* in command line, be careful that you really deleting CF card and not your HDD
) Than stick the card into camera again and formate it using cameras menu, then it should work again. I think that in this price level there is nothing better for now than this camera (only comparable product Olympus D340-R is hard to find in stock for this price and uses Smart Media, has lack of stitching software too). If you digital photo beginner or want camera for web with ocasional printing, go for this one.
Strengths: price, easy to use, optional PAL output, good flash, baterry life, nice look
Weaknesses: slight delay after pressing shooter button all the way down at once, sensitive on content of CF card, prints in general nothing special, jerky and slow display.
Rating: 4 / 5