HP Photosmart R817 5MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom & R-series Dock Bundle
By: Hewlett-Packard Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 16
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 On: 2007-12-01
Very satisfied with this camera. I am not a pro, but use constantly for personal use and have no complaints.
On: 2007-08-02
Ive had this camera since 2005 and it has done exceptionally well. With the correct lighting, this camera can take pictures that look professional. Ive taken shots that look like they were done in a studio. Most of the pictures taken turn out normal, and some very ugly. One thing that was kind of annoying was when you camcorded and you zoomed in/out, it made a mechanical noise which can be heard in the recording. I lost this camera about 7 months ago and tried looking for the same model. The R817s are pretty hard to find. I now own a Sony T100, which doesnt compare to the HP R817.
 On: 2007-06-12
This camera was easy to use, and I love being able to take both video and still shots with the same camera. Its hard to see the object you are shooting when you are in the sun, but it took some great pictures.
On: 2007-05-13
This camera is a very nice camera with dock. I am impressed with its Pentax lens. It is much better than brand "K" that I replaced it with.
 On: 2007-04-08
I bought this item as a gift, and it ended up becoming mine. I have to say, I am greatly dissatisfied. Here are some main issues I am having with the camera:
1. It is very poorly designed. The look and the feel of the camera are not elegant. Buttons are really ugly, and operating the camera is awkward, and for some functions requires both hands to operate..
2. The camera has been having issues with turning on and off occasionally.
3. The worst, by far, is the picture quality. Colors are just plain terrible. Automatic settings are a disaster of photography. I have used a Canon (2MP) before getting this one (5MP). The Canon was far superior in quality, colors, lighting.. I dont need large files of trash, I am perfectly fine with smaller files with great pictures.
As a result, I am strongly recommending getting a different camera. I have had great experiences with Canon; and seems like Sony and Nikon are doind a good job too. But HP must stop making cameras, and indeed many other devices..
On: 2007-01-09
Very clear pictures, very happy with this camera. Note that it has only the LCD screen and no viewfinder, but this hasnt been a problem for me as its pretty easy to use.
On: 2007-01-05
This is a great camera - especially for the price. HP makes the camera-computer interface software very user-friendly and it takes great pictures as well. It has a nice big LCD screen and the Lithium-Ion battery lasts for a long time for me. I recommend this camera very highly.
On: 2006-12-30
I have had mine for over a year, I *love* this camera! It is so easy to use, takes great pictures, is very easy to use and program etc...
I love everything about this camera.
ps: unlike the other poster, I have not had any battery problems at all.
 On: 2006-12-04
It seems as if every time I want to use the camera, the battery is dead. I find that if I charge it and try to use it the next day, I should expect very much. Im going to purchase a new battery and see how that goes, but I shouldnt have to do so.
On: 2006-08-29
This is my first digital camera. Prior to this I had a simple Kodak point-and-click model which pretty much the quality of a disposible. I use much higher grade cameras at work both 35mm and digital. This camera gives you the 5.1 MP ability though most shots only require the 3MP. I like the 32MB internal memory though Ive also bought a 256MB card for traveling. The 5x zoom isnt as cool as I initially thought it would be and digital zoom works sometimes and not others but you must understand what digital zoom really is. The camera takes very clear and optimal pictures. Better pictures then Ive taken on anything else Ive owned before (and some of the work cameras as well). The size is small enough to put in your pocket but not too small for one with larger hands. The different flash options and shooting scenes can turn difficult pictures into what you want to capture. The panoramic shot sequence is an especially favorite feature especially for shoreline shots. Ive also bought the R-Series dock and enjoy its ability to transfer my pictures faster and charge two batteries at once.
This camera is worth the price you pay but I believe its a 2005 model so it may not be the most up to date but it does a great job.
On: 2006-08-23
This camera took some great pictures, and I enjoyed its size and functionality for several months. I was sitting in a lawn chair at a barbecue last weekend when I was passing it to a friend who was also seated. The camera fell about 2 feet onto soft grass. THE END. The lens assembly is shot, according to my local camera store, not economical to fix. This was about the softest fall a camera could take, and not work, it was like landing on a pillow. I will not buy HP cameras again.
On: 2006-04-22
I first borrowed an r817 (same as r818 except for color) from a friend for a trip to the grand canyon and a trip to Vegas. I was a little worried about the lack of a view finder (only LCD) because I thought it may not work well in bright light or might run the batteries out, but I quickly got over that worry. The camera did incredibly well in the bright sun light at the grand canyon and I never had battery problems. The panorama mode was awesome! I was able to create some phenomenal shots using it at the grand canyon.
So, I purchased the r818 (same as r817 except for color) myself about a month ago and I am very, very pleased with my purchase. The camera is small, light-weight and does not compromise on quality. It is also very easy to use. I actually considered a higher megapixel camera, but after my experience with the quality of photos from my aforementioned trip using the r817 I simply didnt see a need for the additional megapixels. I actually decided that 5x optical zoom was more valuable to me than the competing 3x optical zoom.
My only nitpick on this camera are that the indoor shots can occasionally come out a little off color. However, the image zone software that comes with does a good job with correcting it. This is my third digital camera in the last 4 years and I have to say that I am the most pleased with this one. It is really easy to use and has loads of extra little features.
On: 2006-04-05
I loved the camera, absolutely loved it. I was using it one night and it died. I went home and put in on the charger and nothing happened. The light on the charger didnt flash or the camera didnt even go in after dying. The second time I used it, I just got back from vacation and put it on the charger. I was able to turn it on to look at the pictures. As I was looking at the pictures, it just shut off. I was unable to find a way to turn it back on or even shut the nose. I would not recommend it for this reason unless the charger you get is different than mine.
On: 2005-10-31
Now that Ive used the camera for a few months Id like to update my review (scroll down to see original). The problem I mentioned about using the camera in bright sunlight can easily be fixed by increasing the screens brightness. Battery life has been great, far better than my last camera with rechargeable AAs. Camera is super easy to use and gives great pictures. For example, I frequently change modes depending on the lighting and that feature is easily accessed from a button on the top of the camera, not through a series of menus. Friends have been impressed that you can zoom in video mode, something there cameras cannot do, and the built in help screens. Used the panorama feature on a recent trip to Vancouver and was simple to use and gave great results. I highly recommend this camera for its size, features, and ease of use.
Original: Im really enjoy my new R817. Its easy to use and the buttons are all in the right places. Menus use are easy to follow. Friends Ive showed it to all liked the feel and ease of use without no dials. I bought it for the size and zoom and Im not disappointed. Like all cameras without a view finder, it can be hard to see the screen when shooting into direct sunlight, my only negative. Also bought the quick charger for the extra battery and case and like the case. Looked at the new Nikon L1, but the one in the BestBuy was broken so I have no idea how it works. I figured this was not a good sign.
 On: 2005-09-08
Just so you are aware -- this camera does NOT have an optical view finder; you MUST use the LCD on the back to target your photograph; there is no eye sight through an optical view finder -- for us who are accustomed to the OLD 35mm cameras, not using an optical view finder is uncomfortable.
Furthermore, just so you are aware, this camera uses a proprietary battery (you cant use standard-sized batteries -- ie; AA-sized batteries); you must use the accompanying battery charger to charge the battery. Thus, no ability to temporarily use AA batteries.
On: 2005-07-31
I love to try different cameras, I have been using the R-707
for a year and like it very much.
I have been using this new R-817 for two weeks, and I love it.
It supports high speed SD cards, the 640 X 480 Video is Great.
The 5X optical zoom is very nice.
I carry this camera in a radio pouch with a belt clip (not loop)
everywhere I go, in seconds I am ready to take a pic or vid.
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