NewsAugust 2005

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HP Photosmart E317

HP has announced a five megapixel entry-level camera for just €129 ($157). The sliding lens camera offers a 1.5" LCD and its one and only connection is USB, there's no AV out for viewing on the television. Other features of this starter camera include five subject modes, QVGA movies with sound, PictBridge capability and, well, that's pretty much it. The Photosmart E317 will be available from September 1.

Note: We are aware this camera was launched last week but we have only just been sent the information.

Press Release:

HP Provides a Great Value Introduction to Simple, Fun, Digital Photography

New Digital Camera for first time digital photographers is easy-to-use and affordable

BOEBLINGEN , GERMANY , AUGUST 15 2005 – HP today unveiled the HP Photosmart E317 Digital Camera. Ideal for first time digital photographers, this great value camera offers a range of intuitive functions and easy-to-use features, making the transition into digital photography simple and enjoyable.

Featuring great quality 5 megapixel (MP) resolution, the HP Photosmart E317 Digital Camera delivers the type of crisp, vivid photos normally offered by a much more expensive camera. Taking photos with such impressive resolution gives users the freedom to produce high quality prints in a range of sizes from 10 x 15 cm up to A4. Additionally, the camera features five shooting modes, including ‘action mode’, ‘portrait mode’ and ‘sunset mode’, for optimised image quality in a variety of conditions.

A 3.8 cm LCD screen allows photographers to preview and edit all of their photos as soon as they are taken. Simple to use on-screen menus guide users through the process of storing, amending and deleting files without the need for a PC. Utilising the cameras 16 MB of internal memory, users can store up to 70 photos (at VGA resolution) to share with their friends and family.

The cameras intuitive button layout and 4x zoom (1x optical /4x digital) allows users to simply point, click and shoot great images every time. Likewise, the auto-flash function automatically detects the surrounding lighting conditions when an image is being taken. This feature ensures that the brightness and exposure of a photo is hardly ever compromised, helping users to produce the highest quality images every time.

With the ability to record and store short video clips, the HP Photosmart E317 Digital Camera gives beginners the freedom to relax. The ability to shoot moving images makes it simple for even the most inexperienced digital photographers to capture vividly the true feeling of an event or celebration.

To complete the digital photography experience, users can utilise HP’s Image Zone software which allows photos to be edited, organised and shared from a PC. Using HP Instant Share Software, users can email their images to whom ever they choose without the problem of large file attachments. This camera is PictBridge enabled, which means users can transfer their digital images to any printer via a plug and play USB connection or memory card quickly and simply.

As an optional accessory, the camera can be complemented by the stylish HP Photosmart Silver Camera Case (Q6217A) not only looks good, but protects the digital camera from the bumps and scratches which come from every day use.

The HP Photosmart E317 Digital Camera is available from September 1 at a street price of €129*.

*prices may vary from country to country

HP Photosmart E317 specifications

Sensor	• 1/2.5" Type CCD • 5 million pixels total • 5 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 2560 x 1920 • 2048 x 1536 • 1280 x 960 • 640 x 480
Movie clips	320 x 240 @ 24 fps
File formats	• Still: JPEG • Movie: MPEG-1 • Sound: Yes
Lens	• 46mm (35 mm equiv) • F 3.5
Digital zoom	Up to 4x
Focus	Auto focus
AF area modes	• Normal • Macro
AF assist lamp	Yes
Focus distance	• Normal: 1 m to infinity • Macro: 0.6 - 1.0 m
Metering	Center-weighted
ISO sensitivity	• Auto • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400
Exposure compensation	• +/- 2EV • 1/3 EV steps
Shutter speed	2 - 1/2000 sec
Modes	Program
Scene modes	• Auto • Action • Portrait • Landscape • Sunset
White balance	• Auto • Sun • Shade • Tungsten • Fluorescent
Self timer	10 secs
Flash	Auto, red-eye, flash on, flash off
Viewfinder	No
LCD monitor	• 1.5" TFT LCD • 113,338 pixels
Connectivity	USB
Print compliance	• PictBridge • EXIF 2.2
Storage	• SD card • 16 MB internal memory
Power	2x AA batteries (alkaline, Photo Lithium, rechargeable NiMH)
Weight	110 g (3.8 oz) (no batt) 150 g (5.2 oz)
Dimensions	99 x 32 x 53 mm (3.9 x 1.2 x 2.1 in)