HP Photosmart 850

Opinion: Don't buy Hp cameras as they unrepairable as parts are impossible or very expensive to repair. I was very happy with the camera until I needed service....it is absolutely the worse. They tell you that they will sell you another camera...not a good deal. Another option was to talk to a representative for $30.00 and they would help me fix it and if it didn't work I could put it towards a new camera. I've called several camera repair shops and all told me the same thing that they cannot get the parts and if they do they are so expensive that you're better off just buying another camera. These are expensive throwaways.

Opinion: I owned HP 850 for 3 years and lost it in a train ride. This prompted me to write my expereince with this camera, hoping HP will continue improve its product if they care to retain its customers.

Many of my friends bought digital cameras the same time as I did in Jan 2003. Although the professional rating of other cameras were much better, the pictures taken from my HP 850 were constantly better than theirs. Of cause, this largely depends on the user's abilities to utilize the full potential of a camera. But, HP850 pictures have less noise than competition for dim scene. The flash leaves better results than competition. HP850 allowed me to change the white balance and compensation very conviniently. The zoom lens was wonderful which was the main reason I bought this camera. I seldom need to adjust the pictures by computer at all. I would say HP's image quality is just superb. My 4Mpixel pictures are simply better than those 6Mpixel pictures from others.

Despite the problems mentioned in the other section, I love this camera because it captured the precioius moments with beatiful pictures when it worked. When I found the camera was lost and could not be recovered, a sense of lossing a good friend saddened me.

Opinion: The camera is good but mine didnt recognize a memory card now it no longer powers on. Hp customer support sucks. Now i am trying to fix it.

Opinion: Got my 850 for a 100USD from a friend !
Very nice pix - feeling happy :-) a bit slow in responce to
shutter button but acceptable for this price.
My second camera is faster Sony S60 and fits my pocket to carry 24 hrs|day

Opinion: All HP digicams "unrepairable," according to the rep I spoke with yesterday. I was perfectly happy with this camera for two years ... then I bumped the lens against a table. No electronic problems, simply a mechanical issue with the lens extension.

HP indicates on all fronts (website, customer service interaction, manual) that repair is possible, but what they actually mean is that if it's in warranty, they MIGHT send you a new or refurbished camera. Out of warranty, out of luck. They don't repair, and they won't sell parts to anyone else. They offered me $50 off a lesser camera (only 3x optical zoom and they called it an "upgrade") if I wanted to give back my "unrepairable" one and buy a new one from them. Not in this lifetime!

What I find curious is the "refurbished" issue. If they are "unrepairable", due to being "very compact devices with very complex circuitry", how are they refurbished? And why do they want "unrepairable" cameras back?

When I expressed frustration over my $500 disposable camera, the rep said in condolence that she was "terribly sorry for the inconvenience caused to [me]."

Believe me, these are direct quotes from the Instant Messenger transcript. Me and my "inconvenience" are heading elsewhere for the next camera ... and to the Better Business Bureau to make a complaint.

Opinion: Out of order after 15 month. No repair. very long to shoot pictures. Needs long time to save data on the sd-card. Battery lifetime very low (Ni-MH).

Opinion: I bought this camera in February 2003. They had to replace the camera twice within the warranty. First, it locked up my SD card and they replaced. I assumed it was with a brand new camera - WRONG. Then 6 months later they had to replace it again because the whole white balance was messed up.

Then several months after the warranty was up - of course - the door to the battery storage went loose and you couldn't use the camera. They REFUSED to repair it. I had to cry to HP headquarters, so they sent me ANOTHER refurbished camera and it lasted 5 months.

NOW, I can pay $280 for another refurbised one, or $350 for a refurbished 945 model.

WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK !!!

I will NEVER buy another HP product again. They don't stand behind their products.

Opinion: Camera is a throwaway! I had the unfortunate experience of dropping my 850 onto a sidewalk. When I called HP's toll free support number, I got to talk to an East Indian who could barely speak English. When I asked for instructions to get my camera repaired, the response was "Repair is not an option. We can offer you an upgrade for $319.00". Little did I suspect when I paid over $400 for it that HP considered it a throwaway camera. Buh Bye, HP!

Opinion: I have been using this camera for about 1.5 years, have found it easy to use, very good Zoom with clear pictures. it takes too long between pressing the shutter and taking the picture, the subject has often moved, the auto focus is very good always correct if also a little slow. My Main problem with the camera is its PLASTIC CASE, the Battery flap is under a lot of pressure and has broken the retaining lug on one side, unfortunately this has put pressure on the side of the case and caused a crack, unfortunately HP do not supply spare parts such as the battery flap which could be changed by a careful owner.