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Average rating:
4.29
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HP Photosmart C6181.9 megapixels | 2" screen | 34 – 108 mm (3.2×)
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Average rating:
4.29
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Opinion: This camera is great value for the money. I originally bought one in 2001 and used it like a Polaroid camera to check composition and exposure for film cameras, and for snapshots to email to friends and family or to post items on online auctions. It works great for those uses.
I'm also a school teacher. I've found this camera to be one of the easiest ever to use. My wife and kids love it, too, and a friend took it all over Europe.
I've noticed that other reviews state that only 16MB cards can be used, but this is not the case. I've had a couple of 96MB SanDisk cards that will allow the user to take many photos at full resolution and have never had a problem. I've also used a SanDisk Ultra II 256MB card without problems.
The best thing about this camera is its lens. The fast (f2.4) Pentax lens is sharp and produces beautiful colours without any extra computer manipulation. Its macro capability is fantastic -- manual focus and other exposure modes are very good.
Problems: Unfortunately, this camera was stolen on a trip. My wife loved it so much that we bought another one for $100 CDN -- not a bad deal, but they're available for cheaper if you're patient.
Yes, the battery door is the weakest point of this camera. Mine broke when a student dropped it on the floor, and since the battery door is spring-locked, you have to use a big piece of electrical tape to be able to use it after this problem occurs. For $38, however (not $250 as stated in another review), it was fixed by a local camera repair shop within a week. Besides, the camera itself worked after the fall, and that alone is a miracle -- cameras should NOT be dropped -- that is a USER problem, not the manufacturers. To me, if only a battery door breaks, that's no big deal -- losing your photos is much more of a problem. I've rated construction as better than average for this purpose.
A full-manual exposure control mode would be useful, but there is exposure compensation available, so the user can work around this.
Carry extra batteries (and an AC converter and battery charger on a trip) -- you'll need them!
Opinion: Brand new Genuine HP C8874A AC DC Adapter. Not refurbished or used. Use this AC adapter to save battery life while you are downloading pictures to your personal computer. It plugs in quickly and easily into your PhotoSmart C618/C912 digital camera and is a great companion when you use applications such as television viewing of photos that require continuous usage of your PhotoSmart digital camera. Can be used for any device requiring these specs.
Opinion: I bought my camera to use in Hawaii and was satisfied with the pictures but... It is a battery eater in a big way. The other thing is that you have to use lower capacity flash card. I lost a lot of good shots when I had the 64MB one in. I cannot even use the 64 card now as it will not allow the camera to operate. Support stinks also. I would never buy another HP because of that.
Problems: 1. Battery eater.
2. Not good with a larger capacity flash card.
3. I only use a 16MG card.
4. Hate carrying so many batteries.
Opinion: This was my first digicam and I've had this for about 2 years and I can say that it is a good 2.1 megapixel camera. It's pretty easy to use. However, I'm selling it now b/c I want a pocket camera and this thing def. isn't going to fit in pockets. THe flash is good
Problems: Def. not a pocket camera.
LCD is slow
Opinion: as my first digicam, it is ok but...
Problems: excessive barrel distortion at wide angle setting. camera frequently forgets the date/time/other setup information (with fresh nimh in the body at all times!) and needs to be reminded. usb connection in body frequently does not make contact with (any of the several) cables at my PC.
Opinion: Had HP618 since Feb/01. Taken over 7000 pics, never a problem - very durable. I dropped the camera and so am looking for new one. Have tried Canon A60/A70, Pentax 33L and of late Kodak DX6440. All of them have more features than 618 but none of them come close on picture qualiity - color balance and sharpness. The pictures from the Kodak DX6440 , a 4Mpixel camera are not as sharp - real disappointing as it is a nice camera otherwise.
Problems: Sucks batteries dry quickly but 2200 mah NiMh last quite awhile.
Opinion: I'd say I am satisfied with it so far (it's been two years). A bit bulky and heavy, but it's not a huge problem for me. Construction is quite solid. Features are convenient, and some scripts I found for the Digita OS are very useful. Images taken indoors, especially with flash, sometimes come out grainy and overexposed, hence the image quality rating. Covering the flash with a piece of paper tissue seems to help a bit, though. :) Battery consumption is a week point, but I always carry a second set of NiMH rechargeables, and try not to use an LCD too much.
Problems: I had a problem with a broken battery door (mentioned in one review below) a year ago, when I dropped the camera. Frankly, the thought of getting it fixed by HP didn't even cross my mind -- I used a piece of 2mm copper wire, a file from my Leatherman pocket tool, a tube of cheap "Super Glue", and in about 20 minutes the door hinges were better than original (honest!) So far, so good -- and yes, I dropped it since then more than once. Folks, try to be creative, take it easy, and don't bitch about service and support too much -- most of the times you simply don't need it! :) Being in IT industry myself, my take on support is rather "philosophical" -- I take for granted that it's (almost) non-existent, and I am pleasantly surprised whenever I find myself being wrong...
Opinion: I will skip the user review since it has been done before me, correctly.
I got mine 1,7 years ago and couple of monts after the guarantee expired. the following happened:
Problems: But, I must entirely agree with Mr. Newell regarding the customer service. Namely, I encountered almost the same problem as him, although it wasn't the door that broke down, but one of the batteries (the original ones I got with the camera) leaked out so that acid burned the plastic and the spring melted into the plastic and the contact was lost. I went to a HP service center in Sweden, but they told me that everything must be send to the US for service since HP does not have separade parts and the cost for the reparation (probably the change of the spring) would be HIGHER than camera itsels ( EUR 550) plus the shipping of course from Sweden to US.
This has resulted in my lost confidence in HP which is sad, cos myself, as Mr. Newell have been a HP lover. I don't think I will by HP products again.
Opinion: If you had asked me a year ago what I thought I would of this camera I would have praised it to no end.
That has all changed since the Battery Door broke on the thing. I've had this camera for about 2 years now and have taken 2000-3000 pictures with it. Now something simple like the battery door is broken (2 stupid little pieces of plastic broke off barely a couple of mm's in length) and I can't HP to send me another door. The part is unavailable. However they did offer to fix it for me if I would send it to them and pay for shipping and handling and wait for it - oh yeah and to pay them $250 for fixing this stupid part.
I loved this camera but now with a lack of support for a part that obviously is a crutch with the camera I will no longer buy HP. Sad because I used to be an HP lover, HP camera, HP computer, HP printer. Time to change companies for me.
Problems: Bad with motion shots
Bad with low light shots
Battery door and customer service.
Customer Service is non-existent
Can't get replacement parts. You break something the camera is now disposable.
Reviews and specs
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Galleries
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Challenges
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 | 22.3 megapixels 3.2" screen Full frame sensor |
