Thomas Quinlan
Member
The HP 850 is my fifth and favorite digital camera, perhaps because it is
the most like my 35mm Nikon FE (that I recently sold). I still have an
HP 812, which takes awesome pictures for its size, but I craved the
better zoom and the aperture/shutter controls.
The 850 is not a small camera. I had the mistaken notion from online
pictures of the 850, that it was about the size of an HP 812, except
with the huge lens. Not so. The body is substantially bigger than an
812. I have heard negative comments about the size, but I think it is
very appropriate for the market it is trying to appeal to. I like the fact
that it has the same heft as my 35mm Nikon, and that it has a
mechanical shutter feel when you actually snap the picture.
I love the simulated SLR viewing-through-the lens-feature, and the
ability to access all of the menus inside the viewfinder. The battery
performance is way beyond my expectations. I have been TRYING to
run down the batteries, since it's recommended to completely deplete
them a few times, and it has taken me hours of playing, using LCD,
using video mode, etc. to run this thing down.
I don't know how I've lived without the 8x optical zoom before now.
Fun, fun, fun. This is, of course, one of it's biggest selling points, and I
have not been disappointed. With shutter speed set a 1/1000th of a
second I've even gotten some decent shots of the MOON.
This may not be a feature, but to me this is one good looking camera.
It's a joy to look at and hold. There's also a decent community of 850
owners at:
There you'll find about 25mb of uploaded photos, and MANY links to
more. Also links to at least 10 different online reviews of the 850 are
posted there.
Summary:
This camera may not be perfect (see problems section for gripes), but
as of 12/06/02 where else can you get this much camera for under
$500.
Good lens, good zoom, good battery life (using NiMH), easy to
understand menu's viewable in the TTL viewfinder.
I like it alot, and would recommend it to anyone that wants a
thousand dollar camera but can't afford one, unless your main use is to
take action shots.
Tom
Problems:
Including a 16mb card is ridiculous for this (or ANY 4 megapixel) camera
and the audience it is targeted at (32mb would have been more
reasonable). On highest quality 16mb gets you about 5 pics. When
buying a card, get 64 or 128mb.
I wish it had a burst mode. As it is, this would not be a great camera
for someone who wanted to take alot of action shots, although I've
gotten some decent ones.
the most like my 35mm Nikon FE (that I recently sold). I still have an
HP 812, which takes awesome pictures for its size, but I craved the
better zoom and the aperture/shutter controls.
The 850 is not a small camera. I had the mistaken notion from online
pictures of the 850, that it was about the size of an HP 812, except
with the huge lens. Not so. The body is substantially bigger than an
812. I have heard negative comments about the size, but I think it is
very appropriate for the market it is trying to appeal to. I like the fact
that it has the same heft as my 35mm Nikon, and that it has a
mechanical shutter feel when you actually snap the picture.
I love the simulated SLR viewing-through-the lens-feature, and the
ability to access all of the menus inside the viewfinder. The battery
performance is way beyond my expectations. I have been TRYING to
run down the batteries, since it's recommended to completely deplete
them a few times, and it has taken me hours of playing, using LCD,
using video mode, etc. to run this thing down.
I don't know how I've lived without the 8x optical zoom before now.
Fun, fun, fun. This is, of course, one of it's biggest selling points, and I
have not been disappointed. With shutter speed set a 1/1000th of a
second I've even gotten some decent shots of the MOON.
This may not be a feature, but to me this is one good looking camera.
It's a joy to look at and hold. There's also a decent community of 850
owners at:
Loading…
groups.yahoo.com
There you'll find about 25mb of uploaded photos, and MANY links to
more. Also links to at least 10 different online reviews of the 850 are
posted there.
Summary:
This camera may not be perfect (see problems section for gripes), but
as of 12/06/02 where else can you get this much camera for under
$500.
Good lens, good zoom, good battery life (using NiMH), easy to
understand menu's viewable in the TTL viewfinder.
I like it alot, and would recommend it to anyone that wants a
thousand dollar camera but can't afford one, unless your main use is to
take action shots.
Tom
Problems:
Including a 16mb card is ridiculous for this (or ANY 4 megapixel) camera
and the audience it is targeted at (32mb would have been more
reasonable). On highest quality 16mb gets you about 5 pics. When
buying a card, get 64 or 128mb.
I wish it had a burst mode. As it is, this would not be a great camera
for someone who wanted to take alot of action shots, although I've
gotten some decent ones.