HP Photosmart M425v 5MP Digital Camera

Last September I decided it was time to replace my cheap 2.0 mega pixel digital camera with something more suitable for my needs. What I found was the HP Photosmart M425 5 mega pixel camera. It is a purchase that I don't for one minute regret either.

I'd paid $120 for this camera back last August. I believe that it has come down in price slightly since then.

Features

3x Optical Zoom
6x Digital Zoom
18x total Zoom (both digital and optical combined)
Large 1.7 inch bright indoor/outdoor LCD display
16MB internal memory
Photosmart editing software right in the camera for rotating photos, red eye reduction, border designs and much more.

Scenes (Click on the links for a sample photo taken in this mode)

This camera has quite a few settings for scenes. Among them are:

Beach/Snow - For bright high-contrast outdoor scenes.
Landscape - High F-numbers for more depth of field.
Burst - Multiple pictures in quick succession.
Sunset - Warm colors for sunset scenes.
Auto - Camera selects best F-number and shutter speed.
Macro - Close-up focus.
Action - Fast shutter speeds to stop action. (Sample photo taken from a moving airplane)
Night Portrait - Long exposure with flash to capture foreground and background.
Portrait - Low F-numbers to blur the background.
Self Timer - Photos are taken 10 seconds after the shutter button is released.
Fast Shot - Fixed Focus to take pictures quickly in bright light.

Here's a photo taken using the digital zoom. There's some quality loss, but I think it's still crisp and clear. Here's another taken using the digital zoom.

Image Quality Options

5MP Best - Best fore printing and enlargements
5MP Normal -Medium file size, good for printing
3MP - Medium quality and file size
1MP - Smaller file size, lower quality
VGA - Smallest file size, good for e-mail

Other features and Settings

Black and White Photos
Sepia Photos
Black and White Tint Photos
Exposure Compensation
White Balance Adjustment
ISO Speed Adjustments
Time and Date Stamp (optional)
Audio Recording For Photos
Video Capture Mode With Sound

As you can see from the above listings, this camera packs a lot into a little budget priced piece of equipment. I've tried out most of the camera's features and it never ceases to astound me. The photo quality is excellent. Colors are vibrant and accurate photos are clear and beautiful.

This camera is easy to work, and requires little to no photographic knowledge. The in-camera instructions will help you when and if you need them. No need to log online or carry around manuals for referencing.

Some suggestions and other things I've noticed with this camera.

Each camera no matter the cost will have it's share of pros and cons, and the HP Photosmart is no exception. Here's some that I've identified.

Pros

Camera is small and lightweight. This is always a plus to me if I can slip it into a thin case inside my pocketbook. Less to carry, always handy and compact.

Red Eye Removal in camera menu. This is a feature I've used several times. It auto searches your photo and detects the red eyes. With one click of a button they are automatically removed.

When you are switching a photo to black and white, sepia, black and white tint or adding a border, it makes a second copy edited. Your original photo remains unedited.

Auto mode for spontaneous photos. Sometimes we don't have the time to go through the menus to get the right modes for a photo. The auto feature saves that. As a result I tend to keep my camera in the auto mode at all times. When I have time to plan a shot better and switch to the appropriate mode, I do.

Video clips with sound. This is almost like having a camcorder in your camera. Sure the quality isn't as good, but for capturing those spur of the moment clips, it's excellent.

Beautiful, effortless photos are produced almost every time.

3x Optical zoom brings you closer to your subject without image quality loss.

When using the Digital Zoom, it will tell you how many mega pixels you are taking your photo in as you zoom closer. This is helpful in deciding if the shot will be worth the image quality losses.

Ability to choose image file quality and sizes. I often switch between 5MP Best and 5MP normal.. It also calculates how many photos you will get on your card with each mode, so if you want to maximize your media cards or print photos and don't mind a lesser quality, go for it!

LCD display is bright enough to see even in sunny conditions.

Cons

When using the video clip option do not use it in the vertical position. Your video will play sideways and there's not an option to rotate it! I've done this so many times myself and now I have to watch my clips sideways.

Non flash photography has a tendency to blur with the slightest movement. It seems no matter how still I cam it always blurs. Several photos are typically needed to get a clear shot.

When using auto mode and close enough for a macro shot, it often won't give you the green brackets to take the photo. Typically you will have better luck switching directly to the Macro mode manually.

The macro mode will not allow you to take a photo until the conditions are right. This can lose you some shots and become irritating getting the conditions right to allow it all. The plus side of this is that you will always get a clear shot.

When viewing photos you have taken it's very easy to hit the shutter release button. It won't take a photo, but it'll switch to photo mode from review mode. Not a major issue, but a bit annoying.

No viewfinder. I tend to prefer the LCD display, but should that break, there's no viewfinder to fall back on.

Inability to use the zoom feature when recording a video clip.

The Bottom Line

This is a great camera. If you are working with a lower budget and still want a camera that does well, takes great pictures and offers a lot, then this is worthy of serious consideration. I don't for a minute regret my decision to purchase this model, and I'm willing to bet you won't either.