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HP Photosmart 315 Digital Camera Review
HP Photosmart 315 Digital Camera Review - PCSTATS
With the ever growing popularity of digital cameras it's no surprise that this market has not only attracted traditional photography giants such as Kodak or Olympus, but also has brought forth competition in the form of devices from such consumer electronics manufacturers such as Sony and Toshiba.
 95% Rating:   
Filed under: Digital Cameras Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: HP Mar 17 2001   D. Deveaux  
Home > Reviews > Digital Cameras > HP Photosmart 315

Performance & Image Quality



Note: Each image was taken at the maximum quality setting (1600x1200, minimal compression). When looking at the full 1600x1200 image, it does appear a tad grainy. Take note however, that 1600x1200 pixels translates into an image size that is larger than an 8x10 printed image, which is the maximum size I'd recommend with any 2 megapixel camera. Take this into account when reading the following quality explanations.

Whether taken indoors or outdoors, images produced by the Photosmart 315 are truly amazing; especially considering the $299 price tag. Outdoor shots are very detailed, with excellent color reproduction. Indoor pictures taken with the flash, while not quite as natural looking, are still better than average for cameras in the 315's price range. One thing you'll notice is that the flash is quite powerful in this unit; which can be a problem especially for portrait shooting purposes. In such instances, a person's face can easily be washed out. To avoid this, try moving to a location where more light is available, or moving away from the subject so that the effect of the flash isn't as pronounced.

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An example of digital zoom

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In terms of printed output, the camera does indeed manage to produce sharp looking 8x10 images. While not quite approaching film quality, the results are still quite good. Take note however, that in order to achieve excellent output, a high quality inkjet printer is a must.

One image quality issue is that the camera does not like low light environments without the flash. In such cases, images tend to be very grainy. This is due to how digital cameras work in general, and is once again not a flaw with the Photosmart 315 itself. In a digital camera, information is captured as a signal from the image sensor. In a low light situation, this information must be amplified to achieve proper exposure and lighting, and it is the amplification that causes the graininess (noise). While some higher end cameras offer the ability to compensate for this (often called "exposure compensation"), few, if any cameras offer it for under $300.

In terms of battery life, it is no surprise that digital cameras can eat through a freshly charged set of Duracell's in no time. Even still, extended use of the camera reveals fairly good power requirements. The included Panasonic AA cells lasted about 50 pictures (48 used the flash, and most were framed using the battery guzzling LCD screen). For best results, it is recommended to purchase a set of rechargeable NiMH AA batteries, which should cost around $30 $40 for a 4 pack with charger. Not only are such batteries rechargeable, but they tend to last longer in digital cameras as well, simply due to their ability to maintain a constant voltage output throughout a single charge.

Final Thoughts & Conclusion

Words can barely describe my satisfaction of the Photosmart 315. With excellent image quality, easy installation and use, and a very competitive price, this unit definitely gives value a whole new meaning. It is hard to imagine what more could have been crammed into this camera without raising the price significantly, and HP definitely deserves credit for including the features they did. Unless optical zoom capability isn't too important, this camera definitely should be considered.

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Contents of Article: HP Photosmart 315
 Pg 1.  HP Photosmart 315 Digital Camera Review
 Pg 2.  Camera Layout
 Pg 3.  — Performance & Image Quality

 
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