HP PhotoSmart R927

If you are looking for a camera but don't know where to start, take a look at this little beauty. It has all you will ever want from a camera.

I don't boast a huge knowledge of cameras, I just wanted what I think most people do, a camera that is simple to use at an affordable price that takes excellent photo's. That is exactly what I found with this camera. I can't fault it. It is fully automatic, just point and shoot. Simple! Even a child could use this one easily. If you are more knowledgeable about exposures, F-numbers, shutter speeds, aperture and all that technical stuff, you can adjust it manually if you prefer. There is a custom mode to save your preferred settings. There is also a help menu in the camera so if you are not sure of anything, no need to keep referring to the instruction manual.

There are shooting modes you can alter in the camera:

Warm colours for sunset scenes

Preserves white colour in snow scenes

Warm tones for beach scenes

Long exposure for dark scenes, camera needs to be held steady for this, and

Night portrait.

Action (fast shutter speed)

Panorama where if you take a series of photo's the camera will stitch them together

Theatre, for varied lighting

Portrait will bring subject crisp and clear, blurring background and

Landscape giving high F-numbers for depth of field.

If all that sounds a little confusing, don't worry, you will probably do just as I do and keep it on Automatic! You still will get extremely good prints! You can adjust from 8.2megapixel to 5megapixel if you want more space on your memory card, I don't bother personally, I keep to 8.2 and get 63 photo's on a 128 memory card, plenty for my usage. There is also, of course, a video facility, I rarely use this as I have a camcorder for that.

The software for downloading your prints is very easy to use. I had no problems whatsoever. And downloading and/or printing is again, child's play. You will be very proud of your professional looking photo's! The red eye removal works great too, the camera does this automatically.

You have a docking station supplied with this camera, for charging the battery, downloading prints or viewing your photo's on your TV.

The battery lasts quite a while on a full charge, I have used the camera a lot and have not had to put it on charge a great deal. My old camera took AA batteries and certainly did not last as long as this without recharging or replacing the batteries. This camera has a rechargeable battery included, looks rather like the ones used in mobile phones. Just place the camera on the docking station, plug in and leave till charged, about a couple hours.

One thing I really love about this camera is that it has a huge 3" LCD with 170degree viewing angle, no more eye strain even for those a little visually challenged, trying to look at a picture the size of a postage stamp!

There is also a Design Gallery within the camera where you can change your pictures, border or frame them.

The price of this camera varies quite a bit. In Argos it is £249.99. In Jessops there was an offer on when I was looking, £199.99. To get the best deal you don't have to look any further than this site. I bought mine from a link here, cameras2u, at the time I paid £152.15 but now I see they are a little cheaper! For the price you can pay for this camera, you will have a bargain. Whether for your own use or if you are buying as a gift for someone, you cannot fail to please. Just one thing to bear in mind, the camera does not come supplied with a memory card or case so remember to order a memory card with it and a case if you want one. They are reasonable enough to buy with the camera at cameras2u.

I am sure you will be as delighted with this camera as I am. It is certainly the best I have ever used.