HP Introduces Two New Digital Cameras: HP Photosmart R817 and HP Photosmart R818

[Ben Stafford]

HP announced the introduction of two new cameras, the Photosmart R818 and the Photosmart R817.  Both cameras features a 5.1 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, 8x digital zoom and a 2 inch LCD.  At this point you may be asking yourself why there are actually two cameras? 

First, the R817 comes in a standard silver finish, while the R818 comes in a black matte finish.  Also, when you order the R817 you can get it with or without the docking station, while the R818 comes with the R-series docking station.

The R817 will ship in July and is available with (349 pounds) or without a docking station (299 pounds). The R818 comes bundled with the HP Photosmart R-series docking station for 399 pounds and will ship in August.

Other features of both cameras:

• 15 unique shooting modes including action, landscape, beach and theatre mode
• HP Real Life Technologies - featuring a panorama stitch feature to stitch up to 5 images together
• HP Adaptive Lighting Technology -  automatically brightens selected areas of high contrast photos to give brighter, more true-to-life shots
• HP In-Camera Red Eye Removal - removes red eye from shots while still in the camera
• Available waterproof housing - allows the camera to be submerged up to 40 meters

[Brian]

With all of the new camera announcements over the past few months, HP seems intent on releasing some of the most un-inspiring products. I do like the trend of water proofing the cameras though. Not that many will go on a snorkling trip, but it does help from the inevitable water spill or whatnot.