HP 912 CAMERA REVIEW BY JIM BAUDO

the HP PhotoSmart C912. Designed with the photo enthusiast in mind, the PhotoSmart C912 digital camera delivers the control, performance and flexibility of an SLR camera. 

THE cameras were developed with new HP imaging technology, creating a "custom photo lab" inside the camera. This exclusive HP imaging technology optimizes each individual picture, automatically adjusting for difficult lighting conditions, showing greater detail in highlights and shadows, and ensuring proper contrasts and colors.

With these product introductions, we are now able to offer consumers a range of digital cameras, from a simple point and shoot, to a camera with the control and performance of a full-featured SLR," said Cheryl Katen, general manager of HP's Home Imaging Division. "The HP PhotoSmart C912 provideS the exceptional quality and innovation one would expect from HP."

HP PhotoSmart C912 Digital Camera

The HP PhotoSmart C912 Digital Camera features HP imaging technology with 2.24-megapixel resolution and 36-bit color depth to deliver image sharpness that rivals that of expensive 3.2-megapixel cameras, a 2/3-inch professional frame transfer Charged Couple Device (CCD), a Pentax precision lens with 3x optical zoom, and wireless printing using JetSend infrared technology. The result is exceptional detail in 11 x 14-inch prints.

Designed with the look and feel of an SLR camera, the HP PhotoSmart C912 Digital Camera features a 2-inch flip-up color LCD, allowing for easier framing of difficult shots. The camera also offers the same functionality one would expect from an SLR, including manual focus, exposure, and color and flash control.

Additional HP PhotoSmart C912 Digital Camera features include the following:

• Accurate photos: Through The Lens (TTL) viewfinder, including exposure control information

• Increased photo capture: continuous-shooting mode to capture sports, wildlife, and fast-action events

• Dual battery solution: four AA batteries or optional rechargeable Li-Ion batteries for maximum flexibility

• Sound capture: up to 45 seconds of sound capture with each photo

Description and specifications

HP Photosmart 912 digital cameras are SLR-type digital cameras designed for photo enthusiasts who value control and creativity in both taking pictures and afterwards on the PC.

Intended market (worldwide) 

Photo enthusiasts

Part number 

 

912	C6326A
912xi	C6327A

HP Imaging Technology 

• Custom ASIC for high-performance image processing
• Image processing at 220,000,000 operations per image in less than 1/2 second
• Excellent enlargements at 11 x 14

Box contents 

Hardware

• Camera includes factory-installed lens cap, viewfinder cap, hot-shoe cover and AA battery holder
• 16 MB Type I CompactFlash memory card
• 4 AA hi energy lithium photo batteries (not rechargeable)
• SLR-type neck strap

Software

• Aspen CD
• Mac third-party application CD, ArcSoft (R)

Learning products

• Quick start Guide
• In-depth camera and software manuals are on Aspen CD

Miscellaneous

• Infrared remote control
• PC USB cable
• NTSC/PAL video/audio out cable

Minimum system requirements 

Windows

• Windows 98, Me, 2000, or NT 4.0
• Window 95 and NT 4.0 require 64 MB RAM, and supported via a referenced card reader
• 166 MHz Pentium (R) processor or better
• 32 MB RAM (64 MB recommended)
• 256 color display (16-bit color recommended)
• 100+ MB free disk space
• Onboard USB (Windows 95 OSR2.1+)
• CD-ROM drive (sound card and speakers recommended)

Macintosh

• USB - Mac OS 8.6 or better
• 233MHz PowerPC processor
• 64 MB RAM
• 800 x 600, 256 color display
• 150 MB free disk space
• CD ROM drive

NOTE: Enable Apple File Exchange Control Panel.

Resolution 

Resolution 1600 x 1280 pixels (full) and 800 x 640 pixels (1/4)

Sensor 

• 2/3-inch 2.24-megapixel CCD
• Professional frame transfer architecture

Color depth 

36 bit (12 bits x 3 colors)

Memory 

 

Quality level
Resolution	Good	Better	Best	TIFF
8 MB card, full	32	16	8	1
1/4	128	64	32	5
16 MB card, full	64	32	16	2
1/4	256	128	64	10
32 MB card, full	128	64	32	5
1/4	512	256	128	21

The HP Photosmart 912 digital camera supports Type I and Type II memory cards fulfilling the standards of the CompactFlash Association (CFA)

NOTE: The table shows an average number of stored images that will vary from photo session to photo session. Factors such as camera control settings and picture composition influence the sizes of image files on the card.

Lens 

• Pentax power zoom 8 elements in 7 groups; 1 aspherical element
• f/2.5 - f/3.9
• 49 mm diameter lens with threads for filters and adapters

Zoom 

• 3x optical, 2x digital zoom
• 8.2 mm - 25.8 mm
• 34 - 107 mm (35 mm equivalent)
• Digital zoom: shooting 1.2/1.5/2x; playback 2x

Exposure control 

• Program, aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual control
• Continuous exposure and exposure lock

Exposure compensation 

+/-3.0 EV in 1/2 steps

Shutter speed 

1/1000 to 4 seconds

Picture modes 

Fully automatic with 6 picture modes:

• Standard
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Action
• Close-up
• Night

Shooting modes 

• Single shot, continuous
• Time lapse

Focus 

• Through the Lens (TTL) contrast detection, auto focus with manual override
• Normal: 0.5 m (1.64 feet) to infinity
• Macro: 0.02 m (0.07 feet) to 0.6 m (1.97 feet)
• Manual focus from 0.1 m (0.33 feet) to infinity
• Focusing area: wide and spot

Sensitivity 

Auto, fixed (equivalent to ISO 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400)

Metering 

TTL metering: choice of average, center-weighted, or spot

White balance 

Auto, daylight, tungsten, fluorescent, and 5500K

Color control 

• Color
• Black and white
• Sepia

Self timer 

• 10 second delay
• Infrared remote control shutter release (immediate or 3 second)

Viewfinder 

• SLR-type TTL optical viewfinder with full exposure read out and diopter adjustment
• AF area box
• Diopter adjustment from -2.5m^-1 to +1.5m^-1
• Field of view: 95% vertically/horizontally

Flash 

• Built in retractable TTL auto flash
• Flash modes: auto, auto with red-eye, forced on, forced on with red-eye, and forced off
• Pre-flash indicator
• Hot-shoe for external flash

Sound capture 

Sound capture and playback with 45 seconds of recording per image

LCD 

• 2-inch color LCD with 130,338 pixels
• Flip-up screen
• 2x playback zoom
• Adjustable brightness control
• Full screen or thumbnail views
• Custom slide show

Image control functions 

• Send images via Fast IrDA to select printers and cameras
• Delete, group, protect, and categorize
• Watermark photos with date, time, text, or logo

Power 

• 4 AA batteries (included)
• Optional: rechargeable Li-Ion battery and recharger or AC adapter

Interfaces 

• USB to PC and Mac
• Fast IrDA with Jetsend and Digital protocols
• NTSC/PAL TV connect
• Orientation sensor for automatic image rotation on TV, camera, and computer

Camera operating system 

Flashpoint Digita

Dimensions 

• 143.5 x 90.5 x 105 mm (Int.)
• 5.6 x 3.6 x 4.1 inches (US)

Weight 

• 570 g without batteries and CF card (Int.)
• 20 oz. without batteries and CF card (US)

Warranty 

HP 1 year exchange warranty

Exposure control 

• Programmed AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter- Priority AE, and Metered Manual
• Continuous exposure and exposure lock

Automatic bracketing 

3 Frames in 0.5 or 1.0 EV steps

Image LCD 

• 2-inch, low-temperature poly-silicon TFT color LCD with 130,338 pixels
• Flip-up display
• Adjustable brightness control
• Full screen or thumbnail views
• Custom slide show

Status LCD 

• Battery level
• Flash modes
• Exposure counter
• Shutter speed
• Aperture
• Shooting mode
• Auto Focus (AF) frame

HP CAMERA MAIN MENU