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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: 
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Digital Cameras >
HP Photosmart 315 |
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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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