HP 715 3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Perhaps when this product first came out, it made some good impressions to those unfamiliar with digital cameras. But by now, this camera seems ancient and incompetent when compared to its competitors.

Turning it on takes several long seconds, and if you want to take a picture right away, it may take even longer. From the time you press your finger down to the time that the camera actually goes off, I've frequently had to wait up until half a minute. Instant use is just not possible with this camera.

The features to view stored images are very limited and poorly designed. On occasion I've accidentally deleted photos, because there is only one big button on the back that serves many functions, making it easy do something that you don't want to do.

To put it simply, skip this one over and get something newer. This camera is frustrating to deal with, and not even worth the cheaper price.

I bought my HP 715 about two years ago and I have never been sorry.Although it has been discontinued at this writing it is still available on line and elsewhere. It is by far the greatest camera I have ever owned. You don't need a degree to operate it and it always comes thru. It has a big camera feel and I love that. Whatever the occasion I feel at home using this camera on landscapes and portraits. I use a 256 MB Compact flash card so I can shoot all pix on the fine setting. But the default setting is equally as good. The program that goes into the computor is by far the best money can buy. The pix are downloaded and organized into a real neat format and easy to retrieve for email or print. Today you are fortunate since you an purchae it much cheaper than I did at Staples. ... I am still in awe of it. The controls are on top and rapid changes can be made without guessing. If you are new or pro to digital cameras, get this one and don't worry about it being discontined.It is still the state of the art. It also defies the adage about digitals eating up batteries. It's power consumption is very frugal. Try it and you will love it. Thanks HP.

GREAT CAMERA. SIMPLE TO USE AND VERSATLE. USED IT ON A YACHT CLUB CRUISE TOOK OVER 100 PICTURES AND MADE A GREAT SLIDE SHOW! ALSO TOOK OVER 100 PICTURES ON A TRIP TO NOVA SCOTIA. YOU DOO NEED TO UPGRADE THE MEMORY TO 128. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT THE NEW MODEL IS AVAILABLE FOR ONLY $ 30.00 MORE THAN I PAID FOR THIS!!
DAN SHINKWIN

We already own a C618 (earlier model of this camera) and are buying this as a grad present.

BATTERIES: The way to go with batts is the Panasonic package of charger and batteries, plus an extra package of batts, get it at BJ's. DO NOT USE BATTS WITH ANOTHER MANUFACTURER'S CHARGERS! We suffered faults with Kodak batts and charger, and the Rayovac batts and charger caught fire on our wall plug.

FLASH CARDS: GO with humongous sized memory, you won't be fumbling during that perfect oppportunity. Getting reasonably priced flash cards is best done online, it's easy, AND you don't need an entire flash receptical if you own a laptop, the card holder slides right into the modem slots, easy for travel downloading. We use the laptop, load pics to zips and hard drive (safety) then burn a master CD-R of everything to free up zip space.

FAULTS: The damn on/off button you better watch, putting it into a tight camera case can activtate the on feature, out slides the lens, binding against the case, and scary ratchetting noises ensue. No damage from that yet, but watch it! Darkness is this camera's worst enemy, I haven't got that figured out well enough yet, and the shakes ruin anything with a time exposure. AND THIS BABY TAKES FORRRRRRRRRREVER TO CYCLE SO YOU CAN SHOOT AGAIN, so bring the old motor driven 35MM for those rapid fire pic needs.

We bought two, and that says it all. Plus, nothing like commanility in components.

You absolutely can not go wrong with this camera. If you're looking for a pure point and click camera, this is the one for you. Set-up is extremely easy and the user manual is very well written. Also, the included software is very easy to use. The one recommendation I would make would be for you to decline the free 32mb Compact Flash Card and opt for the credit towards a higher capacity one (if offered). At the highest resolution setting, a 40mb card will yield 25 pictures. The highest setting on a 128mb card gives you 81.