Front
The front of the HP Photosmart M527 features a telescoping lens barrel positioned on the right side of the camera body. Above the lens and slightly to its right, there is a sensor and an in-camera microphone for recording audio during video capture and for attaching sound memos to captured still images. Above and to the left of the lens barrel, parallel to the top edge of the camera, the horizontal flash sits off the center of the lens axis. Carving its way down from the center of the flash’s left side the user will find a scalloped ridge which functions as a gripping point for the fingers of the right hand. This sleek smooth feature could be greatly enhanced if a slight build out or texture were provided. Besides these camera features, the front face of the M527 has logos in the upper left corner and lower right corner; there is also one more which runs vertically up the left side of the camera body.

Back
The 2.0-inch LCD is the most dominant feature on the back face of the Photosmart M527. It has a large frame which fans out smoothly to connect with the rest of the camera body. This design is a great improvement over that found on the lower-end M425, allowing the user more room to hold the camera while placing controls away from the LCD and in a space which is both more convenient and logical.

Above the LCD, the user will find a small sliver of an On/Off button with a blue LED on the left that signals the current power state of the camera. The On/Off control would be greatly improved if moved to the top of the camera and increased in size for an easier and faster start-up. To the right of the LCD screen and the On/Off button, the user will notice a shallow depression which contains a zoom toggle in the upper left corner. This zoom toggle is interesting in design: it is shaped like an L which has been rotated 90 degrees clockwise.

Beneath the zoom toggle, nestled in the lower half of the thumb rest depression, is the four-way controller which is also well sized and easy to recognize and control. In the center of the four-way control is the Menu/OK button for the camera, another impressively sized control with well labeled attributes. Beneath the four-way control and near the base of the camera, the lozenge-shaped horizontal trash button is labeled clearly and will allow users to instantly dispose of unwanted photos during review without having to navigate multiple menu structures first.

Right
The only feature on the right side of the camera is the eyelet for an optional wrist strap. The eyelet is nearly flush with the camera body, eliminating any real chance that this will snag or catch when being removed from a pocket or carrying bag.

Left
The left side of the HP Photosmart M527 has a vertical port cover towards the bottom. This port cover is constructed out of the same material as the camera body, a material which seems to be plastic, although HP representatives stated otherwise. The port cover is sturdy and swivels on an attachment point found at its top. It snaps securely closed via a latch located at the bottom. Opening this port cover gives users access to the USB and the DC In ports for the camera. The top of the camera curves down onto the left side, allowing for a comfortable gripping area for the left hand. Users who aren’t paying attention may mistakenly cover the microphone positioned nearby.

Top
The top of the M527 features three buttons which have been placed in a horizontal line running from the left side to the center of the camera. The far left button controls the flash menu, the center button proffers up the Photo Express Menu for simple sharing and printing of images, and the third button controls whether the camera is in Shooting or Playback mode. Moving to the right of these controls is the large and comfortably set shutter button which, although unlabeled, is intuitively placed. Towards the back of the camera and slightly right of the shutter, users will find the Record mode button. Hitting this will cause the screen to go black and refresh before the M527 records video clips to either optional SD memory cards or internal memory.

Bottom
There are several features located on the base of the M527, along with the expected and centrally positioned tripod mount. Not surprisingly for a camera in this price point, HP went with a plastic tripod mount instead of a metal mount like the one on the R927. Most plastic tripod mounts, unfortunately, strip easily with continual use, something to consider if you plan on mounting this camera.

Moving towards the back of the camera, the user should find a port for an optional wireless or cabled dock. This connecting point allows users to upload images, direct print still images, and view digital video and still shots on a TV or PC monitor. Still, optional accessory docks will need to be purchased to engage in these operations. Beneath the right-hand “grip” and located alongside the port and tripod mount, the locking battery and memory card port cover is carefully constructed and appears to be able to withstand heavy use. The port cover features a secure locking device which should competently protect memory cards and batteries when the camera is both in use and in travel. The port cover has a strong hinge located on its interior and runs from the front to the back of the camera body. Opening the port cover reveals the AA battery ports and memory card slot positioned alongside each other. Enough room exists between these features for access without hassles or complications.

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