Color (8.9)
Some digital cameras, especially low-end models, tend to distort colors. However, the HP 435 does quite well in this area. Colors are natural and well-represented. We tested color rendition using a GretagMacbeth color chart and Imatest Imaging Software. The graph below shows the accuracy of each hue. For each color tile; the exterior square is the camera’s produced tones, the inside is the produced tone color corrected by the software and the small vertical triangle in the center is the ideal.

 

The graph below shows the degree of color error. The circles represent the tones produced by the HP Photosmart 435. The squares are the ideal colors. The greater the distance between the two shapes, the greater the margin of error.

 The HP Photosmart 435 received a 6.79 mean color error score. This is good accuracy for a point-and-shoot camera, especially one that retails for under US $200. The mean saturation score for this camera is 122.9 percent, which is common for a compact digital camera, though heavily over-saturated. The tones are over-saturated to compensate for imperfections in skin tones and increase overall vibrancy within the scene.

Still Life Scene
Below is a shot of our classic still life scene taken with the HP Photosmart 435.

Click on the above image to view a full resolution version (CAUTION: the linked file is VERY large!)

Resolution / Sharpness (2.09)
HP advertised 3.34 megapixels on its 1/2.7-inch CCD. However, when we tested the HP Photosmart 435, we found 2.09 megapixels. This is not uncommon; all camera manufacturers do this because of varying definitions of a megapixel. When a camera records 70% of its projected megapixel count, it is considered a “good” score. A camera that captures 80% is considered “very good” and anything exceeding 90% is deemed “excellent” and quite rare. The HP Photosmart 435 scored a bit lower at 66%. The digital camera utilizes 2.09 actual megapixels when recording images at the 2048 x 1536 setting. This should be adequate resolution for 6 x 8 or perhaps even 8 x 10 prints, although that is certainly the limit. If larger prints are desired, another camera with higher recording resolution would be necessary.

Noise—Auto ISO (1.49)
The user manual of the HP Photosmart 435 admitted that the automatic ISO control worked better than the manual ISO speeds. However, we did not find that statement true in our tests. After analyzing images in Imatest software, we found disappointing amounts of noise – even in bright lighting conditions. High noise levels were found in both the automatic and manual ISO settings, although there is slightly more in the automatic setting.

Noise—Manual ISO (2.2)
For each camera offering selectable ISO ratings, we test the produced noise at each available setting. We entered the results into a regression analysis to determine an overall manual noise score. The graph below shows the camera’s ISO settings on the horizontal X-axis and the produced noise on the vertical Y-axis.

 It is admirable that the HP 435 has manual ISO control. Most point-and-shoot digital cameras with a price tag below $200 don’t have manual ISO options at all. Unfortunately, the camera’s ability to handle noise makes me wonder if the effort may have been better used to improve performance rather then increase options. The camera scored poorly on all noise tests. Even under profuse lighting, images produced by the HP 435 contained visible noise. As the available light diminished, noise and distortion only got worse for the HP 435 to the point were I would say the ISO 400 setting is virtually unusable. Therefore, I would recommend this camera as purely an outdoor snapshot imager, but even then, beware of the shade.

Speed / Timing
Start-up/First shot (3.23)
Well, speed might not be the camera’s most impressive feature; it takes 6.77 seconds to power up and record an exposure. You’d better make sure you have a static scene or people with patience; otherwise the shot will be gone before the camera can even turn on.

Shot to shot (5.84)
Successive shots can be recorded every 4.16 seconds with the HP 435. This is not as disappointing as the 6.77 start-up time; however, “rapid fire” is far from possible.

Shutter to shot (8.0)
Shutter to shot time is the fastest speed-sensitive element on the HP 435. Taking 1/2 a second from the time the shutter is depressed to record the frame, the lag time is minimized and will help to ensure most of what is intended is captured.

Intro Page 2 of 12 Physical Tour HP Photosmart 435 Digital Camera Review Navigation