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Model Design/Appearance
The HP Photosmart M527 looks like a new-age refrigerator with its thick body and rounded edges. The camera blends the cross-media designs of a TV-like LCD, VCR-like buttons, and computer-like menus. Even with the varied features, the HP camera maintains a consistent, even look throughout, wide as it is.
The M527 shares the same design as other M-series models.
Size/Portability
The HP M527, chunkier than most point-and-shoots, measures 3.82 x 1.42 x 2.48 inches with protrusions. Nearly 1.5" thick, the camera could fit in your pocket if you try hard enough. Although the camera is not ideally pocket-sized, it is still compact enough to fit into a clutch purse for evenings out. Weighing almost a half pound with batteries, the camera can weigh down the wrist but will still be light enough for one-handed shots.
Handling Ability
The smooth plastic-metal hybrid surface gives the M527 a slippery feel. Although the camera won’t fly from your hand when shooting, it lacks rubber or Braille-like grips for more secure, stable shooting. There is a slight ditch in the back of the camera body that runs between the zoom lever at the top and the multiselector near the center of the camera; this tiny divot provides a tiny amount of support for the thumb. The camera has enough room on both the right and left sides so that users can take pictures of themselves with one hand.
Control Button/Dial Positioning/Size
HP kept the function buttons on the M527 to a minimum, which is helpful and less intimidating for beginning users. Most of the buttons are appropriately sized and positioned within reach, including the flash, Photosmart Express print, and live view/play buttons that are placed above the LCD screen. The uncluttered positioning makes controlling the camera relatively painless, although a few buttons could have been improved by making them bigger.
Compared to the other buttons, the video record, on/off, and trash buttons are small, thin slivers. Although their tiny size prevents users from accidentally recording video or erasing photos or turning the camera off, the buttons’ size also makes users put a little more elbow grease into their activation.
The shutter button is a healthy size and makes the actual picture-taking easy. The 4-way controller button is also helpful to navigate through the menus.
The buttons are well-labeled with gray or blue graphics, making it easy for new users to become comfortable with the equipment. For those familiar with HP cameras, users will find the layout similar to other HP M-series and higher megapixel R-series models.
Menu
HP’s kitschy menu style models itself, not surprisingly, like computer toolbars. The menu options are divided into four main windows: the capture menu, the design gallery menu, setup menu, and the help menu, like those on Microsoft Word documents.
The following Capture menu includes the shooting mode which also opens up through a different window for quick access, by hitting the 4-way controller.
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Capture Menu
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Shooting Mode
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Macro, Burst, Sunset, Beach & Snow, Night Portrait, Action, Portrait, Landscape, Fast Shot, Self-Timer, Auto Mode
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Image Quality
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6MP Best, 6MP Normal, 4MP, 2MP, VGA, Help
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Date & Time Imprint
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Off, Date Only, Date & Time, Help
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Exposure Compensation
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-2, -1.5, -1, -0.5, 0, +0.5, +1, +1.5, +2, Help
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White Balance
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Auto, Sun, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Help
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ISO Speed
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Auto, ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, Help
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Exit
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The Design Gallery menu offers different photo effects, including the highly publicized “Slimming” effect for the portly. One of the downsides to the menu system is that when engaged, the menu defaults to the second menu, the Design Gallery, instead of the first menu, the Capture menu. Users can, however, access the shooting modes through a dedicated mode button on the 4-way controller.
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Design Gallery Menu
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Remove Red Eyes
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Apply Artistic Effects
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Cancel, Posterize, Soft Glow, Slimming, Kaleidoscope
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Modify Color
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Cancel, Black & White, Sepia, B&W Tints
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Add Borders
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Cancel, Soft Edge, Inset Border, Oval, Circle, Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Square
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Rotate
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OK to save and exit
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Record Audio
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Keep Current Clip, Record New Clip, Delete Clip
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Move Images to Card
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Exit
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The options for setting controls are as follows:
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Setup Menu
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Display Brightness
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Low, Medium, High
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Camera Sounds
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Off, On
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Date & Time
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Mm/dd/yyyy, Date, Time
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USB Configuration
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Digital Camera, Disk Drive
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TV Configuration
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NTSC, PAL
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Language
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English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Norwegian, Finnish, German, French, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Russian
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Exit
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The Help menu features detailed explanations to assist users. Users will not need to look at their manual again with the Help menu. Each section contains extensive details. The sections are as follows: Top Ten Tips, Camera Accessories, Camera Buttons, Using Shooting Modes, Using Design Gallery, Sharing Images, Printing Images, Recording Audio Clips, Recording Video Clips, Reviewing Images and Video, Reviewing Images and Video, Deleting Images, Transferring Images, Managing Batteries, Getting Assistance, and Camera Shortcuts.
For people who hate reading manuals or lose them, the menu on the M527 is perfect. With detailed modes and functions, the camera gives ample explanation for each feature. The functions read more like an intro photo class than a standard point-and-shoot. For example, the landscape mode states, “high f-numbers for more depth of field.” However, for those not interested in f-stops or shutter times, the added text could be annoying. For first-time users of the camera or photography in general, the menu is very helpful. Although the camera comes with a thin pamphlet guide, no manual is necessary.
Ease of Use
For first-time users, the HP Photosmart M527 is fairly easy to use. Anyone with computer literacy will find the camera easy to navigate, due in large part to the menu system and help function. For no-fuss point-and-shooters, however, the extra text is simply photo jargon.
The text is easy to read with white lettering on various colored backgrounds. The camera itself is physically easy to handle, although a bit too heavy at times. The camera also provides previews for LCD brightness and special photo effects without having to alter the original file.
Photo quality, however, is another story.
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