HP Photosmart R725

Connectivity
Software
Despite all the in-camera options, the HP Photosmart R725 is slated to come packaged with additional software anyway. HP may intend for the in-camera effects to be comprehensive, but while some of the effects found within Design Gallery are functional, users can’t dictate important settings like border color. (The camera would sometimes come up with odd shades such as puce.) The camera comes with the HP Photosmart Express editing software.

Jacks, Ports, Plugs
This camera does not come with a printing dock for either WiFi or cabled printing, so users will need to rely upon the USB 1.0 port positioned on the right side of the camera body for connection to PC, television or printer. Also underneath this cleanly constructed port cover, users will find a DC in port for optional alternative powering, a feature distinctly missing from the higher-end R927. The camera is able to engage in direct printing along with connection to Snapfish and a PC. There is a printer dock port on the bottom of the camera body, positioned alongside a tripod socket constructed out of not-so-durable plastic. On the base of the camera body beside the tripod socket is a locking port cover that protects the lithium-ion battery and the memory card. The construction of this port cover ensures that accidental mishandling will not result in damaged or lost media or batteries.

Direct Print Options
The direct print features for the HP Photosmart R725 are available as either a direct connection between the camera’s USB port and a printer, or through either WiFi or standard printer docks that connect to the bottom of the camera body. But with that being said, the user of the R725 will find a distinct lack of a printer dock upon examining the contents of the box. HP has decided that this lower priced R-series camera will come only with cables for connection to printer or computer. Additional docks will need to be purchased separately, an unfortunate and unpleasant hidden cost.

The HP Photosmart R725 allows users to crop images, manipulate image effects with Design Gallery, rotate images, and upload images to the web or PC in addition to standard direct printing. While not one-button printing, the Photo Express menu is easy to navigate and will give users the opportunity to select images for printing or sharing. The user will be able to select between 34 separate destination folders including printers and email addresses.

Battery
The HP Photosmart R725 comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Users may want to purchase a second one as a backup while the first is recharging.

Memory
The R725 by HP does have 32 MB of internal memory, and there is also an optional SD memory card slot located on the bottom of the camera. Both the card and the battery slot are hidden by a port cover on the bottom of the camera. The 32MB memory card should provide a good starting point for memory, although larger cards would be required for a multitude of higher resolution images or longer digital video clips.

Other Features
Image Advice - This setting provides users with information regarding potential and already taken images, hopefully giving beginners a push up the learning curve.

Image Info - This option, which may be found within the Playback Menu, enables users to view an image along with corresponding information regarding the size, name, time and date of the photograph.

Adaptive Lighting - When shooting in lighting situations that involve high contrast or deep shadows, the Adaptive Lighting feature could be used to provide a more even and less extreme dynamic range. This setting may be used as a Bracketing option as well, allowing users to capture three images at Normal, Low and High.