Manual Control Options
There are several manual control options with the R725, although fewer than those which come with the high-end R927. The user will be able to control metering mode settings, Exposure Compensation, Adaptive lighting, Bracketing of Exposure / Adaptive Lighting / Color, ISO, and White Balance. The settings for these features are located within the main Capture Menu and although the menu is a bit long, it is still easy to navigate and alter. ISO, White Balance, and Exposure Compensation all display live view feeds, allowing users to immediately see the effects of alterations.
Focus
Auto Focus
There is no manual focus setting on this camera model, so users will have to rely entirely upon the Auto Focus presets which come on the R725. Focus settings on the R725 are dictated through the Focus button found on the top of the camera. Once activated, a large transparent focusing screen will appear on the LCD and provide the following options: Infinity, Normal, Macro, and Auto Macro Modes. In addition to these, there are settings which will react to the structure of the overall image: multi focus and spot. The Auto Focus settings are quick to respond, with only a slight hiccup in the display on the LCD screen. There is no continuous or single focus setting, so this slight delay will occur regardless.
Manual Focus
Not surprisingly, considering its target audience, the R725 does not provide a manual focus feature. However, the manual focus feature on the high-end R927 of the same line is problematic, hard to gauge, and confusing, so it’s no great loss.
Metering
The metering mode on the R725 is located within the Capture menu and allows users three industry standard options for metering the lighting within a scene. The R725 provide Auto, Center Weighted and Spot metering systems. With these three systems users should be able to overcome some complicated lighting. The default metering mode is center-weighted and the camera will return to this setting if the reset menu option is selected. In instances with dark shadows and uneven lighting with high contrast, the user may also choose to engage the Adaptive Lighting feature, located within the Capture Menu. This setting may also be deployed with the Bracketing feature. The Adaptive Lighting Bracket mode allows users to shoot images with normal, low, and high image processing, in an attempt to minimize high contrast and create a more evenly lit scene. Metering modes may be changed in the main Capture Menu with live views.
Exposure
The R725 does not provide manual control over shutter speed or aperture settings. The user can only be able to control exposure in two ways. The HP Photosmart R725 has an Exposure Compensation control, located in the Capture Menu, which allows manipulation of +/-3 EV with 1/3 stop increments. It is also possible to control exposure by entering into the R725’s Bracketing feature. The Exposure bracketing feature allows the user to select between +/- 0.3 EV, +/-0.7 EV, and +/- 1 EV, allowing three images to be captured at once. Exposure Compensation may be adjusted with a live view, allowing users immediate visual recognition of the alterations they are making to their images.
White Balance
There a number of White Balance options available on the R725: full auto, full manual, or four preset modes. The four preset modes are Sun, Shade, Tungsten, and Fluorescent. The manual White Balance setting was quick to react and worked accurately on the showroom floor, something that didn’t always hold true for the auto white balance feature. The user must enter the Capture Menu to alter settings to White Balance, either by remaining within the main menu and scanning through symbols, or by entering into the full White Balance submenu. The first provides live views; the second, textual descriptions and a thumbnail image depicting when this setting may be appropriate.
ISO
The ISO range on the R725 by HP is manually controllable and is accessible by entering the Capture Menu or delving further into a submenu. The ISO range for the R725 is identical to that of the high-end R927 and allows users to select among Auto, 100, 200, and 400 ISO ratings.
Shutter Speed
There is no way to manually control shutter speed control on the R725, though it has quite a range of 16 seconds to 1/2000th of a second. This range should manage to cover most shooting situations that the point-and-shoot user may encounter.
Aperture
There is no manual control over the aperture range, which shouldn’t come as a shock, considering the lack of both manual focus and shutter speed control on this camera. However, it is a bit of a disappointment when these three manual control features are available on the more expensive R927. The automatic aperture range found on the HP Photosmart R725 is f/3.5 to f/7.4 in wide angle, and f/4.2 to f/8.8 in telephoto.
