Front
The front of the R725 features a small fixed lens in the upper right-hand corner. This leaves a mere sliver of body between the lens and meandering fingers of the left hand. To the left of the HP Precision 3x lens the user will find an AF assist light and horizontal in-camera Flash, which is positioned far enough off the center axis of the lens to create harsh and un-flattering shadows when used. Moving further left, there is a small pin-hole, which contains the monaural microphone for the camera’s audio recording in movie and audio clip modes. Curving along the left half of the front face, and scalloping out from a point at the top edge of the camera, is a graceful arc for a grip for the fingers of the right hand. However, there’s no textured gripping surface.
Back
The 2-inch LCD screen resides on the back of the camera and is framed in an oddly wide black frame, which makes this already undersized LCD seem smaller. Above the LCD the user will find an On/Off button that is horizontal, slender, and petite; a combination which makes any sort of quick activation futile. This button often demanded careful activation with a fingernail. All other controls on the camera function well and are proper in size, so it seems like an odd place to falter in functional design.
Directly adjacent and to the right of this control is a blue LED to indicate whether the camera is off or on. To the right of the LCD, the user will find an area that is slightly carved into the camera frame. At the top of this shallow basin the user will find a rotated L-shaped zoom toggle; it allows the user to enter multi-up and zoom when viewing images in playback mode. Beneath this zoom toggle is the well-sized four-way controller. In the center of the four-way controller is the Menu/OK button, also well sized, with full text labels. The up arrow also doubles as means of entry into the Shooting Mode menu. Below the four-way controller, and beside the LCD screen, the user will find the Delete button.
Right Side
The right side of the HP Photosmart R725 features a vertical port cover positioned on the lower half of the camera. The port cover must be pressed in and slid downwards to open. It reveals a DC in and a USB port. This cover is made of the same materials found on the rest of the camera body, and should be able to provide ample protection for these two features.
Left Side
The left side of the R725 has no controls or other features aside from two small screws which sit fairly flush with the camera surface.
Top
The top of the R725 features a number of essential controls. On the far left side of the top is an in-camera audio playback feature. To its right is the flash button, which will promptly display the flash settings for the R725 upon the LCD screen. Once displayed, these settings may be altered via the right and left arrows of the four-way controller.
Continuing to the right, the user will find the focus button, which acts similarly to the flash control, providing users with an onscreen transparent menu which displays possible AF settings to select among. Beside the flash control will be the Photo Express button for instant access to the print and share features of the R725. And lastly, there is the Shooting/Playback button that allows users to efficiently toggle between these two modes.
To the right of these controls are two other important buttons for the R725. Positioned on an angled slope between the top and front of the camera, the shutter button is placed such that access is easy and comfortable. This ovoid button is large enough to allow even the most immediate and hurried snapshot to occur. Towards the back of the camera and slightly to the right of Shutter button, users will find the Movie Record button which switches the camera from still to video modes without entering onscreen menus. Finally, on the right edge of the top face, the eyelet for the optional wrist strap sits flush with the surface of the camera, a design feature which minimizes snagging when the R725 is slipped into a pocket.
Bottom
Located directly beneath the right-hand grip, users will find a port cover on the bottom of the camera which when unlocked exposes both the battery and optional memory card slot. The locking mechanism for this port should prevent this feature from accidentally opening or breaking during transport. Towards the center of the camera are two other features that connect the R725 to optional printer docks which do not come bundled with this camera. Forward from this, users will find a plastic tripod mount. Metal is better, but this is an inexpensive point-and-shoot, after all.
