Picture Quality / Size Options
The Image Quality settings are controlled via a subsection located through the Capture Menu. These settings provide users with options for setting the image quality to VGA, 2 MP**, 5 MP**, 8 MP***, and Normal. Still images are recorded in JPEG format while video clips are being captured in MPEG-1. An interesting and unusual feature of the HP Photosmart R927 is that is can upload both still images and video clips directly to Snapfish. This enables photographers to upload, order, print, and share their images online with other members approved by the user.

Picture Effects Mode
This area is a particular selling point for the R927; the camera offers a group of settings meant to partially or wholly replace postproduction editing software programs. While certainly not Photoshop, these settings provide a plethora of preset options which manipulate borders, color palettes, and image styles often found in the preset control options of basic image editing software programs. In the main Capture Menu, the user can set the R927’s Saturation, Sharpness, and Contrast levels, three options which will be deployed during real-time photo capture. While these settings are more than functional, it is the preset digital effects in post-capture Playback Mode that are bound to impress the point-and-shoot enthusiast.

By scrolling to the right of the Capture Menu the user is able to highlight the Design Gallery menu, a menu which allows users to control art effects, modify colors, and add borders to previously captured images. These settings are not available during capture. The R927 will gauge the overall scene just captured by the user and then provide a preset color and tint setting to it. This preset control aims to eliminate the need to scan endless color menus.

The Artist Effects submenu has settings for control over Ink Dots, Cartoon, Watercolor, Center Focus, Posterize, Retro, Soft Glow, Vintage, Slimming, Sky Color, Ground Color, Kaleidoscope, and Solarize. The Modify Colors submenu allows users to select Black and White, Sepia, Black and White tints, Color Tints, and Views. The R927 provides a thumbnail of the image as you scroll through the list of options, instantaneously displaying the results of each alteration.

The Design Gallery features are not available when shooting in movie mode, which is a bit of a disappointment considering the comparable similarities between these presets and the presets found within many basic video editing software packages. Ah well, we’ll see what HP comes up with in 2007.

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