Digital Camera News

HP Updates High-End R-Series with R725, R727, and R927

January 4, 2006, Las Vegas, NV - Today at CES HP announced three new cameras in its R-series, the 6.2 megapixel Photosmart R725, 6 megapixel R727, and 8.1 megapixel R927. All cameras feature 3x optical zoom, metal bodies, and offer extensive in-camera features to make it as easy as possible for users to share their images after capture.

All three cameras provide HP’s Photosmart Express, an impressive in-camera organizing and distributing feature that lets users select up to 34 destinations (printers, folders, albums, email addresses, etc.) for their images, both in-camera and off. The R725, R727, and R927 also offer automatic in-camera red-eye removal, Adaptive Lighting to bring out detail in shadows, and HP Design Gallery, a new in-camera editing package that can add 10 borders, 12 filters, and 4 color effects. They also all come with HP Photosmart Software, in case users want to adjust photos more thoroughly before sending them off. And for advice on improving technique, the three new cameras include Image Advice, a built-in function that offers real-time advice on how to improve a given shot next time it is taken. HP claims in the press release that it is "like having a professional photographer with you at all times!"

Also, all three cameras can function with the 6221 HP Photosmart Premium camera dock and HP Photosmart 6222 Wireless Camera Dock Base, which are capable of wireless connectivity and transfer. Unfortunately, the 6222 wireless dock base not is included with any of the cameras and must be purchased separately, though the R727 and R927 at least come bundled with the 6221 dock.

There are a small handful of differences between the new Photosmart R-series models. They all have the same 4.6-ounce weight and dimensions of 3.3 x 0.8 x 2.2 inches, though the R927 looks the most unique physically; it’s the only model of the three to feature a telescoping lens assembly. The R725 and R727 have non-extending lenses in the upper right corner of the front face.

All three capture VGA video at 24 fps with audio, but all have different LCD sizes according to HP: the R725’s is 2", the R727’s is 2.5", and the R927’s is an impressive 3". All three are metal-bodied, but the R727 is aluminum, the R927 is stainless steel, and the R725’s type is not specified. Only the R727 and R927 offer 5-frame panoramic stitching and permit users to print a frame from video footage with HP Video Prints.

All three will have different retail prices, but exact pricing is yet to be determined. The Photosmart R725, Photosmart R727, and Photosmart R927 will all be available in the US in April 2006.