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Hewlett Packard's Photosmart M537 digital camera. Courtesy of Hewlett Packard, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. HP: Three new Photosmart digicams
By
(Thursday, March 8, 2007 - 12:10 EST)

Hewlett Packard has today announced three new digital camera models for its Photosmart series - the HP Photosmart M437, M537, and R837.

Of the three, the HP Photosmart R837 is perhaps the most interesting. Where past HP cameras have tended to all follow a fairly similar theme styling-wise, the HP R837 is a bit of a departure for the company in that it has a vertically sliding panel on the front of the camera body that (when closed) offers protection for the lens. The 3x optical zoom itself is also noteworthy for the fact that it has been branded as a Fujinon lens, where the other two cameras both have "HP Precision"-branded lenses. The R837 couples its lens with a seven megapixel imager, provides a generous 3.0" LCD display for image framing or review, and stores data in 32MB of built-in memory, or on SD / MMC cards. Power comes from a proprietary Lithium Ion battery, and the HP R837 includes both USB and NTSC / PAL video connections. HP claims two firsts for the R837 - first digicam with an in-camera "pet-eye fix" mode, and first to feature in-camera tagging of photos (compatible with Windows Vista).

The HP Photosmart M437 and M537, meanwhile, are closely related cameras that feature styling more akin to the company's past models. These entry-level cameras differ in their choices of image sensor and LCD display - five megapixels with a 2.0" LCD for the lower-spec M437 model, and six megapixels with a 2.5" display for the M537. Both cameras have 3x optical zoom lenses, 16MB of built-in memory plus an SD / MMC card slot, USB and NTSC / PAL connectivity, and power from two AA batteries (disposable alkalines being included in the product bundles).

Availability for all three cameras has not been disclosed at this time, and pricing information is only available for the entry level M437 model, which will ship at an estimated street price of $109.

Hewlett Packard Photosmart M437
Hewlett Packard's Photosmart M437 digital camera. Courtesy of Hewlett Packard, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeCompact
ManufacturerHewlett Packard
Model NumberM437
Dimensions3.8 x 1.2 x 2.5"
96.0 x 31.0 x 64.0mm
Weight131.0 g
4.6 oz
Planned Availability 2007
Warranty1 years
Image Capture
Sensor Type1/2.5 CCD
5.20 megapixels (total)
5.00 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio4:3
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD2.0"
Lens
Lens TypeHP Precision 3x optical zoom
3x optical zoom
Focal Length5.4 - 16.2mm (actual)
38 - 114mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/2.8 - f/? (wide), f/4.8 - f/? (tele)
Focusing SystemContrast Detect
Manual Focus possible (100) steps
Focusing RangeNormal: 12" - infinity (30 cm - infinity)
Macro: 2.0" - 33" (5 cm - 80 cm)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, 100, 200, 400, 800
Shutter Speed1 - 1/1000 second
Metering ModesCenter-weighted AE
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/2EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto
Internal FlashModes: Auto, On, Off, Auto with Red-eye Reduction
Creative
Scene ModesClose-up, Steady Photo, Theater, Landscape, Portrait, Action, Night Portrait, Su nset
Digital ZoomUp to 5x
Self TimerYes, 10 seconds
Movie FormatMPEG1 with audio
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC, Built-in
File SystemFAT16
File FormatJPEG (Exif 2.2)
Connectivity
VideoYes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed
OtherCamera dock
Power
Battery TypeAlkaline, Lithium disposables, NiMH rechargeables
Battery Form Factor2x AA
Product Bundle
SoftwareHP Photosmart Premier
Battery / Charger2x AA Alkaline disposables battery
Flash Memory16.0MB Internal
Other
PictBridge CompliantYes
Tripod MountYes
 

Hewlett Packard Photosmart M537
Hewlett Packard's Photosmart M537 digital camera. Courtesy of Hewlett Packard, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
ManufacturerHewlett Packard
Model NumberM537
Dimensions3.8 x 1.2 x 2.5"
96.0 x 31.0 x 64.0mm
Weight142.0 g
5.0 oz
Planned Availability 2007
Warranty1 years
Image Capture
Sensor Type1/2.5 CCD
6.30 megapixels (total)
6.00 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio4:3
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD2.5"
Lens
Lens TypeHP Precision 3x optical zoom
3x optical zoom
Focal Length5.4 - 16.2mm (actual)
38 - 114mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/2.8 - f/? (wide), f/4.8 - f/? (tele)
Focusing SystemContrast Detect
Manual Focus possible (100) steps
Focusing RangeNormal: 12" - infinity (30 cm - infinity)
Macro: 2.0" - 33" (5 cm - 80 cm)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, 100, 200, 400, 800
Shutter Speed1 - 1/1000 second
Metering ModesCenter-weighted AE
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto
Internal FlashModes: Auto, On, Off, Auto with Red-eye Reduction
Creative
Scene ModesClose-up, Steady Photo, Theater, Landscape, Portrait, Action, Night Portrait, Sunset
Digital ZoomUp to 6x
Self TimerYes, 10 seconds
Movie FormatMPEG1 with audio
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC, Built-in
File SystemFAT16
File FormatJPEG (Exif 2.2)
Connectivity
VideoYes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed
OtherCamera dock
Power
Battery TypeAlkaline, Lithium disposables, NiMH rechargeables
Battery Form Factor2x AA
Product Bundle
SoftwareHP Photosmart Premier
Battery / Charger2x AA Alkaline battery
Flash Memory16.0MB Internal
Other
PictBridge CompliantYes
Tripod MountYes
 

Hewlett Packard Photosmart R837
Hewlett Packard's Photosmart R837 digital camera. Courtesy of Hewlett Packard, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeCompact
ManufacturerHewlett Packard
Model NumberR837
Dimensions3.9 x 1.1 x 2.5"
100.0 x 27.0 x 64.0mm
Weight155.0 g
5.4 oz
Planned Availability 2007
Warranty1 years
Image Capture
Sensor Type1/2.5 CCD
7.40 megapixels (total)
7.20 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio4:3
Image Dimensions8.2 megapixels
5.0 megapixels
2.4 megapixels
0.3 megapixels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD3.0"
Lens
Lens TypeFujinon 3x optical zoom
3x optical zoom
Focal Length6.5 - 19.6mm (actual)
39 - 118mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/3.5 - f/7.4 (wide), f/4.2 - f/8.8 (tele)
Focusing SystemContrast Detect
Manual Focus possible (100) steps
Focusing RangeNormal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 4.1" - 41" (10 cm - 100 cm)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, 100, 200, 400
Shutter Speed10 - 1/2000 second
Metering ModesCenter-weighted AE, Spot Metering, Average Metering
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto, Sun, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Manual, Manual
Internal FlashModes: Auto, On, Off
Creative
Scene ModesAction, Beach, Landscape, Night Portrait, Panorama left, Panorama right, Portrait, Snow, Sunset, Theatre, Steady Photo
Digital ZoomUp to 8x
Self TimerYes, 10 seconds
Movie FormatMPEG1 with audio
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC, Built-in
File SystemFAT16
File FormatJPEG (Exif 2.2)
Connectivity
VideoYes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed
OtherCamera dock
Power
Battery TypeLithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary Lithium Ion
Product Bundle
SoftwareHP Photosmart Premier
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory32.0MB Internal
Other
PictBridge CompliantYes
Tripod MountYes
 

Original Source Press Release:

HP Extends Digital Photography Offering with the Most Connected Experience for Consumers and Pros

LAS VEGAS, March 8, 2007 - HP today made a series of announcements designed to make its digital photography offering the most complete and highly connected experience for consumers, professional photographers and graphic artists.

Foremost among the announcements, the company introduced HP DreamColor Technologies, the industry’s first highly integrated system that delivers the highest level of digital color consistency across a series of devices.

HP DreamColor will make it easy for graphic artists and professional and advanced amateur photographers to accurately match color to prints or digital sources and automatically deliver predictable color in a wide variety of applications, from photos to marketing collateral to posters.

Also introduced at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) tradeshow, the new HP Designjet Z3100ps GP Photo Printer is one of the first products to implement HP DreamColor. Designed for professional photographers and graphic artists, the 12-ink printer uses HP Vivera pigment inks to produce exquisite prints that can last more than 200 years.(1)

Over the coming year, the company plans to implement support for HP DreamColor across a range of markets and product categories, including PCs and monitors.

HP also launched 12 new digital photography products, technologies and services for home users as well as retailers. Highlighting this lineup, the HP Photosmart R837 Digital Camera is the first digital camera featuring the ability to tag photos inside the camera, which allows for easy searching and organization within Microsoft Windows Vista™.

“From our ease-to-use solutions for consumers to back-end infrastructures for retailers, HP is truly the only company with the depth and breadth to create a seamless and scalable photography experience – in the home, online and at retail,” said Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. “Through our innovation, we are enabling our customers to realize the true power of digital, freeing them from the constraints of analog and enabling them to tell their stories through photos.”

Today at PMA, Joshi will deliver a keynote address during which he will be joined on stage by key DreamColor collaborator, Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive officer and director of DreamWorks Animation SKG. The two will discuss details surrounding the conception and user benefits of HP DreamColor.

First products to feature HP DreamColor Technologies
The HP Designjet Z3100ps GP Photo Printer, one of the first products to use DreamColor, is the latest addition to the HP Designjet Z Photo Printer Series, which was recognized yesterday with a 2007 DIMA Innovative Digital Product Award.

Offering the industry’s only built-in spectrophotometer for improved color management, the printer also has an embedded Adobe PS3/PDF RIP, which simplifies workflow by allowing for optimum networkability. The HP Advanced Profiling Solution that comes in the box provides rigorous color profiling and includes a monitor calibrator, enabling users to accurately print their creative visions easily.

HP DreamColor also is offered in the HP Designjet Z Photo Printer series, the HP Indigo press 5000, the HP Indigo press ws4500 and the HP Photosmart Pro B9180 Photo Printer.

New photo center solutions offer customization and increased revenue to retailers
HP announced two new scaleable and customizable photo solutions for retailers – the HP Photosmart ps2000 Studio and the HP Photosmart pl1000e Microlab system.

Offering retailers an effective way to drive incremental sales, the HP Photosmart ps2000 Studio can be integrated into existing photo center or mini-lab operations. Easily operated by an attendant, the ps2000 allows retailers to expand beyond traditional 4 x 6-inch prints to create a central point for customers to order prints as well as creative projects, including ready-to-share photo books, calendars, CDs, greeting cards and posters, all of which can be picked up in less than an hour.

For retailers who wish to replace an existing mini-lab or create a new photo center, the HP Photosmart pl1000e Microlab system provides economic photo fulfillment for low- to medium-volume retail locations.

The HP Photosmart pl1000e Microlab system features the Photosmart pm1000 Microlab printer, which delivers high-performance printing in order to produce lab-quality 4 x 6-inch prints quickly – up to 700 prints per hour. Like the HP Photosmart Express station, this printing system is based on HP’s Scaleable Printing Technology and creates smudge-, water- and fade-resistant prints that have the best overall image permanence of any consumer 4x6-inch prints in the entire 130-year history of color photography.(2)

Additionally, the Microlab includes the hardware and software needed to readily connect input stations, input scanners and output devices to offer traditional photo center output (4 x 6-inch, 5 x 7-inch and 8 x 10-inch prints) and can expand with options to offer creative output such as photo books, calendars and posters. The system requires minimal maintenance from retailers, resulting in lower operating costs and higher revenue.

Both new systems efficiently integrate into existing retail photo environments by using the HP Photo Center technology platform – which combines the full-integration capabilities provided by Silverwire, which HP acquired in June 2006, with the innovations of HP’s retail solutions. The systems join the company’s self-serve retail photo solution, the HP Photosmart Express station, and collectively are in trials with more than 50 retailers across three continents. More information on HP’s retail photo solutions is available at www.hp.com/go/rps.

HP also is expanding its print-to-retail options for retailers and consumers. In the second half of the year, Snapfish members, along with users of its more than three dozen co-branded sites, are expected to have the ability to order photo books and posters online, then pick these orders up at any retail location with an HP Photosmart Studio solution. Snapfish also expects to add photo cards and calendars as in-store pick up options in coming months.

HP also will begin offering two new products for its HP Indigo press 5000 in the second half of the year that help deliver true silver-halide photo quality in greeting cards, calendars and photo albums. Designed for high-end photo finishers and labs, the HP Indigo Photo Enhancement Server is a multi-processing, high-quality, fully automated photo solution. HP Indigo Light Cyan and Light Magenta (LC/LM) inks provide an improved color range and smoother tone transitions on photo-specialty products.

New digital camera features two industry firsts
HP debuted the industry’s first digital camera to feature in-camera pet-eye fix, the HP Photosmart R837 Digital Camera. This innovative feature allows people to easily adjust images with glowing pet eyes, which often appear when photographing pets – the second most photographed subject among consumers.

In another industry first, this camera enables the quick tagging of photos for easy sharing with an in-camera image organization feature, compatible with Windows Vista.

In addition, the R837 features the latest generation of HP’s Real Life technologies including the new HP touch-up technology for the removal of blemishes. All of these features are easy to see on a three-inch display with 170-degree viewing angle and “auto bright” display that automatically adjusts to the environment’s ambient light.

HP further expanded its digital photography portfolio with two new M-Series digital cameras that start as low as $109.(3)

All of these new digital cameras are Windows Vista ready and offer consumers HP’s Real Life technologies, including industry-leading in-camera red-eye removal,(4) HP Design Gallery and HP steady photo anti-shake to reduce blurring in photos.

Lab-quality photo printing for consumers who are at home or on the go
Joining HP’s popular line of photo printers, HP announced the HP Photosmart A440 Series Camera and Printer Docks – a complete photo system that brings lab-quality photo printing to consumers at home or on the go.

In addition to automatically reducing red-eye and enhancing photos with the HP Red Eye button, this compact photo printer delivers long-lasting photos that resist fading for generations using HP Advanced Photo Paper and HP Vivera inks.(5) HP printing systems provide customers an unrivaled combination of quality, reliability, speed and ease of use at competitive prices, including the ability to print photos for as low as 24 cents per 4 x 6-inch photo.(6)

HP Photosmart Essential 2.0 software brings photos to life with new user interface
With the latest HP Photosmart Essential 2.0 software, users can more quickly and easily find, organize and edit photos, get lab quality prints and album pages, and securely share photos online with friends and family. The personalized home page showcases recent photos while simple web-like navigation and on-screen help ensure success.

The software is currently available for free download in 21 languages at www.hp.com/pse. Additionally, HP Photosmart Essential 2.0 is featured on new consumer PCs and notebooks and is expected to ship with fall 2007 hardware products.

Virtual house calls with HP SmartFriend for Digital Photography
Through a new service called HP SmartFriend for Digital Photography, HP is using the Internet to connect technical support agents or “SmartFriends” with customers’ computers to better help them with their digital photography needs. Now, when customers have questions about cropping photos or changing printer settings to enhance their photos, they can watch their computer screens as a senior agent shows how them step by step. HP SmartFriend for Digital Photography is available in 45- or 75-minute virtual house call plans for help with digital photography “how to” questions.

More information regarding HP’s announcements at PMA, including new product pricing and availability, is available in an online press kit at www.hp.com/go/PMAshow2007.

About HP
HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers – from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $94.1 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended Jan. 31, 2007. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

(1) Based on Display Permanence Rating by Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. on a range of HP creative and specialty media. For details visit www.hp.com/go/supplies/printpermanence.
(2) Based on 200+ years display permanence rating by Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. using 6-ink HP pigment inks on supplied HP RPS Photosmart media.
(3) Estimated U.S. street price. Actual price may vary.
(4) All claims are as of Jan. 4, 2006. More information is available at www.hp.com/go/noredeye.
(5) Based on Display Permanence Rating by Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. using the HP 110 Tri-color Inkjet Print Cartridge with HP Vivera inks on HP Advanced Photo Paper. For details please visit www.hp.com/go/printpermanence.
(6) Special offer with purchase of HP 95 or 02 Series Photo Value Pack. Actual cost may vary based on printer used, image printed and other factors.

Microsoft and Windows Vista are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the achievement of expected results and other risks that are described from time to time in HP’s Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including but not limited to the risks described in HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2006 and other reports filed after that Form 10-K. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

© 2007 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

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