HP Thinks 9 New Compact Cameras Are a Cool Thing

When will manufacturers ever get rid of this annoying habit of announcing dozens of models of compact cameras that basically have the same features and are just differentiated by the number of megapixels and by the optical zoom? They probably never will. Wouldn't it be easier to focus their marketing efforts on just two or three cameras or even better, on just one that comes packed with features and actually offers something useful? Again, it probably would, but that doesn't stop them from continuing with this annoying trend.

Enough with the rant, let's see what HP has in store for us. Well, they have nine new models for this summer, not one, not two, not four, but NINE new models. It's worth noting that, since Windows Vista is so hot now, all manufacturers proudly state that their devices are Vista-ready as if that would make a difference in terms of that horrible image noise most compacts produce at their humongous ISO settings.

Let's take them one by one. These descriptions are taken from HP's press releases.

The HP Photosmart R937 Digital Camera takes photos to the next level with a large, 3.6-inch interactive touchscreen and superior 8-megapixel resolution. Ideal for those on the go - this stylish, remarkably thin camera easily slips into a pocket or purse.

Users can apply creative touches, easily organize photos with Microsoft Vista-compatible tags, add e-mail addresses for easy sharing and create slide shows - all in the camera. In addition, the HP Photosmart R937 Digital Camera includes the latest HP Design Gallery features such as industry-leading in-camera red-eye removal, pet-eye fix, slimming, HP steady photo anti-shake and HP touch-up to ensure subjects look their best. Estimated U.S. street price of the HP R937 is $299.99, available August 2007 in North America.

Shoot superior 8-megapixel photos with the slim, elegant HP Photosmart R847 Digital Camera. With a wide viewing angle and 3-inch auto bright display, users can view, edit and share images with ease. The HP Photosmart R847 Digital Camera also features industry-leading in-camera red-eye removal, pet-eye fix, slimming, HP steady photo anti-shake and HP touch-up to ensure subjects look their best.

Estimated U.S. street price of the HP R847 is $229.99, available August 2007.

The stylish HP Photosmart R742 Digital Camera features an all-metal body that easily slips into almost any pocket or purse. Easily snap 7-megapixel photos and view them on the bright 2.5-inch image display screen. With industry-leading in-camera red-eye removal and easy-to-use shooting modes, this camera allows users to take great photos. Estimated U.S. street price of the HP R742 is $179.99, available August 2007.

The HP Photosmart M737 Digital Camera makes it easy to get beautiful photos with 8-megapixel resolution, easy-to-use buttons and menus and a 2.5-inch bright display for indoor or outdoor viewing.

With HP steady photo anti-shake mode and industry-leading in-camera red-eye removal, the HP Photosmart M737 Digital Camera allows users to produce great, true-to-life photos with ease. Estimated U.S. street price of the HP M737 is $179.99, be available August 2007.

Get closer with big 6x optical zoom with the HP Photosmart Mz67 Digital Camera. Snap 8-megapixel photos and easily view them indoors or outdoors on a bright 2.5-inch display.

With industry-leading in-camera red-eye removal, HP steady photo anti-shake and the HP Design Gallery's fun colors and borders, the HP Photosmart Mz67 Digital Camera ensures photos look their best. Estimated U.S. street price of the HP Mz67 is $199.99, available August 2007.

The HP Photosmart M637 Digital Camera makes it simple to take beautiful 7.2-megapixel photos with ease. Just grab this camera and start snapping - easy buttons and menus make photo-taking simple with 3x optical zoom for great closeups. With industry-leading red-eye removal, a 2.4-inch display, HP steady photo anti-shake and HP's Design Gallery for attractive borders and colors, photos will always look their best. Estimated U.S. street price of the HP M637 is $149.99, available August 2007.

The HP Photosmart M547 Digital Camera makes it easy to snap true-to-life 6.2-megapixel photos. Just grab this camera and start snapping - easy buttons and menus make photo-taking simple while 3x optical zoom creates great closeups.

With industry-leading red-eye removal, a 2.4-inch display, HP steady photo anti-shake and HP's Design Gallery for attractive borders and colors, photos will always look their best. Estimated U.S. street price of the HP M547 is $109.99, available August 2007.

Snap high-quality, 5-megapixel photos with the easy-to-use HP Photosmart M447 Digital Camera. Just grab this camera and start snapping - easy buttons and menus make photo-taking simple. With industry-leading red-eye removal, a 2.4-inch display, 3x optical zoom and HP steady photo anti-shake, photos will always look their best. Estimated U.S. street price of the HP M447 is $99.95, available August 2007.

Simply point and shoot for high-quality photos at 5-megapixel resolution with the affordable HP Photosmart E337 Digital Camera. The HP Photosmart E337 Digital Camera makes getting the shot simple and easy with industry-leading red-eye removal, a 1.5-inch display, 5x digital zoom and intuitive buttons for easy navigation. Estimated U.S. street price of the HP E337 is $79.99, available July 2007.

You can judge for yourselves if HP actually had to make nine new models.

We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is .