The HP PhotoSmart C500 has a 2 megapixel imager, 3X optical zoom lens
with 2X digital zoom option, mechanical shutter, high-speed USB connectivity
for PC and Mac and wireless printing thanks to the HP JetSend IrDA port.
A simple to use graphical menu system (see page 2) and advanced features
like burst mode and timelapse exposures via the C500's Digita operating
system. Other camera control scripts are readily available for download or
the user can write his own. The onboard Digita OS is also upgradeable via
the Internet when newer versions become available.
The zoom lens retracts into the camera when it is powered down. Body
construction is a thin metallic shell with some plastic and measures 5.2 x 3.1 x 2.1 in. with a
weight of .82 pound less the batteries.
Bundled Software:
Windows: PhotoSmart C500 Photo Imaging Software, Ulead's
PhotoExplorer, PhotoImpact 4.2 & COOL 360.
Adobe Photo Deluxe Business Edition (model C500xi only)
Mac: Digita Desktop from Flashpoint Technology, Inc.
The C500 sports a large, 2" TFT color LCD. Controls have been kept to a
minimum and the buttons are clearly labeled except for the three "soft"
buttons below the LCD, these change depending on what menu screen is
being displayed.
The most unique feature of the C500 is the "Eye Start" option. Off to the left of
the optical viewfinder are three holes, one of them is the status LED and the
other two are for the Eye Start. The camera actually senses when you put it
up to your face and will come out of sleep mode accordingly - very neat!
Image sizes are: 1600x1200, 1152x864 and 640x480. Image size and quality
can be changed quickly between the three most popular modes by using the
triple diamond button on top of the camera. You can also go into the menu
system and select any image size with any JPEG compression level desired.
There is no uncompressed mode. Metering options are center-weighted
matrix and spot. The C500 has a fixed recording sensitivity of ISO 80.
The main command dial has positions for Connect to PC, Playback, Review
and Record. The small button next to the command dial is the power on/off
switch.
Located on the bottom is the tripod socket, the memory battery and the
mains battery door with a security slide lever. The C500 is powered by three
AA size batteries and HP includes a set of three 1400mAH NiMH batteries
and a rapid charger.
The C500 is equipped with a 3X optical 6.9mm-20.7mm (38mm-115mm
35mm equivalent) glass zoom lens comprised of ten elements. Aperture
settings are F2.8/F6.3 wideangle and F4.1/F9.0 in telephoto. The lens is
threaded for 37mm lens filters and add-on lenses. There is a snapon lens
cap provided with a keeper string.
On the side is a standard CompactFlash Type I card slot and the camera
comes with a 16MB size card.
A large multi-pin connector on the top serves both the USB and serial ports.
In the middle is the Video Out and on the bottom is the DC input jack for the
optional AC power adapter.
