HP PhotoSmart M437 Review

By: Steve's Digicams


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Posted 9/11/2007


Click to take 360-degree QTVR tour of the HP PhotoSmart M437
Click to take a 360-degree QTVR tour of the PhotoSmart M437


The PhotoSmart M437 is one of three "M" series digital camera models from HP for 2007 (like the M537), and features 5-megapixels of resolution, a 3x optical zoom, Steady Photo anti-shake, 2.0-inch LCD display as well as HP Real Life technologies that make sharing, printing, and saving digital photos easy. In addition, the PhotoSmart M437 offers 16 megabytes of internal memory and PictBridge capabilities, all wrapped up in a very compact and stylish body.

HP's Real Life technologies helps take the guesswork out of digital photography, making it easy to produce great photos that are crisp, realistic and true-to-life. The M437's features include in-camera red-eye removal and HP Design Gallery, which allows you to be more creative with your photos with the ability to change colors and add borders to photos - no PC or software required.


PhotoSmart M437 Features:

  • 5-Megapixels of resolution
  • HP Precision 3x optical zoom lens (34-102mm in 35mm equiv.)
  • Compact, lightweight, and stylish body
  • HP's In-camera Red-eye removal and Design Gallery
  • 2.0-inch color LCD with 100% frame coverage
  • Total of 9 Shooting modes
  • Record MOTION JPEG format movies with audio at 320x240 (30fps)
  • Built-in flash with modes for Auto, Off, Auto+Red-Eye, and Forced On
  • Date & Time Stamping on the image
  • Powered by two AA type batteries (two alkaline cells included)
  • 16MB of internal flash memory + SD memory card slot (up to 2GB)
  • JPEG Exif 2.2, USB and PictBridge compatible


The HP Photosmart M437 is available now with an MSRP of US$109.99, and ships with HP Photosmart M437 Digital Camera, 2 alkaline AA batteries, USB cable, Quick Start Guide, warranty/regulatory brochure, CD with HP Photosmart software for Windows and Macintosh, User's Guide, and wrist strap.


Physical Views



HP PhotoSmart M437

HP PhotoSmart M437

HP PhotoSmart M437HP PhotoSmart M437

HP PhotoSmart M437

HP PhotoSmart M437





HP PhotoSmart M437

The PhotoSmart M437 compared to a standard CD.


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Features & Controls




PhotoSmart M437 Specifications

Specifications are as represented by the manufacturer.
Image Sensor 1/2.5 inch, 5-megapixel, primary-color CCD (5 million effective pixels)
Image Quality settings 5MP Best (0.94 MB each)
5MP Normal (0.4MB each)
3MP Good (0.25MB each)
1MP (124KB each)
QVGA (54KB each)
Storage media 16MB of internal flash memory
Secure Digital (SD) card slot, supports up to 2GB
Recording format Still: JPEG-compatible (Exif Ver2.2)
DPOF-compatible
PictBridge-compatible

Movies: Motion JPEG

Still Sound: WAV compatible
Video capture QVGA 320 x 240 pixels at 30fps w/sound
Length is limited only by the capacity of the memory
Audio capture Yes, limited by available memory
Lens HP Precision Lens; 15x total zoom (3x optical, 5x digital); f2.8 (wide)/ f4.8(telephoto)
Focal Distance (35 mm equivalent): Approximately 34 to 102 mm to infinity
Aperture range Automatic; Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/5.6 (wide), f/4.8 to f/9.7 (telephoto)
Focus system TTL auto-focus, contrast-gradient, Normal or macro
Focus range 0.3 m to infinity (normal), 0.35 m to infinity (telephoto), 0.05 to 0.8 m (macro wide), 0.35 to 1.2 m (macro telephoto);
ISO equivalent Auto (default), ISO 100, 200, 400, 800 (with HP Steady Photo)
Exposure compensation ±2 EV in 1/2 EV steps
Exposure modes Auto Mode (default), Close Up, Steady Photo, Theatre, Landscape, Portrait, Action, Night Portrait, Sunset
Metering TTL (through-the-lens)
White balance Auto
Image control functions Off, date only, date and time imprinting
Self timer10 sec.
Viewfinder LCD monitor
Flash Modes:Auto (default), Auto with Red-eye Reduction, Flash off, Flash on

Flash working distance:
10.2 ft wide, 5.9 ft telephoto at Auto ISO (3.1 m wide, 1.8 m telephoto at Auto ISO)
Shooting modes Self Timer Off (Default), Self timer, Burst mode, Video
LCD monitor 2.0 inch (5.08 cm) 153,600 pixels (640x240), color TFT LCD with 100% frame coverage
Interface USB; Optional Connectivity: HP Photosmart 2200 Camera Charging Dock
Video Output None
Power source 2 AA alkaline (included), photo lithium, NiMH batteries or HP Photosmart 5V AC Adapter
Dimensions 3.78 x 1.23 x 2.52 in (96.1 x 31.3 x 63.9mm) with protrusions
Weight 0.4 lb without batteries (0.18 kg without batteries); 0.5 lb with batteries (0.23 kg with batteries)
Operating System RequirementsPC: 200 MB DD, 200 MB available hard disk space, SVGA 800 x 600 monitor with 16-bit color, Windows XP Professional x64, CD-ROM drive, USB port

Mac: Mac OS X v 10.3.9, v 10.4; PowerPC G3, G4 and G5 processor or Intel Core processor; minimum 128 MB RAM, 256 MB recommended (required for Mac OS X v 10.4), 250 MB available hard disk space; built-in USB
Package contents HP Photosmart M437 Digital Camera, 2 alkaline AA batteries, USB cable, Quick Start Guide, warranty/regulatory brochure, CD with HP Photosmart software for Windows and Macintosh, User's Guide, wrist strap
Specifications are as represented by the manufacturer.




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