HP Revamps Digital Camera Lineup, Increases Investment to Become a Top Vendor

Investment in imaging and printing simplifies capture, share and print experience for consumers

LAS VEGAS, Photo Marketing Association 2004, Feb. 12, 2004 -- HP today unveiled plans to revamp its digital camera lineup as part of an aggressive strategy to become a leading vendor. The new camera line will include the introduction of eight cameras with revolutionary consumer industrial design and exclusive HP technology to improve image processing and ease of use for mainstream consumers. Industry-first improvements include HP In-Camera Red-Eye Removal, which instantly removes red-eye from photos right on the camera without using a PC.

The revamp is the result of a significant increase in HP's digital camera research and design efforts, nearly doubling the investment dollars in the past 18 months as part of HP's overall billion-plus research and development budget in imaging and printing.

Additionally, HP is bolstering its retail efforts with comprehensive online and in-store training programs for sales representatives in more than 4,500 stores across the United States. HP trainers reach approximately 15,000 store associates every week, assisting associates in understanding how HP products work better together - from capture to share to print.

"In 2004, HP digital cameras will establish a higher standard by which the mainstream digital camera market will be judged both in technologic advancements and image quality as well as ease of use," said Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. "Combined with HP's line of exceptional photo-quality printing systems that offer fade resistance for up to 115 years, we are providing consumers the means to capture, share and print true-to-life quality photos right in the comfort of their own homes."(1)

The HP Photosmart line of digital cameras will feature a completely new look and feel, including a stylish and durable brushed stainless steel construction and a one-of-a-kind ergonomic grip for steady, one-handed shots.

To help ensure that printed photos result in picture-perfect color output, HP's new camera line also will incorporate HP Real Life technologies, a series of technical advancements that make it virtually impossible to take a bad picture.

HP Real Life technologies include:

• HP Adaptive Lighting technology, which automatically adjusts high-contrast photos to bring faces out of shadows and details out of backgrounds.

• HP Image Advice, which analyzes photos and then provides tips to users on how to adjust settings to improve future shots, thus helping the photographer learn to take better photos.

• HP In-Camera Red-Eye Removal, which instantly removes red-eye from photos right on the camera without using a PC - an industry first.

• HP In-Camera Panorama Preview, which allows consumers to take up to five pictures that are then combined into a panorama picture composition and reviewed in-camera.

A new image engine, developed through collaboration between HP and Texas Instruments, which provides outstanding image quality and feature flexibility. This image engine, based on Texas Instruments' digital media processing technology and found exclusively in HP cameras, is the power behind HP Real Life technologies, translating what the photographer's eye sees into the image captured.

HP Photosmart R707 Camera

The first model to feature HP Real Life technologies is the HP Photosmart R707 digital camera with HP Instant Share, a technology that makes sharing, printing and saving digital photos easy. In addition, the HP Photosmart R707 digital camera offers 5.1- megapixel resolution, 24x total zoom, 32 megabytes of internal storage and PictBridge, all of which help consumers achieve professional-quality photos.

The HP Photosmart R-series camera dock will allow users - in one, quick step - to easily share, print, e-mail and store photos and video clips. At the same time, the dock recharges the in-camera battery, in addition to an included spare battery via the dual charging bay. The HP Photosmart R-series camera dock also allows users to view digital photos on a TV with a wireless remote.

The HP Photosmart R707 digital camera and HP Photosmart R-series camera dock are expected to begin shipping in May and have estimated U.S. street prices of and , respectively.(2) The products will be available at hpshopping.com and retail outlets worldwide.

HP Photosmart R707 Digital Camera with HP Instant Share

The stylish HP Photosmart R707 digital camera with HP Instant Share features HP’s exclusive Real Life technologies, which includes technologies such as Adaptive Lighting and HP Image advice – essentially making it hard to take a bad picture. The HP Photosmart R707 also features the world’s first in-camera red-eye removal to instantly touch-up photos and memories. With two additional shooting modes – sand and sun, and document capture – users have more options to assist in taking outstanding photos. Its durable, stainless-steel construction, coupled with a unique, ergonomic grip that is exclusive to HP cameras, feels great and keeps the camera steady for quick, onehanded shots.

HP Adaptive Lighting technology

HP’s Adaptive Lighting technology (ALT) automatically adjusts high-contrast photos to bring faces out of shadows and details out of backgrounds. The technology balances brightness relationships between bright and dark areas in a photo, preserving gentle contrasts while compressing harsh contrasts. The result is automatic-contrast adjustment that lightens poorly illuminated objects and produces a true-to-life image that mirrors the natural beauty that the user intended to capture.

HP Instant Share

HP Instant Share makes sharing, printing and saving digital photos easy. Users simply take a photo and select its destination right on the back of the camera – up to 34 destinations, including e-mail addresses, online albums, printers and more – by simply pushing a button.

When the digital camera is later connected to a computer or the optional camera dock, the selected photos are automatically printed and/or e-mailed without burdening friends with large file attachments. E-mail recipients see thumbnails of the images right in the body of their e-mail message, as well as a link to the web page where they can very easily view, print and save the photos, upload them to online albums and more.

Highlights

• HP’s exclusive Real Life technologies, including in-camera red-eye removal, panorama mode and HP Image advice, for capturing creative photos

• Stylish and durable, brushed stainless steel construction, featuring one-of-a-kind ergonomic grip for steady, one-handed shots

• Manual controls for adjusting and enhancing your photos

• Complete, easy-to-use software solution for your photo needs

• MPEG movie clip feature with sound for capturing life’s moving

• Optional HP Photosmart R-series dock for recharging included in-camera battery, in addition to a spare battery via the second charging bay, viewing a slide-show on a TV and transferring photos to PC

Specifications

• 5.1-megapixel resolution for photo-quality enlargements up to poster size

• 24x total zoom – 3x optical, 8x digital

• 32 MB internal storage memory

• 1.5-inch color, outdoor viewable LCD

• USB connectivity (USB 2.0 compatible)

• SD/MMC card slot

• Direct-printing capability to HP USB-enabled Photosmart or Deskjet printers

• PictBridge support

• Exif 2.2 support

Price

Estimated U.S. street price of

Optional accessories

• HP Photosmart R-series dock (C8887A) Estimated U.S. street price of

• HP Photosmart quick recharger kit for HP R-series cameras (L1810A) Estimated U.S. street price of

• HP Photosmart premium camera case for HP R-series cameras (L1811A) Estimated U.S. street price of

• HP Photosmart R07 rechargeable lithium ion battery for HP R-series cameras (L1812A) Estimated U.S. street price of

• HP Photosmart 3.3V AC adapter (C8912A) Estimated U.S. street price of

Support/connectivity

For Microsoft Windows®: USB-compatible PC with Microsoft Windows 98, 98SE, Me, XP or 2000, Intel® Pentium® III, Celeron®, or compatible CPU, Internet Explorer 5.01 SP2 or later.

For Macintosh: USB-compatible Macintosh computer with Mac OS X 10.1.5, 10.2 or higher.

Dimensions/weight

• 98mm (W) x 36mm (D) x 60mm (H)

• 180 grams without battery

• 208 grams with battery

Warranty

• One-year limited warranty

• One-year telephone support backed by HP Customer Care

• 24-hour electronic support available at www.hp.com/go/support