HP PhotoSmart 812 Review

By: Steve's Digicams


Steve's Digicams




Posted 8/24/2002



Click to take 360-degree QTVR tour of the HP PhotoSmart 812
Click to take a 360-degree QTVR tour of the PhotoSmart 812


The PhotoSmart 812 is a 4-Megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom lens and a very affordable street price of $429 (August 2002.) It lets you capture up to 2272 x 1712-pixel images for photo-quality prints up to 11 x 17" in size. It also captures up to 60- second video clips at 20 frames per second with audio. The audio recording allows you to add voice annotations (up to 30 sec's.) to your still images.

The PhotoSmart 812 comes with a HP Photo and Imaging Software suite, which offers creative printing options, photo album options and much more. The HP PhotoSmart 812, 720 and 620 digital cameras feature HP Instant Share technology and are compatible with the optional HP Photosmart 8881 digital camera dock. The dock lets you connect to a computer, TV or printer while recharging batteries. Use HP's Instant Share to select where photos will go - with up to 14 destinations including e-mail addresses, printers and more.


PhotoSmart 812 Features:

  • 4-Megapixel resolution for photo-quality prints and enlargements up to 11 x 17 inches
  • 3x optical and 7x digital zoom and macro mode for sharp close-ups
  • Print photos directly from camera to HP PSC 950 all-in-one or HP Deskjet (excludes 600 series) printer with USB connectivity, no PC required
  • Capture sound and motion - record video clips up to 60 sec's. with audio
  • Frame your photos with optical viewfinder or the 1.5-inch color LCD screen
  • Store photos on Secure Digital memory cards
  • Auto exposure, red-eye reduction and auto flash
  • Auto white balance
  • Powered by two AA type batteries
  • Docking capability with the optional HP Photosmart 8881 digital camera dock (not included), connect easily to PC or TV and recharge camera batteries
  • Select on camera where photos will go - up to 14 destinations including e-mail addresses, printers and more - the next time you connect to your PC or Mac using a USB cable or optional HP Photosmart 8881 digital camera dock (not included)

Works with USB compatible PCs and Macs equipped with today's most popular operating systems, including Microsoft Windows XP, Me, 98, 2000 Professional, and Mac OS 9.1 and higher or OS X 10.1.2 and higher


Physical Views



HP PhotoSmart 812

HP PhotoSmart 812

HP PhotoSmart 812HP PhotoSmart 812

HP PhotoSmart 812

HP PhotoSmart 812





HP PhotoSmart 812

PhotoSmart 720, PhotoSmart 812 and the PhotoSmart 620.





Go to
Page Two





PhotoSmart 812 Specifications

Type Digital still camera with zoom lens, image record, playback, and erase functions. Direct print to HP PSC 950 or HP DeskJet (excluding 600 series) printer with USB
Image-capturing device 1 1/8 inch, 4.31-megapixel, primary-color CCD (3.92 million effective pixels)
Recording pixels **** - 2272 x 1712 pixels, 2.5MB file size (5 per 16MB)
*** - 2272 x 1712 pixels, 1MB file size (14 per 16MB
** - 1136 x 856 pixels, 500KB file size (28 per 16MB)
* - 1136 x 856 pixels, 250KB file size (56 per 16MB)
Storage media Secure Digital (SD) card, 16MB included
Recording format Still: JPEG-compatible (Exif Ver2.1); DPOF-compatible

Movies: MPEG-1 w/sound (Motion JPEG)

Still Sound: WAV compatible

Video capture 288 x 208 pixels at 20fps w/sound, 60 sec's. maximum
Audio capture Up to 30 sec's. of audio annotation can be added to each still picture (limited by available memory)
Lens 3x optical zoom lens
7.6 - 22.8mm (equivalent to 37-111mm on 35mm camera)
Aperture range Auto: f2.6, f4.8, f5, f9.0
Focus system TTL auto-focus, contrast-gradient
Focus range Normal 0.5 m - infinity; Macro 0.14 m - 0.7 m (wide)
ISO equivalent Auto 100 - 400
Exposure control Programmed AE
Averaging metering
White balance Auto
Shutter Mechanical shutter working with CCD electronic shutter
Shutter speed Automatic: 12 - 1/2000 sec.
Self timer 10 sec.
Viewfinder Optical real-image viewfinder with 78% coverage
Flash Built-in auto-adjusting flash (Auto flash, Red-eye reduction auto flash, Flash ON, Flash OFF)
Range: Approx. 0.5 - 2.8m (Wide); approx. 0.5 - 2m (Telephoto)
Shooting modes Single shot still, self-timer, movie (video clip) mode
Playback modes Frame-by-frame, Close-up playback (up to 4x), Movie playback, Multiple-frame, Slide-show playback
LCD monitor 1.5-inch, 110,000-pixel, low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD monitor
Interface USB 1.1; Dock connector to HP 8881 dock; Type 1 AC in power connector; 8 pin combo USB/Video and audio out connector
Video Output NTSC or PAL - switchable
Power source Batteries: 2 standard AA (included), Photo Lithium, Alkaline, or Ni-MH

AC: Universal AC 6V adapter (not included)

HP 8881 Digital Dock (not included)

Dimensions (WxDxH) 3.7 x 1.6 x 2.7 inches
Weight 0.44 lb. (without battery and recording media)
Compatible Operating Systems Microsoft® Windows 98, Me, XP Professional, XP Home Edition, 2000, Mac OS 9.1 and OS X 10.1.2 and higher
Computer Requirements Pentium® 166 MHz or higher, 32MB RAM, 300MB free hard disk space, SVGA 800x600 16-bit color display, CD-ROM drive, USB port, Windows 98, 98SE, Me, 2000, XP Professional, or XP Home Edition Pentium 166 MHz or higher, 32MB RAM, 300MB free hard disk space, SVGA 800x600 16-bit color display, CD-ROM drive, USB port, Windows 98, ME, 2000 or XP
Specifications are as represented by the manufacturer.




Continue on
to Page Two



Return To Steve's
Reviews Index










Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.