Despite the fact that Hewlett-Packard has produced a number of successful digital cameras in the past and is one of the biggest manufacturers of photo-quality printers, the company's lack of experience in film cameras has made it difficult for the public to take them seriously in this field. To help change this perception, Hewlett-Packard has paired up with Pentax for its latest product, and each company has contributed its expertise. The result is a pair of identical cameras: the HP 618 and the Pentax EI 200. With the exception of labels, packaging, and included accessories, the two cameras are the same.
The camera's basic specifications are pretty standard: 2-megapixel CCD, 3x Pentax optical zoom, CompactFlash storage (Type I or II, but no Microdrive support), and a 2-inch display. For advanced users, there are aperture and shutter priority modes, adjustable white balance, exposure metering, and adjustable ISO (100 and 200).
If you like the look and feel of Pentax cameras, you'll appreciate the HP's styling. It's curvy, swoopy, classically designed, and feels very solid. Most people who saw the camera were impressed with its overall quality and were surprised to learn it was a digital.
One of the camera's most intriguing (and underdocumented) features is its use of Digita. Digita is an operating system created specifically for digital cameras, allowing software developers to modify and improve the camera's functions. Past Digita cameras have suffered from slow performance, but the camera seems as quick as most other digital cameras on the market. The engineers did a great job of shipping the camera with a wide variety of menus and functions preinstalled, but Digita allows for even more flexibility. Potential applications of this technology range from task-specific features (time-lapse photography, preset exposure modes, and digital special effects, for example) as well as the ability to add new applications--there are even Digita video games available for download. Unfortunately, the manual includes no information about Digita, and we were unable to determine how to transfer Digita files to the camera. This is extremely powerful technology, but perhaps this ability was buried because the engineers felt that it was too complex for the average user.
The camera makes extensive use of Hewlett-Packard's infrared technology. A remote control is included (handy for self-portraits, keeping the camera steady in low-light shots, and to play back "slide shows" on your TV), and the camera can wirelessly transfer images to select HP printers.
If you're a fan of Pentax styling or own a Hewlett-Packard printer with infrared ability, this camera is a logical choice.
Pros:
- Clean, classic, reassuringly solid design
- Remote control included
- Pentax lens
- Infrared transfer to select HP printers
- Integrated lens cover
Cons:
- Digita abilities not documented
- CompactFlash slot supports Type I and Type II cards, but doesn't recognize Microdrive
- Larger and heavier than some point-and-shoot digital cameras
Product Description:
The EI-200 from Pentax allows you to take crisp, clear images in a variety of situations, without the need for preparation or technical know-how. All of this is possible through a high-quality imaging system, PC connectivity, and a wide selection of features and functions. Yet the EI-200 remains compact and easy to use, with a style and handling similar to that of conventional compact cameras. The EI-200 affords a feeling of familiarity; it handles just like a conventional compact camera and sports a stylish design that follows the same sense of proportion and molding. And through an actual image optical viewfinder including diopter adjustment, the EI-200 combines its natural sense of balance with a high level of compositional flexibility. The EI-200 has a comprehensive imaging system providing the utmost in quality and clarity. A superior 3X 5.2mm-16.5mm Pentax zoom lens is equivalent to a 34mm-108mm lens in 35mm format, and an F2.4 - F4.0 aperture ensures the capture of high-resolution images. Attention to imaging quality continues inside the camera body with a 2.11-megapixel 1/2.7-inch CCD achieving sharp, accurate pictures with 1600 x 1200 recording pixels. The EI-200 also employs HP Imaging Technology for further image refinement. The EI-200 provides an easy approach to digital photography, yet offers the user a range of features and functions. It allows the user to get the best shots, whatever the conditions, with a choice of exposure modes, metering modes, and different kinds of white balance. And with USB connectivity to PCs, the EI-200 provides your pictures with limitless possibilities.