The HP PhotoSmart 850 has a huge protruding lens, and a fairly fast-responding display and a clever feature that turns off either the viewfinder or the LCD if not required (depending on which one you're using at the time).
Slow auto white-balancing and a susceptibility to blurring may require you to use a tripod in moderately low light, or stay very still – stiller than with other models.
Functions like video recording and review are available and offer a variable volume level in playback mode. The optical viewfinder's response was strangely slower than the LCD panel on the back of the unit, and although a little more power consumptive, it's easier to shoot with.
A 4.13-megapixels camera, the PhotoSmart 850's image quality is superb. In our test shots it came out with amazingly detailed and vibrant colours, and was one of the most pleasing to look at. Even under maximum zoom, the camera was able to pick out and define tiny details very well.
Instant preview allows you to review a shot before it has been saved, allowing you to delete without having to change modes. The truckload of handy features far outweighs the few minor inconveniences on this unit. It's a little expensive compared to other cameras in this round-up, but the 850 is an all-round solid performer for the serious amateur user, or those looking to take better quality happy snaps and short videos.