· the recent availableness (May 2005, at least in Europe)
· last but not the least, the bargain I could make from a big retail chain in my country (euro 199 for the camera, a Dikom 256MB SD 60x Memory Card, a SimpleTech Bonzai USB 2.0 Flash Drive Memory Adapter, a HAMA Track Pack Compact 2).
Coming from a heavy camera it took me some time to become accustomed to the light weight of the M517 first of all not to move it while shooting.
The only disadvantage I've found yet are the 2 AA-size NiMH batteries included that are just enough for a not-intensive-two-day use and then you have to recharge them. Sometimes I switch the display off to spare energy and use the optical viewfinder that, not being a reflex, doesn't show you the picture you'll eventually get. In the next future I'll buy at least another couple of rechargeable or lithium batteries.
People using old reflex cameras have to become accustomed to the shutter delay (default 0.85 sec) that captures not exactly what you wanted when you shot.
My next camera, in the years to come, will be definitely a digital reflex but for the time being I enjoy my M517. It's a very good camera so let it a chance. ________________________________________________________________

Product Reviews:

          
Nice, easy to use camera!, September 22, 2005
Reviewer: Josh's Grobanite
I previously owned a Canon Powershot A100, and I am so much happier with the HP Photosmart M517! This camera is ideal for novice photographers and experts alike! The user's manual is very easy to follow and understand, and the camera functions are extremely simple to use. I am very pleased with the picture quality, and had gorgeous pictures even on the very lowest image quality settings! This camera is worth every penny I paid for it, and I'd highly recommend it! It's definitely a superb quality camera!
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Adequate Camera, February 24, 2006
Reviewer: Donna M. Gilliland "donaleen"

I like the camera and the ease of use; however, when I registered the camera on HP's website, a bunch of garbage got downloaded into my computer and I've been dealing with the aftermath for quite sometime. I never had problems with my computer until I used this camera. Nice camera, but beware of problems migrating to your computer.
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HP Photosmart M517 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom, February 20, 2006
Reviewer: Maritza E. Molina Lima
This camera takes photos with much clearness. I am very satisfied with it to have bought
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Totally impressed, January 22, 2006
Reviewer: Darkmax
I bought this digital camera as my first one for my birthday and I'm sastisfied. The camera's price was 179$ CDN (~ 159$ USD) at The Source by Circuit City. The box included Ni-Mh batteries so, I didn't have to buy them for now. What I didn't like, it's that the camera can't start with my Pure Energy Alkaline Batteries...

I bought a 256Mb SD card (19.99$ CDN at the upper shop. ^^) and you can take ~ 155 photos at normal 5 mpx and ~99 while on optimal 5 mpx.

I shot, zoomed filmed, etc. around 40 photos and the batteries lost a bit of their energy. (At first, the pointer was on the 1st "O" of GOOD and then it went between "G" and "O")

Pros:
- Good pictures
- Love doing macro pictures :)

Cons:
- Bad video quality (well, duh! It's not a camera recorder.)
- Doesn't take normal alkalines batteries

I never got a digital camera before, but it gives the features I needed.
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