The HP Photosmart R927 is a very full-featured ultra-compact digital camera. It has full-manual controls including manual focusing, plus in-camera panorama stitching, software redeye removal and an integrated photo advice help system. It's main problems are high levels of noise and chromatic aberrations. Had this camera been a bit bigger - and fallen into the compact category - it would have received an average rating. The high image noise of the R927 prevents it from being used for large prints (8"x10" or more). However, most ultra-compact cameras are not suitable for large prints either because they frequently suffer from image softness.

For those looking for manual controls in an ultra-compact camera, the HP Photosmart R927 is a good choice. Other alternatives include the Fuji Finepix F810, which has better image quality but has a limited shutter-speed range making it unsuitable for low-light photography. There is also the Casio Exilim EX-Z750 which performs better outdoors thanks to lower image noise but worst indoors considering its weak flash and high noise at ISO 400. Finally, there is the comparable, but much less expensive, Casio Exilim EX-Z120 which has similar image quality (a bit less noisy but softer). The Z120 has the advantage of using AA batteries but is less full-featured than the R927. If manual-controls are not required, the Fuji Finepix F10 is the ultra-compact digital camera to get.