The HP was user friendly, good zoom, you want more of a macro mode and it helps to have a higher pixel count to take larger pictures then shrink them down. The HP was a 5 mega pixel the C-50 zoom which is the pic below is 5 mega too. The problem with the HP was it SUCKED batteries. I don't know if the 4 AA's i used were fully charged but it used them in about 10 minutes. The Olypus comes with a charger and LI battery plus extra batteries are cheap. You had to buy a docking station to recharge the HP pushing its cost much higher than the Olympus. The C-50 had alot more options for lens type shutter speed and all the trimmings in a nice little case
All i can say is shop around and take advantage of the, usually at least 14 day, return window and buy a couple, take some pics, and return the loosers.
This one was done with the C-50. Ill be doing more pics from the C-50 sometime tonight so watch out for my user name if you want to see what it can do.