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Introduction
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01.Physical Tour
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02.Components
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03.Design / Layout
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04.Modes
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05.Control Options
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06.Conclusion
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07.Specs / Ratings
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08.Comments
Casio EX-Z85
Previous: Page 4
ModesNext: Page 6
ConclusionManual Control Options
The Z85 has a few minimal manual control options, which is surprising considering how basic a point and shoot it is. Unfortunately, there's no control over shutter speed or aperture, but there is a manual focus, exposure compensation and manual white balancing.
Focus
Auto Focus
The auto focus felt fast and accurate. You can choose from spot, multi or tracking auto focus behavior. In addition to normal auto focus, there was also macro focus, pan focus and infinity mode. Pan focus adjusts the focus to be ideal for taking quick panning shots. Face detection can register up to 10 faces at a time, with priority given to faces that are added to the Family Priority. In this mode, you can set faces to be recognized as family members, which are then stored in the camera and used to set focus piority in the future. Of course, this means you have to organize their ranking as to who's the most important. I guess you'll find out who's Mom's favorite now....
In perhaps one of the silliest options we've ever seen, the focusing target can be changed to cute little icons. You can now shoot with a heart, cookie, flower, sparkle, butterfly or candle. And when the object you're aiming at isn't in focus, the icon is altered. So your heart is broken in two when the focus isn't right. Awwww...
Strangely for an otherwise highly simplified camera, the EX-Z85 has a manual focus mode, with the standard enlarged center focus assist. The focus it altered by pressing left and right on the directional pad. We're always pleased to find a little bit of extra manual control tucked away in a camera, for those users who are curious enough to try it out.
ISO
The Exilim EX-Z85 has an ISO range of 64-1600 plus auto. This is a decent range, and it's unusual to see the ISO go as low as 64. This means that in good light, you should be able to get some really clear photos.
White Balance
The Z85 has a pretty standard set of white balance settings, with the added bonus of a second fluorescent setting. This is nice to see, as fluorescent bulbs can actually have quite different light temperatures. The choices available are Auto WB, Daylight, Overcast, Shade, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Tungsten, and Manual WB.
Metering
The camera can meter via multi-pattern, center weighted or spot modes.
Shutter Speed
The Z85 has no options to control shutter speed, but has the potential to run between four and 1/2000 second. The low speed of four seconds is only achievable in night scene modes.
Aperture
Once again, the Z85 has no controls for aperture. It runs from f/3.1 to f/5.6 wide.
Image Stabilization
The Z85 doesn't have true image stabilization. Rather, it uses 'anti-blur' and 'anti-shake' technology. These just amounts to ramping up the ISO and shutter speeds when activated.
Picture Quality / Size Options
The camera shoots in 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 formats, ranging from 3456 x 2592 to 640 x 480.
Picture Effects Mode
There aren't many picture effects modes for the Z85, which is unusual in a point and shoot. You can add color overlays, or shoot in pastel mode, which is one of the ugliest filters we've seen. It emphasizes the edges, and strangely colors in the middle to create a downright unpleasant-looking image.
Auto Shutter
The camera can be set to various auto shutter modes, where it will take the picture as soon as certain conditions are met. There's anti-blur, which will take the image as soon as both the camera and the subject stop moving; panning, which will shoot when you match the speed of a moving object; and smile, which will capture the picture when your subject smiles. How sensitive these modes are is adjustable. You can set how precisely the parameters need to be met in order to fire. You can set it to three levels, with the lowest taking photos when the condition is barely met, and the highest recording only when the situation meets the precise requirements.
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