Casio Exilim EX-Z850 - Digital Camera Review

Focus
Auto Focus
The auto focus for the Casio Exilim EX-Z850 can be left in full auto mode or adjusted slightly to the preset offerings of macro or infinity focus.  The focus settings are accessed by pressing the up arrow on the four-way control.  A small macro-tulip icon is the indication that focal control is available.  A more universally recognized or more general focal icon would be helpful for unaware users looking for focus options quickly.  Focal adjustments take a second or so to engage when shifting depths both dramatic and slight and appropriate focal depths were garnered most of the time when relying solely on the AF setting.  In addition to these auto focus control parameters the user of the Z850 will also find that they are able to manipulate the focal areas of the camera through a sub-menu located within the Rec. menu.  This sub-menu will enable users to select between settings for spot, multi and free AF focal modes.

Manual Focus
The Casio Exilim EX-Z850 does have a manual focus control which is accessed by pressing the up arrow on the four-way control.  Other focal settings available with this digital camera include auto focus, macro focus and infinity focus.  The focal settings appear briefly in the upper left corner of the LCD screen and all but auto focus will have an icon which remains during shooting.  The manual focus control when engaged will display the MF icon in the upper right corner along with the word “FOCUS” in the lower left along with “ < ” and “ > ” arrows which indicate the potential directionality which the user can manipulate focal length.  Additionally a sliding scale with full focal range and currently selected focal depth will be displayed horizontally along the bottom edge of the LCD screen.  When in manual focus mode, a yellow square will fill the center of the LCD and when either the left or right arrow is engaged this frame will switch to a full-screen zoom view for the user to make adjustments to the focal length. 

This crop-and-zoom focal display will switch back into standard viewing mode after a few seconds of non-activity or when the shutter is depressed slightly.  Making adjustments to focus was actually a breeze, and although digital focal control doesn’t stand a chance against a true physical focal ring, the resulting focal quality on captured images should be more than satisfactory.  With this easy to use and understand interface, even beginning users should feel comfortable using this manual control.  

Exposure
The exposure parameter for the Casio Exilim EX-Z850 can be located within the Quality menu which opens when the Menu button is engaged.  It’s a bit surprising to not find the exposure compensation scale listed within the broader menu structure and not in either the EX shortcut or as an externally accessed control like focus, flash and shooting mode.  When opened, the EV Shift sub-menu will display a cropped live view frame on the right side.  On the left side of the LCD screen is a numerical EV setting which can be shifted by pressing the up and down arrows of the four-way controller.  The EV scale for this camera is +/-2 EV at 1/3 step increments throughout the exposure compensation range.  Although the listing within the overall menu structure makes accessing this control a bit more time-consuming, the Casio emphasis on simple interface and a live preview will make both novice and more advanced point-and-shooters feel comfortable with this manual control.

When shooting in either shutter or aperture priority modes, the user will note that the exposure compensation scale is displayed on the LCD screen with adjustments to its settings being possible by pressing the Set button at the center of the four-way controller following proper adjustments to either shutter or aperture levels.  The exposure compensation range and settings in these two modes are identical to those found in other shooting modes.

Metering
Metering modes can be controlled when shooting with the Casio Exilim EX-Z850 by entering the Quality menu and selecting the metering sub-menu.  The three options provided with the Casio Exilim EX-Z850 will allow for selection of spot, center-weighted and multi metering.  Spot metering, while stuttering and a bit slow in its adjustments, did provide reliable and altering scenes as the camera was tested with backlit subjects, interior/exterior shooting transitions and spot-lit subjects.  The center-weighted and multi-metering modes reacted competently and users should expect to find themselves able to adjust metering options to appropriately adjust to varying lighting situations. 

White Balance
The white balance settings for the Casio Exilim EX-Z850 are located within the same Quality menu which contains the ISO settings.  The white balance options can be opened by selecting the set button once the white balance sub-menu is highlighted.  The white balance sub-menu display will provide users with a vertically scrolling menu of icons on the left side of the LCD while the right side is reserved for live preview.  The inclusion of live preview throughout this camera’s menu structure is exceptionally advantageous and while users may not recognize which white balance goes with which scene, the live preview will quickly inform users as to an appropriate white balance preset or custom adjustment.  Icons are problematic at times and it would be nice to have a textual description in addition to the icon and live preview to provide beginners with more insight into the actual parameters of each white balance mode. 

This short-coming aside, the white balance modes were quickly switched and the proper mode was selected with the aid of the live preview feature.  White balance settings for the Casio Exilim EX-Z850 are auto, full manual, daylight, cloudy, shade, day white, daylight, and tungsten.  White balance settings can also be accessed through the EX button shortcut feature located on the transition plane between the LCD screen and the left side of the camera.  The white balance sub-menu will be displayed as a small tab displayed on the bottom edge of the LCD.

ISO
The ISO settings for the Casio Exilim EX-Z850 can be set by entering the Quality menu which can be opened by pressing the menu button.  It is also possible to access ISO through the EX button shortcut control located to the left of the LCD.  The ISO settings for this digital camera are Auto, 50, 100, 200, and 400.  The ISO settings can be accessed in full manual, auto, and scene modes.  Although noise will increase dramatically as higher ISO levels are used, the truncated range of the Exilim EX-Z850 will pale in terms of versatility when compared to cameras like the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 or the Olympus Stylus 720 SW which extend their sensitivity up to ISO 1600 at the same price.  The inclusion of High Sensitivity and Anti Shake shooting modes within the Best Shot preset section will enable the camera to shoot at an ISO level up to 1600 albeit with diminished manual control elsewhere.

Shutter Speed
The shutter speed of the Casio Exilim EX-Z850 can be manually altered.  The shutter speed priority mode can be entered by switching the mode dial to the “S” mode.  Shutter speed can also be altered in the Manual mode if simultaneous control over the aperture is desired.  The shutter speed for the camera will be displayed in the lower right corner of the LCD screen once the shutter speed priority mode is entered.  Shutter speeds are easy to adjust with the left and right arrows of the four-way controller and users shouldn’t find engaging this manual control to be a difficult enterprise.  The shutter speed range of the Casio Exilim EX-Z850 is 1/1000^th to 60 seconds.  With a range that extends all the way to 60 seconds for low or no light scenes, it would’ve been nice to have had at least one more setting on the faster end of the spectrum for strongly lit scenes. 

Aperture
Aperture is also manually controllable when shooting with the Casio Exilim EX-Z850. This is a great addition for both manual control enthusiasts and users who are considering transitioning away from a fully automatic shooting format.  The aperture scale for this $399 digital camera will enable settings from f/7.4 to f/2.8 in either aperture priority or manual shooting modes.  Like shutter speed, the aperture settings are listed in the lower left corner of the LCD screen and can be reset by pressing the left and right arrows.  If switching between shutter, aperture and exposure compensation settings, the user will merely need to press the Set button at the center of the four-way controller to move between modes. 

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