Auto Mode
The auto mode on the Casio Exilim EX-Z850 allows users to shoot with all controls in full auto or to individually alter manual parameters which control exposure compensation, white balance, metering, focus and ISO in addition to digital filters, auto focus area and flash parameters.  The auto mode does have a slight momentary delay as the camera adjusts settings before image capture and users may find it necessary to shoot in continuous capture mode during moments of candid photography.  Although this camera doesn’t have an “Easy” mode like Kodak point-and-shoots the auto mode on this camera model should appeal to the novice beginning user.  If settings become too complicated or muddled during capture the user can quickly reset everything back to its default setting by turning the camera off and then on.  

Movie Mode
The movie mode will enable users of the Casio Exilim EX-Z850 to shoot in several resolution and frame rate permutations.  The movie mode quality settings can be adjusted within the Quality menu.  The movie mode options for the Z850 are HQ (640 x 480 resolution at 30 fps and an approximate file size of 4.0 MB/sec), Normal (640 x 480 at 30 fps with an approximate file size of 2.1 MB/sec), and LP (320 x 240 at 15 fps with an approximate file size of 745 KB/sec).  The recording duration of the camera is only limited by available memory and power.  The movie can be engaged by turning the mode dial to the Movie icon.  Settings in movie mode can be adjusted prior to shooting.  Capturing video files is accomplished by pressing the shutter button.  Available time remaining and current time captured are displayed in the upper right corner of the LCD.

In addition to the standard movie mode setup, the Casio Exilim EX-Z850 also comes with a Best Shot Movie Mode option on the mode dial directly beside the movie mode option.  This mode offers a handful of presets that cover the following general parameters: Portrait, fireworks, silent, scenery, backlight, short movie, night scene, high sensitivity, and past movie.

Audio quality for this digital camera is as expected with the monaural recording suffering from handling and camera noise when capturing.  Manual controls like exposure and white balance are available when shooting and manual focus can be adjusted prior to beginning video capture.  Zoom can be adjusted during recording and users will find the resulting footage to degrade quickly due to it being only digital zoom when recording.  Zoom levels can be adjusted optically before recording but once recording begins the zoom will switch to a digital zoom only format.  Movies can be edited in playback mode with cropping applied to front, middle or end of video clips.

Drive / Burst Mode


Playback Mode
The playback mode for the Casio Exilim EX-Z850 will enable users to engage a number of in-camera viewing and editing options prior to exporting still or video images to a personal computer, printer, or external viewing monitor.  Playback mode is quickly accessed by pressing the easily locatable Playback button prominently positioned on the back of the camera above the right corner of the LCD screen.