| Likes |
|
- Logical menu interface with strong graphic design
- Live previews in menus
- Durable aluminum frame
- 34 scene modes
- Long battery life
- Price
|
| Dislikes |
|
- Poorly positioned controls
- Inaccurate color reproduction
- Low sharpening levels led to loss of detail
- High noise levels at ISO 200 and 400
- Limited sensitivity range (only up to ISO 400)
- Poor low light autofocus
- Lots of noise in long exposures
- Terrible viewfinder
- Poor handling
- Dysfunctional color correction
- Poor LCD resolution
|
Conclusion
The Casio Exilim EX-Z850 has a sturdy aluminum body that measures 0.93 inches thick. The size and portability may be a big plus for many consumers, but there are tradeoffs. Those include poor handling, under-sized and oddly placed controls, and ports that are only accessible from a camera dock. Casio took some other shortcuts too: The LCD screen’s resolution is substandard and the optical viewfinder isn’t accurate at all, making both viewing options muddled. Still, this digital camera retails for $349 and can be found for significantly less online. The Casio Z850 stands near the top of its class in terms of build quality and manual controls in a price bracket where many competing models are plastic, with a primarily automatic interface. The Z850 doesn’t fall short in automatic modes either though. It provides users with 34 scene modes and the ability to save 999 more. Overall, the 8-megapixel Casio Z850 is a good candidate for budget consumers as the price continues to fall, but some of the camera’s shortcomings may be too much for many other consumers to take.
