Casio Exilim EX-Z850

Review summary: The Casio Exilim EX-Z850 ($399) is an update to their popular EX-Z750 model (see our review) that was introduced back in 2005. New features on the Z850 include an 8.1 Megapixel CCD, a "Rapid Flash" feature, more manual controls, improved battery life, ...

Pros: Very good photo quality (though see issues below) ; Compact, stylish metal body ; Large 2.5" LCD can be seen in bright outdoor light plus dimly lit rooms (though see issues below) ; AF-assist lamp, good low light focusing ; Snappy performance ; Tons ...

Cons: Camera tends to overexpose at default settings ; Poor night shot performance ; Redeye a problem ; High sensitivity mode not worth using ; Tiny amount of built-in memory ; Limited aperture options ; Low LCD resolution ; Dock required for just about ...

Verdict: As with all ultra-compact cameras, the NP-40 battery is expensive ($45), and you can't use an off-the-shelf battery when it runs out of juice

Review summary: The Casio Exilim EX-Z850 is a compact camera with an impressive set of features: housed in an attractive shiny metal case, there's an 8-megapixel image sensor, a 3x optical zoom lens and 34 scene modes. That's a bargain for less then $300

Review summary: The Casio Exilim EX-Z850 is a compact camera with an impressive set of features: housed in an attractive shiny metal case, there's an 8-megapixel image sensor, a 3x optical zoom lens and 34 scene modes. That's a bargain for less then $300

Verdict: The shiny case has a sleek and simple aesthetic appearance that belies the large set of features that the camera offers. The Exilim EX-Z850 has an optical viewfinder you can use to frame shots, so you don't have to rely on the LCD screen. The back of ...

Review summary: The Casio Exilim EX-Z850 was released earlier this year at PMA 2006 and while not the most appealing model in terms of innovative styling, this camera does have some impressive specifications. Housed inside of a metal shell, this 8 MP camera has a 3x ...

Pros: - Logical menu interface with strong graphic design - Live previews in menus - Durable aluminum frame - 34 scene modes - Long battery life - Price

Cons: - 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 ...

Verdict: 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 ...