Casio Exilim EX-Z850 Review

Announced just before PMA in February 2006 - almost exactly a year to the day after the camera it replaces - the EX-Z850 is Casio's latest ultra-compact flagship model, offering a huge feature set in a very slim, all-metal body. The EX-Z750 was very well received when it was launched, and remains to this day the most highly-specified 7MP ultra-compact on the market. The EX-Z850 doesn't change the basic formula much but does offer a raft of small improvements; there's an extra megapixel, a couple new Best Shot modes, improved screen brightness, a more powerful flash (with some extra modes) and a movie light. As is becoming standard on this type of camera the Z850 also includes a 'high sensitivity' mode, with up to ISO 1600 on offer.
8.12 Megapixel CCD
3x optical zoom lens
High speed start up and operation
2.5-inch TFT super-bright screen and optical viewfinder
MPEG-4 movies at up to 640x480 / 30fps
34 Best Shot scene modes
440-shot battery life (CIPA standard)
In-camera special effects
Post-shot white balance and exposure adjustments
Aperture priority, shutter priority and manual exposure options
EX button for fast access to shooting controls
White LED light enables both still images and movies to be taken in low light conditions and acts as an AF assist light