Casio EX-ZR850 has some aspects like another Brand

[GlobalGlow]

With the release of Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX99 with a sensor the same 1/2.3" size as the Casio Ex-ZR800, ZR850 etc with a high zoom range on a compact camera it seems to be going back away from the larger sensor size trend. Sony size 102 x 58 x 36 mm vs Casio size 108 x 60 x 31 mm are close. Many technical features are similar and some appear improved on. The feature on the Sony which attracts me is in the ability to record Video area in 4K and other video fps improvements vs the Casio's 1080. I like the photographic qualities on the Casio EX-ZR850 even over the ZR3600 which I have as well. Has anyone compared the photographic qualities between the ZR800/850 and the DSC-HX99

 

[GlobalGlow]

With the local store stocking the Sony HX-99 camera, I finally was able to compare the Casio Ex-ZR850 with the Sony HX-99 mainly to be able to record 4K video. With the lack of HDR on the Sony the loss of detail with overly contrasting bright areas, I preferred the Premium Auto Shot of the Casio's image quality. I could hear that the Casio detected the need for HDR and was taking multiple shots and stitching the result together. Another feature missing was that the Sony didn't have a comparable Art mode which I use for website background and header imaging. The Sony has a popup view finder and superior specs from the image sensor. However when it came to usable images for my requirements, the Casio was the winner. The cameras are very similar in size but Sony has a flip up viewer like the EX-ZR3600 I have. In bright sunshine the Casio has a brighter LCD screen.

Frankly I despair that Casio has exited the Camera market. I just have to wait some more time for my choice of the perfect travel camera to come along. My needs for a 4K video ability on holiday means I'll have to take my GoPro equivalent in the meantime.

 

[Cyril Catt]

GG, thanks for pointing out the similarity of the Sony HX99 to the Casio 800/850 models. With no replacements possible, I am concerned that the failure of my ZR800 will one day eventually need a replacement with similar capabilities.

Currently , I like the ZR800 for its remarkable image stability, so that I can get good hand held shots even when travelling in shaking vehicles. A folding ClearViewer attachment simulates an EVF, to overcome the lack of a viewfinder, both to help avoid screen glare, and add stability by resting my camera-holding-hand against my head. Multi SR Zoom also allows me to match the HX99's reach. I also use time lapse quite a bit for continuously tracking roadside scenes when travelling by vehicle through new locations.

Although I don't find the Art settings useful for my needs, I do appreciate the Best Shot mode, for quickly accessing the best settings for a variety of situations without having to fiddle with manual choices: the HDR, HighSpeed Anti-Shake, and High-Speed Night Shot in particular. But I'd appreciate the 4K video of the Sony.

At the moment, I complement the ZR800 with a ZR5100 (and ClearViewer) for the 19mm wide lens and slightly larger sensor, and their added convenience for cramped, dim, interiors. The similarity of size, weight, menus and interchangeability of batteries are also convenient. But I have not yet found a need for the flip-up screen, though the front shutter button has advantages (and the disadvantage of inadvertant operation!). The two cameras give me greater scope, and backup in case of failure - or being caught with a brief opportunity just when a memory card or battery needs changing.

--
Cyril

 

[GlobalGlow]

GG, thanks for pointing out the similarity of the Sony HX99 to the Casio 800/850 models. With no replacements possible, I am concerned that the failure of my ZR800 will one day eventually need a replacement with similar capabilities.

Currently , I like the ZR800 for its remarkable image stability, so that I can get good hand held shots even when travelling in shaking vehicles. A folding ClearViewer attachment simulates an EVF, to overcome the lack of a viewfinder, both to help avoid screen glare, and add stability by resting my camera-holding-hand against my head. Multi SR Zoom also allows me to match the HX99's reach. I also use time lapse quite a bit for continuously tracking roadside scenes when travelling by vehicle through new locations.

Although I don't find the Art settings useful for my needs, I do appreciate the Best Shot mode, for quickly accessing the best settings for a variety of situations without having to fiddle with manual choices: the HDR, HighSpeed Anti-Shake, and High-Speed Night Shot in particular. But I'd appreciate the 4K video of the Sony.

At the moment, I complement the ZR800 with a ZR5100 (and ClearViewer) for the 19mm wide lens and slightly larger sensor, and their added convenience for cramped, dim, interiors. The similarity of size, weight, menus and interchangeability of batteries are also convenient. But I have not yet found a need for the flip-up screen, though the front shutter button has advantages (and the disadvantage of inadvertant operation!). The two cameras give me greater scope, and backup in case of failure - or being caught with a brief opportunity just when a memory card or battery needs changing.

Well I agree with all your grieving but I did make a mistake previously about the Sony HX99 not having HDR. On the Sony forum I mentioned this and got shot down by HX90 owners and so I went back to the shop again and with new info found the settings tucked away on page 7 of 9 in the cameras menu. The camera had so many programmable features which one can assign to custom buttons that after about 40 mins and two experts they were able to get some settings very close to my shooting needs. With the 4K video, which I needed, it was a no brainier and I bought the HX99. I will still take the Casio ZR850 on holiday as a backup spare in the bag, but my thinking is that I will probably sell two of my four Casio cameras or at least give one to my son inlaw after I finish my next holiday.

 

[Shadeaux]

Well I agree with all your grieving but I did make a mistake previously about the Sony HX99 not having HDR. On the Sony forum I mentioned this and got shot down by HX90 owners and so I went back to the shop again and with new info found the settings tucked away on page 7 of 9 in the cameras menu. The camera had so many programmable features which one can assign to custom buttons that after about 40 mins and two experts they were able to get some settings very close to my shooting needs. With the 4K video, which I needed, it was a no brainier and I bought the HX99. I will still take the Casio ZR850 on holiday as a backup spare in the bag, but my thinking is that I will probably sell two of my four Casio cameras or at least give one to my son inlaw after I finish my next holiday.

I'm looking forward to hearing how you like the HX99 compared to the ZR850. I'm still trying to decide between the HX99 and HX80. For now I'll continue to use my beloved ZR850.

Wendy

 

[Smallpox]

Well I agree with all your grieving but I did make a mistake previously about the Sony HX99 not having HDR. On the Sony forum I mentioned this and got shot down by HX90 owners and so I went back to the shop again and with new info found the settings tucked away on page 7 of 9 in the cameras menu. The camera had so many programmable features which one can assign to custom buttons that after about 40 mins and two experts they were able to get some settings very close to my shooting needs. With the 4K video, which I needed, it was a no brainier and I bought the HX99. I will still take the Casio ZR850 on holiday as a backup spare in the bag, but my thinking is that I will probably sell two of my four Casio cameras or at least give one to my son inlaw after I finish my next holiday.

I'm looking forward to hearing how you like the HX99 compared to the ZR850. I'm still trying to decide between the HX99 and HX80. For now I'll continue to use my beloved ZR850.

Wendy

As you are no doubt aware of, Sony states 18MP, but this is only part of their 20mp sensor, which is cropped to reduce camera+lens size.

Conclusion: the Casio 16mp sensor has a slight IQ advantage... apart from just faster tech...

 

[Cyril Catt]

Cyril Catt wrote: GG, thanks for pointing out the similarity of the Sony HX99 to the Casio 800/850 models. With no replacements possible, I am concerned that the failure of my ZR800 will one day eventually need a replacement with similar capabilities.[...]

Well I agree with all your grieving but I did make a mistake previously about the Sony HX99 not having HDR. On the Sony forum I mentioned this and got shot down by HX90 owners and so I went back to the shop again and with new info found the settings tucked away on page 7 of 9 in the cameras menu. The camera had so many programmable features which one can assign to custom buttons that after about 40 mins and two experts they were able to get some settings very close to my shooting needs. With the 4K video, which I needed, it was a no brainier and I bought the HX99. I will still take the Casio ZR850 on holiday as a backup spare in the bag, but my thinking is that I will probably sell two of my four Casio cameras or at least give one to my son inlaw after I finish my next holiday.

Thanks for the update

 

[GlobalGlow]

I'm looking forward to hearing how you like the HX99 compared to the ZR850. I'm still trying to decide between the HX99 and HX80. For now I'll continue to use my beloved ZR850.

Wendy

Well They certainly are different and to go from the simplicity but great features of the ZR850 to the HX99 which has so many settings and pages within is going take some time getting my head around them.

The weather is very overcast in the late afternoon here and so I have taken some images at the beach. I take ALL my images at 16:9 landscape. Never use portrait. (This is the way I see the world through a camera). ZR850 = 4608 x 2592 4.14Meg HX-99 = 4896 x 2752 7.58Meg

First impression: Really an unfair test below. Needs tripods setup on both cameras

The Auto Mode image the Casio seemed to be better balanced between dark and shade. There is a colour difference. Casio seems warmer tones. See shots below.

The HDR mode: The ZR850 Clicks away with 5 shots stitched, where as the Sony seems to be 3. The HX99 is slower shot wise and I noticed a double image of subject on movement. The Casio had a slightly blurring on movement. I think that the HX99 one would be better to not have movement in shots and to tripod.

This is early days for comparisons.

ZR850 on Auto

HX99 on Auto

HX99 Normal -first mage

HX99 HDR second image - double image

ZR850 Normal first image

ZR850 HDR ART mode second image

 

[Shadeaux]

Well They certainly are different and to go from the simplicity but great features of the ZR850 to the HX99 which has so many settings and pages within is going take some time getting my head around them.

The weather is very overcast in the late afternoon here and so I have taken some images at the beach. I take ALL my images at 16:9 landscape. Never use portrait. (This is the way I see the world through a camera). ZR850 = 4608 x 2592 4.14Meg HX-99 = 4896 x 2752 7.58Meg

First impression: Really an unfair test below. Needs tripods setup on both cameras

The Auto Mode image the Casio seemed to be better balanced between dark and shade. There is a colour difference. Casio seems warmer tones. See shots below.

The HDR mode: The ZR850 Clicks away with 5 shots stitched, where as the Sony seems to be 3. The HX99 is slower shot wise and I noticed a double image of subject on movement. The Casio had a slightly blurring on movement. I think that the HX99 one would be better to not have movement in shots and to tripod.

Thanks so much for taking the time to post your first impressions of the HX99. Comparing the two images I like the shots from the Casio better. However, in real life I most likely won't be doing any comparisions like that so there's nothing wrong with the pictures from the HX99.

I'm kinda waiting to see if there's a sale on the HX99 in the near future. In the meantime, I hope the ZR850 keeps going strong.

Looking forward to hearing more about how you like the HX99 after you've had it awhile.

Wendy

 

[telefunk]

I'm looking forward to hearing how you like the HX99 compared to the ZR850. I'm still trying to decide between the HX99 and HX80. For now I'll continue to use my beloved ZR850.

Wendy

Well They certainly are different and to go from the simplicity but great features of the ZR850 to the HX99 which has so many settings and pages within is going take some time getting my head around them.

The weather is very overcast in the late afternoon here and so I have taken some images at the beach. I take ALL my images at 16:9 landscape. Never use portrait. (This is the way I see the world through a camera). ZR850 = 4608 x 2592 4.14Meg HX-99 = 4896 x 2752 7.58Meg

First impression: Really an unfair test below. Needs tripods setup on both cameras

The Auto Mode image the Casio seemed to be better balanced between dark and shade. There is a colour difference. Casio seems warmer tones. See shots below.

The HDR mode: The ZR850 Clicks away with 5 shots stitched, where as the Sony seems to be 3. The HX99 is slower shot wise and I noticed a double image of subject on movement. The Casio had a slightly blurring on movement. I think that the HX99 one would be better to not have movement in shots and to tripod.

This is early days for comparisons.

Thanks for that. Have done this with all cameras entering my house (friends & family & such) now have around 45 comparisons of the same scene .

I wonder why no other brand can do the Casio magic, besides the really good smartphones???

 

[NextShowForSure]

With the release of Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX99 with a sensor the same 1/2.3" size as the Casio Ex-ZR800, ZR850 etc with a high zoom range on a compact camera it seems to be going back away from the larger sensor size trend. Sony size 102 x 58 x 36 mm vs Casio size 108 x 60 x 31 mm are close. Many technical features are similar and some appear improved on. The feature on the Sony which attracts me is in the ability to record Video area in 4K and other video fps improvements vs the Casio's 1080. I like the photographic qualities on the Casio EX-ZR850 even over the ZR3600 which I have as well. Has anyone compared the photographic qualities between the ZR800/850 and the DSC-HX99

The compact market is 1/2.3" or 1" and nowt in between nowadays. A shortage of stand alone sensors is the big problem as the market now is all in to modular cameras for the phones and phones will have sets of prime plug in camera modules rather than zooms. Canon are dependent on the Sony sensor completely by the look of things and have really stalled in their high end compact release cycle. I believe Sony have said they release the sensors they use themselves after 2 years so the market is struggling to try and eke extra out of the old stuff to compete.

Sony seem to regard sensor improvements as purely a way of getting more megapixels on the box so these 18mp 1/2.3" sensors are struggling from the word go. The 21mp ones were a sea of mush at 100% so mercifully they have ranged back. I wonder if their failure in their phones is due to high pixel counts as the phone industry has wisely avoided emphasis on megapixels and the high quality phones have often been low pixel counts. I have a Nokia 40 mp phone and that has excellent quality but has a larger 1/1.5" so it is difficult to fathom out what is happening. It is almost as though 1/2.3" is the optimum start size for quality to immediately go down the toilet when stuffed with pixels.

That said the HX90 I had was a useful bit of kit but capped at ISO 3200 which says a lot and I doubt if you will go wrong with the HX99. I never took to the little pop up EVF though and the Panasonic EVF even if limited in ways would be worth trying in something like a TZ200 which with its 1" sensor may be be a better all rounder.

Here is a HX90 shot at 123mm full bore and it is interesting how a foreshortened telephoto shot seems to enhance all the fun and bustle on the ship. The HX99 as pointed out is 118mm but claiming the same zoom so a bit of digital business is going on but probably makes little difference. The lens may even be better.

This is Isle of Wight by the way not Glasgow. I do love this shot but I suppose people will start running it through the electron microscope though this thankfully has never been a big sensor forum or suffered from that big frog in a little pond the dreaded 1" sensor so probably more forgiving.

 

[happysman]

ok.thanks

 

[LaFonte]

A quite important thing is the overall build quality. I have two RX100 (MK1 nad MK4) and despite rough handling, rain and whatnot they perform without a single glitch.

A casio is another story - I went through few of them in Japanese used stores and many had similar issues - buttons not registering, the dial would skip etc - other mechanical issues due to cheap build quality. One of my casio I have also has some mech issues. I have to press down on the top dial to register its setting or otherwise it would think it is in P mode regardless where it is in fact.

So longterm the Sony would be best bet. You can dial its settings to whatever you want. You won't get that many "Art" settings but for general photo it is winner in my books.

 

[Smallpox]

A quite important thing is the overall build quality. I have two RX100 (MK1 nad MK4) and despite rough handling, rain and whatnot they perform without a single glitch.

A casio is another story - I went through few of them in Japanese used stores and many had similar issues - buttons not registering, the dial would skip etc - other mechanical issues due to cheap build quality. One of my casio I have also has some mech issues. I have to press down on the top dial to register its setting or otherwise it would think it is in P mode regardless where it is in fact.

So longterm the Sony would be best bet. You can dial its settings to whatever you want. You won't get that many "Art" settings but for general photo it is winner in my books.

Mine have been in deserts & jungles for 7 years, dropped in the sand, carried together with heavy equipment in the same bag.... and they still work fine. The rear dial is a weak point though, have to spray it with electronic contact spray regularly...

 

[Cyril Catt]

LaFonte wrote: A quite important thing is the overall build quality. I have two RX100 (MK1 nad MK4) and despite rough handling, rain and whatnot they perform without a single glitch.

A casio is another story - I went through few of them in Japanese used stores and many had similar issues - buttons not registering, the dial would skip etc - other mechanical issues due to cheap build quality. One of my casio I have also has some mech issues. I have to press down on the top dial to register its setting or otherwise it would think it is in P mode regardless where it is in fact.

So longterm the Sony would be best bet. You can dial its settings to whatever you want. You won't get that many "Art" settings but for general photo it is winner in my books.

I would agree that my Casio models appear less robust than the Sony models I have seen. But the Casios produce what I need at a considerably lower cost, so I am willing to take extra care with them. When the Casios finally die, Sony will certainly be among the contenders for a replacement.

In dusty, rainy, or wave-sprayed conditions I limit my photography to a mobile phone in a weatherproof case.

--
Cyril