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
Casio EX-Z850 vs EX-Z750 (main differences)
 Casio EX-Z850 |
 Casio EX-Z750 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Effective Pixels | 8.0 million | 7.2 million |
| Max image size | 3264 x 2448 | 3072 x 2304 |
| Best shot modes | 34 | 29 |
| Flash | • Built-in |
• Built in • Modes: Auto, on, off, red-eye reduction • Range: Wideangle: 0.4 - 2.9 m, Tele: 0.4 - 1.6 m |
| Sensitivity | • Auto (Max ISO 1600 when using 'Anti-Shake' or' High Sensitivity' BEST SHOT modes) • ISO 50 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 |
• Auto (50-400) |
| Mode dial positions | Auto, A, S, M, Best Shot, Movie, Movie Best Shot, Audio | Auto, M, Best Shot, Movie, Custom Movie, Movie Best Shot, Audio |
| Battery life (CIPA standard) | 440 shots | 325 shots |
| Other | • Brighter screen • Flash continuous mode • 'Anti Shake' DSP • White LED light (AF illuminator) |
Casio EX-Z850 Key specifications
| Street price | • US: $359 • UK: £250 |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Metal |
| Sensor | • 1/1.8" CCD • 8.32 million total pixels • 8.1 million effective pixels |
| Image sizes | • 3264 x 2448 |
| Movie clips | • 640 x 480 HQ @ 30fps |
| Lens | • 38 - 114 mm (35 mm equiv) 3x optical zoom |
| Shutter speeds | • 60 - 1/1600 sec in Shutter Speed Priority and Manual Exposure modes • 1/2 - 1/1600 sec in Program AE mode • 1 to 1/1600 sec in Aperture Priority mode |
| Focus | • Contrast Detection AF • Auto • Macro • Pan Focus • Manual Focus • AF area: spot, multi, free |
| Metering | • Multi-pattern • Center-weighted • Spot by CCD |
| Shooting mode | • Still |
| Sensitivity | • Auto • ISO 50, 100, 200, 400 |
| White Balance | • Auto |
| Image parameters | • Saturation (5 levels) |
| Continuous | • Normal speed • High speed • Flash continuous • Zoom, • Multi |
| Flash | • Built in |
| Storage | • SD/MMC Memory Card • 8.0 MB internal memory |
| Viewfinder | Optical |
| LCD monitor | • 2.5" TFT LCD • 115,200 pixels |
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 Hi-Speed • Cradle |
| Power | • NP-40 lithium-ion rechargeable battery |
| In the box* | • Casio Exilim EX-Z850 |
| Other features | • Self timer 2 or 10 secs, triple self timer |
| Weight (exc batt) | 130 g ( 4.6 oz) |
| Dimensions | 89 x 58.5 x 23.7 mm (3.5 x 2.3 x 0.93 in) |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
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