Casio EX-Z85 Review

The Casio EXILIM Zoom EX-Z85 features a compact body that contains the combination of a 1/2.5"-type 9.1 megapixel image sensor and an EXILIM-branded 3x optical zoom lens with a rather tight 38mm wide-angle. A 2.6-inch widescreen LCD display with 114,960 dot resolution offers the EX-Z85's only option for framing and reviewing images, as there's no optical viewfinder on this model. Sadly, in the interests of saving costs, Casio's EX-Z85 doesn't include any form of mechanical image stabilization. ISO sensitivity ranges from a low of ISO 64 to a maximum of ISO 1,600 equivalent, though, so it should be possible to fight off camera shake and subject motion blurring by boosting the sensitivity - albeit with increased image noise.

Casio's Z85 employs a contrast-detection autofocus system operating off data streaming from the camera's image sensor, and the EX-Z85 also includes face detection capability, able to detect up to ten faces in a scene simultaneously. Casio's Face Detection function is linked to both the autoexposure and autofocus systems, ensuring that your subjects' faces are taken into account when determining both these variables. It also allows for registration of subjects' faces - letting you tell the camera which subjects should be treated as the most important when determining focus and exposure. Another interesting function is that the Casio Z85 can automatically capture a photo when the camera detects that your subject is smiling, or when there is no blur.

The Casio EXILIM Z85 offers not just still photos, but video as well. Casio EX-Z85 movies are recorded in H.264 format using the AAC codec, making them suitable for playing on Apple's iPod and similar devices. For viewing images on a television, the Casio Z85has audio / video output connectivity, while images can be transferred to a PC over a USB connection (type unspecified). A rechargeable NP-60 Lithium Ion battery with charger is included with the Z85, and should yield 240 shots on a charge. Images are stored in 41.2MB of internal memory, as well as on SD, SDHC, MMC or MMCplus memory cards.

The Casio EX-Z85 will ship in the USA from October 2008 with pricing of about $180.