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To: Ausdauer who wrote (7994)	11/6/1999 1:21:00 PM
From: Rocky Reid	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 60323

OT: Epson 850Z Review Ausdauer wrote: >>This looks like a nice camera. I am still waiting for your independent review...<< The following is a review I posted on the internet a couple of days ago. However, I had to take it down because it was consuming too much of my provider's bandwidth. Too many people were downloading photos I had taken with the camera and they threatened to shut me down. But here it is: Epson PhotoPC 850Z Review by Rocky last update:11/2/99 Note: I bought a Sandisk 48MB CF card with the camera. I REALLY like the extra features the 850Z has like the Sun-assist LCD. It was very bright today and I wouldn't have been able to see the LCD without it. It is a simple lever easily accessed by your thumb that swings open the shutter at the top of the camera letting the Sun shine into the LCD. It also shuts off the backlight conserving batteries. -Very easy to turn on and off the backlight this way. This camera is designed very well ergonomically for larger hands here in the USA. I want to see if the 850Z really works with the IBM Microdrive, although I don't want to buy one just yet. The first thing I did upon unpacking the camera and giving it a once-over was to accidentally eject the Epson brand 8MB CF card onto a hard wood floor. No damage done though. I don't know if the IBM Microdrive could handle this sort of abuse. I am getting used to the Manual Modes and find the Aperature Priority mode very useful. The Fully-Auto photos on the 850Z seem to come out a little overexposed for my taste but its nothing an adjustment in the exposure settings can't handle. I really need to find a source that explains in detail the concept and application of ISO, Aperature, Exposure, and Shutter speed as it applies to fully-manual Digital Cameras like the Epson 850Z. One thing I've discovered is that by using Shutter Priority, it is possible to freeze subjects in motion for really cool and professional looking action shots. What a camera! Good Things: -I think the colors from this camera are amazing. Check out the macro shot of the peppers.jpg ...(Bear in mind that I am no Pro, the shot was taken quickly in a busy market, and I am still getting accustomed to the camera.) :-) -You can have Full Manual control of the camera- aperature, shutter, ISO, (Focus in three steps only), etc.. -The built-in USB is great. No external Flashcard readers to worry about like with Fuji cameras (a scam by Fuji to sell their own brand of flashcard readers in my opinion). The 850's built-in USB port works great with my iMac and my Blue G3. -Operation of Manual mode settings is easy and can be done from either the small LCD on top of the camera or from the color LCD. -The Epson-brand NiMH batteries that came with the camera seem to last a long time. -The body I think is mostly plastic (but looks like metal in places) but does not look or feel as cheap as a lot of other digicams (like the Olympus C2000 IMO). The black grip handle part of the body is textured so it won't slip easily. -A neck strap is provided and the camera has 2 metal strap loops so you can wear the camera and look like a "Pro." -I think it cosmetically looks a lot better than the Olympus C2000 (it is larger in size too). -The Zoom lens switch is right where it should be for your index finger (right on the shutter release). -The battery compartment is on the bottom under the hand grip and is NOT blocked when mounted on my tripod. -The tripod mount is directly under the center line of the lens barrel for accurate panorama stitching. -The Sun-assist LCD is also an LCD backlight switch (to conserve batteries). -The lack of an uncompressed mode no longer bothers me. Hell, the new Sony DSC-F505 doesn't either and it's $400 more expensive than the 850Z! -The Zoom lens motor isn't nearly as noisy as on other cameras I've heard. -The lens cover is pretty freaky. It is huge, it's motorized, and opens and shuts like a lizard or snake's eyelid. But it works. -The camera has tons of features like slow-syncronized flash...things I know little about but will investigate and learn about further. -I fit 88 photos on one 48MB CompactFlash card in Superfine mode. Gripes: - you must cycle through the "Off" position to the "i" on the control dial to switch between Auto, Program, and Manual modes and back again through "Off" to shoot pictures. - there is no "Night" Program mode that I'm aware of. -Like the Sony DSC-F505, the built-in Flash gets blocked by the Lens barrel when in Macro Mode. -I'm not sure the Optical viewfinder is entirely accurate as to framing the shot. -The tripod socket is plastic, not metal. -Hypict Mode (*h) takes a LONG time to prepare for the next shot , about 10-13 seconds (not that I use this mode much anyway). All Hypict does is interpolate a shot to a larger size (1984x1488 pixel aspect) before "moderate" JPEG Compression. SuperFine Mode provides 1600x 1200 pixel aspect and leaves the image unaltered before "low" JPEG compression. In SuperFine mode, the recycle time between shots seems to be about 2-3 seconds. -Macro mode is cool, but I wish it were a little more capable like the Nikon CP950. The focal length is 8 inches from the subject. -A case is not provided. I am still looking for the right case to possibly wear around my waist. I want it to be large enough to bring along the USB cable, an extra 4 NiMH batteries, and a CF card. ...But not too large. Overall I think this is the best camera at the $799 price point. The Epson PhotoPC 850Z's features like the Sun-assist LCD, CompactFlash type II (IBM Microdrive-ready), non-proprietary AA battery usage, good ergonomic design makes this a real winner IMO. The only other camera I'd consider is the new Sony DSC-F505, but it's $300-$400 more expensive. Not to mention that I think the photos from the Epson 850Z look really good. Probably the best photos I've ever taken using any camera. -