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| Epson PhotoPC 850Z |
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Hardware Reviews June 2000 • Vol.3 Issue 6 |
Epson PhotoPC 850Z | ||
 The PhotoPC 850Z from Epson has a design we think you'll either love or hate. In addition to its USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection and attractive silver and black exterior, the PhotoPC 850Z incorporates features commonly associated with a professional 35mm camera. The design succeeds in distinguishing the PhotoPC 850Z from other two-megapixel digital cameras, but it also may alienate some users seeking a camera with a more familiar point-and-shoot design. We think there's a lot to be said for digital cameras that use a point-and-shoot design that newer users are familiar and comfortable with. However, we like the professional look and feel of the 850Z very much. The camera certainly isn't conducive to tucking away in a pocket while traveling, but it has an extremely solid feel with its oversized right hand grip and extended lens. The top of the camera includes a mode dial and hot shoe for adding an external flash. The top of the handgrip includes a well-placed shutter button with a lever surrounding it to adjust the camera's 3x optical zoom capability. We also like the placement of the optical viewfinder and 6.5mm to 19.5mm lens (equivalent to a 35mm to 105mm lens on a 35mm camera), which has an adapter for optional 49mm lenses and filters. Less pleasing are the 8 buttons included on the camera's back to operate the large 2-inch LCD (liquid-crystal display) and set menu options. Three buttons on our review model were unlabeled, leaving us to seek out the documentation. Also a hit-and-miss feature is the camera's unique Solar Assist Panel, which uses direct sunlight to power the LCD, thus saving on battery power. However, like most digital cameras, trying to view the LCD in sunlight can be nearly impossible due to washout of the display. Beyond its design, the PhotoPC 850Z has features and functions that make it worth strong consideration, including its very good two-megapixel image quality. Indoor and outdoor shots we took at a true resolution of 1,600 x 1,200 pixels were sharp and clear with a full range of vivid colors. Although we noticed some pixelization and lack of focus in a few shots, the images rate way above average overall. The PhotoPC 850Z snaps shots at 1,984 x 1,488 pixels with the aid of Epson's HyPict interpolation technology and at 640 x 480 pixels. The camera stores 10 to 120 images on an 8MB (megabyte) CompactFlash card depending on the HyPict, SuperFine, Fine, or Standard quality mode selected. The camera also conveniently records up to 10-second sound clips that can be attached to shots. An integrated speaker is included, as are Quick Shot, panoramic, interval, and continuous shooting modes. In addition, the camera has user selectable focus modes of 3 feet, 8 feet, and infinity. The camera focuses in normal mode at 20 inches to infinity and in macro mode from 8 inches to 20 inches. Four included rechargeable AA NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries power the PhotoPC 850Z. The camera ships with a charger, neck strap you'll need, and Sierra Imaging's Image Expert software. At $680 (street), the PhotoPC 850Z isn't cheap for a two-megapixel digital camera. However, the camera has a design we like and enough features to keep most users satisfied, and it takes images we rate well above average. by Blaine Flamig
$680 Epson (800) 463-7766 (310) 782-0770 http://www.epson.com
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