![]() The much anticipated two-megapixel Epson PhotoPC 850Z creates gorgeous 1600 x 1200 images and is loaded with "real camera" modes like shutter speed priority, aperture priority, full manual, programmed AE and fully automatic exposure. It's got a 3X (35-105mm) optical zoom lens, a fast USB up/download port, adjustable ISO speed (100, 200, 400) and a CompactFlash Type II card slot.
Want more? It's got it. Hot shoe flash to allow the use of more powerful
external clip-on strobes. Manual focus, 10-sec audio notes can be attached
to your images, included lens adapter allows you to use 49mm filters and
add-on lenses, matrix or spot metering option. Epson's revolutionary HyPict
TM technology boosts resolution to 1984 x
1488 pixels for printed images as large as 11" x 14". Builtin Solar Assist
TM LCD panel extends battery life by
using the sun to light the LCD in direct sunlight.
![]()
The 850Z has a big 2" LCD display to frame or review your pictures.
There's also an optical viewfinder so you can use it like an ordinary
camera and save the batteries by switching off the LCD. It may look like
there's a myriad of controls to learn when you see all these buttons but
there's easy to follow prompts on the LCD as to what they do and when to
use them.
![]()
Looking down on the top of the camera you can see the hot shoe flash that
allows you to use more powerful, external strobes. The camera has a
setting that disables the internal flash when using clip-on strobes.
The zoom lens control is located on the outer ring of the shutter release.
![]()
![]() Closeup view of the top LCD data display. The 3 stars and an "H" indicate the highest quality mode which is the Hypict (interpolated) 1984 x 1488 mode. The ISO speed, white balance, flash mode and EV settings are always displayed. The "Star" button is used to change the image size and quality. The "Lightning Bolt" button is used to change the flash mode and the lower button is to enable the selftimer. The command dial has a small pushbutton lock to keep it from being accidentally turned on. Positions on the dial indicate Continuous, LCD-assisted and regular Record modes, Off, Playback, Direct print and Information/Setup modes.
Of special interest is the trap door below the LCD, this is what directs
the sunlight into the SolarAssist color LCD display. When you're outside
in the bright light you flip that small lever on the right which opens the
trap door and turns off the backlight.
![]() Located conveniently on the side of the large handgrip is the access to the CompactFlash card slot. Epson includes an 8MB CF card. |
CCD Sensor 1/2" color CCD with 2.11 million pixels Image Quality Resolution modes: Built-in Microphone and Speaker Solor Assist LCD Monitor 2" low-temperature poly-silicon TFT
color LCD; illuminated by direct
sunlight Storage Capacity EPSON ClearOptics Glass Lens Lens type: 8 elements in 6 group construction
Auto-Focus Range Optical Viewfinder Shutter Speed White Balance Modes Auto/Fixed 5200° K/Custom Exposure Control Program auto exposure with manual +/-2.0
exposure value adjustment (.2 steps); sports, portrait and landscape
modes; spot metering Built-In Flash Range: 2.6' to 12.1' (0.8m-3.7m) wide
Sensitivity Equivalent to ISO 100/200/400 Easy Touch Controls and Display User selectable controls and LCD status
display Direct Print Supports direct printing to EPSON Stylus
Photo, Photo EX, Photo 700, Photo 750, Photo 1200 and EPSON Stylus
Color 740 ink jet printers without a computer Minimum Systems Requirements CD-ROM driver, 32MB RAM, 30MB of available
hard disk space, VGA monitor minimum
resolution of 640 x 480 with 16 colors,
16-bit sound card and speakers (for
voice annotation only), mouse or
pointing device Data Communication Interface USB, DOS/V serial, Macintosh serial Video Interface Provides NTSC or PAL video output signal Power Includes 4 EPSON AA NiMH rechargeable
batteries and charger Contents Camera Dimensions and Weight Warranty One year limited Camera
Epson PhotoPC 850Z Specifications
HyPict: 1984 x 1488
pixels
Superfine: 1600 x 1200
pixels (low compression)
Fine: 1600 x 1200 pixels
(medium compression)
Standard: 640 x 480 pixels
Picture modes: Quick
shot, macro, continuous shoot, interval
shooting, 2x digital zoom and panorama
Color modes: 24-bit color and
monochrome
File format: JPEG (EXIF);
DCF (Design Rule for Camera File
System) and DPOF (Digital Print Order
Format) compliant
Capable
of recording a voice message
(3 sec., 5 sec., 10 sec.)
Listen to the voice message on the camera
or through the computer.
Audio file formats: WAV (PC), AIFF (Mac)
1/30 second refresh rate
Supports instant
preview, playback, delete and power save mode
Standard:
Fine:
Super Fine:
HyPict:8MB CompactFlash
card included
Average number of images stored on 8MB:
120 images
24 images
12 images
10 images
Removable Storage Cards
Any CompactFlash Type I or II card
Focal length: 6.5mm-19.5mm (equivalent
to 35mm-105mm lens on a 35mm camera)
Lens
adapter included for optional 49mm lenses and filters
Macro mode: 8" to 20" (0.2 m - 0.5 m)
Normal mode: 20" to infinity (0.5 m -
infinity)
User adjustable: 3', 8' and infinity
Aperture
F2.0 -
F11 (wide), F2.8 - F11 (telephoto)
Real image
optical viewfinder with power zoom and
diopter
Auto iris
electronic control shutter and mechanical
shutter
4 to 1/800 second
Automatic and shutter priority
2.6' to 8.5' (0.8m-2.6m) telephoto
Modes: Auto Flash, Flash On, Flash
Off, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Synchronized
Hot shoe for adding
optional external flash units
Windows: 486/66 or higher
processor
Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0 or later
with serial communications port,
Windows 98 with USB or serial communications
port
Macintosh: System 7.5
or later, PowerPC with serial communications port, Power Macintosh
G3 or iMac with USB or serial communications port
Enviromental
Requirements (Operating Range)
Temperature:
41° to 95° F (5° thourgh
35° C)
Humidity: 30% to 90% (non-condensing)
Accepts 4 AA sized batteries (alkaline,
lithium, Ni-Cd and NiMH)
Optional AC adapter
EPSON
PhotoPC 850Z digital camera, 8MB CompactFlash
card, serial, USB and Direct Print communication
cables, video cable, neck strap, lens
adapter, User's Guide, 4 AA rechargeable
NiMH batteries and charger
Software on CD-ROM: Sierra Imaging Image
Expert, EPSON Photo!3 TWAIN driver and
standalone utility driver, EPSON Photo
File Uploader, EPSON Program Uploader,
Print Mark and Direct Print software
Dimensions
(WxHxD): 4.92" x 3.15" x 2.76"
Weight without batteries: .71 lb
90 day limited NiMH batters and charger
Return To Steve's
Reviews Menu
802,002,791
Note: All photographs and page content
Copyright © 1999 Steve's Digicam Online, Inc.
Nothing on this page may be used, distributed or
copied without the author's prior permission.