[MarkyPancake]

I got a Casio EX-Z850 for my birthday and uploaded the improved HQ video firmware before putting it through its paces. Since getting my own notebook I've been interested in getting a digital camera, so this was a brilliant surprise!

I did a lot of reading about the 850 and 750, which gets more favourable comments for both its photo and video quality, and I was very tempted to exchange it for the 750.

The 850 is my first digital camera and I'm impressed! The screen is big and bright, the battery life is immense and it's intuitive to use with all settings and modes quickly accessible. The picture quality is great and the HQ video is much better with the new firmware; the difference between both qualities on the 850 and 750 is very noticeable until the HQ firmware is applied, but you do lose 40% of the field of vision (just stand a bit further back). It's a very quick camera to use; from off I could turn it on and take a picture in a couple of seconds, which is ideal for those unexpected moments. I like the build quality, it feels sturdy and like it will survive lots of use. Overall I'm very happy and the quality is more than good enough for me.

As I have a new camera I need something to keep it in because it doesn't come with a case, so I got a snug fit hard case and a skin. Both are perfect and help to protect the camera and keep it clean, I just need to apply the screen protector. The skin makes it slightly too big to fit in the cradle though, and the cradle is the only way to charge it, it also doesn't allow access to the battery and memory card compartment, but I'm sure I could cut a section out to rectify this and it's easy to get on and off anyway. The case is a perfect fit, even with the skin on, and has a belt loop, which helps to keep your pockets free while making the case easily accessible, it also has a compartment to carry a spare memory card or two and is quick to open.