Epson 850Z firmware upgradable?

Here's the support site url for your camera:-

http://usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/digital_cameras/powershot_a_series/powershot_a430#DriversAndSoftware (this is for XP)

I see that there are no firmware upgrades so can only think of one thing which may help.
It may have failed but using the menu options on your camera try a reset. It may sort things out.

If you're not sure how to get there, you should be able to download a manual from there to guide you.

If it has had it, and it is quite old, you can try for a second hand camera (ebay or high street) But nearly all new budget digital cameras should meet your needs, but here's a url to a review site:-

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

Failing that, go for a brand you know like Canon, Sony, Fuji, Nikon etc.

Finally, My wife just got a Fuji finepix Av120, it should be about $60 in America, its a 12MPix camera and has loads of features including a "Panaromic Photo" feature, straight forward to use and score 84% in a professional review.

It's ancient, worthless and totally obsolete. Spare parts will be impossible to obtain. Repairs will be completely uneconomical if you have to pay for them in any way (parts or labour).

In short, you have absolutely nothing to lose by trying a DIY repair, and even if it fails (highly likely) you gain valuable experience for when you next attempt such a repair.

BTW: the Epson 850z is not an SLR. The optical viewfinder does not take it's image from the same lens used to take the picture.

No firmware upgrade available yet, but did you set the camera settings to the TYPE of battery you are using? Go to Setup, chose Battery, then set type - alkaline, lith, metal hyd, etc and see if that helps.

I did the same thing with the diopter, but no damage seems to have come of it. It does feel very stiff and 'clicky' anyway, but it does work. You will only be able to notice any adjustment to the diopter when the camera is on.

Yes, 850z does have it

While my epson batteries were charging, I used a set of alkalines, and something similar to that happened to me (had to re-set time a bunch). When I pulled the batteries out, they were warm enough that the little built in test strip (a thermal lcd) was 'lit up'. It could be a battery load problem.

It Works great!

The focus information is available at: http://www.ssdonline.com/... ...m?Productid=B111021F&affid=A01&urlid=B111021F

Make sure you're using an ATA-compatible CompactFlash memory card. Other cards may not work with PhotoPC 850Z.

There are two application programs included. The EPSON Image Verification program is used to check your camera images, while the EPSON Camera Uploader program will upgrade your digital camera with the EPSON IAS security software. SOFTWARE VERSIONS Please find below a list containing the versions of all software supplied in this release of the EPSON Image Authentication System. Current Release for EPSON PhotoPC 700, 750Z, 800, or 850Z Application Programs - EPSON Image Verification - Version 1.10E - EPSON Camera Uploader - Version 1.10E EPSON IAS Security Software (uploaded into your camera) - IAS Version is 2.0 (security version) - Camera File Version is 1.1 Previous Release (Works with PhotoPC 700 and 750Z only) Application Programs - EPSON Image Verification - Version 1.01E - EPSON Camera Uploader - Version 1.01E EPSON IAS Security Software (uploaded into your camera) - IAS Version is 2.0 (security version) - Camera File Version is 1.1