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Canon G12 vs Pentax E85

Portability
83
Imaging
34
Features
50
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot G12 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Canon G12 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Canon G12
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
  • 401g - 112 x 76 x 48mm
  • Revealed January 2011
  • Superseded the Canon G11
  • Replacement is Canon G15
Pentax E85
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 32-96mm (F2.9-5.2) lens
  • 145g - 93 x 58 x 24mm
  • Released September 2009
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Canon G12 vs Pentax E85 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Canon G12 vs Pentax E85, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the G12 (10MP) and the E85 (12MP) is very similar but the G12 (1/1.7") and E85 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The G12 was unveiled 17 months after the E85 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the G12 grades against the E85 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon G12 over the Pentax E85

 G12 E85 
ReleasedJanuary 2011September 2009Newer by 17 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing2.8"2.7"Larger display (+0.1")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Canon G12

 E85 G12 

Common features in the Canon G12 and Pentax E85

 G12 E85 
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Canon G12 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon G12 enjoys exterior measurements of 112mm x 76mm x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 401 grams (0.88 lbs) while the Pentax E85 has measurements of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Contrast the Canon G12 vs Pentax E85 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the G12 vs the E85.

Canon G12 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G12 and E85 is 83 and 95 respectively.

Canon G12 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Canon G12 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over technical specs. The image below will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the G12 and E85.

As you can tell, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The G12 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax E85 will deliver extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher G12 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon G12 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Canon G12 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G12 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G12 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Portrait photography camera
47
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon G12 as a Street photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Street photography camera
64
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
very small sensor (1/1.7")
heavier than competition in class (401 grams)
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon G12
Sports photography with Pentax E85
33
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good battery life (370 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
17
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon G12 Travel photography advice
Pentax E85 Travel photography advice
60
good battery life (370 per charge)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (401g)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon G12
Landscape photography with Pentax E85
49
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (2.8 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (370 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse mode
23
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G12 Vlogging highlights
Pentax E85 Vlogging highlights
60
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
heavier than competition in class (401 grams)
22
wide angle not good (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
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Canon G12 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G12 and Pentax E85
 Canon PowerShot G12Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot G12 Pentax Optio E85
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-19 2009-09-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.5 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 2.8 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 401 gr (0.88 lb) 145 gr (0.32 lb)
Dimensions 112 x 76 x 48mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.9") 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 161 not tested
Other
Battery life 370 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-7L D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $600 $0