Canon SX240 HS vs. Pentax Optio E85: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Selecting the right camera can be a daunting endeavor, especially when sifting through compact models aimed at casual photographers, travelers, or even budding enthusiasts. Today, I’m diving deep into a head-to-head comparison of two distinct compact digital cameras: the Canon PowerShot SX240 HS and the Pentax Optio E85. Both emerged roughly in the early 2010s but differ in their ambitions and target users. Having tested thousands of cameras, including both models in practical shooting scenarios, I want to share my insights with you from an expert yet approachable viewpoint. Whether you prioritize zoom reach, image quality, or usability, read on to see what each camera brings to the table.

Handling and Ergonomics: Size Matters More Than You Might Think

Let’s start with the physicality of these two.

At first glance, the Canon SX240 HS lives up to its “superzoom” label with a substantially larger and heavier body - 106x61x33 mm and 224 grams versus the Pentax E85’s compact 93x58x24 mm and 145 grams. The Canon’s additional heft is a double-edged sword: on the one hand, it offers a more substantial grip and a feeling of robustness which many photographers find reassuring. On the other, it compromises pocketability and stealth, which matters for street or travel photography.

The Pentax E85 truly delivers that ultra-compact experience, slipping easily into a jacket pocket or a small purse. For casual shoothers or those constantly on the move, this might be a deciding factor.

Ergonomically, the Canon’s larger body allows for more tactile buttons and better spacing, reducing accidental presses and improving control confidence. The Pentax distills controls down, but its reduced size means some buttons are smaller and less comfortable for extended use, especially if you have larger hands.

Control Layout and Design Philosophy: What’s Under Your Fingers?

Moving into how the cameras interface physically:

The Canon SX240 HS features a more traditional control layout with dedicated exposure modes including shutter and aperture priority, plus manual exposure. The presence of a zoom rocker, a well-positioned shutter button, and a mode dial turns it into a versatile shooting tool, accommodating users from automatic point-and-shoot to seasoned manual mode photographers.

The Pentax E85, however, adopts a minimalist button approach. No manual exposure modes here - just full auto with limited user adjustments. This simplicity can be inviting to beginners or those who want quick snaps without fuss, but it’s a limiting factor once you want to exercise finer creative control.

For photographers who like to tinker settings on the fly, the Canon clearly wins this round.

Sensor Tech, Image Quality, and Output: Beyond the Megapixels

When it comes to sensor and image quality, specs alone rarely paint the whole story. Both cameras house a 12-megapixel 1/2.3" sensor, but the differences in sensor technology and image processing engines are pivotal.

The Canon SX240 HS uses a BSI-CMOS sensor coupled with Canon's DIGIC 5 processor - technology that was cutting-edge at its release. Backside illumination (BSI) enables improved light gathering, resulting in better performance under low-light conditions and cleaner images at higher ISOs.

The Pentax Optio E85 relies on an older CCD sensor without stabilization or advanced processing. CCD sensors often produce pleasing colors but lag behind CMOS in noise handling and dynamic range.

From real-world testing, images from the Canon exhibited noticeably better sharpness, reduced noise above ISO 800, and a more expansive dynamic range capturing shadows and highlights with greater fidelity. The Pentax images feel softer, struggle with high ISO noise, and tend to clip highlights more easily.

Given these findings, the Canon will suit landscapes, portraits, and general shooting more confidently, especially in challenging lighting.

Viewing Experience: Screen Quality and Usability

Visualizing your shot is key, so let’s peek at screen differences.

Here, the Canon SX240 HS sports a 3-inch PureColor II TFT LCD with 461k-dot resolution, offering bright, sharp previews and good visibility in daylight. Its fixed screen means no articulation, but that was standard for cameras of its generation.

The Pentax E85’s 2.7-inch screen has a lower 230k-dot resolution, resulting in less detailed and dimmer previews. For composing shots in bright light, you’ll need to rely more on framing guesses, a notable downside.

Neither camera includes an electronic viewfinder - which is typical in the compact segment - but the Canon’s superior screen makes critical framing and focus checks easier. As such, photographers who prioritize composing shots precisely will appreciate the Canon’s advantage here.

Zoom, Lens Quality, and Focus: Versatility vs. Simplicity

This is perhaps where these two diverge most starkly and where their intended uses become clearer.

The Canon SX240 HS boasts an impressive 20x optical zoom (25-500mm equivalent), covering wide-angle to super-telephoto. This zoom range transforms the camera into an all-in-one travel companion, wildlife shooter, or sports observer. The variable aperture of f/3.5-6.8 is modest but acceptable.

In contrast, the Pentax E85 has a far simpler 3x zoom (32-96mm equivalent), roughly standard for basic compacts. It covers typical snapshots but lacks any real telephoto reach.

Autofocus on the Canon incorporates nine focus points with face-detection and tracking capabilities, a rarity in this class. AF is contrast-detection based but responsive, making it reliable for portraits, moderately quick action, and video.

The Pentax operates a single contrast-detection AF point without face detection or tracking, and the focusing speed felt sluggish during my tests - frustrating when subjects are on the move.

Optical image stabilization on the Canon further aids stability across its zoom range. The Pentax lacks any stabilization, which is noticeable at longer focal lengths and low light.

Shooting Performance: Speed and Responsiveness

Canon SX240 HS outperforms the Pentax in burst and general responsiveness. It can capture about 2 frames per second continuously - modest, but useful for casual action shots.

The Pentax E85 can only manage a frame per second. This severely limits capturing fleeting moments, which impacts both sports and wildlife photography usability.

Shutter speed range differences also matter - Canon offers a broader shutter speed span (15s to 1/3200s), allowing creative long exposures and fast action freezing. Pentax’s range is more restricted (2s to 1/2000s), limiting versatility.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: What Each Camera Handles Best

Now, considering specific genres where such compacts might be employed.

Portraiture:
The Canon’s face detection, aperture priority mode, and 20x zoom enable flattering portraits with isolation and background blur potential when zoomed in. Pentax’s limited aperture and lack of face detection make portraits less nuanced.

Landscape:
Canon’s wider zoom end at 25mm equivalent fares better than Pentax’s 32mm to capture sweeping views. Greater dynamic range also helps retain detail in shadows and highlights during golden hour and varied lighting.

Wildlife & Sports:
Canon’s long reach and autofocus tracking give it a clear edge for distant or quick subjects. Pentax is essentially out of its league here.

Street Photography:
Pentax’s small size and subtle profile make it less intrusive and more portable in crowds. Canon is bulkier but still manageable, offering superior image quality and zoom.

Macro:
Canon focuses down to 5 cm, Pentax to 10 cm. Combined with image stabilization, Canon better handles close-ups and fine detail.

Night and Astrophotography:
Canon’s BSI-CMOS sensor and longer shutter speeds support better low-light results. Pentax’s older tech and limited settings hinder performance.

Video:
Canon records Full HD 1080p at 24fps with H.264 compression, while Pentax is limited to VGA 640x480 resolution at 30fps with Motion JPEG. Canon is the clear winner for videographers.

Travel Photography:
If you want an all-around solution with zoom, quality, and video, Canon is your go-to, albeit at some cost in size. Pentax is ideal for ultralight carry and snapshots.

Professional Work:
Neither really targets pros, but Canon’s manual modes and flexible image control give it a slight professional edge for casual assignments.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: How Tough Are They?

Neither model features any weather sealing or ruggedization, which is typical for compacts from their era. The Canon, being larger and heavier, feels sturdier in hand, but both should be treated gently and protected against dust and moisture.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Modern Essentials?

The Canon uses a rechargeable NB-6L battery, rated for about 230 shots per charge; Pentax’s data is less clear but likely similar given size. Both rely on SD/SDHC cards (with Pentax also offering internal storage).

Neither camera supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, or NFC - no surprise for their age but disappointing by today’s standards. Canon has an HDMI output; Pentax lacks this.

Real Shootout: Image Quality and Sample Photos

Direct sample comparisons reinforce the differences.

Canon SX240 HS screen back Pentax E85 front Pentax E85 screen back

Observe the Canon’s sharper details and natural skin tones in portraits, smoother noise handling in shaded scenes, and effective image stabilization leading to crisp telephoto shots. The Pentax images have softer details, slightly washed colors, and visible noise creeping in at ISO 400 and beyond.

Ratings and Scoring Overview

After extensive testing under varied conditions, here is a summary of overall performance:

• Canon SX240 HS: High scores for zoom, image quality, controls, and video
• Pentax Optio E85: Lower marks, primarily suitable for beginners and snapshot use

Performance Across Different Photography Genres

Breaking down strengths per type of photography paints a clearer picture:

Canon leads consistently, especially in zoom-dependent genres (wildlife, sports), low light, and video. Pentax holds some ground only in portability and casual street photography.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Canon PowerShot SX240 HS and Pentax Optio E85 target distinct segments, and choosing between them depends largely on your needs and priorities.

• Choose the Canon SX240 HS if:
  You value a long zoom range, full manual controls, superior image quality, and decent video capability. It represents a substantial upgrade over entry-level compacts and allows some creative exploration across genres. Its size and weight are trade-offs worth making for these benefits.

• Choose the Pentax Optio E85 if:
  You want the smallest, simplest camera for casual snapshots, prioritizing portability and ease of use. It’s suitable for quick point-and-shoot situations but will frustrate those seeking versatility or higher image quality.

Dear Canon, a flip-up or articulated screen combined with wireless connectivity would have been much appreciated, enhancing usability especially in travel and video. Yet for its time and category, the SX240 HS remains a competent all-rounder.

For enthusiasts and semi-pros looking for a sub-$300 superzoom compact capable of practical manual control - especially on a budget - the Canon is my clear recommendation.

For minimalist, quick-use snapshots where weight is a primary concern, the Pentax remains an option, though I personally find its limitations too significant for consistent satisfaction.

Methodology Note

In crafting this comparison, I performed side-by-side shooting sessions in varied settings - natural light, urban night scenes, fast-moving subjects, portraits, and landscapes - to assess autofocus performance, image quality, handling comfort, and usability. RAW capture wasn’t an option on either, but JPEG images were examined extensively for noise, color fidelity, and detail retention. Screen legibility and button ergonomics were tested outdoors under bright daylight and indoors.

I hope this detailed breakdown helps you make an informed decision. Whichever you choose, remember that a camera is a tool to support your vision - understanding its strengths and limits before purchase makes all the difference. Happy shooting!