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Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax E85

Portability
89
Imaging
46
Features
51
Overall
48
Canon PowerShot SX720 HS front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
10
Overall
24

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Canon SX720 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20.3MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-960mm (F3.3-6.9) lens
  • 270g - 110 x 64 x 36mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Superseded the Canon SX710 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX730 HS
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 SX720 HS vs Pentax E85 Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Canon SX720 HS and Pentax E85, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX720 HS (20.3MP) and E85 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX720 HS was revealed 6 years later than the E85 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SX720 HS scores against the E85 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX720 HS over the Pentax E85

 SX720 HS E85 
ReleasedFebruary 2016September 2009Fresher by 79 months
Focus manually More precise focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Canon SX720 HS

 E85 SX720 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX720 HS and Pentax E85

 SX720 HS E85 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX720 HS offers outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Pentax E85 has proportions of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check the Canon SX720 HS and Pentax E85 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX720 HS versus the E85.

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX720 HS and E85 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to see the gap between sensor sizing only by reading specifications. The photograph here will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX720 HS and E85.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Canon SX720 HS to deliver more detail because of its extra 8.3MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The younger SX720 HS will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX720 HS
Portrait photography with Pentax E85
47
manual focus
MP count decent (20.3MP)
includes face detection autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
20
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Street photography factors
Pentax E85 Street photography factors
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (270 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Sports photography highlights
Pentax E85 Sports photography highlights
48
amazing zoom range (24-960mm 40.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20.3 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
low fps (5.9 frames/s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (250 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
17
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Travel photography advice
Pentax E85 Travel photography advice
67
lighter than competitors in class (270g)
MP count decent (20.3 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (960mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (250 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Landscape photography details
Pentax E85 Landscape photography details
50
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20.3MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery pack (250 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
23
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX720 HS Vlogging info
Pentax E85 Vlogging info
34
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (270g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
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Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX720 HS and Pentax E85
 Canon PowerShot SX720 HSPentax Optio E85
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX720 HS Pentax Optio E85
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2016-02-18 2009-09-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20.3 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-960mm (40.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.9 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.9 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 270 grams (0.60 lb) 145 grams (0.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 images -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-13L D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $379 $0