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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax E85

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Announced November 2003
  • Replacement is Olympus E-3
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
  • Launched September 2009
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax E85, one is a Pro DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and E85 (12MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and E85 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The E-1 was announced 6 years before the E85 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the E-1 grades against the E85 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Pentax E85

 E-1 E85 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Olympus E-1

 E85 E-1 
LaunchedSeptember 2009November 2003More modern by 70 months
Display sizing2.7"1.8"Larger display (+0.9")
Display resolution230k134kClearer display (+96k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Pentax E85

 E-1 E85 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-1 enjoys external measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) whilst the Pentax E85 has measurements of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax E85 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-1 compared to the E85.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-1 and E85 is 59 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes only by reading technical specs. The picture below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-1 and E85.

As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-1 using its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Pentax E85 will offer more detail with its extra 7MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged E-1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-1
Portrait photography with Pentax E85
46
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (5MP)
21
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-1
Street photography with Pentax E85
57
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment proof
lighter than competition in class (735g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
47
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-1
Sports photography with Pentax E85
40
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (5MP)
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography information
Pentax E85 Travel photography information
47
lighter than competition in class (735 grams)
environment proof
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Landscape photography camera
46
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment proof
small screen (1.8 inches)
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (5MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
23
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging features
Pentax E85 Vlogging features
9
can't shoot video
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Pentax E85
 Olympus E-1Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-1 Pentax Optio E85
Category Pro DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2003-11-29 2009-09-17
Physical type Large SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 2560 x 1920 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 32-96mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Amount of lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 1.8 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 134k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 640x480
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 735 gr (1.62 lb) 145 gr (0.32 lb)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 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 ID - D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $1,700 $0