Clicky

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax E85

Portability
60
Imaging
47
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Olympus E-30
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Announced March 2009
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
  • Announced September 2009
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax E85 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus E-30 versus Pentax E85, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the E85 (12MP) is fairly close but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and E85 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizing.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The E-30 was revealed 5 months prior to the E85 which means that they are of a similar age. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-30 grades against the E85 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Pentax E85

 E-30 E85 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Olympus E-30

 E85 E-30 

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Pentax E85

 E-30 E85 
AnnouncedMarch 2009September 2009Same age
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display measurement
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-30 offers physical measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") with a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) while the Pentax E85 has measurements of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

See the Olympus E-30 versus Pentax E85 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the E-30 compared to the E85.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-30 and E85 is 60 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions just by researching specs. The image below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-30 and E85.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras provide the same resolution but not the same sensor dimensions. The E-30 comes with the larger sensor which will make getting shallow DOF simpler.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography information
Pentax E85 Portrait photography information
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
21
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography info
Pentax E85 Street photography info
72
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
47
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography details
Pentax E85 Sports photography details
52
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (750 shots)
17
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography information
Pentax E85 Travel photography information
49
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery (750 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography features
Pentax E85 Landscape photography features
52
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery (750 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
23
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax E85 as a Vlogging camera
18
lack of video recording
22
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Pentax E85
 Olympus E-30Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-30 Pentax Optio E85
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-03-24 2009-09-17
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 32-96mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 640x480
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 695 gr (1.53 pounds) 145 gr (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 530 not tested
Other
Battery life 750 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLM-1 D-LI95
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $1,299 $0