Olympus E-420 vs Pentax E85

Below, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-420 versus Pentax E85, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the E85 (12MP) is pretty close but the E-420 (Four Thirds) and E85 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-420 was revealed 15 months before the E85 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the E-420 matches up vs the E85 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-420 and Pentax Optio E85. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-420 Gallery and Pentax E85 Gallery.

If you're planning to lug around your camera, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-420 enjoys physical dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Pentax E85 has measurements of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-420 versus Pentax E85 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-420 and the E85.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and E85 is 77 and 95 respectively.

More often than not, its tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements merely by looking through technical specs. The photograph here should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-420 and E85.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-420 with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax E85 will provide you with more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The older E-420 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.