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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax E85

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Later Model is Olympus E-P2
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-P1 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Olympus E-P1 and Pentax E85, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the E85 (12MP) is very close but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and E85 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-P1 was launched within a month of the E85 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E-P1 grades versus the E85 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Pentax E85

 E-P1 E85 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Olympus E-P1

 E85 E-P1 

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Pentax E85

 E-P1 E85 
LaunchedJuly 2009September 2009Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P1 provides external dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Pentax E85 has measurements of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-P1 and Pentax E85 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the E-P1 versus the E85.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-P1 and E85 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching a spec sheet. The visual underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P1 and E85.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature the identical megapixel count but not the same sensor sizing. The E-P1 has got the larger sensor which will make achieving bokeh easier.

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax E85 Portrait photography highlights
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Street photography details
Pentax E85 Street photography details
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P1
Sports photography with Pentax E85
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery life (300 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
17
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Travel photography camera
43
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery life (300 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P1
Landscape photography with Pentax E85
60
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery life (300 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
23
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P1
Vlogging with Pentax E85
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone socket
22
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Olympus E-P1 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Pentax E85
 Olympus PEN E-P1Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-P1 Pentax Optio E85
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-07-29 2009-09-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 32-96mm (3.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 355 grams (0.78 pounds) 145 grams (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 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 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $182 $0