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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax E85

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Released August 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-P5
Pentax E85
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 32-96mm (F2.9-5.2) lens
  • 145g - 93 x 58 x 24mm
  • Introduced September 2009
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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax E85, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-P3 (12MP) and the E85 (12MP) is pretty similar but the E-P3 (Four Thirds) and E85 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-P3 was announced 24 months later than the E85 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-P3 grades against the E85 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Pentax E85

 E-P3 E85 
IntroducedAugust 2011September 2009Fresher by 24 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kSharper screen (+384k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Olympus E-P3

 E85 E-P3 

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Pentax E85

 E-P3 E85 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-P3 has got outside dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) while the Pentax E85 has specifications of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax E85 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the E-P3 versus the E85.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and E85 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to see the gap between sensor sizing just by going over a spec sheet. The visual here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P3 and E85.

Clearly, both the cameras provide the same megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizing. The E-P3 comes with the bigger sensor which should make getting bokeh simpler. The more modern E-P3 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-P3
Street photography with Pentax E85
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
supports touch focus
fixed screen
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Sports photography camera
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
has no phase detect autofocus
17
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography factors
Pentax E85 Travel photography factors
60
supports touch focus
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography information
Pentax E85 Landscape photography information
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
23
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P3
Vlogging with Pentax E85
35
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic jack
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Olympus E-P3 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Pentax E85
 Olympus PEN E-P3Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Pentax Optio E85
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-08-17 2009-09-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
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 35 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 32-96mm (3.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 614k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 369g (0.81 pounds) 145g (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 51 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $0 $0