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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax E85

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL1s
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
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax E85, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the E85 (12MP) is fairly close but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and E85 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL1 was revealed 9 months after the E85 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-PL1 grades against the E85 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax E85

 E-PL1 E85 
AnnouncedMay 2010September 2009More modern by 9 months
Focus manually Very precise focus

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Olympus E-PL1

 E85 E-PL1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax E85

 E-PL1 E85 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurements
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL1 enjoys outside measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Pentax E85 has sizing of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL1 and 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 differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PL1 against the E85.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and E85 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes simply by viewing specifications. The image below might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1 and E85.

Plainly, both of these cameras feature the identical megapixel count but not the same sensor sizes. The E-PL1 offers the larger sensor which should make achieving bokeh easier. The more recent E-PL1 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography highlights
Pentax E85 Street photography highlights
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax E85 Sports photography highlights
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (290 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography information
Pentax E85 Travel photography information
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (290 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
Landscape photography with Pentax E85
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
low resolution (12MP)
terrible battery pack (290 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
23
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging highlights
Pentax E85 Vlogging highlights
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic jack
22
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax E85
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Pentax Optio E85
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-05-17 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 dimensions 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 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
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
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 format Motion JPEG 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 grams (0.74 pounds) 145 grams (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $288 $0