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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax E85

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Launched November 2010
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL2
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
  • Revealed September 2009
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax E85 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax E85, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the E85 (12MP) is relatively similar but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and E85 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL1s was revealed 15 months after the E85 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-PL1s grades versus the E85 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Pentax E85

 E-PL1s E85 
RevealedNovember 2010September 2009More modern by 15 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 E85 E-PL1s 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax E85

 E-PL1s E85 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1s features external measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and 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).

Examine the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax E85 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL1s and the E85.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1s and E85 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading specifications. The picture underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1s and E85.

To sum up, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-PL1s provides the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF easier. The younger E-PL1s is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography highlights
Pentax E85 Portrait photography highlights
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
21
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Street photography factors
Pentax E85 Street photography factors
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Sports photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Sports photography camera
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Landscape photography with Pentax E85
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
23
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging advice
Pentax E85 Vlogging advice
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
no mic support
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax E85
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPentax Optio E85
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1s Pentax Optio E85
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-11-16 2009-09-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 32-96mm (3.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 lbs) 145g (0.32 lbs)
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 not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 290 images -
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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $599 $0