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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax E85

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL7
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL9
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
  • Launched September 2009
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Here is a comprehensive overview of the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax E85, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the E-PL8 (16MP) and E85 (12MP) and the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and E85 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL8 was announced 7 years later than the E85 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-PL8 scores versus the E85 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Pentax E85

 E-PL8 E85 
LaunchedSeptember 2016September 2009Fresher by 86 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Olympus E-PL8

 E85 E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax E85

 E-PL8 E85 
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL8 features outer dimensions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Pentax E85 has proportions 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-PL8 and Pentax E85 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL8 versus the E85.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL8 and E85 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing merely by going over specifications. The graphic underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL8 and E85.

To sum up, both of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL8 using its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-PL8 will offer you more detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The newer E-PL8 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL8
Portrait photography with Pentax E85
72
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Street photography highlights
Pentax E85 Street photography highlights
84
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography highlights
Pentax E85 Sports photography highlights
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
lack of phase detect auto focus
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Travel photography camera
71
boasts touch focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography details
Pentax E85 Landscape photography details
80
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
23
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging details
Pentax E85 Vlogging details
35
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have mic support
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax E85
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL8 Pentax Optio E85
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2016-09-19 2009-09-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 81 -
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 Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.00 m
Flash options no built-in flash -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 357 gr (0.79 lb) 145 gr (0.32 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 350 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $500 $0