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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax E85

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL8
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
  • Introduced September 2009
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus E-PL9 and Pentax E85, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL9 (16MP) and E85 (12MP) and the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and E85 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL9 was released 8 years later than the E85 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-PL9 grades vs the E85 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Pentax E85

 E-PL9 E85 
IntroducedFebruary 2018September 2009Fresher by 103 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Olympus E-PL9

 E85 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Pentax E85

 E-PL9 E85 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL9 enjoys physical dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Pentax E85 has sizing of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL9 and Pentax E85 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL9 vs the E85.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and E85 is 85 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizing simply by going through specifications. The photograph below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL9 and E85.

Plainly, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL9 due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-PL9 will show more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The more modern E-PL9 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
Portrait photography with Pentax E85
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
21
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography details
Pentax E85 Street photography details
84
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
has touch focus
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography advice
Pentax E85 Sports photography advice
69
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
lack of phase detect autofocus
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography info
Pentax E85 Travel photography info
77
has bluetooth
has touch focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax E85 Landscape photography highlights
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
23
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL9
Vlogging with Pentax E85
35
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
22
wide angle not great (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Pentax E85
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL9 Pentax Optio E85
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2018-02-08 2009-09-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII -
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 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 32-96mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.9-5.2
Macro focus distance - 10cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 8.6 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 3.00 m
Flash options Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 380 grams (0.84 lb) 145 grams (0.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $599 $0