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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E85

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released November 2011
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PM2
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
  • Released September 2009
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Below is a complete comparison of the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E85, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the E85 (12MP) is pretty similar but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and E85 (1/2.3") offer different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM1 was released 2 years later than the E85 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the E-PM1 matches up vs the E85 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax E85

 E-PM1 E85 
ReleasedNovember 2011September 2009More recent by 27 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Olympus E-PM1

 E85 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax E85

 E-PM1 E85 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 offers exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax E85 has proportions of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E85 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PM1 vs the E85.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and E85 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements only by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and E85.

Clearly, the two cameras come with the identical megapixels albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PM1 contains the bigger sensor which will make getting bokeh less difficult. The younger E-PM1 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM1
Portrait photography with Pentax E85
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Street photography camera
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM1
Sports photography with Pentax E85
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
no phase detect AF
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography info
Pentax E85 Travel photography info
45
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Landscape photography camera
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
23
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax E85 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic socket
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax E85
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pentax Optio E85
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-11-23 2009-09-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 32-96mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 265g (0.58 lb) 145g (0.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $499 $0