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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax E85

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-30MR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Announced March 2011
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 SZ-30MR vs Pentax E85 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax E85, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and E85 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-30MR was unveiled 18 months after the E85 making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short summary of how the SZ-30MR matches up versus the E85 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Pentax E85

 SZ-30MR E85 
IntroducedMarch 2011September 2009Newer by 18 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 E85 SZ-30MR 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax E85

 SZ-30MR E85 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-30MR offers physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Pentax E85 has specifications of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax E85 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the SZ-30MR against the E85.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-30MR and E85 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading specifications. The pic here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-30MR and E85.

Plainly, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should expect to see the Olympus SZ-30MR to offer you greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer SZ-30MR should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Portrait photography camera
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Street photography with Pentax E85
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Sports photography highlights
Pentax E85 Sports photography highlights
41
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (220 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Travel photography with Pentax E85
65
lighter than average (226 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (220 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography highlights
Pentax E85 Landscape photography highlights
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery pack (220 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
23
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-30MR
Vlogging with Pentax E85
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (226 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone support
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax E85
 Olympus SZ-30MRPentax Optio E85
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-30MR Pentax Optio E85
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-03-02 2009-09-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 3.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 145g (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 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 220 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $279 $0