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Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax E85

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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
  • Announced September 2009
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Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax E85 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Panasonic FH8 versus Pentax E85, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the FH8 (16MP) and E85 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FH8 was revealed 2 years after the E85 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the FH8 scores versus the E85 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Pentax E85

 FH8 E85 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012September 2009Newer by 29 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic FH8

 E85 FH8 

Common features in the Panasonic FH8 and Pentax E85

 FH8 E85 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH8 enjoys physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs) and 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).

Examine the Panasonic FH8 versus Pentax E85 in the latest 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 are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the FH8 and the E85.

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH8 and E85 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching a spec sheet. The image here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH8 and E85.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic FH8 to provide you with extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger FH8 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH8
Portrait photography with Pentax E85
34
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Street photography factors
Pentax E85 Street photography factors
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (123g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Sports photography camera
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Travel photography info
Pentax E85 Travel photography info
69
lighter than competitors in class (123 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Landscape photography factors
Pentax E85 Landscape photography factors
43
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
23
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax E85 as a Vlogging camera
33
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (123g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic socket
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Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH8 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 Pentax Optio E85
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-01-09 2009-09-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 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
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.5-6.4 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing distance 4cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 123g (0.27 pounds) 145g (0.32 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 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 260 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $149 $0