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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax E85

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FX77
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
  • Released September 2009
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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax E85 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Panasonic FX78 versus Pentax E85, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FX78 (12MP) and the E85 (12MP) is very well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FX78 was announced 17 months later than the E85 making them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the FX78 grades vs the E85 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Pentax E85

 FX78 E85 
ReleasedJanuary 2011September 2009Fresher by 17 months
Display dimensions3.5"2.7"Larger display (+0.8")
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic FX78

 E85 FX78 

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax E85

 FX78 E85 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FX78 comes with exterior measurements of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Pentax E85 has dimensions of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FX78 versus Pentax E85 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the FX78 and the E85.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FX78 and E85 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through technical specs. The graphic below should give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the FX78 and E85.

As you can tell, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of files but you should factor the age of the products into consideration. The fresher FX78 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax E85 Portrait photography highlights
21
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Street photography info
Pentax E85 Street photography info
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Sports photography information
Pentax E85 Sports photography information
28
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Travel photography camera
56
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FX78
Landscape photography with Pentax E85
36
reasonably wide (24mm)
bigger than average screen (3.5 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
no manual exposure
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
23
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Vlogging information
Pentax E85 Vlogging information
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone support
22
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Pentax Optio E85
Also called as Lumix DMC-FX77 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-01-25 2009-09-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.5" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1400s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD 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 142 gr (0.31 lbs) 145 gr (0.32 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 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 200 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $210 $0