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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax E85

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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 FZ40 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FZ40 versus Pentax E85, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the E85 (12MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was announced 11 months later than the E85 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the FZ40 grades vs the E85 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Pentax E85

 FZ40 E85 
AnnouncedJuly 2010September 2009More recent by 11 months
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic FZ40

 E85 FZ40 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax E85

 FZ40 E85 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ40 comes with physical measurements of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) whilst the Pentax E85 has dimensions 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 Panasonic FZ40 versus Pentax E85 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the FZ40 versus the E85.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FZ40 and E85 is 68 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor measurements only by checking specs. The visual underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the FZ40 and E85.

All in all, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic FZ40 to resolve extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more modern FZ40 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ40
Portrait photography with Pentax E85
46
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography information
Pentax E85 Street photography information
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (494 grams)
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography highlights
Pentax E85 Sports photography highlights
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography highlights
Pentax E85 Travel photography highlights
54
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (494g)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax E85 Landscape photography highlights
51
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse function
23
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FZ40
Vlogging with Pentax E85
23
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic jack
heavier than competition in class (494 grams)
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic port
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Pentax Optio E85
Alternate name Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-07-21 2009-09-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II -
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 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
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/2.8-5.2 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 3.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 494 gr (1.09 lb) 145 gr (0.32 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 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 ID - D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $420 $0