Panasonic G85 vs. Pentax E90: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts and Pros

When it comes to picking a camera, the options seem endless - from tiny compacts to advanced mirrorless systems. In this detailed showdown, I put two very different cameras under the microscope: the Panasonic Lumix G85, a highly capable advanced mirrorless from 2016 beloved for its versatility, and the Pentax Optio E90, a humble 2010 compact camera still hanging around on bargain shelves. Why compare these two? Because sometimes real-world demands meet budget realities, and understanding these cameras' strengths and shortcomings helps you make a smart, informed choice.

I’ve tested both cameras extensively in controlled settings and out in the wild, evaluating aspects from sensor and autofocus technology to shooting ergonomics and genre-specific performance. Whether you’re a budding hobbyist or a seasoned pro looking for a dependable backup, I’ll break down what each camera offers - and what it doesn’t.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

From the moment you pick them up, the Panasonic G85 and Pentax E90 position themselves in opposite corners of the photography ring: the G85 is built like a muscle car - substantial and full-featured - while the Pentax E90 is your compact city scooter, quick and nimble but with fewer bells and whistles.

The Panasonic G85 weighs 505 grams with a robust SLR-style mirrorless body that’s weather-sealed against the elements - a crucial feature if you shoot landscapes or street scenes in unpredictable weather. Its grip is confident and contoured to fit clubs for thumbs like mine, which helps during long shoots. The fully articulating 3-inch touchscreen adds to its flexibility, allowing for high and low angle compositions and even selfie-style framing.

Contrast that with the Pentax E90, a pocketable 145-gram compact measuring a mere 102 x 59 x 25 mm. It’s genuinely small enough to toss in your coat pocket, perfect for travel or casual street snaps where discretion and portability rule. Though the fixed lens limits creative control, this simplicity might appeal if you want point-and-shoot convenience without fuss.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The sensor is the beating heart of any camera, and here’s where the divide between these two widens considerably.

The G85 sports a Four Thirds 16MP CMOS sensor without an anti-aliasing filter, boosting sharpness and detail at the expense of a slight risk of moiré in some patterns. Its sensor size measures 17.3 x 13 mm, significantly larger than the E90’s 1/2.3” CCD sensor (6.08 x 4.56 mm). That’s an important distinction because a bigger sensor gathers more light, resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance - a critical factor for serious photographers.

According to DxOMark data, the G85 scores well with a 22.8-bit color depth and a dynamic range exceeding 12 stops. Its low-light sensitivity holds up to ISO 656 before noise intrudes, a useful sweet spot for dim environments without artificial lighting.

On the other hand, the Pentax E90’s sensor is modest 10MP CCD, and since CCD sensors generally lag behind CMOS in speed and noise control, image quality takes a hit, especially as ISO increases. Its tiny 1/2.3-inch size also contributes to lower dynamic range and less detail in shadow areas. Essentially, the E90 produces decent daylight snaps but struggles under challenging lighting.

For photographers who prioritize image fidelity - portraits rich in nuanced skin tones, landscapes with exquisite gradations, or astro shots with minimal noise - the G85 is the clear winner here.

Designing for the Photographer: Controls and User Interface

The G85 is designed to satisfy a wide range of photographers, with customizable buttons and a streamlined control layout, while the E90 is minimalist, focusing more on simplicity than hands-on control.

The G85 employs a traditional SLR-style top plate with dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, alongside a mode dial and programmable function buttons. The electronic viewfinder (EVF), boasting 2.36 million dots with 100% coverage, is bright and helpful for composing in glaring light or for traditional eye-level framing.

The touchscreen offers intuitive focus selection and menu navigation, speeding workflow without sacrificing tactile control. I found this especially useful when tracking subjects in wildlife and sports photography, where responsiveness matters.

The E90 forgoes an EVF altogether, relying solely on its fixed 2.7” LCD with a mere 230k dot resolution for framing. There’s no touchscreen, and the physical buttons are sparse with limited functions. This streamlined interface grants quick casual shooting but no real manual exposure modes, restricting versatility.

If you value granular control and a camera that adapts to your style, the G85 feels like an extension of your photographic intent. The E90, while approachable, is better suited for spur-of-the-moment snapshots.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Catching the Moment

As a veteran lens jockey, I know focus speed and accuracy can make or break those fleeting moments, whether tracking athletes on the field or elusive birds in flight.

The Panasonic G85 offers a 49-point contrast-detection autofocus system - not as advanced as modern phase-detect hybrids but reliable with face and eye detection technologies. The continuous AF mode keeps subjects sharp during 9 frames per second burst shooting, providing a solid tool for dynamic subjects in sports or wildlife.

The E90, by comparison, has a basic contrast-detection AF system limited to just 3 focus points and no continuous autofocus or tracking capabilities. Burst rates aren’t specified, but in practical use, it’s slow. This makes it unsuitable for action photography beyond casual opportunity shots.

In challenging lighting or for subjects in motion, the G85’s AF system shines. For shooting stationary subjects or everyday life, the E90 will suffice, but don’t expect to capture your kid’s soccer game crisply.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: Growing with Your Passion

A camera lives or dies by its lens system, and here, the G85’s Micro Four Thirds mount opens a vast playground, while the E90 is locked into its fixed zoom.

There are over 100 Micro Four Thirds lenses compatible with the G85, covering everything from ultra-wide landscapes to tight wildlife telephoto, specialist macro lenses, and fast primes for portraits. The f/2.8 and faster lenses available help maximize the sensor’s potential, especially in low light or shallow depth of field portraiture.

The E90’s built-in fixed 32-95 mm (equivalent) lens with an f/3.1–5.9 aperture range limits creative exploration. Its macro mode reaching 6 cm is handy for casual close-ups but lacks the sharpness and focus stacking support serious macro lovers crave.

So if you foresee upgrading your gear or want a system that adapts and grows alongside your skills, the G85 is a vastly more future-proof choice.

Shooting Across Genres: How Each Camera Holds Up

Let’s put these cameras through their paces across the key photography styles. My assessment blends lab testing with real-world sessions under varied conditions.

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

The G85’s large sensor and wide-lens ecosystem yield beautifully rendered skin tones with smooth gradations. The absence of an AA filter means sharper details on eyes and hair, and the 5-axis sensor stabilization helps when working handheld with longer lenses in dim interiors. Panasonic’s face and eye detect AF are reliable, improving hit rates.

The E90 can snap basic portraits but its small sensor and slow lens mean backgrounds rarely blur with the nice, creamy bokeh sought for studio feel. Face detection is absent, so focus can be hit or miss.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Durability

The Panasonic’s high dynamic range shines in scenes mixing bright skies and shadowy foregrounds. Coupled with weather sealing, this camera is built for tough outdoor shooting.

The compact E90 lacks weather sealing and produces flatter images with less tonal nuance, challenging HDR shots. The fixed zoom limits framing options.

Wildlife & Sports: Speed and Tracking

Burst rate and AF tracking on the G85 enable capturing fast-moving wildlife or sports action with respectable image quality, especially when paired with telephoto lenses.

The E90’s slow AF and absent continuous shooting rule this domain out.

Street & Travel: Discretion and Portability

Here the compact E90 shines with its tiny footprint and silent operation - great for casual shooting in crowds. The G85 is heavier but still manageable on travel; its weather sealing adds peace of mind.

Macro, Night, and Video: Specialty Uses

The G85 supports focus bracketing and stacking, giving macro shooters creative flexibility. Its 4K video at 30 fps, microphone input, and 5-axis image stabilization make it formidable for hybrid photo-video creators.

The E90’s macro is limited, video outputs max at 720p at 15 fps (archaic by today’s standards), and no stabilization or audio inputs restrict video quality.

User Interface and Screens: Framing Your World

Touchscreen operation on the G85 speedily shifts focus points and navigates menus. The fully articulating LCD allows cramped low angle and overhead shots - a boon for creative compositions.

The E90 has a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with lower resolution; no EVF or touchscreen means slower compositional adjustments and awkward use in bright light.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

The Panasonic G85 uses proprietary rechargeable batteries rated at about 330 shots per charge, which is average but supplemented with USB charging for portability. It supports SD cards and offers built-in Wi-Fi for easy sharing and remote control.

The E90 runs on two AA batteries, a convenience in a pinch but limited battery life (not manufacturer stated, but roughly 200 shots). It stores images internally along with SD/SDHC cards but lacks wireless features altogether.

In a world where instant sharing and prolonged shooting sessions are the norm, the G85 is better prepared.

Price-to-Performance: Value Judgments for Different Budgets

Here’s the crux for many readers. The Pentax E90 launches at around $100, often less on used markets. It’s an entry-level compact for casual users or cheapskates wanting something better than a phone camera.

The Panasonic G85, releasing at about $900 body-only or just over $1200 with kit lenses, demands a bigger investment but delivers professional-grade results, versatility, and future-proof features.

Panasonic G85 front Pentax E90 front Pentax E90 screen back

If your photography passions or work demand reliable image quality, manual control, and genre flexibility, the G85 is worth every penny. The E90 is reasonable if you need simple snapshots without fuss or budget tightness precludes stepping up.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Fits Your Photography Journey?

Panasonic G85 Pros:

• Large Micro Four Thirds sensor with excellent image quality
• Weather-sealed robust build and comfortable ergonomics
• Versatile lens ecosystem with 5-axis image stabilization
• Advanced autofocus with face/eye detection and continuous shooting
• Fully articulating touchscreen and bright EVF for flexible framing
• 4K video recording with mic input for serious videography
• Wireless connectivity aiding workflow and sharing

Panasonic G85 Cons:

• Heavier and bulkier than compact alternatives
• Battery life is average, requiring a backup for extended shoots
• AF system solid but not flagship level by today’s benchmarks

Pentax E90 Pros:

• Lightweight, pocketable, and discreet design
• Simple interface, easy for beginners or casual photography
• Runs on widely available AA batteries
• Inexpensive, suitable as a backup or travel compact for basic shooting

Pentax E90 Cons:

• Tiny 1/2.3” sensor limits image quality and low-light ability
• No manual exposure modes or advanced autofocus features
• Fixed lens restricts creative framing options
• No wireless connectivity, EVF, or articulating screen
• Video capabilities dated and limited

Who Should Choose the Panasonic G85?

If you want a versatile system camera to branch into portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, sports, macro, or quality video production, and you appreciate manual control and upgradability, the G85 is a no-brainer. It strikes a strong middle ground for pros on a budget or advanced enthusiasts ready to step up.

Who Should Consider the Pentax E90?

If your primary goal is casual photography of vacations and family moments without heavy technical demands, and a slim, affordable camera is your priority, the E90 serves well as a no-frills, pocket-friendly companion. It’s less suited for any professional or serious enthusiast work.

Wrapping Up

In my years of extensive camera testing, I often see buyers tempted by neat little compacts that quickly show their limitations. The Pentax E90 fits that mold - offering basic photography convenience but little room to grow.

The Panasonic G85, on the other hand, embodies the value proposition of a capable mirrorless system with features tailored for demanding shooting scenarios. Its larger sensor, ergonomic controls, weather sealing, and video chops make it a versatile tool in nearly any photographer's kit.

So, if your budget allows and your creativity calls for more than snapshots, I wholeheartedly recommend the G85. Its combination of power, flexibility, and future compatibility will serve you well for years.

I hope this hands-on comparison clarified the strengths and constraints of both cameras from my personal shooting experience to help you find the right match for your photography ambitions. If you have questions or want more specific use case insights, feel free to reach out - cameras are my passion, and I’m here to help you shoot smarter.