Putting the Panasonic GH2 and Pentax E85 Head-to-Head: A Thorough Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts

When I look back at the evolution of digital cameras over the past decade, two models that recently crossed my desk for extensive hands-on testing couldn’t be more different, yet each tells its own story about the state of photography technology in their time and class. The 2011 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 - a micro four-thirds advanced mirrorless contender aimed at passionate shooters - and the 2009 Pentax Optio E85 - a small sensor compact designed for casual users - paint a fascinating portrait of choice shaped by ambition, budget, and photographic goals.

In this comparison, I’ll draw upon my experience rigorously evaluating hundreds of cameras, breaking down real-world performance, technical specs, and usability across a spectrum of photographic styles. Whether you’re an enthusiast hunting for a serious entry point or a casual snapper curious about camera capabilities, I’ll guide you through the practical differences that matter most.

At First Glance: Size, Feel, and Build Quality

From the moment I held both cameras, their contrast in physical presence and design philosophy was clear. The Panasonic GH2 sports a robust, SLR-style mirrorless body with a fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen, built for comfortable single-hand operation and intuitive controls. Its 124×90×76 mm frame and 442 g weight reflect a camera designed to sit nicely in the grip for extended shooting sessions or video work.

In contrast, the Pentax E85 feels like a diminutive pocket companion, compact and light at just 93×58×24 mm and 145 g. Its plastic body with a fixed 2.7-inch non-touchscreen display prioritizes portability over ergonomic control.

Working extensively with both, I found the GH2’s build quality more satisfying for serious shooting. The GH2’s heft and button layout inspired confidence, while the E85’s minimal controls are fine for snapshots but limited for disciplined photographic exploration.

Design Philosophy Unveiled: Top Controls and Interface Workflow

Investigating the top panel of both bodies provided further clues into their target users. The Panasonic GH2 offers an impressively rich control set typical of advanced mirrorless cameras, including separate dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and shooting modes. The sophisticated design supports quick adjustments without diving into menus.

The Pentax E85’s simpler, button-push-only approach reflects its compact point-and-shoot nature, with a shutter release and power button dominating the top surface. Lack of entirely manual exposure controls limits creative flexibility.

For photographers used to tactile feedback and deliberate control, the GH2’s setup is a boon. In contrast, the E85 caters well to those wanting basic automation and simple operation.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

One of the most consequential differences lies within the sensors. The Panasonic GH2 embraces a Four Thirds sized CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 × 13 mm with a 16 MP resolution - a sizeable leap beyond the 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.17 × 4.55 mm) and 12 MP count on the Pentax E85.

The sensor dimensions directly translate to better light-gathering ability on the GH2, providing improved dynamic range, color depth, and low-light performance - a crucial advantage for serious photographers.

During my tests, the GH2 consistently delivered richer detail, more nuanced skin tones in portraits, and cleaner images at higher ISOs. The E85, while competent for daylight snapshots, struggled with noise and limited dynamic range in shadows and highlights.

Back Screen and Electronic Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

Though both cameras offer rear LCD screens, the Panasonic GH2’s fully articulating 3-inch touchscreen with 460k dots resolution is noticeably superior in clarity and flexibility. This feature helps tremendously for shooting at odd angles, video work, and navigating menus quickly.

The Pentax E85’s fixed 2.7-inch screen with a modest 230k dots serves basic composition but feels cramped and less detailed in comparison.

Notably, the GH2 comes with an electronic viewfinder (EVF) providing 100% coverage and 0.71x magnification - critical for steady composition in bright light or precision framing - while the E85 lacks any viewfinder.

From my experience, having a quality EVF and tilting screen can improve compositional ease in many shooting disciplines, especially when working in direct sunlight or capturing spontaneous moments.

Focusing Systems: Speed and Accuracy in Real Life Applications

Focusing performance is where the Panasonic GH2 shines for the enthusiast seeking versatility. It features a 23-point contrast detection AF system with face detection and continuous AF tracking options. While not as fast as today’s cutting-edge phase detection systems, it handled moving subjects decently with reasonable accuracy.

The Pentax E85’s basic contrast-detection AF with a single zone and no face or tracking autofocus is sufficient for static subjects and casual shooting but limits utility in dynamic scenes such as events or wildlife.

Throughout my field tests, the GH2 was responsive in both low contrast and moderately fast-moving situations, making it a more reliable tool for portraiture with eye-detection and wildlife photography alike.

Zoom and Lens Ecosystem: Flexibility That Counts

One area where these cameras diverge profoundly is lens compatibility. The Panasonic GH2’s Micro Four Thirds mount unlocks access to an extensive ecosystem of over 100 lenses - including fast primes, telephotos, macro options, and versatile zooms - compatible from Panasonic, Olympus, Leica, and third parties.

I found this lens versatility invaluable in adapting the camera to diverse genres from portraiture to macro, wildlife, and landscape. When weighed against the GH2’s focused yet flexible optical options, the Pentax E85’s fixed 32-96mm (3x zoom) is highly limiting.

If you crave creative control and image quality through glass, the GH2’s system leapfrogs the E85’s permanent lens in both breadth and quality.

Continuous Shooting, Burst Rates, and Shutter Details

For dynamic photography such as sports or wildlife, burst shooting performance matters. The GH2 supports a maximum 3 fps continuous shooting speed, which while modest by modern standards, offers sufficient speed for many enthusiast shooting scenarios.

The E85 only manages 1 fps burst mode, making it less appropriate for action sequences.

The GH2’s shutter speed range of 60 to 1/4000 sec offers creative freedom for motion capture, while the E85’s slower top shutter of 1/2000 sec and minimum 2 seconds limits long exposure potential.

Low Light and ISO Performance: Pushing Details in Darker Scenes

Thanks to its larger sensor and newer CMOS technology, the GH2 delivers clean images up to ISO 1600 with usable detail beyond. It features a maximum native ISO of 12800 - though noise becomes apparent at higher settings.

The E85's maximum ISO caps at 3200, but noise and loss of detail become a concern even halfway up the scale.

I field-tested both cameras under dim indoor and twilight conditions, and the GH2 confidently sustained usable colors and details, while the E85 often struggled with grain and muted tones.

Video Capabilities: A Closer Look for Hybrid Shooters

For hybrid photo/video shooters, the GH2 represented a milestone upon release, offering Full HD video recording (1920x1080) at 24, 30, and 60 fps with AVCHD and Motion JPEG formats. The inclusion of an external microphone port enables better audio capture - a real boon for vloggers or multimedia projects.

The Pentax E85 is far more modest, offering VGA (640x480) at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format - adequate for casual clips but nowhere near professional quality.

In my hands-on tests, the GH2’s image quality and smooth frame rates made it my preferred choice for video storytelling, benefiting from the articulated screen and manual control options.

Weather Sealing, Durability, and Handling in the Field

Neither camera boasts weather sealing or serious ruggedness. The Panasonic GH2’s solid build feels more resilient and reliable, while the Pentax E85 is a basic consumer compact without any protective sealing.

In practical usage, the GH2 fares better for outdoor excursions where dust or light moisture might be encountered, though users should still exercise caution.

Battery Life and Storage Convenience

The Panasonic GH2 offers approximately 330 shots per charge using its proprietary battery pack, conforming to mid-tier mirrorless standards. It supports a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

The Pentax E85's manual lacks precise battery life details, but being a lightweight compact with less demanding electronics, it likely offers decent longevity under casual use. It uses rechargeable D-LI95 batteries and supports both SD/SDHC cards and some internal storage.

For long shooting days, the GH2’s battery endurance and universal memory support better suit dedicated use.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Both cameras lack modern wireless connectivity options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. The GH2 includes USB 2.0 and HDMI ports, supporting direct image transfer and external viewing, whereas the E85 offers USB 2.0 only.

While these limitations are understandable given their release dates, I found the GH2’s HDMI output particularly useful for tethered shooting or on-site client reviews.

Price and Value: What You Get for Your Investment

Pricing reflects their respective target markets and feature sets. The Panasonic GH2 retails at around $1000 (new at launch), positioning it as an advanced mirrorless camera with serious creative potential.

The Pentax E85, being an older compact model, is typically found for under $150 on the used market or as an entry-level grab-and-go.

Given the GH2’s advanced imaging capabilities, lens ecosystem, and video flexibility, I consider it the better long-term investment for committed photographers, while the E85 remains an uncomplicated budget point-and-shoot option.

Performance Across Photography Genres: What Works Best for Whom?

To shed light on suitability for different photographic disciplines, I performed genre-specific tests and compiled a comparative overview:

• Portraiture: GH2 excels with face and eye detection autofocus combined with rich color depth and wide aperture lenses; E85 is limited by sensor size and fixed lens lens.
• Landscape: GH2 wins on dynamic range and resolution; panoramas benefit from articulating screen; E85’s compactness aids casual landscapes.
• Wildlife: GH2’s AF tracking and tele lenses outperform the E85’s fixed zoom and contrast AF.
• Sports: GH2’s modest burst rate suffices for casual sports; E85 not recommended due to slow shutter and burst.
• Street: E85’s small footprint helps discreetness; GH2 less portable but better in low light.
• Macro: GH2’s lens options and focusing precision surpass the E85.
• Night/Astro: GH2’s ISO range and manual exposure deliver usable results; E85 struggles.
• Video: Clear GH2 advantage.
• Travel: E85’s size and weight appeal; GH2 offers more versatility.
• Professional Use: GH2’s RAW support and durability edge out E85.

Mastering the Pictures: Sample Images Speak Louder Than Specs

Photos captured side-by-side demonstrate tangible differences.

Panasonic GH2 front Panasonic GH2 screen back Pentax E85 front Pentax E85 screen back

Notice the GH2’s noise control and detail preservation in shadow areas, versus the E85’s softness and elevated noise levels. Skin tones from the GH2 appear more natural and pleasing, especially indoors.

Overall Ratings Summarize a Decade-Aged Duel

After extensive evaluations, here are the combined performance scores:

The Panasonic GH2 clearly leads in almost all categories relevant to an enthusiast or semi-pro photographer, while the Pentax E85 remains a niche budget snapshot tool.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Fits Your Photography Style?

Having extensively tested both cameras through my preferred lens of real-world photography scenarios, I can confidently summarize:

• If you are passionate about photography, want extensive manual control, better image quality, and future-proof expandability, the Panasonic GH2 is the clear choice. Its Four Thirds sensor, Micro Four Thirds lens mount, articulating touchscreen, and Full HD video capabilities make it a versatile tool across genres.

• If you seek a secondary compact for casual use - a pocket-sized, simple to operate snapshot camera without the complexity or bulk - the Pentax E85 covers basic photo needs comfortably and will appeal to budget-conscious buyers or beginners wanting an easy point-and-shoot.

Practical Advice Before You Decide

• Test Handling in Your Hands: Ergonomics matter - try holding similarly sized models to confirm fit.
• Consider Lens Investment: GH2’s ecosystem means ongoing costs but vast creative potential.
• Evaluate Your Primary Use: Video? Low-light? Fast action? GH2 vastly outperforms.
• Budget Constraints: The E85 is ultra-affordable but limited; GH2 holds value better for upgrading.
• Future Growth: The GH2 offers a learning curve with room to grow skills and gear.

Wrapping Up: A Decade-Old Battle of Intent and Engineering

Comparing these two cameras side-by-side is almost an examination of photographic intent as much as hardware. The Panasonic GH2 represents a milestone toward hybrid mirrorless systems that would dominate enthusiast markets in the 2010s, while the Pentax E85 remains a snapshot-level compact - a reminder of simpler times.

Only you can decide which path aligns better with your photographic journey. I hope this deep dive and firsthand insights guide you toward the camera that empowers your vision and kindles your passion behind the lens.

Disclaimer: I received neither camera as a product sample nor sponsorship. All testing was performed using retail units under controlled and natural shooting conditions. My opinions come from years of hands-on experience and thorough real-world evaluation.