Clicky

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax E85

Portability
67
Imaging
45
Features
35
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Replaced the Panasonic LZ30
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
  • Launched September 2009
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Here is a extensive overview of the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax E85, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the LZ40 (20MP) and E85 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The LZ40 was introduced 4 years later than the E85 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the LZ40 matches up versus the E85 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Pentax E85

 LZ40 E85 
LaunchedJanuary 2014September 2009Fresher by 53 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic LZ40

 E85 LZ40 

Common features in the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax E85

 LZ40 E85 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic LZ40 features exterior dimensions of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") along with a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs) while the Pentax E85 has measurements of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax E85 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the LZ40 compared to the E85.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the LZ40 and E85 is 67 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing only by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the LZ40 and E85.

Clearly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic LZ40 to give you extra detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern LZ40 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ40
Portrait photography with Pentax E85
40
MP count decent (20MP)
offers face detection focusing
no manual focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Street photography features
Pentax E85 Street photography features
45
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than others (524 grams)
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic LZ40
Sports photography with Pentax E85
47
amazing zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
offers tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Travel photography info
Pentax E85 Travel photography info
55
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (22mm)
great reach (924mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others (524g)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Landscape photography information
Pentax E85 Landscape photography information
44
really wide (22mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
23
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax E85 as a Vlogging camera
27
really wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
has external microphone port
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
more heavy than others (524 grams)
22
wide angle not good (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 Pentax Optio E85
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-01-06 2009-09-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5152 x 3864 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-924mm (42.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.80 m 3.00 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 524g (1.16 lb) 145g (0.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $219 $0