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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax E85

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
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 S2 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Panasonic S2 vs Pentax E85, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the E85 (12MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S2 was launched 2 years after the E85 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the S2 scores vs the E85 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Pentax E85

 S2 E85 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012September 2009Newer by 29 months

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic S2

 E85 S2 

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Pentax E85

 S2 E85 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic S2 has got outer measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) whilst the Pentax E85 has specifications of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic S2 vs Pentax E85 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the S2 against the E85.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and E85 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing technical specs. The image below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S2 and E85.

As you have seen, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Panasonic S2 to offer greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots much more aggressively. The more modern S2 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography details
Pentax E85 Portrait photography details
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has face detect focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
21
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S2
Street photography with Pentax E85
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (112 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Sports photography camera
39
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
good battery life (280 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
17
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Travel photography camera
70
good battery life (280 shots)
lighter than competitors (112g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography advice
Pentax E85 Landscape photography advice
41
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
good battery life (280 CIPA)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
23
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 Vlogging information
Pentax E85 Vlogging information
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than competitors (112 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Pentax Optio E85
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-01-09 2009-09-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 112 grams (0.25 lbs) 145 grams (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 57 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 All around 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 280 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $109 $0