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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E85

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Pentax E85
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 32-96mm (F2.9-5.2) lens
  • 145g - 93 x 58 x 24mm
  • Introduced September 2009
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E85 Overview

The following is a in depth overview of the Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E85, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and E85 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was launched 2 years after the E85 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the SZ1 scores against the E85 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax E85

 SZ1 E85 
IntroducedJanuary 2012September 2009Newer by 29 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic SZ1

 E85 SZ1 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax E85

 SZ1 E85 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ1 comes with exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 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).

Look at the Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E85 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ1 and the E85.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and E85 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to envision the gap in sensor dimensions only by going through technical specs. The picture below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ1 and E85.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Panasonic SZ1 to show extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The fresher SZ1 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography information
Pentax E85 Portrait photography information
34
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features face detection focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
21
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography advice
Pentax E85 Street photography advice
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (131g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Sports photography camera
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography features
Pentax E85 Travel photography features
70
lighter than competitors in class (131g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
Landscape photography with Pentax E85
43
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
23
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging information
Pentax E85 Vlogging information
32
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (131g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax Optio E85
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 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 dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing range 4cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 131 grams (0.29 lbs) 145 grams (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 life 250 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $179 $0