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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax E85

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released July 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
  • Revealed September 2009
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax E85, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the E85 (12MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was manufactured 2 years after the E85 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SZ5 scores vs the E85 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax E85

 SZ5 E85 
RevealedJuly 2012September 2009Newer by 35 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic SZ5

 E85 SZ5 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax E85

 SZ5 E85 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ5 provides external measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Pentax E85 has specifications of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax E85 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ5 and the E85.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ5 and E85 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions only by checking technical specs. The pic below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ5 and E85.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can count on the Panasonic SZ5 to give you greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher SZ5 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography information
Pentax E85 Portrait photography information
34
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
21
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography highlights
Pentax E85 Street photography highlights
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (136 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography highlights
Pentax E85 Sports photography highlights
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
17
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
Travel photography with Pentax E85
70
lighter than competition (136 grams)
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography info
Pentax E85 Landscape photography info
42
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
23
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ5
Vlogging with Pentax E85
32
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than competition (136g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax Optio E85
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-07-18 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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
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)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 gr (0.30 lb) 145 gr (0.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" 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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $195 $0