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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax E85

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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
  • Introduced September 2009
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Let's look closer at the Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax E85, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZR3 (14MP) and the E85 (12MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZR3 was manufactured 5 months later than the E85 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the ZR3 grades against the E85 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Pentax E85

 ZR3 E85 

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic ZR3

 E85 ZR3 

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax E85

 ZR3 E85 
IntroducedJanuary 2010September 2009Similar age
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic ZR3 comes with external measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax E85 has specifications of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax E85 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the ZR3 and the E85.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the ZR3 and E85 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to visualise the gap between sensor measurements just by reading technical specs. The visual below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZR3 and E85.

As you have seen, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Panasonic ZR3 to offer greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots much more aggressively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax E85 Portrait photography advice
28
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Street photography advice
Pentax E85 Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Sports photography camera
36
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
17
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography details
Pentax E85 Travel photography details
64
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography info
Pentax E85 Landscape photography info
37
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
23
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZR3
Vlogging with Pentax E85
29
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic support
22
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Pentax Optio E85
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-01-26 2009-09-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II -
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 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/1300s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 grams (0.35 pounds) 145 grams (0.32 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 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 ID - 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
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $280 $0