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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax E85

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS20
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 ZS15 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Following is a extended analysis of the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax E85, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS15 (12MP) and the E85 (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS15 was revealed 2 years after the E85 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the ZS15 matches up against the E85 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax E85

 ZS15 E85 
IntroducedJune 2012September 2009More modern by 34 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic ZS15

 E85 ZS15 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax E85

 ZS15 E85 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS15 features outer dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Pentax E85 has sizing of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax E85 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the ZS15 vs the E85.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS15 and E85 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing specifications. The pic below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS15 and E85.

Plainly, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical resolution so you can expect comparable quality of photographs although you really should consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The newer ZS15 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography details
Pentax E85 Portrait photography details
21
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS15
Sports photography with Pentax E85
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography information
Pentax E85 Travel photography information
61
lighter than competition (208g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery life (260 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography features
Pentax E85 Landscape photography features
37
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery life (260 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
23
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax E85 as a Vlogging camera
33
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (208 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
22
wide angle not good (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone port
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax Optio E85
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-06-29 2009-09-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focus range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 208 gr (0.46 lb) 145 gr (0.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 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 260 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model - 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 One One
Retail cost $279 $0