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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax E85

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS25
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
  • Launched September 2009
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Let's look closer at the Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax E85, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the E85 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZS20 was introduced 2 years after the E85 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the ZS20 grades against the E85 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax E85

 ZS20 E85 
LaunchedApril 2012September 2009More modern by 32 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic ZS20

 E85 ZS20 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax E85

 ZS20 E85 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS20 features outside measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Pentax E85 has sizing of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax E85 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the ZS20 against the E85.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS20 and E85 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specs. The picture underneath might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS20 and E85.

All in all, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Panasonic ZS20 to provide you with more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The fresher ZS20 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography details
Pentax E85 Portrait photography details
30
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS20
Street photography with Pentax E85
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch to focus
lighter than average in class (206g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
Sports photography with Pentax E85
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (260 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
17
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography highlights
Pentax E85 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than average in class (206g)
offers touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (260 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography information
Pentax E85 Landscape photography information
42
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery power (260 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
23
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging features
Pentax E85 Vlogging features
34
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (206g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no external microphone port
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax Optio E85
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-04-26 2009-09-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS 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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
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 24-480mm (20.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 206 gr (0.45 lb) 145 gr (0.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 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 260 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
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 One One
Launch price $349 $0