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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax E85

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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
  • Released September 2009
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax E85, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS3 (10MP) and the E85 (12MP) is very close and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZS3 was introduced 4 months before the E85 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the ZS3 grades vs the E85 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Pentax E85

 ZS3 E85 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic ZS3

 E85 ZS3 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax E85

 ZS3 E85 
ReleasedMay 2009September 2009Same generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS3 comes with outer dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Pentax E85 has sizing of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax E85 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS3 compared to the E85.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS3 and E85 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes only by looking through specs. The pic underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS3 and E85.

All in all, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should expect to see the Pentax E85 to result in extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Portrait photography camera
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography features
Pentax E85 Sports photography features
24
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
17
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography information
Pentax E85 Travel photography information
63
lighter than average (229g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax E85 Landscape photography advice
35
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
23
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS3
Vlogging with Pentax E85
30
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic port
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Pentax Optio E85
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-05-14 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 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229g (0.50 lbs) 145g (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 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 ID - D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $200 $0