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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax E85

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS25
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS35
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
  • Announced September 2009
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax E85 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Panasonic ZS30 versus Pentax E85, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and E85 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS30 was manufactured 3 years later than the E85 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the ZS30 scores versus the E85 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax E85

 ZS30 E85 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013September 2009More recent by 41 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic ZS30

 E85 ZS30 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax E85

 ZS30 E85 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS30 features external dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Pentax E85 has specifications 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 ZS30 versus Pentax E85 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS30 and the E85.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS30 and E85 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements merely by going over technical specs. The visual underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS30 and E85.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Panasonic ZS30 to offer you more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more recent ZS30 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Portrait photography camera
33
good MP (18MP)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography details
Pentax E85 Street photography details
66
image stabilization (Optical)
features touch focus
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Sports photography camera
46
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
has tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200s)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
17
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography features
Pentax E85 Travel photography features
69
lighter than competition in class (198g)
features touch focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Landscape photography camera
44
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery power (260 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
23
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
Vlogging with Pentax E85
35
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (198g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have microphone support
22
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
no mic jack
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax Optio E85
Alternate name Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-07 2009-09-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198 grams (0.44 pounds) 145 grams (0.32 pounds)
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 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 260 photographs -
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
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $250 $0