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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax E85

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax E85, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS5 (12MP) and the E85 (12MP) is very close and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS5 was brought out 10 months after the E85 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the ZS5 scores versus the E85 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Pentax E85

 ZS5 E85 
ReleasedJune 2010September 2009More modern by 10 months

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic ZS5

 E85 ZS5 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax E85

 ZS5 E85 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display size
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS5 has got external dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Pentax E85 has dimensions of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax E85 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS5 against the E85.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS5 and E85 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes purely by researching specs. The pic here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS5 and E85.

All in all, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of files however you really should take the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher ZS5 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography details
Pentax E85 Portrait photography details
27
supports face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography info
Pentax E85 Street photography info
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (214 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography factors
Pentax E85 Sports photography factors
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
Travel photography with Pentax E85
63
lighter than average (214 grams)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
no Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Landscape photography camera
33
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
23
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS5
Vlogging with Pentax E85
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than average (214g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
22
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Pentax Optio E85
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-06-16 2009-09-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II -
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 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG 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 None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 grams (0.47 lb) 145 grams (0.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 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
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $300 $0