Clicky

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax E85

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS60
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
  • Launched September 2009
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Below is a complete review of the Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax E85, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS50 (12MP) and the E85 (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The ZS50 was revealed 5 years later than the E85 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief view of how the ZS50 grades versus the E85 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Pentax E85

 ZS50 E85 
LaunchedJanuary 2015September 2009More recent by 65 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic ZS50

 E85 ZS50 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax E85

 ZS50 E85 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS50 features physical dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Pentax E85 has specifications of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax E85 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS50 versus the E85.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS50 and E85 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by checking out specs. The graphic below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS50 and E85.

All in all, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of images although you will want to consider the release date of the cameras into account. The more recent ZS50 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography info
Pentax E85 Portrait photography info
42
manual focus
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Street photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Street photography camera
68
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (243g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
47
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS50
Sports photography with Pentax E85
43
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography features
Pentax E85 Travel photography features
66
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS50
Landscape photography with Pentax E85
51
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
23
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging factors
Pentax E85 Vlogging factors
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (243g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
22
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Pentax Optio E85
Alternative name Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2015-01-06 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 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
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off -
Hot shoe
AEB
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 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 243 grams (0.54 lbs) 145 grams (0.32 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 44 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 138 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images -
Battery form 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
Price at release $350 $0