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Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax E85

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced July 2011
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS8
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
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax E85, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS7 (12MP) and the E85 (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS7 was unveiled 23 months after the E85 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the ZS7 grades against the E85 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Pentax E85

 ZS7 E85 
LaunchedJuly 2011September 2009More modern by 23 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic ZS7

 E85 ZS7 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax E85

 ZS7 E85 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS7 features outer dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Pentax E85 has dimensions of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax E85 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the ZS7 against the E85.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS7 and E85 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading specs. The image below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS7 and E85.

All in all, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical resolution so you can expect similar quality of images although you have to factor the age of the products into consideration. The fresher ZS7 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Portrait photography factors
Pentax E85 Portrait photography factors
21
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Street photography factors
Pentax E85 Street photography factors
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (218g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Sports photography info
Pentax E85 Sports photography info
27
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
17
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than competitors in class (218 grams)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax E85 Landscape photography highlights
38
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
23
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS7
Vlogging with Pentax E85
30
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (218 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external mic port
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Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 Pentax Optio E85
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ10 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-07-19 2009-09-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min 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 support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 3.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 218 grams (0.48 lbs) 145 grams (0.32 lbs)
Physical 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 recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $350 $0