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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax E85

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS7
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
  • Introduced September 2009
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax E85 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax E85, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the E85 (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS8 was brought out 23 months later than the E85 making them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the ZS8 scores versus the E85 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Pentax E85

 ZS8 E85 
IntroducedJuly 2011September 2009Fresher by 23 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Panasonic ZS8

 E85 ZS8 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax E85

 ZS8 E85 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS8 comes with outer measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Pentax E85 has dimensions of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax E85 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the ZS8 and the E85.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS8 and E85 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through specs. The photograph here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS8 and E85.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Panasonic ZS8 to result in extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively. The more recent ZS8 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography factors
Pentax E85 Portrait photography factors
30
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Street photography advice
Pentax E85 Street photography advice
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography details
Pentax E85 Sports photography details
47
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 fps)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
17
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography info
Pentax E85 Travel photography info
69
lighter than competition in class (210g)
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Landscape photography camera
44
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse function
23
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging details
Pentax E85 Vlogging details
30
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax E85
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Pentax Optio E85
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-07-19 2009-09-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD -
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 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 32-96mm (3.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 3.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (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 data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 210 grams (0.46 pounds) 145 grams (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 life 340 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI95
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $275 $0