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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax E85

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-3 II
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
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax E85 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax E85, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are built by Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and E85 (12MP) and the K-3 (APS-C) and E85 (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizing.

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The K-3 was introduced 4 years after the E85 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the K-3 scores vs the E85 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax E85

 K-3 E85 
ReleasedApril 2014September 2009Newer by 56 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Display dimensions3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Pentax K-3

 E85 K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax E85

 K-3 E85 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 provides external measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax E85 has dimensions of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

See the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax E85 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the K-3 against the E85.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and E85 is 59 and 95 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The pic below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 and E85.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K-3 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax K-3 will deliver more detail using its extra 12MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern K-3 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax E85 Portrait photography highlights
79
manual focus
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
21
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Street photography camera
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography info
Pentax E85 Sports photography info
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
low battery (560 CIPA)
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Travel photography camera
60
environment proof
decent megapixels (24MP)
has built in flash
low battery (560 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
Landscape photography with Pentax E85
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
low battery (560 per charge)
23
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax E85 as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
22
wide angle not great (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.9)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing microphone socket
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax E85
 Pentax K-3Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 Pentax Optio E85
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-04-10 2009-09-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 6016 x 4000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 27 -
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 32-96mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.9-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Available lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 grams (1.76 pounds) 145 grams (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 1216 not tested
Other
Battery life 560 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI95
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Two Single
Launch cost $639 $0