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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax Optio E85 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released October 2012
  • Renewed by Pentax K-50
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
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85 Overview

Below is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are manufactured by Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and E85 (12MP) and the K-30 (APS-C) and E85 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizes.

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The K-30 was released 3 years later than the E85 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the K-30 grades versus the E85 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax E85

 K-30 E85 
LaunchedOctober 2012September 2009More recent by 38 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Pentax K-30

 E85 K-30 

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax E85

 K-30 E85 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-30 features outside dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Pentax E85 has measurements of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the K-30 versus the E85.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and E85 is 63 and 95 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specifications. The photograph underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-30 and E85.

To sum up, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The K-30 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax K-30 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer K-30 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography advice
Pentax E85 Portrait photography advice
74
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
21
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography features
Pentax E85 Street photography features
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is fixed
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography factors
Pentax E85 Sports photography factors
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
slow frames per second (6.0 fps)
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
17
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E85 as a Travel photography camera
60
environment sealing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography advice
Pentax E85 Landscape photography advice
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
not so great battery (410 per charge)
23
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-30
Vlogging with Pentax E85
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external mic socket
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax E85
 Pentax K-30Pentax Optio E85
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-30 Pentax Optio E85
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-10-29 2009-09-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime M -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 32-96mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.9-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Available lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 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 Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 gr (1.43 pounds) 145 gr (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1129 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA D-LI95
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $525 $0