Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85
63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60


95 Imaging
35 Features
10 Overall
25
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-30 and Pentax Optio E85. The complete galleries are available at Pentax K-30 Gallery and Pentax E85 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax E85
K-30 | E85 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2012 | ![]() | September 2009 | More recent by 38 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E85 Specifications
Pentax K-30 | Pentax 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 |