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Pentax E85 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25
Pentax Optio E85 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax E85 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

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
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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Pentax E85 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Pentax E85 versus Pentax WG-2, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof and they are both designed by Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the E85 (12MP) and WG-2 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The E85 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the WG-2 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E85 grades versus the WG-2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Pentax WG-2

 E85 WG-2 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Pentax E85

 WG-2 E85 
IntroducedFebruary 2012September 2009Fresher by 29 months
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax E85 and Pentax WG-2

 E85 WG-2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Pentax E85 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax E85 offers outer 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) while the Pentax WG-2 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Look at the Pentax E85 versus Pentax WG-2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the E85 vs the WG-2.

Pentax E85 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E85 and WG-2 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Pentax E85 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax E85 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E85 and WG-2.

As you can see, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Pentax WG-2 to produce more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older E85 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax E85 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Pentax E85 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax E85 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax E85 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Portrait photography camera
21
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
40
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax E85 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Street photography camera
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
54
environment sealing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax E85 Sports photography details
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography details
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
38
good resolution (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax E85 Travel photography information
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography information
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
70
environment sealing
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax E85
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-2
23
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
47
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
good resolution (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax E85
Vlogging with Pentax WG-2
22
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have mic socket
30
decently wide (28mm)
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic support
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Pentax E85 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax E85 and Pentax WG-2
 Pentax Optio E85Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio E85 Pentax Optio WG-2
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2009-09-17 2012-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 32-96mm (3.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.9-5.2 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 10cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 2s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.40 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 145g (0.32 lb) 192g (0.42 lb)
Dimensions 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 - 260 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI95 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $0 $350