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Pentax E85 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25
Pentax Optio E85 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Pentax E85 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

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
  • Announced September 2009
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Announced August 2014
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Pentax E85 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Pentax E85 versus Pentax Q-S1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E85 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is very similar but the E85 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") provide totally different sensor size.

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The E85 was introduced 5 years prior to the Q-S1 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the E85 grades against the Q-S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Pentax Q-S1

 E85 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Pentax E85

 Q-S1 E85 
AnnouncedAugust 2014September 2009More recent by 59 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax E85 and Pentax Q-S1

 E85 Q-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax E85 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax E85 features physical 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) while the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

See the Pentax E85 versus Pentax Q-S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the E85 vs the Q-S1.

Pentax E85 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E85 and Q-S1 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Pentax E85 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax E85 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to see the gap between sensor measurements merely by reading specs. The visual below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E85 and Q-S1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have the same megapixel count but not the same sensor measurements. The E85 contains the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallow DOF trickier. The older E85 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax E85 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax E85 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax E85 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax E85
Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
46
focusing manually
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax E85
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (203 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax E85 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
17
low fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
37
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
low battery (250 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax E85 Travel photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography information
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
60
lighter than competition (203g)
flash built-in
low battery (250 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax E85 Landscape photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography details
23
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
low battery (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax E85 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Vlogging camera
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic support
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (203g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
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Pentax E85 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax E85 and Pentax Q-S1
 Pentax Optio E85Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio E85 Pentax Q-S1
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-09-17 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Q Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 32-96mm (3.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.9-5.2 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Total lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 2 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 145g (0.32 pounds) 203g (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI95 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $0 $250