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Pentax E85 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25
Pentax Optio E85 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax E85 vs Pentax ist DS2 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
  • Revealed September 2009
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Released August 2005
Photography Glossary

Pentax E85 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Pentax E85 and Pentax ist DS2, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both offered by Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the E85 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the E85 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.

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The E85 was released 4 years later than the ist DS2 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E85 matches up against the ist DS2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Pentax ist DS2

 E85 ist DS2 
ReleasedSeptember 2009August 2005More recent by 50 months
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k210kSharper screen (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Pentax E85

 ist DS2 E85 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Pentax E85 and Pentax ist DS2

 E85 ist DS2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Pentax E85 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Pentax E85 features exterior measurements of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has specifications of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Check out the Pentax E85 and Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the E85 vs the ist DS2.

Pentax E85 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E85 and ist DS2 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Pentax E85 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax E85 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements only by going through technical specs. The visual below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E85 and ist DS2.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E85 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax E85 will show extra detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher E85 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax E85 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax E85 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax E85 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax E85 Portrait photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography details
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
50
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax E85 Street photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography advice
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax E85 Sports photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography advice
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
38
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax E85 Travel photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography info
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
52
lighter than competition in class (605g)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax E85 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Landscape photography camera
23
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
46
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax E85
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
22
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
22
lighter than competition in class (605g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video resolution low ( pixels)
missing external microphone jack
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Pentax E85 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax E85 and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax Optio E85Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio E85 Pentax ist DS2
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-09-17 2005-08-22
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 32-96mm (3.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.9-5.2 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.5"
Resolution of display 230k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 2 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m -
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB 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) -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 -
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 145 gr (0.32 lb) 605 gr (1.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
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 model D-LI95 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $0 -