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Pentax E85 vs Sony A9

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25
Pentax Optio E85 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Pentax E85 vs Sony A9 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
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Launched April 2017
  • Refreshed by Sony A9 II
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Pentax E85 vs Sony A9 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Pentax E85 and Sony A9, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the E85 (12MP) and A9 (24MP) and the E85 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The E85 was manufactured 8 years prior to the A9 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E85 matches up against the A9 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Sony A9

 E85 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Pentax E85

 A9 E85 
LaunchedApril 2017September 2009More modern by 92 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1440k230kClearer screen (+1210k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax E85 and Sony A9

 E85 A9 
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Pentax E85 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax E85 comes with physical measurements of 93mm x 58mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Sony A9 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

See the Pentax E85 and Sony A9 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the E85 and the A9.

Pentax E85 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E85 and A9 is 95 and 65 respectively.

Pentax E85 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax E85 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes only by checking specifications. The picture here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E85 and A9.

To sum up, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E85 due to its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh more challenging and the Sony A9 will give more detail due to its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E85 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax E85 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Pentax E85 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax E85 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax E85 Portrait photography information
Sony A9 Portrait photography information
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
83
manual focus
good MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax E85 Street photography advice
Sony A9 Street photography advice
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
79
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
features touch focus
weather sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax E85
Sports photography with Sony A9
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
86
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
good battery life (650 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax E85 Travel photography details
Sony A9 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
73
good battery life (650 shots)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
features touch focus
good MP (24MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax E85 Landscape photography information
Sony A9 Landscape photography information
23
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
85
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
good battery life (650 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax E85 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A9 as a Vlogging camera
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
36
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone port
does not have selfie friendly display
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Pentax E85 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax E85 and Sony A9
 Pentax Optio E85Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio E85 Sony Alpha A9
Type Small Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Released 2009-09-17 2017-04-19
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 3200 51200
Highest enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 693
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 32-96mm (3.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.9-5.2 -
Macro focus distance 10cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 2s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 lbs) 673g (1.48 lbs)
Dimensions 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 92
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 3517
Other
Battery life - 650 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI95 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots One Dual
Pricing at release $0 $4,498