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Pentax E85 vs Sony A380

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
10
Overall
24
Pentax Optio E85 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Pentax E85 vs Sony A380 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
  • Introduced September 2009
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A350
  • Successor is Sony A390
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Pentax E85 vs Sony A380 Overview

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Pentax E85 versus Sony A380, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the E85 (12MP) and the A380 (14MP) is pretty similar but the E85 (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The E85 was launched within a month of the A380 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax E85 being a Compact camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the E85 grades vs the A380 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Sony A380

 E85 A380 

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Pentax E85

 A380 E85 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax E85 and Sony A380

 E85 A380 
ReleasedSeptember 2009August 2009Similar age
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Pentax E85 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax E85 comes with outside dimensions 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 A380 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Examine the Pentax E85 versus Sony A380 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the E85 vs the A380.

Pentax E85 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E85 and A380 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Pentax E85 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Pentax E85 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to picture the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over specs. The pic below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E85 and A380.

All in all, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E85 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh tougher and the Sony A380 will deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a little more aggressively.

Pentax E85 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Pentax E85 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax E85 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax E85 Portrait photography information
Sony A380 Portrait photography information
20
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
71
manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax E85 Street photography features
Sony A380 Street photography features
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
76
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax E85
Sports photography with Sony A380
17
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax E85 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A380 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (32mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
53
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (500 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax E85
Landscape photography with Sony A380
23
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (32mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax E85 Vlogging information
Sony A380 Vlogging information
22
wide angle not good (32mm)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax E85 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax E85 and Sony A380
 Pentax Optio E85Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio E85 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-09-17 2009-08-24
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 32-96mm (3.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.9-5.2 -
Macro focusing range 10cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 2 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 145 gr (0.32 lb) 519 gr (1.14 lb)
Dimensions 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 614
Other
Battery life - 500 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI95 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $0 $899