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Pentax E85 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
10
Overall
25
Pentax Optio E85 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Pentax E85 vs Sony HX30V 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
  • Released September 2009
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released February 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony HX20V
  • Later Model is Sony HX50V
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Pentax E85 vs Sony HX30V Overview

The following is a complete analysis of the Pentax E85 and Sony HX30V, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the E85 (12MP) and HX30V (18MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The E85 was unveiled 3 years prior to the HX30V which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E85 grades versus the HX30V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax E85 over the Sony HX30V

 E85 HX30V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Pentax E85

 HX30V E85 
ReleasedFebruary 2012September 2009Newer by 29 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Pentax E85 and Sony HX30V

 E85 HX30V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Pentax E85 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax E85 has got 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) and the Sony HX30V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check the Pentax E85 and Sony HX30V in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E85 versus the HX30V.

Pentax E85 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E85 and HX30V is 95 and 90 respectively.

Pentax E85 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Pentax E85 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions just by going over specifications. The picture underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E85 and HX30V.

To sum up, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Sony HX30V to offer you more detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged E85 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax E85 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Pentax E85 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax E85 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax E85 Portrait photography information
Sony HX30V Portrait photography information
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
45
manual focus
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax E85 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Street photography camera
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (254g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax E85
Sports photography with Sony HX30V
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax E85 Travel photography info
Sony HX30V Travel photography info
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
69
lighter than competitors (254g)
decent megapixels (18MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax E85
Landscape photography with Sony HX30V
23
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
50
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax E85 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX30V as a Vlogging camera
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have mic socket
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (254g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic support
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Pentax E85 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax E85 and Sony HX30V
 Pentax Optio E85Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio E85 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-09-17 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 32-96mm (3.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.9-5.2 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range 10cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 2 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 7.10 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 145g (0.32 pounds) 254g (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 93 x 58 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.9") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 - 320 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI95 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $0 $420