Pentax E85 vs. Sony QX100: A Comprehensive Comparison for the Modern Photographer

Choosing the right compact camera has never been more nuanced. With rapid technological advances and diverse form factors, you’re faced with lots of choices that promise convenience and image quality in equally attractive packages. Today, we'll take a deep dive into two distinct options from different eras and design philosophies: the Pentax Optio E85 (E85), a traditional small-sensor compact from 2009, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 (QX100), a radical lens-style camera launched in 2013 that offloads the user interface to your smartphone. Both cameras aim for portability but approach the balance of usability, optics, and image quality in fundamentally different ways.

Having tested thousands of cameras across a variety of genres, I’ll guide you through technical details, real-world shooting scenarios, and ergonomic considerations to help you decide which might best suit your creative ambitions or professional workflow. Along the way, we'll cover essential photography fields - from portraiture to wildlife - and evaluate core specs like autofocus, sensor performance, and build quality.

Let’s start by examining what makes each camera tick.

A Tale of Two Designs: Compact Meets Lens-Style

Before pushing pixels, it’s worth understanding the physical difference between these two models. The Pentax E85 embodies the classic point-and-shoot form factor: a small, pocketable camera with an integrated lens and physical controls. On the other hand, the Sony QX100 is a lens-style camera designed to mount onto or pair with your smartphone via wireless connection, essentially turning your phone into the viewfinder and controller.

You can see in the image above that the Pentax E85 is more blocky, but smaller in footprint than the pancake-shaped QX100 lens module. Although the QX100 adds some bulk on your phone setup, it compensates with premium optics and a larger sensor size. Ergonomics favor the E85 if you want quick access to physical buttons and control dials, while the QX100 demands using a smartphone app for adjustments - a feature that might excite tech-savvy users but hinder instant manual control.

Control and Interface: Hands-on Vs. App-driven Experience

Operating a camera should feel intuitive, whether in dynamic street shoots or steady macro setups. Let’s compare their control schemes and user interfaces.

The Pentax E85 sports a minimalistic array of buttons with no manual focus ring or customization options - its simplified interface reflects its entry-level design. Notably, it lacks shutter or aperture priority modes, restricting creative exposure control. But it does offer a self-timer and live view with a fixed 2.7-inch LCD.

Conversely, the Sony QX100 has virtually no physical controls beyond power and shutter release. The reliance on an app for exposure compensation, shutter priority, and autofocus modes means you must interact via touchscreen on your phone. The touchscreen allows for touch-focus - a modern convenience Pentax lacks - which can assist in precise subject placement.

This difference impacts the shooting flow:

• If you value tactile physical buttons, the E85 may feel more straightforward.
• If you want more control flexibility and touchscreen focus, the QX100 is superior, provided you don’t mind the smartphone dependence.

Sensor Size, Resolution and Image Quality – The Heart of the Matter

Sensor technology profoundly shapes image quality - from detail rendition to noise handling. The Pentax E85 uses a conventional 1/2.3" CCD sensor with 12MP resolution, typical of compact cameras from its era. Meanwhile, the Sony QX100 boasts a significantly larger 1" BSI-CMOS sensor with 20MP resolution, representing a leap in sensitivity, dynamic range, and color depth.

The sensor area difference is stark: the QX100's sensor is over 4 times larger in surface area than the E85’s 28.07 mm² versus 116.16 mm². This translates into:

• Better low-light performance with less noise at higher ISOs.
• Superior dynamic range allowing more highlight and shadow recovery.
• Finer detail capturing due to higher resolution and bigger pixels.

In our tests, images from the QX100 demonstrate cleaner output beyond ISO 800, whereas the E85’s noise becomes apparent quickly. The CCD sensor’s older technology also limits its maximum ISO to 3200 and raw file support is absent, constraining post-processing latitude.

If image quality is your priority - especially for portraits, landscapes, or low-light scenarios - the QX100 holds a decisive advantage here.

Evaluating Build Quality and Weather Resistance

For outdoor and travel-oriented photographers, durability matters. Both the Pentax E85 and Sony QX100 target casual and enthusiast consumers without heavy-duty protection. Neither model offers environmental sealing or weatherproofing.

• Pentax E85: Lightweight at 145g, it’s easy to pack but feels plasticky with minimal grip texture.
• Sony QX100: Heavier at 179g and slightly bulkier, its metal lens barrel lends a more premium tactile feel, though the mounting mechanism depends on your phone.

If you seek ruggedness or shoot in challenging weather, both cameras will require protective cases or care.

Ergonomics, LCD Screens, and Viewfinder Options

Shooting comfort and feedback mechanisms are vital for composition and reviewing shots.

• The Pentax E85 has a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with a modest 230k-dot resolution, which looks dim under bright daylight.
• The QX100 itself has no screen but uses your smartphone’s display, which can often be larger, higher resolution, and touch-enabled - a surefire advantage.

Both for framing and reviewing, the QX100 lets you leverage modern smartphone displays, improving ease of use. Neither camera has an electronic or optical viewfinder, which might deter traditionalists who rely on eye-level shooting.

Lens Specifications and Optical Quality

A compact camera’s lens critically shapes flexibility and image characteristics.

The QX100 shines with a faster maximum aperture of f/1.8 at wide angle, excellent for low light and shallow depth-of-field portraits. Its macro focus distance of 5 cm doubles as an advantage for close-up shots, enabling you to explore detailed textures creatively.

Meanwhile, the E85’s slower aperture and longer minimum macro distance limit your control over bokeh and close focusing. It also lacks optical image stabilization, impacting handheld low-light sharpness, where the QX100’s built-in stabilization compensates for your hand shakiness effectively.

Autofocus Systems Put to the Test

Autofocus precision and speed are key for action, wildlife, and candid photography.

• Pentax E85 employs a contrast-detection AF system with no multiple AF points, face detection, or continuous tracking. Focus speed is average, prone to hunting in low light, and limited to single AF mode.

• Sony QX100 supports contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and touch focus points via the smartphone app. It lacks continuous tracking but offers better accuracy and responsiveness in good light.

For sports and wildlife photography, neither camera is optimized, but the QX100's touch AF and faster lens give it a slight edge, especially for static subjects demanding precision.

Continuous Shooting and Shutter Performance

Fast burst rates and shutter speeds matter for capturing dynamic moments.

The Pentax E85’s continuous shooting rate is a limiting 1 frame per second - very slow by today's standards - and insufficient for fast-paced sports or wildlife. The Sony QX100’s burst specs are not officially published but are generally in the same low-speed domain, reinforcing their compact camera class limitations.

For high-frame rate needs, dedicated mirrorless or DSLR cameras remain essential.

Video Capabilities Overview

If you plan to shoot video as well, the two cameras offer contrasting capabilities.

Clearly, the QX100 offers far superior video quality in HD with optical image stabilization, making it suitable for casual video recording or vlogging. The E85’s VGA resolution considerably limits video resolution and uses a dated Motion JPEG codec leading to large file sizes and compression artifacts.

Neither supports external microphones or 4K/slow-motion recording.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Whether you’re shooting a day-long event or extended travel, battery endurance and storage flexibility are vital.

Both offer standard memory card compatibility, with the QX100 accepting small microSD cards suitable for smartphone integration. Real-world battery life aligns closely, but heavy app usage on the phone side for the QX100 might affect total session time.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Connectivity modernizes workflows with wireless sharing and remote control.

• The Pentax E85 offers no wireless connectivity.
• The Sony QX100 boasts built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, enabling rapid pairing and image transfer to compatible smartphones.

This makes the QX100 a compelling choice for social media enthusiasts and mobile photographers wanting immediate sharing options.

Which Camera Excels in Which Photography Disciplines?

Let’s match these cameras to specific genres based on tested performance.

Pentax E85 front Pentax E85 screen back Sony QX100 front Sony QX100 screen back

Overall Performance Summary and Ratings

Lastly, here’s how the cameras stack up in an overall scoring framework based on our rigorous testing criteria.

The Sony QX100 scores higher across image quality, exposure control, and video features. The Pentax E85 is outclassed in nearly every key metric but remains a viable choice for budget-minded users wanting a simple point-and-shoot for casual snapshots.

Making the Right Choice for You

To help you decide, here’s a simplified recommendation based on user profiles:

Final Thoughts: From Our Experience to Your Shots

While both the Pentax E85 and Sony QX100 are compact cameras made with portability in mind, they serve quite different audiences and purposes. The E85 leans towards straightforward simplicity - a digital snapshot camera with modest specs typical of the late 2000s. The QX100 embraces innovation through its unique lens-style design, pairing larger sensors with smartphone connectivity to deliver versatile, higher-quality photos and video.

If you’re seeking the best image quality, creative control, and wireless convenience within a compact system, the Sony QX100 is worth exploring. However, if you appreciate a traditional, pocket-friendly camera that just works without fuss or technical setup - and are on a tight budget - the Pentax E85 remains a functional option.

Whichever you choose, hands-on trial is invaluable. Check out sample images, operate each in your typical shooting conditions, and consider how their strengths align with your photographic goals. And if you decide to go smartphone-integrated, assemble the right accessories - tripods, mounts, remote apps - to unlock the full potential of lens-style cameras like the QX100.

Enjoy your photographic journey! Explore, experiment, and let your next camera be a creative partner that elevates every shot.