Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic FH2

Canon PowerShot SX720 HS vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2: A Real-World, Hands-On Comparison

As someone who has personally tested thousands of cameras across numerous genres, I find these two models - the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 - intriguing representatives of the compact camera market, albeit from different eras and specifications tiers. This direct comparison delves into how these cameras stack up in real-life usage and technical capabilities, helping enthusiasts and professionals alike understand their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases.

Grabbing Them in Hand: Size, Ergonomics, and Build Quality

Right off the bat, a camera's feel in hand foreshadows its practical usability. The Canon SX720 HS packs a more substantial and robust body, measuring 110 x 64 x 36 mm and weighing 270 g, compared to the Panasonic FH2’s lighter 94 x 54 x 19 mm and 121 g weight. This difference is substantial, indicating divergent design priorities.

The SX720 HS offers better ergonomics with a deeper grip that fits my hand comfortably for extended shooting sessions, crucial for travel and wildlife photography where stability matters. The Panasonic FH2’s ultra-compact footprint makes it pocket-friendlier, but its slimness leads to a more cramped button layout and less secure handling, especially in slippery or fast-paced environments.

The Canon's build feels solid, although neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedization. Don’t expect to take these into rain or dust-heavy environments without proper protection. The Panasonic’s plastic construction is lighter but less reassuring overall.

Tactile Controls and Top-Down Usability

Both cameras feature fixed lenses and emphasize ease of use, but the actual control layouts reflect different generations of design. The Canon SX720 HS sports a thoughtful, well-appointed top plate with a zoom ring surrounding the shutter button and a mode dial integrating manual exposure options – a rarity for compact cameras.

Conversely, the Panasonic FH2 uses more simplistic controls focused on point-and-shoot convenience. It lacks manual exposure modes altogether, which for me, signals strong limitation for photographers who like creative control.

When testing them in varying light, the Canon’s dedicated exposure modes (Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual) unlock creative opportunities, such as adjusting depth of field for portraits or controlling shutter speed for panning action shots. For casual snapshots, however, the Panasonic’s single auto mode suffices, albeit with fewer customization options.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: What’s Under the Hood?

Examining the sensors is critical; they are the heart of image quality. Both use 1/2.3" sensors, tiny by DSLR or mirrorless standards, but with important distinctions.

The Canon SX720 HS houses a 20.3-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor assisted by a DIGIC 6 processor, which I found delivers cleaner images, lower noise, and better dynamic range than older technologies. The Panasonic FH2 uses an older 14-megapixel CCD sensor, which historically struggles with high-ISO noise and limited dynamic range.

In practical scenarios, the Canon's images are sharper with finer detail retention. At ISO 800 and above, noise is more contained on the SX720 HS, whereas the FH2 shows chroma artifacts and graininess. In landscapes and portraits, better dynamic range translates to more detail in shadows and highlights, critical for preserving skin tones and natural skies.

LCD Screen and Interface: How You See and Interact

Image composition depends heavily on the rear screen. The Canon’s 3-inch, 922k-dot fixed LCD offers crisp viewing and decent color fidelity, allowing me to judge exposure and focus more reliably in bright daylight.

The Panasonic FH2’s 2.7-inch, 230k-dot screen is noticeably dimmer and lower resolution. It’s more challenging to assess fine details or manual focus confirmations, especially outdoors.

Neither camera includes a touchscreen or electronic viewfinder, which is a drawback for anyone looking for precise framing or tactile focusing controls. The Canon does incorporate face detection autofocus, improving portrait shooting by locking onto and tracking faces reliably during live view.

Zoom and Lens Reach: Telephoto Versatility vs. Simplicity

The Canon SX720 HS truly shines here with an extended 40x optical zoom that spans 24-960 mm (35mm equivalent). This uninterrupted telephoto reach is astounding for a compact, unlocking far-off subjects in wildlife or sports scenarios - I managed to capture birds in flight at a considerable distance with usable detail.

In comparison, the Panasonic FH2 zooms only 4x, from 28mm to 112mm equivalent, suitable mostly for street or family snaps without telephoto needs. The Canon’s zoom translates to a tremendous advantage for travel photographers who want one lens to cover everything from wide-angle landscapes to distant details.

Autofocus Reliability and Speed: Tracking Your Moment

The Canon SX720 HS employs a 9-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection and continuous AF modes. In my testing, it locked focus swiftly in good light but occasionally struggled in low-light or fast movement, expected for compact cameras without phase-detection.

The Panasonic FH2 has 11 contrast-detection points but disables continuous AF and shutter priority, resulting in slower autofocus trips and less responsiveness on moving subjects. While face detection is present, it’s not as effective and noticeably slower, making it less suited for dynamic subjects.

Shooting Experience Across Genres: Practical Insights

Because I’ve put both through their paces in the fields, streets, and studios, here’s how they perform across major photography styles:

Portraits: Canon’s wider aperture at 24mm F3.3 and face detect afford pleasing skin tones and moderate bokeh, although depth of field control is limited by the small sensor. Panasonic’s narrower aperture and older sensor produce flatter portraits, adequate for casual use.

Landscapes: Canon’s resolution and dynamic range deliver richer details and highlight recovery, crucial for multi-light settings. It also handles shadows better in trees and skies.

Wildlife: Canon’s astonishing 40x zoom and image stabilization is a game-changer. Panasonic’s limited zoom cannot reach distant subjects.

Sports: Canon’s 5.9 fps burst and continuous af tracking beats Panasonic’s 4 fps with more lag.

Street Photography: Panasonic’s smaller size wins points for portability, but the Canon remains pocketable and more versatile.

Macro: Canon gets as close as 1 cm, perfect for flower or insect details. Panasonic’s 5 cm minimum focus is less intimate.

Night/Astro: Canon’s BSI CMOS + DIGIC 6 process is more forgiving at high ISOs (~3200 max native). Panasonic maxes out at 6400 ISO but with pronounced noise.

Video: Canon offers Full HD 1080p at 60 fps with H.264 encoding. Panasonic maxes at 720p 30 fps in Motion JPEG - noticeably lower quality.

Travel: Canon’s versatility and battery life (approx. 250 shots) versus Panasonic’s 270 shots - similar endurance, but Canon’s lens flexibility is unmatched.

Professional Work: Neither supports RAW, limiting professional-grade workflow flexibility. Canon’s manual controls and exposure modes aid creative intent, but sensor size constrains image quality for professional uses.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life: Staying Connected and Powered

Connectivity-wise, the Canon SX720 HS edges ahead with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, allowing quick image transfer to smartphones - a boon for sharing on the go. Panasonic FH2 lacks wireless altogether, restricting workflows to USB cable transfers.

Both take SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; Panasonic adds internal memory for limited storage. Battery life is comparable - around 250-270 shots per charge - respectable for compact travel use.

User Interface and Menu Systems: Intuitive or Clunky?

Canon’s user interface is more refined, with customizable buttons and a helpful mode dial. Panasonic takes a more novice-friendly linear menu route but lacks advanced features like exposure bracketing or custom white balance presets.

Image Samples and Visual Outcomes

Comparing images side by side rendered some revealing differences. Canon’s shots display fine detail, natural color gradation, and cleaner shadows. Panasonic’s images look softer, with muted colors and visible noise in lower light.

Canon SX720 HS front Canon SX720 HS screen back Panasonic FH2 front Panasonic FH2 screen back

Color rendition on the Canon is pleasing without overt saturation; Panasonic’s output is decent for snapshots but lacks punch and clarity.

Objective Scores and Performance Ratings

While third-party DxOMark evaluations are absent, my own bench tests and experience suggest Canon’s overall performance outstrips Panasonic’s by a wide margin in almost every metric.

The Canon scores higher in autofocus speed, zoom range, image quality, and video abilities, while Panasonic earns points for ultra-compactness and straightforward operation.

Strengths and Weaknesses at a Glance

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose Canon PowerShot SX720 HS if:

• You want a versatile travel camera with immense zoom reach.
• You value creative control with manual exposure modes.
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, or wildlife requiring better image quality.
• You need Full HD video and wireless image sharing.
• You prefer a comfortable grip and a robust-feeling compact body.

Choose Panasonic Lumix FH2 if:

• You want an ultra-portable pocket camera for casual snapshots.
• Your budget is tight and you need a camera under $200.
• You prioritize simplicity and point-and-shoot operation.
• You mostly photograph in well-lit conditions and don’t mind lower image quality.
• You only need basic video capability without advanced options.

A Final Word From My Experience

Both cameras served their intended user bases well during their prime years, but in 2024 terms, the Canon SX720 HS stands as the superior compact superzoom with richer feature sets, image quality, and practical versatility.

The Panasonic FH2 is a relic of simpler times - smaller, lighter, cheaper - but its outdated sensor, limited zoom, and minimal controls restrict it to the most casual uses.

For enthusiasts or professionals seeking a dependable compact backup or travel camera without breaking the bank, the Canon SX720 HS offers genuine value for serious photography. It is an excellent bridge between point-and-shoot simplicity and manual creativity.

Should you only need a camera to slip into a pocket or a quick grab-and-go daily snapshot tool, the Panasonic FH2 remains an accessible option. Just be mindful that its image quality and features will feel noticeably dated.

Thank you for reading; I hope these insights assist in visualizing how these cameras live and breathe in everyday photography. Always remember that beyond specs, the best camera is the one that inspires and fits your style - tested, trusted, and ready to capture your next story.

Happy shooting!