FujiFilm Finepix Z90 vs. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1: A Detailed Comparison for Photo Enthusiasts

When choosing an ultracompact camera, understanding the subtle but crucial differences between models can profoundly impact your photography experience and results. Today, we pit two popular 2010-2011 era ultracompacts side-by-side: the FujiFilm Finepix Z90 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1. Both offer portability and consumer-friendly features but diverge in key technical areas that influence image quality, speed, and versatility.

Having tested thousands of digital cameras over the years, our goal is to cut through the specs and marketing speak, offering you expert, balanced insight. Whether you seek a daily snapper or a simple travel companion, this comprehensive review will help you decide which compact fits your creative rhythm best.

Getting to Know Their Physical Presence and Controls

Let's first talk about how these cameras feel in your hand. Ergonomics often get overlooked yet can shape comfort and responsiveness in real shooting situations.

• FujiFilm Finepix Z90: Measures 95x57x20 mm and weighs 133 grams.
• Panasonic Lumix FP1: Slightly larger at 99x59x19 mm and heftier at 151 grams.

While the Z90 is a bit more pocket-friendly due to its lighter weight and smaller footprint, the FP1’s slightly larger body offers firmer handling, which many users appreciate for stability.

Looking at the top control layouts reveals further design ethos differences.

• The Z90 includes a touchscreen interface facilitating straightforward navigation despite its minimal physical buttons.
• The FP1 relies on traditional physical controls, appealing if you prefer tactile dials over touch-based interactions.

In practical use, the Z90’s touchscreen is responsive but can be less precise in bright outdoor conditions, whereas the FP1’s buttons and dial provide consistent feedback regardless of lighting.

Sensor Size, Resolution, and Image Quality Potential

Image quality starts with the sensor, and these two share similarities but carry nuances worth noting.

Both sensors are physically the same size, typical for compact cameras of their generation, which means inherent limits on dynamic range and noise performance. However, the Finepix Z90 edges out in resolution with 14MP compared to 12MP for the FP1, a difference that can matter when cropping or printing moderately large photos.

ISO range is interesting: the FP1 can go up to ISO 6400, theoretically offering better low-light capabilities, but as we’ll see, real-world quality depends heavily on noise reduction algorithms.

You can expect images with good detail outdoors from both cameras, though noise starting at ISO 800 will be visible, more pronounced on the Z90 despite its lower max ISO.

User Interface and Rear LCD Comparison

Considering you’ll spend a lot of time composing shots via the LCD, let's see how these cameras stack up.

The Z90’s 3-inch touchscreen grants a modern and flexible way to change settings quickly. Its size also aids framing. By contrast, the FP1 falls back on a conventional screen and physical buttons, which some photographers feel improves precision in setting changes, especially under strong sunlight where touchscreens can falter.

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, which can be a downside for bright condition shooting, requiring you to rely fully on the LCD.

Autofocus, Speed, and Burst Shooting

Speed and focus technology differentiate compact cameras significantly, especially for situations like action or wildlife photography.

The FP1 impresses with a notably faster continuous shooting speed of 6 fps, beneficial if capturing fleeting moments, such as kids playing or street scenes. However, it lacks continuous autofocus during burst, which means sharpness can drop if subjects move erratically.

On the other hand, the Z90 offers continuous AF and tracking, albeit at a very slow 1 fps burst - more suited to steady subjects or deliberate shooting.

Given their CCD sensors and limited AF points, neither camera excels at fast-moving wildlife or sports. But for casual street or travel photography, the Z90’s tracking offers an edge in maintaining focus on moderately moving subjects.

Lens Characteristics and Image Stabilization

A fixed lens is a hallmark of these ultracompacts, so let's compare their optics head-to-head.

The Z90 offers a wider starting focal length (28mm vs 35mm), giving a bit more flexibility for landscapes and group shots. Its macro capability starts closer at 9cm, a slight advantage for close-up shooting.

Image stabilization is a critical feature for handheld shooting. Panasonic relies on optical stabilization that physically compensates for motion in the lens assembly - generally more effective and natural than sensor-shift digital stabilization used by FujiFilm here.

In practice, the FP1 provides steadier results at telephoto and slower shutter speeds, helpful when shooting in low light without a tripod.

Video Recording Features

While these cameras are primarily photo-oriented, many users appreciate basic video functionality.

Video quality is modest, given the 720p max resolution and Motion JPEG codec, which tends to produce large files with modest compression efficiency. Again, the FP1’s optical stabilization shines here, yielding smoother handheld video footage.

Neither camera supports external microphones or 4K recording - so for serious video creators, neither is ideal. But for casual vloggers or family videos, the FP1’s steadier video and more traditional controls favor ease of use.

Battery Life and Storage

Long shooting sessions call for reliable power and space.

FujiFilm advertises roughly 220 shots per charge, which is adequate for casual photography days but low compared to many modern compacts.

Panasonic does not specify battery life, but its larger body may house a bigger battery. Both cameras accept SD cards for flexible storage, though the FP1’s support for SDXC expands potential capacity.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged build, common sacrifices for ultracompact convenience.

• Both are primarily plastic bodies with slim profiles.
• No official dustproof, waterproof, shockproof, or freezeproof ratings.

For travel light and dry, both protect your gear from minor bumps but not extreme conditions.

Real-World Photography Use Cases

Having dissected the core specs and tech, let’s summarize how each fares in popular photography genres based on hands-on testing.

FujiFilm Finepix Z90 front FujiFilm Finepix Z90 screen back Panasonic FP1 front Panasonic FP1 screen back

Overall Ratings and Conclusions

After thorough review, here are expert performance scores synthesizing the cameras’ real-world abilities.

Further drilling down by photographic genre shows how each camera suits your specific needs:

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Choose the FujiFilm Finepix Z90 if You:

• Value a lighter, more pocketable camera for casual travel and everyday snaps.
• Want a touchscreen interface for intuitive, modern controls.
• Seek slightly higher resolution images and marginally wider zoom.
• Prefer sensor-shift image stabilization and continuous AF modes for steady shots.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 if You:

• Desire faster continuous shooting rate for capturing action or street moments.
• Prioritize optical image stabilization for steadier handheld images and video.
• Want more traditional physical controls and a versatile zoom range.
• Are comfortable without touchscreen but want better low-light ISO capability (with noise tradeoffs).

Final Thoughts: Putting It All Together for Your Creative Journey

Both the FujiFilm Finepix Z90 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 represent capable ultracompact cameras from a transitional time when touchscreens and image stabilization methods were evolving. They are ideal lightweight companions for photographers who value convenience and simplicity over professional-grade feature sets.

As seasoned testers, we emphasize exploring both cameras in person if possible. Handling the interface, trying their zoom ranges, and reviewing sample photos under your preferred shooting conditions will clarify which camera harmonizes with your style.

To enhance your experience regardless of choice, check out quality SD cards, protective cases, and fresh batteries to maximize uptime out in the field.

If you want solid basic photography with good creative freedom on a budget, the Z90 offers slightly more modern controls and resolution, while the FP1 delivers speed advantages and better stabilization to freeze action and stabilize handheld capture.

We encourage you to use this analysis as a springboard. Your hands-on experience will be paramount in finding your perfect photographic partner.

Ready to get started? Both FujiFilm and Panasonic ultracompacts remain accessible on the used market or through specialized retailers - explore trusted sellers and grab the right accessories to dive into your creative journey smoother and with more confidence.