Fujifilm F750EXR vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH25: A Hands-On Superzoom Showdown for Budget Photogs

When it comes to compact superzoom cameras, enthusiasts and casual shooters alike face a crowded field with wildly varied specs and, let’s be honest, mostly entry-level performance. That said, every once in a while a couple of models stand out - not because they blow the doors off the market (they usually don’t), but because they offer interesting feature tradeoffs and real-world usability for their price.

Today, I’m delving into the Fujifilm FinePix F750EXR and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH25, two budget-friendly bridge-style compacts announced within a year of each other (2011-2012). Both target the small sensor superzoom niche but differ fundamentally in specs, performance, and user experience.

Having spent hands-on hours testing both cameras, reviewing image samples, and comparing features head to head across popular shooting genres, here is my in-depth, candid comparison to help photographers - beginners or light enthusiasts - make an informed, practical choice based on what really matters.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: How They Feel in Your Hands

Starting with the physical: size and comfort matter, especially for travel, street, or all-day photography where you don’t want your camera to be a burden anymore than necessary.

The Fujifilm F750EXR is a beefier model, measuring 105 x 63 x 36 mm and weighing in at 234g. That’s chunky for a compact but understandable given the impressive 20x zoom lens (25-500mm equivalent). The grip offers decent hand security, though it’s not as sculpted as some more expensive devices with clubs for thumbs and contoured grips. The fixed lens barrel feels solid and doesn’t wobble during zoom operation.

The Panasonic FH25, by contrast, is noticeably smaller and lighter at 99 x 57 x 28 mm and 159g. It’s pocket-friendly, sliding comfortably into jackets or bags, making it attractive for street shooters or casual travel snaps who prize portability above long reach.

Both models have fixed rear LCDs - no tilting gimmicks here (more on that later) - and the Panasonic’s smaller 2.7" screen feels a bit cramped compared to Fujifilm’s 3.0", but we'll dig into display quality soon.

If grip comfort and zoom reach (20x Fuji vs 8x Panasonic) matter more to you than sheer pocketability, the Fujifilm has the edge ergonomically, though the Panasonic wins on lightweight discretion.

Controls & User Interface: Can You Shoot Without Menu Headaches?

Compact cameras live and die by their control layouts, especially for enthusiasts who don’t want to wrestle with nested menus for exposure or focus options.

Neither camera has a viewfinder, electronic or optical. In my experience, that’s a bummer for action shooters or outdoor use in bright daylight, but predictable given the price segment.

The Fujifilm F750EXR offers aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes - an enthusiast’s dream in this category. You get dedicated buttons for exposure compensation and a continuous shooting mode rated at 11fps (which is quite nimble on paper). Exposure bracketing, custom white balance, and face detection autofocus are present. The downside? The buttons aren’t illuminated, and while the layout is functional, it feels a tiny bit cramped for larger hands.

The Panasonic FH25, meanwhile, sticks with fully automatic and program modes, no manual or semi-manual exposure controls here. Continuous shooting maxes at 4fps with face detection autofocus but lacks aperture or shutter priority. I found its menu system simpler and friendlier for beginners, but experienced shooters might find it limiting and less flexible.

If you’re the kind who loves to tweak settings on the fly or shoot in manual for creative control, the Fujifilm has a clear advantage here.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Pixels Aren’t Everything, But They Matter

Both cameras have 16-megapixel sensors - enough resolution for modest-sized prints and online sharing. However, sensor size, technology, and processing make a big difference when shooting in real-world conditions.

• Fujifilm FinePix F750EXR: Sports a 1/2" EXR CMOS sensor measuring 6.4 x 4.8mm (about 30.72mm² sensor area). The EXR sensor design helps optimize dynamic range and reduce noise by switching between high resolution and high dynamic range modes intelligently. It supports ISO 100-3200 natively, boosted up to 12800 for extreme low light (though don’t expect miracles here).
• Panasonic Lumix FH25: Uses a slightly smaller 1/2.3" CCD sensor at 6.08 x 4.56mm (27.72mm² area). The CCD technology is older and traditionally struggles with high ISO noise compared to CMOS. ISO tops out at 6400 native, but noise performance beyond 400-800 ISOs quickly becomes unusable.

In my side-by-side test photos under both daylight and dim indoor lighting, the Fujifilm produced images with better color fidelity, improved dynamic range (retaining shadow and highlight detail), and lower noise at higher ISOs. The Panasonic images are sharp at base ISO but fall behind in versatility due to sensor noise and dynamic headroom.

Neither camera shoots RAW, which limits post-processing recovery capacity, so getting as clean in-camera JPEGs as possible is crucial.

LCD Screens and Live View: Is Bigger Always Better?

A tempting 3.0" screen with 460k dots vs a smaller 2.7" screen at 230k dots may not seem like a dealbreaker, but it’s vital for framing, menu navigation, and reviewing images in varied light.

The Fujifilm's brighter, sharper 3-inch fixed TFT LCD makes focusing easier and previewing photos is more pleasant. The viewing angle is decent but not exceptional - no touch functionality here.

The Panasonic’s smaller screen struggles outdoors in bright sunlight, where reflections and limited brightness become an issue. The lower resolution means detail viewing is less crisp.

Neither camera includes a viewfinder, so you’ll wind up relying heavily on the rear screen. For videography, the Fuji's larger screen gives a slight psychological edge when composing.

Image Stabilization: Can You Shoot Steady at 500mm?

Image stabilization in superzoom compacts is essential to avoid blur, especially at long focal lengths.

• The Fujifilm F750EXR utilizes sensor-shift image stabilization, which stabilizes the sensor physically to counteract shake. This approach is effective for slow shutter speeds, especially combined with the extended 20x zoom range.
• The Panasonic FH25 employs optical image stabilization within the lens assembly, which for an 8x zoom is quite effective at normal usage.

In field tests focusing on handheld telephoto shots, the Fuji allowed me to push shutter speeds down further without blur at the 500mm equivalent end. The Panasonic worked fine on wide and medium zoom settings but struggled to keep images sharp up close to the max zoom.

Autofocus Handling and Performance: Fast Enough for Most Scenes?

AF systems can be a sticking point on budget cameras. Neither model boasts advanced phase-detection systems or extensive focus points, but there are important nuances:

• Fujifilm F750EXR has continuous, single, and tracking autofocus modes with face detection and contrast detection AF. However, it lacks dedicated face-only or eye-AF and has fewer focus point options.
• Panasonic FH25 includes 11 focus points with face detection and tracking but does not offer continuous AF or special modes like aperture priority.

In practice, both cameras are fine for static subjects - still life, portraits, landscapes - but lag behind when tracking subjects in motion. For wildlife or sports, don’t expect miracles; the Fuji’s faster continuous burst rate (11fps vs 4fps) gives it an edge in capturing fleeting moments.

Zoom Range and Lens Versatility: How Much Reach Do You Really Need?

Zoom versatility is a primary buyer consideration for superzoom compacts.

• Fujifilm’s 20x 25-500mm equivalent zoom lens covers everything from moderate-wide angle to serious telephoto reach. This makes it a natural choice for wildlife enthusiasts on a budget or casual sports shooters who need distant subject coverage.
• Panasonic’s 8x 28-224mm equivalent zoom is more limited, favoring a compact, pocket-friendly design. It’s better suited for travel snapshots, casual portraits, and landscapes.

Both lenses have variable apertures: Fuji’s f/3.5-5.3 vs Panasonic’s slightly faster f/3.3-5.9. Neither is particularly “fast,” so both rely on image stabilization and high ISO when light gets dim.

Flash, Low Light, and ISO Performance: Shooting After Dark

Neither camera is a low-light beast, but let’s break down the differences:

• The Fujifilm has a built-in flash with a range up to 3.7m and various flash modes including slow sync (useful for ambient light portraits). ISO up to 12800 is available, but image quality past ISO 3200 is pretty noisy.
• Panasonic’s flash is a bit stronger with range up to 5.8m but lacks slow sync and other special modes. Highest ISO is 6400; however, my testing showed image noise at ISO 800 and above is quite noticeable.

For night photography or astro snaps, neither camera is ideal, but the Fuji’s EXR sensor advantages and slower shutter options offer slightly better capabilities for handheld low-light shooting.

Video Capabilities: Basic but Serviceable?

Neither camera should be your first choice for video, but:

• Fujifilm F750EXR records Full HD 1920x1080 at 30fps in MPEG-4/H.264, with HDMI output (no mic input).
• Panasonic FH25 offers 720p HD at 24fps in Motion JPEG format, with no HDMI output.

Both lack microphone or headphone jacks and optical/manual focus during video is limited. From my practical experience, Fujifilm produces cleaner footage with better colors, but both are fine for casual clips rather than serious recording.

Battery Life & Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

The Fuji’s NP-50A battery life is unspecified but generally delivers fewer shots per charge due to processing demands and larger screen. The Panasonic reports a modest 250 shot per charge life, which I found realistic - good enough for day trips but pack a spare.

Both rely on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with single card slot, no dual storage redundancy. The Panasonic offers internal memory (albeit small), useful for emergency shots.

Build Quality and Toughness: Survival in the Field?

Both cameras have plastic bodies without weather or dust sealing. Neither is shockproof, freezeproof, or crushproof. For rough outdoor use, use a protective case or be prepared to baby them.

Putting the Cameras to Work: Genre-Specific Insights

Fujifilm F750EXR front Fujifilm F750EXR screen back Panasonic FH25 front Panasonic FH25 screen back

Portraiture

The Fujifilm shows more natural skin tones and pleasing color science, aided by EXR modes optimizing skin texture and detail. While bokeh isn’t creamy due to small sensor size and variable aperture lens, face detection autofocus worked reliably. The Panasonic tends towards flatter skin tones and less nuanced color.

Landscapes

Fujifilm’s wider 25mm wide end and greater dynamic range make it better suited for landscape. The Panasonic’s 28mm is decent but crops tighter. The higher resolution and improved shadow recovery on Fuji deliver better large prints.

Wildlife

Thanks to the 500mm reach and faster continuous shooting, the Fuji is the more viable wildlife "cheapskate" camera. Autofocus isn’t lightning-fast but more responsive than Panasonic’s sluggish contrast-detection system.

Sports

Neither is ideal due to AF and buffer limitations, but Fuji's 11fps mode offers a fighting chance for slower action. Panasonic’s 4fps is too slow for anything but very casual sports.

Street

Panasonic’s smaller size wins points for discreet shooting; Fuji feels more like a bridge, attracting looks. Low light performance is moderate on both but Fuji edges out in noise control.

Macro

Both have a 5cm macro focusing range; Fuji’s sensor-shift stabilization offers steadier handheld macro shots. The Panasonic macro images can be soft due to optical compromises.

Night/Astro

Slow shutter options (down to 8s on Fuji) give it a unique edge over Panasonic’s 1/60s minimum shutter speed. High ISO noise remains limiting.

Video

Fujifilm’s Full HD beats Panasonic’s 720p, and HDMI output lets you connect external monitors - handy for casual videographers.

Travel

Fujifilm offers more versatility with zoom and image quality but at cost of weight and size. Panasonic’s portability and simpler operation appeal to minimalists.

Professional Use

Neither can compete with interchangeable-lens models, but Fuji’s manual controls and exposure bracketing add useful workflow flexibility.

Price and Value: Stretching Your Buck

At current prices (~$445 for Fujifilm F750EXR and ~$180 for Panasonic FH25), the choice becomes a classic value vs capability debate.

• Spend almost double for Fujifilm and get significantly longer zoom, better image quality, manual controls, and full HD video.
• Save big with Panasonic, gaining a light, simple, and easy-to-use camera good for snapshots and casual use.

Summing It Up: Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Fujifilm FinePix F750EXR If:

• You want a serious zoom for wildlife, sports, or distant shots
• You value manual exposure modes and creative control
• You prioritize image quality, dynamic range, and higher ISO performance
• You want Full HD video with better codec support
• Portability is less of a concern than versatility

Consider Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH25 If:

• You want a no-fuss, lightweight travel or street camera
• Price is your biggest concern (budgets under $200)
• You shoot mostly in daylight or well-lit environments
• Manual controls and zoom range are less important
• You want something simple for family trips or quick snapshots

Final Thoughts

The Fujifilm F750EXR and Panasonic FH25 represent two distinct approaches to budget superzooms: Fujifilm packs more advanced sensor tech, manual controls, and extended zoom into a slightly larger package aimed at enthusiasts stepping up from basic compacts. Panasonic’s FH25 is a compact, affordable snapshot tool stripped of complexity, favoring portability and ease of use.

Neither is a professional-grade camera, and both have their fair share of limitations: small sensor noise, modest low-light ability, no RAW shooting, and basic video. But for their price points, my personal testing convinces me that the Fujifilm offers a better all-around experience and more room to grow creatively. That said, if you’re a total beginner or cheapskate traveler who just wants a pocket camera for sunny day snaps, Panasonic will do the job just fine.

Hopefully, this side-by-side comparison sheds light on their real-world strengths and weaknesses. Pick your poison wisely, and happy shooting!

If you want more sample photos and detailed metrics, let me know - happy to share!