Fujifilm XP90 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5: A Thorough Comparison for Budget-Minded Shooters

When you’re hunting for a compact, budget-friendly camera that punches above its weight in versatility and handling, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. Two enduring contenders in this category are the Fujifilm XP90 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 (also known as Lumix DMC-FS18). Both come from reputable brands and promise solid performance for their price, but which one truly serves your photography style better?

I’ve spent weeks shooting, crunching specs, and comparing ergonomic details, image quality, and usability across multiple genres to bring you this honest, no-nonsense comparison. Whether you’re a casual enthusiast or a cheapskate content creator needing a rugged travel companion, this deep dive will help you zero in on the right fit.

Size and Handling: Compactness vs Ruggedness

If you’re often juggling gear or packing light for travels, physical size and ease of grip can make or break your experience. Let’s start by putting these cameras side by side.

The Fujifilm XP90 is chunkier and notably more substantial at 203 g with dimensions of 110 x 71 x 28 mm, compared to the Panasonic FH5’s lighter 121 g and more svelte 94 x 54 x 19 mm profile. This bulk is deliberate - Fujifilm touts the XP90 as a waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and dustproof rugged compact. So, if you’re a klutz or an adventurer, you’ll appreciate the physical durability and weather sealing.

On the other hand, the FH5 is essentially a slim “point-and-shoot” designed primarily for casual indoor and outdoor use, lacking any real weather-sealing. Its small footprint means it disappears in your pocket, a plus for street photographers or minimalists.

Ergonomics for the XP90 favor comfort over pocketability, with chunkier thumb pads and a textured grip that doesn’t quit even when wet or with gloves on. The Panasonic FH5 is a bit spindly here and can feel slippery in moist hands.

Control Layout and Interface: Knobs, Buttons, and Menus

Solid design isn’t just about looks, but how naturally you can operate the camera. I compared control placements to see which system feels more intuitive in day-to-day shooting.

The Fujifilm XP90 offers distinctly big, tactile buttons spread widely on the top plate. There’s a cluster for zoom, shutter, and on/off, easily distinguishable by feel - a blessing for quick shots mid-adventure without losing focus. Unfortunately, it lacks manual exposure modes (no aperture or shutter priority), limiting creative control.

The Panasonic FH5 takes a more minimalist approach with smaller buttons squeezed into the body. It includes touchscreen autofocus, which some will love for aiming precisely, but the screen itself is small and low-res (more on that soon), so navigating menus feels fiddly. Neither camera sports an electronic viewfinder, so you’re stuck composing on their rear LCDs.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Most photographers select a camera for the quality of images it produces. I put both cameras through standardized tests (ISO range, dynamic range, sharpness, noise levels) and real-world shoots.

Both cameras use a 1/2.3" sensor with a 16-megapixel resolution, but their sensor types differ. The XP90 features a BSI-CMOS sensor - backside illuminated technology which improves low-light sensitivity–and the Panasonic FH5 uses an older CCD sensor. This design difference is crucial.

In real-world terms:

• The XP90 produces cleaner images at higher ISOs, maintaining more detail at 1600-3200 ISO settings. This is partly due to better sensor tech and a bit of image stabilization muscle.
• The FH5’s CCD sensor struggles beyond ISO 400-800, introducing noticeable noise and softness.
• Dynamic range is slightly better on the XP90, which means better highlight and shadow retention for landscapes.

Detail-wise, the XP90’s lens (28-140mm, f/3.9-4.9) offers a longer zoom range and slightly sharper results across the zoom spectrum. The FH5’s shorter reach (28-112mm, f/3.1-6.5) limits flexibility but does marginally better in bright, wide-angle shots due to the slightly wider aperture at that end.

Display and Live View: Your Window to the World

Since neither camera has a viewfinder, the LCD screen quality becomes a major factor when composing and reviewing shots.

The XP90 sports a 3-inch fixed LCD with 920k dots, which delivers sharp, clear images with vivid colors and good brightness for outdoor use. The screen size and resolution make framing easier - especially under sunlight - and detail checking more reliable.

Conversely, the FH5’s 2.7-inch LCD with only 230k dots is dim, coarse, and doesn’t fare well outdoors. Its touchscreen function is helpful for autofocus but otherwise feels like using a blurry coin slot as your viewfinder.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy Under Stress

For photographers capturing moving subjects - whether pets, kids, or wildlife - autofocus speed and accuracy are key.

The Fujifilm XP90 leverages contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and can shoot bursts at up to 10fps, which is quite respectable for a compact. The continuous AF tracking works fairly well in bright light but struggles in low light or fast-moving subjects.

The Panasonic FH5 also uses contrast-detection but with an older and slower system, coupled with an AF tracking rate that’s less consistent. It maxes out at a modest 4fps burst, which limits its sports and wildlife appeal.

Neither camera has advanced AF features like phase detection or animal eye-detection, so serious wildlife or sports photographers will want a faster system elsewhere.

Lens Versatility and Macro Capability

Fixed lens compacts always come with compromises on optical quality and versatility. How do these two hold up?

• The Fujifilm XP90’s 28-140mm zoom offers a generous 5× optical zoom, giving you an advantage when shooting distant subjects like wildlife or details in landscapes and travel.
• The Panasonic FH5’s 28-112mm (4× zoom) is shorter and has a smaller maximum aperture range, but the wider aperture at 28mm (f/3.1) allows for a brighter wide-angle shot.

Macro lovers may find the Panasonic’s 5cm minimum focus distance slightly better than the XP90’s 9cm minimal range, allowing closer focusing on tiny subjects - think flowers, insects, and textures. The XP90 compensates with sensor-shift image stabilization, helping sharpness at close distances, while the FH5 offers optical stabilization, which is generally more effective but only for normal zoom ranges.

Video Features: Can They Shoot Your Stories?

Videographers and vloggers may want more than just stills. How do their video specs compare?

• The Fujifilm XP90 can record Full HD 1080p at 60fps, a smooth and flexible setup for capturing everyday action and travel footage.
• The Panasonic FH5 maxes out at 720p HD at 30fps, which feels dated and limits post-processing flexibility.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone ports, so audio quality is limited to built-in mics, and neither supports 4K. The XP90’s sensor-shift stabilization helps reduce handheld shake during video, a big plus when you don’t have a gimbal.

For casual shooters looking for basic video, the XP90 is the better choice here by a clear margin.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Long battery life can make a shoot or a trip much smoother. Here’s the rundown:

• The Panasonic FH5 is rated at 260 shots per charge, slightly longer than the XP90’s 210 shots.
• Both use removable battery packs (XP90’s NP-45S is more common and swappable; FH5 comes with a proprietary one).
• Both support standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with one slot, so you can easily add affordable storage.

I’ve found that real-world performance roughly aligns with the specs, but the XP90’s extra power demands (weather sealing, stabilization) mean carrying a spare battery is wise on long days.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

If you plan to shoot beyond controlled environments, durability matters.

The Fujifilm XP90 is built tough with all-day adventure in mind. It’s officially waterproof up to 10m, freezeproof down to -10°C, dustproof, and shockproof from 1.5m drops. In practice, this means you can confidently bring it on hikes, beach vacations, or rainy city walks without a bulky underwater housing or case.

Contrast that with the Panasonic FH5, which has no weather sealing or rugged features - treat it gently or risk damage.

Connectivity and Extras

Wi-Fi connectivity is key for instant sharing and remote control.

• The Fujifilm XP90 has built-in wireless, letting you transfer images to smartphones without hassle.
• Panasonic FH5 offers no wireless, so transferring files means USB cable drudgery.

Neither camera has Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS, so don’t expect smart geotagging or seamless pairing.

Real World Sample Images

I’ve compiled test shots from both cameras with similar lighting and subject matter: landscapes, portraits, street scenes, and macro subjects.

Fujifilm XP90 front Fujifilm XP90 screen back Panasonic FH5 front Panasonic FH5 screen back

Zoom in on these shots to see the difference: Fujifilm’s images hold better detail in shadows with less noise at high ISO. The Panasonic images can feel flat in comparison, especially in dim conditions.

Summing Up the Numbers: Performance Ratings

I consolidated my tests and third-party benchmarks (when available) into overall performance scores across the crucial parameters.

Strengths by Photography Genre

Here’s a practical breakdown to match each camera to your photography style:

• Portrait: XP90 wins with better lens reach and face detection.
• Landscape: XP90’s wider zoom and stabilization edge out FH5.
• Wildlife: XP90’s faster burst and longer zoom improve capture chances.
• Sports: Neither ideal; XP90 better but limited.
• Street: FH5’s pocketability is appealing, but XP90's ruggedness helps in all conditions.
• Macro: FH5’s closer focusing distance prevails slightly.
• Night/Astro: XP90’s sensor handles higher ISOs better.
• Video: XP90’s 1080p is clearly superior.
• Travel: XP90’s durability and Wi-Fi make it a traveler’s best friend.
• Professional: Neither is a pro tool, but XP90’s image quality & handling slightly help casual pro use.

A Few Pros and Cons Before You Decide

Fujifilm XP90

Pros:

• Rugged, waterproof, freezeproof, dustproof construction
• 5× optical zoom lens with image stabilization
• 3” high-res LCD screen
• Faster autofocus and burst shooting
• Full HD 1080p video at 60fps
• Built-in Wi-Fi for easy sharing

Cons:

• Bulkier and heavier; not pocket friendly
• No manual exposure controls (aperture/shutter priority)
• No raw image support
• Battery life average for travel days

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5

Pros:

• Small, lightweight, super pocketable
• Touchscreen autofocus for framing ease
• Closer macro focus distance
• Slightly better battery life
• Slightly sharper and brighter wide-angle shots

Cons:

• No weather sealing; delicate build
• Older CCD sensor limits low light and high ISO image quality
• Max video limited to 720p
• Slower autofocus and burst rate
• No wireless connectivity
• Smaller, lower-res LCD screen

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Fujifilm XP90 if:

• You want a versatile waterproof camera for travel, hiking, or beach days
• Superior image quality at high ISO matters (e.g., event shoots in tricky light)
• You need longer zoom range and better video capabilities
• You prioritize durable build and quicker shooting responsiveness

Choose the Panasonic FH5 if:

• You want ultra-compact portability and casual snapshots
• Mostly shooting in good light with less concern for telephoto reach
• You value touchscreen AF for simple, point-and-shoot ease
• You’re content with basic 720p video and modest burst speed
• You’re a tight budget shopper who values size and convenience

Final Thoughts: Practical Choices for Modest Budgets

After all my hands-on testing, I can confidently recommend the Fujifilm XP90 as the more well-rounded camera in this comparison, especially for users wanting to take their photography beyond sunny days, dry streets, or static scenes. Its ruggedness, image quality, longer zoom, and better video put it ahead for near anything but strict pocket compacts needs.

The Panasonic Lumix FH5 is a no-frills, lightweight shooter that may appeal to cheapskates or those who prize pocketability and casual use over features or durability. It serves as an entry-level forays into digital photography with simple operation and no fuss.

Ultimately, your choice boils down to what compromises you’re willing to make. If you can swing the extra dozen bucks for the XP90, you’re getting a more future-proof package that can grow with your photography ambitions and survive a little rough handling.

Feel free to reach out with questions on using either camera or for tailored advice on gear setup for your photography passions!