Olympus Stylus 7000 vs. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1: A Hands-On Compact Camera Showdown for 2024

When hunting for a budget-friendly compact camera, two names pop up from the late 2000s / early 2010s era: Olympus Stylus 7000 (also known as mju 7000) and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 (aka Lumix DMC-FS10). Both represent small sensor compacts that aimed to squeeze good image quality and versatility into tiny bodies. But which one truly holds up today for the enthusiast or discerning user who wants the best bang for their buck in this compact class?

Having spent years testing a smorgasbord of compact cameras, including this Olympus and Panasonic duo, I’ll walk you through a thorough, no-fluff comparison. We’ll cover every practical angle from sensor chops to ergonomics, autofocus, and shooting disciplines ranging from portraits to travel snaps. Along the way, you’ll gain insider tips from real-world testing that most spec sheets skip. By the end, you’ll confidently know which camera suits your style and budget.

Compact with Character: A Tale of Two Tiny Titans

Before diving into details, let’s set the scene with a physical look and feel.

At first glance, both cameras compactly slip into a jacket pocket or small bag, but the Olympus 7000 is a little chunkier - measuring 96x56x25 mm and weighing 172 grams. The Panasonic FH1 skims in slimmer and lighter at 98x55x23 mm and 163 grams. The roughly similar volumes belie subtle ergonomic shifts worth noting.

Holding the Olympus, you notice its slightly rounder, textured body lends a firmer grip - especially for folks with clubs for thumbs like me. It feels a touch more confidence-inspiring for longer shoots or tricky handholding situations. The Panasonic’s slim profile favors discreet shooting and easy packing but sacrifices some clutched confidence. If portability is king (think street or travel photography), the Panasonic wins here.

Top Controls and Interface: Buttons Worth Pressing

Operating experience often makes or breaks compact cameras, especially when RAW and manual fiddling are missing (they both skip those).

Both cameras stick to simple control layouts with fixed, non-touch LCDs. The Olympus 7000 has a clean top plate with well-sized mode and shutter buttons, plus a few handy camera-specific shooting modes. The Panasonic’s topside is a little busier but less intuitively placed. Between the two, I preferred how quickly I could grope to the Olympus’s clubs-for-thumbs grip and buttons without accidentally hitting controls.

Neither offers advanced manual control - no aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual exposure modes - which will disappoint serious dabbler photographers.

The Sensor Story: Same Size, Different Wishes

The core ingredient to image quality is the sensor. Both rely on the old-school 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm, giving roughly 27.7 mm² of light-gathering surface.

Both sport a 12 megapixel resolution, though measured max image resolution is similar:

• Olympus 7000: 3968 x 2976 pixels
• Panasonic FH1: 4000 x 3000 pixels

Where they differ is in ISO range and sensor generation details. The Olympus maxes out at ISO 1600, with a lower base ISO 50. The Panasonic FH1 stretches its ISO ceiling to 6400 and starts at ISO 80. Despite that, neither is future-proofed for clean high ISO shooting - CCD sensors from this era tend to be noisy past ISO 400-800, limiting low-light performance.

Color depth and dynamic range are quite similar, though the Panasonic aims to eke out a better noise handling performance thanks to a more advanced processor (though specifics are scant). Neither camera supports RAW capture, forcing reliance on in-camera JPEG processing - which both handle in their own way.

Living the Screen Life

Since viewfinders are zilch on both, the LCD takes center stage for framing and reviewing.

The Olympus 7000’s 3” fixed screen shines a tiny bit brighter (res 230k pixels), presenting sharp playback and live view. The Panasonic trims down to a 2.7” 230k pixel display - not much difference, but those extra fractions of inches matter when squinting in daylight.

Neither screen is touch-enabled, which limits easy menu navigation, and both have a classic non-articulated (fixed) style that can get awkward for creative low or high angle shooting. If you want a fold-out or tilting LCD, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Autofocus, Burst, and Shooting Speed: Getting the Shot When it Counts

Here’s where the cameras neatly diverge. Both cameras rely on contrast-detection AF systems - slower and less reliable than modern phase-detect or hybrid autofocus. Neither offers face or eye detection, nor tracking AF. By today’s standards, don’t expect miracles.

• Olympus 7000 AF: single-point only, basic center-weighted, no continuous AF or tracking
• Panasonic FH1 AF: 9-point contrast-detection AF array, no tracking or face detection, no continuous AF but 6 fps burst shooting (up to 5 frames, then buffer fill)

If you shoot fast action or wildlife, the Panasonic’s faster burst speeds give it a clear edge, even though its AF is still slow by modern standards. The Olympus 7000 is quite slow in autofocus acquisition and lacks continuous shooting modes, relegating it to leisurely snaps or posed portraits.

Lens and Stabilization: Focal Range and Steady Hands

Both cameras have fixed zoom lenses with different quirks:

• Olympus Stylus 7000: 37-260 mm equivalent (7x zoom), f/3.5-5.3 max aperture
• Panasonic FH1: 28-140 mm equivalent (5x zoom), f/2.8-6.9 max aperture

Olympus 7000 front Olympus 7000 screen back Panasonic FH1 front Panasonic FH1 screen back

The Olympus boasts a longer telephoto reach, making it marginally better suited for wildlife or distant subjects. The Panasonic covers a wider angle at 28mm, arguably more versatile for landscapes and interiors.

Image stabilization saves the day in both models: Olympus uses sensor-shift stabilization, while Panasonic employs optical stabilization. In practical use, the Olympus’s sensor-shift IS slightly outperformed Panasonic in steadying shots at telephoto extents, especially in low light. Still, neither is a miracle worker - I'd advise using a tripod or stable support for best results at critical focal lengths.

Portrait and Bokeh Performance: Rendering Skin and Background

Both lenses have modest apertures, limiting shallow depth-of-field effects. At maximum apertures (f/3.5 Olympus wide, f/2.8 Panasonic wide), both can isolate subjects in good lighting but won’t deliver creamy bokeh or elegant subject separation professionals crave.

Neither camera has face or eye detection AF, so critical focus on eyes requires careful manual placement by the photographer. Skin tones on both are decent with slightly different color science: Olympus leans a tad cooler and punchier, Panasonic warmer and softer.

Variety of Shooting Genres: How They Stack Up Across Photography Types

Having tested these cameras across multiple disciplines, here’s how they fare:

Build Quality, Controls, and Ergonomics: Putting the Camera in Your Hands

Neither camera boasts environmental sealing or rugged build - no dustproof, shockproof, or waterproof credentials here. However, the Olympus 7000’s slightly beefier build offers more assurance against gentle abuse.

Both rely on plastic bodies; neither has customizable buttons or illuminated controls. The Olympus includes a 12-second self-timer only; the Panasonic offers 2 or 10 second self-timer options for more flexibility.

Storage, Battery, and Connectivity: Essentials Often Overlooked

Both use proprietary (or less common) memory formats:

• Olympus 7000: xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal storage
• Panasonic FH1: SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots and Internal storage

SD support makes the Panasonic friendlier and more economical for modern memory cards.

Neither offers wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - which isn’t surprising for cameras from this era but is a clear limitation in today’s increasingly connected world.

Battery life figures are not readily available, but typical usage suggests roughly 200-300 shots on standard proprietary batteries, so plan accordingly if you plan extended outings.

Video Capabilities: Not Just Still Image Makers

The Olympus 7000 settles for VGA (640x480) at 30 fps, with Motion JPEG compression - basic and low resolution by today's standards.

The Panasonic FH1 boosts this to HD 720p at 30 fps, also using MJPEG. While still far from professional video-makers' standards, the Panasonic offers noticeably better video resolution and smoother footage, suitable for casual video bloggers or family moments.

Neither camera supports external microphones or headphone jacks, limiting audio quality and monitoring.

Examining the Numbers: Performance Ratings at a Glance

Scaled ratings show:

• Panasonic FH1 generally edging out Olympus on autofocus speed, burst rate, and video quality.
• Olympus 7000 scoring higher on zoom range and stabilization steadiness.

Where one camera pulls ahead in one category, the other fills gaps in different user scenarios.

Which Camera Excels in Popular Photography Types?

Here’s a clear lens on genre-specific performance:

• Portrait: Panasonic slightly better color handling but struggle with shallow DOF remains (both lack true bokeh)
• Landscape: Panasonic’s wider angle + higher ISO wins marginally, but Olympus telephoto flexibility is a plus
• Wildlife: Olympus’s longer zoom trumps, but poor AF limits usefulness. Panasonic’s burst fire helps chase fast critters.
• Sports: Panasonic better burst but both struggle with tracking; neither ideal for fast-paced shooting.
• Street: Panasonic’s discreet size and wider lens favored.
• Macro: Olympus’s 2cm minimum focus distance beats Panasonic hands down.
• Night/Astro: Neither great; Panasonic’s higher ISO range gives it a slight edge.
• Video: Panasonic wins hands down with HD capture.

Bottom Line - Who Should Care About These Cameras Today?

Olympus Stylus 7000 Pros:

• Longer 7x zoom range (37–260 mm equiv.), better for distant subjects
• Sensor-shift image stabilization better for telephoto handholding
• Clubbier grip and ergonomics for comfortable handling
• Slightly larger, sharper 3” screen
• Very close macro focus (2 cm) for detailed shots

Olympus 7000 Cons:

• Slow autofocus, no burst shooting
• Limited ISO range and noise performance
• No video beyond VGA resolution
• Lacks wireless or SD card compatibility (uses xD and microSD)
• No manual exposure or RAW shooting

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 Pros:

• Wider 28-140mm equivalent lens better for landscapes and interiors
• Faster 6 fps burst shooting for action (up to 5 frames)
• Higher ISO ceiling (ISO 6400) for low-light, albeit noisy
• HD (720p) video recording at 30fps
• Supports SD card storage (standardized, cheaper)
• Slightly smaller and lighter, for discreet carry

Panasonic FH1 Cons:

• Shorter zoom range limits reach
• Lens slower at telephoto end (f/6.9)
• Autofocus still slow and basic, no face detection
• Smaller, lower resolution screen
• No manual controls or RAW capture

Final Recommendations: Picking the Right Compact for You

If you’re a cheapskate with a penchant for zooming in on skittish wildlife or macro close-ups and don’t mind slow AF or VGA video, the Olympus Stylus 7000 might be your quirky muse. Its slightly heavier build and extended telephoto range can outperform the Panasonic in specific scenarios.

However, if you want a compact that’s more well-rounded for casual everyday use, with better video, faster burst shooting for kid or pet action, and easier memory options (SD cards), the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 makes more practical sense. It’s a better match for street and travel photographers valuing portability and a wider lens.

Concluding Thoughts: These Cameras in Today’s Context

Both of these cameras now sit firmly in the budget compact category; digital photography has moved on with smartphones and mirrorless systems offering vast improvements. Still, for collectors, hobbyists, or those on budgets who want to explore optics beyond smartphones, these cameras teach us enduring lessons about zoom versatility, stabilization, and usability under constraints.

You won’t get fancy digital wizardry or pro-grade manual controls, but with some patience, either can get the shot in the right hands.

Remember: the best camera is the one you have in your hands - knowledge of strengths and limitations empowers you to make magic from modest gear.

Happy shooting!