Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 vs. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7: A Hands-On Comparison for the Practical Photographer

When faced with the choice between the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7, two compact cameras produced just a couple years apart, a photographer has to weigh a range of factors. Both sit firmly in the small sensor compact category, priced with a nod toward affordability. But making an informed pick requires more than just dialing in specs from the spec sheet. I’ve spent extensive time testing both cameras in real-world shooting across numerous genres - from landscapes to street shots - and I’m here to break down everything you need to know.

If you’re exploring these models as your next point-and-shoot (or second camera), this detailed review - spiced with technical insights, usage tips, and a pinch of hands-on test data - should help lighten the decision load.

The Build and Handling: Compact Meets Practicality

Both the Olympus 8000 and Panasonic FH7 aim for portability, but their approaches diverge when you get them in your hands. The Olympus digital tough guy stands out with a rugged, splash-and-dust-proof build, designed to shrug off environmental challenges (something that every outdoorsy type will appreciate). The FH7, on the other hand, offers lighter and sleeker palm-friendly ergonomics without environmental sealing, aiming more at casual urban or travel usage.

At 95x62x22 mm and weighing 182 grams, the Olympus 8000 is noticeably chunkier than the Panasonic FH7’s 95x56x19 mm footprint and 126 grams. You feel that extra heft immediately, but it comes with better durability credentials. The FH7 slides comfortably into smaller bags and pockets, playing well for those who value weight savings above all.

Flip the cameras over for a top-down glance:

The Olympus’s command layout favors fewer controls, sacrificing manual exposure options for simplicity, while the Panasonic SH7 tries to bring in more interactive shooting modes and a touchscreen interface. The 8000’s buttons aren’t illuminated, which can frustrate nighttime shoots, while the FH7 smartly embraces touchscreen focusing - a nice modern touch on a budget model. Both exclude electronic viewfinders, relying fully on their rear LCDs.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensor, Big Differences

When it comes to image capture, both cameras employ a 1/2.3" CCD sensor - typical fare for compact shooters from their era. This sensor size, measuring roughly 6.08x4.56mm, puts these machines at a disadvantage compared to larger APS-C or full-frame rivals, particularly when it comes to noise and dynamic range. However, distinguishing between these two CCD sensors still has nuances.

The Olympus 8000 maxes out at 12 megapixels with a native ISO range of 64-1600, while Panasonic’s FH7 pushes a higher resolution at 16 megapixels and ranges from ISO 100-6400. That extended ISO range does not automatically translate to better low-light performance - CCD sensors notoriously struggle outside their base ISO sweet spots, but the FH7’s wider ISO band gives more flexibility in daylight or fast shutter scenarios.

In real-world tests, the Olympus exhibits slightly cleaner images at base ISO thanks to its lower megapixel count on the same sensor size (less pixel cramming). The Panasonic FH7 resolves more fine detail but introduces more visible noise at higher ISOs. For landscape and daylight portraits, the detail advantage of 16MP is tangible - the FH7 produces crisper edges and better cropping latitude.

Color depth and dynamic range, as you’d expect with CCDs, are limited compared to modern CMOS types, and neither camera supports RAW output - a drawback if you’re gambling on heavy post-processing. Color reproduction on the Olympus leans a bit cooler and more neutral, while Panasonic’s Venus Engine IV processor pushes warmer, contrasty tones, which some will find more “punchy” for snapshots but less faithful for nuanced portraits.

LCD and Interface: Eyeing Your Shots with Convenience

Both cameras give up on optical or electronic viewfinder modules, so the LCD is your shooting window. The Olympus sports a 2.7-inch fixed screen at 230K resolution, while Panasonic’s bigger 3-inch display matches resolution but ups the convenience factor with touchscreen capabilities.

In daylight viewing tests, both suffer shutter-darkening under direct sun but Panasonic’s larger screen improves composition ease and thanks to the touchscreen, focus point selection becomes intuitive - especially helpful in street or casual macro photography. The Olympus’s fixed screen feels a bit cramped by comparison, and its lack of touch controls slows down focus adjustments.

Neither camera features articulating screens, which can be a shortcoming for video bloggers or creative-angle shooters. However, the Olympus leans into a robust splash/dust-proof design, which is a rare bonus in this price and class segment.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Staying Sharp Under Pressure

Here's where the rubber meets the road for many photographers. Autofocus speed and accuracy, continuous shooting capability, and stabilization all factor into a system’s real-world usability.

The Olympus 8000 employs contrast-detection AF with no face detection or tracking capabilities. Its single AF mode supports only a centered focus area. The Panasonic FH7 ups the ante with contrast AF combined with face detection and 11 focus points (multi-area AF), plus AF tracking for moving subjects.

In practical testing, the Olympus feels pokier, especially in lower light or busy scenes, often hunting before locking. Panasonic’s FH7 was noticeably faster locking onto faces and tracking subjects during casual sports or street sequences; however, it's no pro-level shooter and can flub focus on erratic subjects.

Continuous shooting speed reveals the same story: the FH7 offers 4 fps burst mode, while the Olympus 8000 lacks continuous shooting altogether. This makes the Panasonic a better pick for wildlife or dynamic action, although its small sensor and fixed lens limit reach and resolution compared to dedicated superzoom or DSLR systems.

As for image stabilization, both cameras implement optical/sensor-shift methods. Olympus uses sensor-shift IS, effective at mitigating camera shake. Panasonic relies on optical IS integrated into the lens - both similarly capable for steady handholding but neither featuring advanced hybrid or in-body stabilization.

Lens and Optical Performance: Reach and Sharpness

With fixed lenses, these cameras are handicapped in flexibility relative to interchangeable lens cameras, so lens optics matter a lot.

• Olympus Stylus Tough 8000: 28-102mm (35mm equivalent), 3.6× zoom, max aperture f/3.5-5.1
• Panasonic Lumix FH7: 28-112mm, 4× zoom, f/3.1-6.5

Both lenses cover useful wide-angle to short telephoto ranges ideal for street, travel, and snapshots. However, the FH7 stretches to 112mm, providing slightly longer reach.

In sharpness tests, the Olympus lens resolves moderately well in the center but softness creeps into corners at wider apertures. The Panasonic FH7’s lens showed similar characteristics but fared a bit better at longer focal lengths, a surprise given its slower maximum aperture at telephoto.

Macro focusing offers a slight edge to the Olympus 8000 with a close focus down to 2 cm (versus 5 cm on the FH7), promising more impressive close-ups. However, Panasonic’s autofocus touch control can speed practical use of macro focusing despite its longer minimum distance.

Shooting Styles and Genre Suitability: Who’s These Cameras For?

Let’s dive into how these models fare across various popular photography types:

Portrait Photography

With neither supporting RAW or advanced face/eye detection on the Olympus, Panasonic holds more appeal here. Its face detection AF combined with warmer color rendering lends itself to pleasing skin tones in well-lit conditions. Still, the small sensors and modest apertures mean bokeh is limited in both, skewing images toward everything-in-focus styles.

Landscape Photography

Resolution and dynamic range become crucial in landscapes. Panasonic’s 16MP advantage and higher ISO ceiling give it an edge, although both cameras will struggle with highlight recovery and shadow details given CCD limitations. Olympus’s ruggedization here is useful for outdoor shoots with unpredictable weather, but image quality suffers at longer exposures.

Wildlife Photography

Fast, accurate AF and decent burst shooting matter here. Panasonic’s 4 fps continuous and multi-focus tracking offer moderate capability for casual wildlife but the fixed short tele lens limits long-distance reach. Olympus’s slow AF and no burst mode make it poorly suited for this genre.

Sports Photography

Neither camera targets fast-paced sports action, but Panasonic’s AF tracking and burst mode make it the stronger candidate. Olympus is not designed to chase fast subjects, lacking continuous modes or manual exposure controls.

Street Photography

Portability, discretion, and decent low-light AF are key. Panasonic’s lighter weight and touchscreen interface make for a stealthier street companion. Olympus’s bulk and slower AF reduce its appeal here despite environmental protection.

Macro Photography

Olympus’s closer focus distance wins here, plus sensor-shift stabilization helps with handheld macro shots. Panasonic’s touchscreen focusing aids precision but the farther focusing distance curtails extreme close-ups.

Night / Astro Photography

Small sensor noise and lack of long exposure modes or bulb shooting limit capability for both. Panasonic’s higher ISO range offers more options, but image quality deteriorates beyond ISO 800.

Video Capabilities

Both record video as Motion JPEG - primitive by today’s standards - sans external mic or headphone jacks. Panasonic offers 720p HD at 30 fps, Olympus maxes out at VGA resolution (640x480). Neither camera provides image stabilization tailored for video, making handheld clips shaky unless careful and slow.

Travel Photography

For a lightweight, budget travel camera, Panasonic’s smaller build and longer zoom help. However, Olympus’s rugged, weather-resistant body is tempting for rougher trips, especially when taking risk of rain or dust. Battery life favors Panasonic thanks to its newer battery tech.

Professional Workflows

Neither camera supports RAW capture or offers direct tethering or WiFi connectivity enthusiasts expect. Both rely on USB 2.0 and store files on modest-capacity cards (xD/microSD for Olympus, SD/SDHC/SDXC for Panasonic). They are strictly consumer-level compacts, fit for casual professional use but not heavy-duty commercial workflows.

Technical Rundown and Connectivity

Build Quality: Olympus with environmental sealing wins durability; Panasonic is unsealed but lighter.

Autofocus: Panasonic leads with face detection, tracking, and multi-point AF.

Image Stabilization: Both cameras offer decent IS, Olympus with sensor-shift, Panasonic with optical.

Display: Panasonic’s touchscreen and larger size provide superior interface.

Battery and Storage: Panasonic’s battery life rated at 260 shots (better than average), Olympus lacks specified battery life but tends to be shorter. Panasonic uses SD cards - more standard and accessible than Olympus’s xD/microSD combo.

Connectivity: Neither has WiFi or Bluetooth. USB 2.0 for file transfer only.

Sample Images: Side-by-Side Shooting Results

I shot a variety of indoor portraits, outdoor landscapes, and macro subjects with both cameras under identical conditions. You can see how subtle differences in resolution, color tone, and sharpness play out.

Olympus 8000 front Olympus 8000 screen back Panasonic FH7 front Panasonic FH7 screen back

Panasonic’s FH7 impresses with added detail and punch in colors, while Olympus provides more muted tones with slightly less noise at base ISO. Macro shots reveal Olympus’s closer focus advantage, but the Panasonic gives better handling thanks to touchscreen focusing.

Performance Scores and Brand Overview

Below is a consolidated performance rating based on lab tests (such as autofocus speed, image quality, ergonomics), user feedback, and hands-on sessions. Note: no DxOMark data is available, so analysis relies on measured and subjective results.

Panasonic FH7 scores higher overall for versatility, autofocus, and value-for-money, while Olympus 8000 shines in ruggedness and macro proximity. Both cameras lag considerably behind modern compacts or mirrorless systems, but within their class, these ratings help place them.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

To assist targeted buyers, here’s a quick visual guide summarizing how each camera scores across photography types:

Pros and Cons Recap

Olympus Stylus Tough 8000

• Rugged sealed body ideal for outdoors use
• Closer macro focusing distance (2 cm)
• Sensor-shift image stabilization effective for handheld shots
• Simpler interface for no-fuss operation

– Smaller screen with no touchscreen
– Slow AF with no tracking or face detection
– Limited video capabilities (640x480 max)
– Short shutter speed range (max 1/2000s) and no burst shooting
– No RAW support

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7

• Higher sensor resolution (16MP) for crisper images
• Faster contrast AF with face detection and tracking
• 4 fps continuous shooting for action shots
• Larger, touchscreen LCD facilitates focusing and menu navigation
• 720p HD video at 30 fps with stabilized optics
• Uses industry standard SD cards
• Better battery life

– No weather sealing; less rugged
– Smaller zoom range compared to pro superzooms (but slightly higher than Olympus)
– Noise appears at higher ISO
– Limited manual controls and no RAW
– No external mic/headphone support in video

Who Should Buy What?

Choose the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 if:

• You need a pocketable rugged camera that can endure harsher outdoor conditions
• Macro close-ups are a priority
• You prefer simple, no-menu complexity and won’t shoot fast action
• You don’t mind lower resolution for cleaner base ISO images
• Your budget leans toward the $380 ballpark and durability is worth the premium

Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 if:

• You want a versatile everyday compact with more megapixels and longer zoom
• Fast autofocus with face detection is important for portraits or street shoots
• Video HD capture and touchscreen ease of use matter
• Portability and longer battery life take precedence over environmental sealing
• You look for better general-purpose performance on a tighter budget (~$150)

Final Verdict: Matching Practicality to Your Photography Life

Having wrangled with the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 through extensive real-world shooting and tech analysis, here’s my no-nonsense summary:

The Olympus 8000 is the go-to for rugged adventurers and macro enthusiasts who want reliable, simple operation in a durable shell. It’s the camera you grab when hiking or out in uncertain environments - just don’t expect fireworks in speed or burst capabilities.

The Panasonic FH7 offers a better bang-for-your-buck platform if you want sharper photos, more autofocus capabilities, and solid HD video, making it well suited for casual portraiture, street, and travel photography on a budget.

Neither camera stacks up head-to-head with modern mirrorless or even recent point-and-shoot compacts, but they address distinct niches. Your choice boils down to what matters most: toughness and close focus vs. higher res and dynamic AF features.

Whether you’re a cheapskate hobbyist, a serious beginner, or a pro wanting a backup, knowing these trade-offs helps you pick the camera that suits your real shooting style and environment - exactly what any hands-on photography enthusiast deserves.

Happy shooting!