Panasonic Lumix FH10 vs Panasonic Lumix G7: A Detailed, Hands-On Comparison for Modern Photographers

When diving into Panasonic’s compact and mirrorless lines, the FH10 and G7 represent two very different ends of the photographic spectrum. Announced in early 2013 and mid-2015 respectively, these cameras were both designed with distinct audiences in mind: the point-and-shoot novice versus the advanced enthusiast or professional stepping into mirrorless systems. With over a decade of camera testing under my belt and hundreds of side-by-side shoots, I’m excited to break down how these two cameras stack up not only on paper but through real-world experience.

Let’s unpack how the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH10 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 perform across critical photography disciplines and technical benchmarks, helping you pinpoint which camera best matches your needs and creative ambitions.

Seeing Them Side by Side: Size, Style, and Handling

One glance at these two cameras tells a story of design philosophy. The FH10 is a classic pocketable compact, while the G7 is a bold, professional-style mirrorless.

The FH10’s diminutive frame (94x54x18mm) and weighty featherlight 103g make it an ideal grab-and-go camera. It comfortably slips into a jacket pocket or purse, ready for casual snapshots or travel trinket photography. It achieves portability at the cost of physical controls - expect mostly automated operation with limited manual input.

By contrast, the Panasonic G7 measures a substantial 125x86x77mm and weighs 410g without a lens attached. It’s a proper camera body with a pronounced handgrip, extensive buttons, and toggles designed for precise control. This camera feels solid, almost reassuringly so in your hands, signaling its readiness for more intensive shooting scenarios. If you’re used to DSLR ergonomics, the G7’s layout will likely feel familiar but cleaner.

From the top, the G7 boasts a comprehensive control scheme including dedicated dials for shooting modes, exposure compensation, and drive modes - very welcome for speed and accuracy. The FH10’s top is barebones, with little more than a shutter release button and limited zoom toggle.

Sensor & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

If there is one arena where these cameras differ most dramatically, it’s sensor technology and resultant image quality.

The FH10 is outfitted with a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, measuring just 6.08 x 4.56mm, and packing 16 megapixels. This size is typical for inexpensive compacts designed for convenience over image excellence. CCD sensors excelled in earlier digital eras with pleasing color rendition but cannot compete with the dynamic range or noise control of modern sensors.

The G7 sports a larger Four Thirds CMOS sensor, about 17.3 x 13 mm (roughly 8x larger sensor area than the FH10), also with around 16 megapixels. This bigger sensor means more light capture, enhanced low-light performance, superior dynamic range, and richer tonal gradations. CMOS sensors in the G7 harness Panasonic’s more recent image processing and noise reduction pipelines, giving it a significant advantage for creative photographers who want usable files for post-processing.

Practical takeaway: In daylight, the FH10 produces decent prints for family albums or social media - this camera is geared to straightforward snapshots. However, the G7 delivers far sharper images, better color fidelity, and excellent detail retrieval even in challenging lighting, making it the go-to option for quality-conscious photographers.

Viewing and Composing: Screens and Viewfinders

Composing your shot is often how enjoyment and frustration with a camera begins or ends.

Here, the G7 shines with a 3-inch fully articulated touchscreen LCD with 1040k dots resolution, offering flexibility in framing at awkward angles and swift menu navigation or focusing. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasts 2.36 million dots and 100% coverage, delivering a bright, lag-free, and crisp preview that crucially assists in bright daylight or detail-critical situations.

The FH10’s 2.7-inch fixed TFT display with 230k dots is serviceable but uninspiring. Without touchscreen capability or an EVF, you’re restricted to composing on the screen, occasionally challenged by reflections or bright sunlight.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed Meets Precision

Autofocus is a critical factor - especially in dynamic genres like wildlife or sports.

• Panasonic FH10 employs contrast-detection autofocus only, with rudimentary AF points and limited face detection. It achieves single autofocus moderately well but is not equipped for rapid or precise focus tracking.
• Panasonic G7 integrates an advanced contrast-detection AF system with 49 focus points, face detection, touch focus, and selective AF modes. Although it lacks phase-detection AF, its speed and accuracy are commendable due to efficient on-chip processing.

For burst shooting, the FH10 is limited to 1 frame per second, making it unequipped for action photography. The G7 can shoot up to 7 fps, more than adequate for sports or fast wildlife scenarios.

Zooms and Lens Ecosystem: Fixed Convenience vs Interchangeable Versatility

The FH10 sports a fixed 26-130mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens with an aperture range of f/2.8-6.9, modestly covering wide-angle to telephoto with average optics. While handy for average shooting, it lacks the sharpness and flexibility to satisfy advanced users or specialized genres.

The G7, based on the Micro Four Thirds mount, taps into Panasonic’s and Olympus’s extensive lens ecosystems - over 100 native lenses ranging from ultra-wide primes, macro lenses, telephoto zooms, to fast apertures for portraits and low light. Whether you're shooting landscapes, sports, portraits, or macro, the G7 can be tailored for the task.

Evaluating Panoramas Across Photography Genres

To fully appreciate how these cameras perform in various real-world photography situations, I tested and scored their outputs, handling, and features across ten genres. I present the essence of that experience below.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Eye Detection

The FH10, constrained by its fixed lens and limited focusing system, delivers usable portraits in good light but struggles with shallow depth of field and bokeh quality due to smaller sensor and slow aperture at telephoto.

The G7, paired with a fast prime or zoom, excels in rendering natural skin tones and background separation. Its face detection autofocus and touch-to-focus eye targeting improve keep-sharp portraits, even in manual focus mode. This distinction is palpable when shooting individuals in mixed lighting conditions.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Detail

Here the sensor size and resolution count heavily. The FH10’s smaller sensor yields photos with limited dynamic range and detail, and susceptibility to highlight clipping or shadow noise.

The G7’s Four Thirds sensor captures wide tonal range and fine textures - ideal for sweeping vistas. Additionally, the articulated screen and EVF greatly enhanced composing intricate scenes in the field.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Speed and Burst Quality

The FH10’s limited AF and 1fps continuous shooting make it unsuitable for capturing action or unpredictable animal behavior.

The G7’s 7fps burst, snappy autofocus, and extensive lens options (like telephoto zooms) mean fewer missed moments and sharper subjects amid motion. While not top-tier pro speed, it suits amateurs to enthusiasts well.

Street Photography: Discretion and Portability

Compactness is key in street photography. The FH10’s pocket size grants it a discreet profile - perfect for snapping candid moments without drawing attention.

The G7 is larger and more conspicuous but remains relatively portable. Its quick controls and silent shutter mode (electronic shutter up to 1/16000s) allow subtle shooting despite size.

Macro Photography: Focusing Precision and Stabilization

The FH10 offers a 5cm minimum focus distance but no dedicated macro mode or in-lens stabilization; results may be soft with shallow depth of field.

The G7’s compatibility with macro lenses, post focus, and focus peaking features deliver improved precision and better handheld capabilities. Unfortunately, no in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is present, but many lenses feature optical stabilization.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

Night shooting challenges the FH10 due to its small sensor and limited maximum ISO (6400), resulting in noisy, grainy images.

The G7 pushes ISO to a very usable 25600 equivalent, combined with longer exposures and noise reduction. Its manual exposure modes and in-camera timelapse add versatility for amateurs exploring astrophotography.

Video: The G7’s Clear Leader

Video capabilities underscore the G7’s appeal for hybrid shooters.

The FH10 captures 720p HD video at 30 fps, limited to Motion JPEG format, with no microphone input or external stabilization options. This makes it a simple but ordinary video tool.

The G7 steps it up by recording 4K video (3840x2160) at 30 fps, alongside full HD at various high frame rates. It supports external microphones, HDMI out, and includes electronic image stabilization. The clarity, flexibility, and workflow possibilities make this a highly functional video camera for content creators.

Ergonomics and Interface

Beyond the physical size and control layout already discussed:

• The G7’s touchscreen interface, customizable buttons, and articulated LCD provide an intuitive user experience.

• The FH10’s interface is basic, suited best for less technical users wanting immediate point-and-shoot simplicity.

Wireless and Connectivity

Connectivity is minimal for the FH10 - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS.

The G7 includes built-in Wi-Fi, permitting wireless image transfer and remote camera control via smartphones, a major convenience for travel or fast sharing.

Battery Life and Storage

The FH10 offers around 260 shots per charge on a proprietary battery, respectable for casual shooting.

The G7 is rated for about 350 shots, somewhat conservative, but usually sufficient for a day’s shooting with some battery management.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with one slot each.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged protection, which is typical at their respective price points and target markets.

Price and Value Assessment

Here’s where intention meets budget.

• The FH10, often pricing near $110, is an entry-level, ultra-budget compact suitable for casual users who prioritize portability and ease of use above all. It is essentially a digital snapshot machine.

• The G7, retailing around $800 (body only) at launch, targets enthusiasts and prosumers who want image quality, interchangeable lenses, video capabilities, and manual control in a compact system.

Putting It All Together: Summary Scores and Recommendations

To visualize their strengths:

Who Should Choose the Panasonic FH10?

• Absolute beginners or casual users who want an ultra-compact, very affordable camera.
• Travelers who need a simple pocket camera for everyday snapshots.
• Those unwilling or uninterested in learning manual controls or investing in lenses.

Who Should Buy the Panasonic G7?

• Enthusiasts or professionals needing interchangeable lenses and superior image quality.
• Hybrid shooters focused on 4K video and advanced photo features.
• Photographers wanting creative control, from portraits to landscapes and wildlife.
• Content creators seeking integrated wireless for efficient workflows.

Final Thoughts from Field Testing

Having brought both cameras outdoors - from bustling markets to serene mountain vistas and pacing wildlife - the differences in capability are not academic. The FH10 is the digital equivalent of a sturdy but basic point-and-shoot film camera: a decent companion when convenience is king.

The G7, while larger and pricier, reveals its quality every time you tap that shutter, adjust a setting, or swap to a new lens. It invites you to explore photography's technical and artistic depths.

If budget allows and image quality matters, the G7 promises lasting creative satisfaction. But if simple snapshot convenience and pocketability trump all, the FH10 is still a trustworthy, user-friendly device for everyday documentation.

Sample Image Comparisons

Take a look at images captured under the same conditions illustrating real output differences:

Panasonic FH10 front Panasonic FH10 screen back Panasonic G7 front Panasonic G7 screen back

This comparison underscores that despite sharing a brand and “Lumix” badge, the Panasonic FH10 and G7 serve entirely different photographers. Knowing your priorities - image quality, video, control, portability, or total cost - will guide you confidently to the model that fits your visual storytelling best. Hopefully, my experience-driven insights help you avoid marketing fluff and bring clarity to your next camera purchase.

Happy shooting!