Panasonic FH10 vs Pentax MX-1: A Hands-On Showdown of Two Small Sensor Compacts

When scouting around for a compact camera that’s more than a smartphone snapper but less than a bulky DSLR or mirrorless rig, you often stumble into a crowded middle ground - compact cameras with small sensors. These can be great for casual shooters and travelers wanting extra zoom range and image control without the fuss. Today, I’m diving headfirst into two such contenders released in 2013: Panasonic’s modest Lumix DMC-FH10 and Pentax’s more ambitious MX-1. Both cameras are small sensor compacts - but the similarities end there.

Having tested thousands of cameras over the years across genres, my goal here is to give you an experience-rich, no-fluff comparison so you can decide which might suit your photographic DNA best. Let’s roll up the sleeves.

Seeing Is Believing: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics

First impressions often hinge on how a camera feels in your hands and pockets - or bags. Both the Panasonic FH10 and Pentax MX-1 fall into the compact category, but their designs couldn’t be more different.

The Panasonic FH10 tips the scales at a featherweight 103 grams and measures a pocket-friendly 94x54x18mm. It’s an ultra-light, ultra-thin slice of convenience meant for zero-fuss carry - honestly, at this size, some may mistake it for a fancy mobile accessory rather than a dedicated camera.

In contrast, the Pentax MX-1 weighs in at a solid 391 grams with dimensions of 122x61x51mm. That’s significantly chunkier - nearly four times heavier than the FH10 - sporting a heft and grip that scream ‘proper camera.’ If you want to hold something with a reassuring heft that nestles well in your palm (and doubles as a hand warmer on chilly mornings), the MX-1 wins hands down.

Control and Layout: Minimalist vs. Thoughtful Complexity

Physical size aside, how do these cameras lay out their controls? When you’re out shooting, equal parts quick access and intuitive control can make or break your experience.

The FH10 sports a minimalist interface - largely relying on point-and-shoot simplicity. There are no dedicated exposure modes or manual controls beyond basic settings. While that’s perfect for snapshot shooters who just want to aim and shoot, advanced users will feel hemmed in by the lack of dials or buttons.

On the flip side, the MX-1 embraces a retro-inspired DSLR-like layout with physical dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and other settings. For photographers who appreciate manual override and the tactile joy of turning wheels, the MX-1’s design is a breath of fresh air. The inclusion of tilting screen and a more readable, larger 3-inch, 920k-dot display further enhances the shooting experience (more on screen in a moment).

The Sensor Battle: Size, Resolution, and Image Quality Fundamentals

Ultimately, the sensor is the beating heart of any camera. Here we truly begin to see where the FH10 and MX-1 split ways.

The Panasonic FH10 carries a tiny 1/2.3” CCD sensor with a resolution of 16 megapixels - packing pixels into a 27.72mm² area. CCD sensors were standard on compact cameras pre-2013 but generally lag CMOS in noise handling and dynamic range.

The Pentax MX-1, on the other hand, sports a larger 1/1.7” CMOS sensor, which is about 1.5x the surface area of the FH10’s sensor, albeit with 12 megapixels resolution. Despite fewer pixels, the MX-1’s larger sensor size means bigger pixels, better light gathering per pixel, and thus improved low-light performance, dynamic range, and color fidelity.

In practice, this means the MX-1 delivers richer tonality, more detail retention in shadows and highlights, and a cleaner image overall - especially when pushing ISO beyond base levels. The FH10 struggles visibly in less than ideal lighting, with noisier images and less color depth.

Lens and Zoom: Range, Aperture, and Versatility

Zoom optics often make or break small sensor compacts’ usefulness in varying scenarios.

• The FH10 features a 26-130mm (5x optical zoom) fixed lens with a max aperture ranging from F2.8 at wide-angle to F6.9 telephoto.
• The MX-1’s 28-112mm lens has a 4x zoom range with much brighter max apertures spanning F1.8 wide and F2.5 tele.

Though the Panasonic extends slightly further at the telephoto end, the MX-1’s much faster aperture translates to better subject isolation, lower noise through faster shutter speeds in dim light, and the ability to create smoother background blur.

Speaking of which, the MX-1’s lens can focus as close as 1 cm for macro photography - impressive for compact cameras and especially so for close-up enthusiasts. The FH10 can only manage a 5 cm minimum focusing distance, which limits its macro potential.

LCD Screens and Interface: Peeking Through the Viewfinder-less Window

Neither camera sports a viewfinder - which is common in this category - but the rear LCD screen is your main window into composing the shot.

The FH10’s fixed 2.7-inch screen has a modest resolution of 230k dots. That means a somewhat grainy and low-details live view image, making manual focusing or critical composition a bit of an eyeball strain under bright light.

By contrast, the MX-1’s 3.0-inch tilting TFT LCD boasts 920k dots with anti-reflective coating. This is materially better for framing, navigating menus, and reviewing images on the spot. The tilting mechanism also aids shooting at awkward angles - low to the ground or above crowds.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Reliability in Action

Autofocus performance is crucial across virtually all photography types - but especially for wildlife, sports, and street shooting. Let’s see what these two bring to the table.

The FH10 utilizes contrast-detection AF with no phase detection, offering a basic AF system geared towards casual shooting. It supports single AF, continuous AF, and face detection is absent. Focus area controls are minimal to nonexistent.

The MX-1 employs contrast-detection AF as well but enhances it with 25 focus points and face detection capabilities. While neither camera boasts blazing phase-detection autofocus, the MX-1’s more sophisticated AF engine delivers noticeably faster lock and better tracking continuity in daylight.

For dynamic photography requiring quick focus shifts - think a budding sports event or quick street moments - the MX-1 has the upper hand. The FH10 is better suited for still subjects or casual snaps where speed isn’t critical.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds: Capturing the Decisive Moment

Sports, wildlife, and action photographers often demand high burst frame rates and wide shutter speed ranges for optimum results.

• The FH10 supports continuous shooting at only 1.0 frame per second, with shutter speed range from 60 (slowest, i.e., one second) to 1/1600 second.
• The MX-1 also shoots at 1.0 fps continuous (surprisingly modest given its price), but offers a much broader shutter speed range: 30 seconds to 1/8000 second.

The MX-1’s longer long-exposure capacity enables night photography, creative motion blur, and astrophotography utility. The faster max shutter speed can freeze action better under bright conditions. The FH10’s upper speed limit will struggle in many daylight sports or wildlife scenarios.

Neither camera excels in burst speed, so pros shooting high-speed action would likely look elsewhere. But for casual bursts or self-timed sequences, both perform adequately.

Video Capabilities: Who Does Moving Pictures Better?

The Panasonic FH10 offers modest video specs: 720p HD at 30fps (Motion JPEG format). This yields capped video quality with large file sizes and less efficient compression.

The Pentax MX-1 impressively records Full HD 1080p at 30fps, plus 720p at 60fps and 30fps, all encoded in MPEG-4/H.264. This flexibility suits more serious videographers seeking higher quality output.

Neither has microphone or headphone ports, limiting sound control, but the MX-1’s higher resolution and modern codecs give it an edge.

Battery Life and Storage: Keeping You Shooting Longer

Battery life can often be a deal-breaker on trips or long shoots.

• Panasonic claims approximately 260 shots per battery charge for the FH10, which aligns with my real-world testing - good for casual travel shoots.
• The MX-1 edges out slightly with 290 shots per charge, despite packing more electronics and a bigger screen.

Both cameras use proprietary battery packs and accept SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, but the MX-1 uses a specific D-Li-106 battery. I’d recommend packing spares for either on extended outings to stay stress-free.

Connectivity and Extras: Wireless, GPS, and Others

In an era where sharing images instantly is prized, neither camera features Bluetooth, NFC, or built-in GPS. The MX-1 shines with its “Eye-Fi Connected” feature - compatible with Eye-Fi wireless SD cards - to facilitate wireless transfer. The FH10 lacks wireless connectivity entirely.

Neither offers HDMI connectivity beyond the MX-1’s modest port, useful for direct viewing on HDTVs.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Can They Take a Fall or a Splash?

Neither camera offers advanced weather sealing, shockproofing, or freeze-proofing. The MX-1’s heft and metal body construction make it feel more robust; the FH10 feels plasticky but light.

For outdoor adventure photographers, both represent entry-level options requiring careful handling.

Image Gallery: How Do the Shots Stack Up?

Let's see some real-world samples from both cameras to visualize differences in sharpness, color rendering, and dynamic range.

Panasonic FH10 front Panasonic FH10 screen back Pentax MX 1 front Pentax MX 1 screen back

The MX-1 images exhibit richer colors, better low light noise control, and more detail in shadow and highlight areas. The FH10’s photos tend to be flatter and noisier at higher ISOs, and the smaller sensor struggles to create a natural background blur for portraits.

Overall Performance Scores at a Glance

Aggregating their technical benchmarks and real-world performance:

The Pentax MX-1 scores a comfortable lead in most categories - especially image quality, exposure control, and video capabilities. The FH10 falls short in sensor performance, lens speed, and feature depth but remains a contender in portability.

How They Stack Up by Photography Genre

Breaking down their fit by common photography disciplines might help nail which camera suits your style best.

• Portraits: MX-1 shines due to faster lens, face detection, and larger sensor; FH10 limited by small sensor and slower lens.
• Landscape: MX-1 edges again with better dynamic range and resolution options.
• Wildlife & Sports: Neither is ideal; however, the MX-1’s better AF and shutter range beat FH10’s constraints.
• Street: FH10 is more pocketable; small size helps discretion but sacrifices manual control.
• Macro: MX-1’s 1cm focus beats FH10’s 5cm minimum focusing distance.
• Night/Astro: MX-1’s broader shutter control and better ISO performance are invaluable.
• Video: MX-1’s full HD and frame rate options outperform FH10’s 720p limited format.
• Travel: FH10 scores on size and weight; MX-1 balances size with versatility.
• Professional Use: MX-1 with RAW support, manual exposure, and better build is the professional pick; FH10 is too limited.

Final Thoughts: Which Compact Should You Choose?

Panasonic Lumix FH10: The Ultra-Light, No-Fuss Snapshot Buddy

If you need a trivial-to-carry camera for casual family photos, quick vacation snaps, or as a backup to your main kit without digging deep into manual settings, the FH10 does its job well. It’s simple, inexpensive (hovering around $110 new), and delivers decent daylight images. Yet, its small sensor, slow lens, and limited controls restrict creative flexibility. Think of it as a polished point-and-shoot.

Pentax MX-1: A Serious Compact with Attitude and Control

For enthusiasts craving more control, better image quality, and a rugged feel without stepping into interchangeable lens territory, the MX-1 is a compelling choice. It boasts a larger sensor, fast lens, manual exposure modes, and respectable video. At around $400, it’s a bigger investment but pays dividends in versatility - from macro to low light and everything in between.

In my experience, the choice boils down to what you prioritize:

• Portability & simplicity? FH10
• Image quality & control? MX-1

If you’re a street or travel photographer itching for discretion and lightness, the FH10’s slim profile may appeal. But if you want a camera that can traverse genres from landscapes to portraits and handle tough light better, the MX-1’s build and specs deliver real-world value.

While neither camera matches the current generation mirrorless or smartphone camera performance, both carve respectable spaces in the compact niche of 2013. If under $150 is your budget or secondary carry, grab the FH10; if you want to invest in a pocket rocket that can grow with your skills, the MX-1’s my go-to.

Ultimately, a camera is an extension of your photographic intent - and these two exemplify different philosophies at opposite ends of the compact compact spectrum.

Happy shooting!