Panasonic FH10 vs Sony RX100 VII: A Hands-On Comparison for Discerning Photographers

Choosing between cameras from vastly different price brackets and capabilities like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH10 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII can feel like comparing apples and... jet engines in disguise. But if you understand the trade-offs and real-world performance - not just specs on paper - it becomes clearer which camera fits where in your photography journey and kit bag.

I’ve personally handled thousands of cameras, from budget compacts to professional beasts. Today, we’ll dive deep into how these two cameras stack up in various photography genres, technical features, handling, and overall value - peppered with hands-on experience and my candid take on when (and if) you’d want to spend the extra on the RX100 VII.

Size and Ergonomics: The Tale of Two Compacts

Right off the bat, the Panasonic FH10 and Sony RX100 VII couldn’t be more different in physical presence. The FH10 is the kind of lightweight pocket-friendly companion that’s whisper-thin (just 18mm thick) and feather-light at 103 grams. Compare that to the RX100 VII’s more substantial 302 grams and chunkier 43mm depth, and you notice immediately the premium build and heft Sony packed in.

If you’re a street shooter or frequent traveler who hates lugging gear, the FH10’s compactness feels like a trinket you won’t mind slipping into a coat pocket, jacket, or even a clutch. But that diminutive size comes with trade-offs in controls and ergonomics. The lack of substantial thumb grips or customizable buttons means you can’t fiddle much on the fly, and the thin chassis can feel a bit slippery for long handheld sessions.

On the flip side, Sony’s RX100 VII is a compact that feels like a truly refined camera, with carefully considered front and rear clubs for your fingers and thumbs, allowing for easier control during active shooting. The camera’s heft adds balance, especially when using the long zoom lens, and the tilting 3-inch screen enhances your versatility in composition. However, it won’t disappear in your pocket quite like the FH10.

Design and Control Layout: Quick Access Matters

Exploring the top panel and control schemes reveals the Panasonic FH10’s simple, no-frills design. There’s not much to fuss about - a mode dial is missing, no dedicated shutter speed or aperture dials, and very few physical buttons. For a complete beginner or casual shooter, this makes the camera straightforward but also limits creative control. You’re stuck largely in automatic or scene modes.

The Sony RX100 VII presents a vastly different story. It offers dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, a dedicated video record button, and a quick control wheel at the rear that feels intuitive once you get the hang of it. Touchscreen focus and menu navigation add to ease of use, appealing especially to pros and enthusiasts who want granular control on the fly without diving deep into menus.

The lack of mode dials and knobs on the FH10 means it leans towards point-and-shoot simplicity. If you’re a cheapskate looking purely for something to capture memories with minimal thinking, it’s straightforward. But for content creators or pros who want to tweak exposure options, the RX100 VII’s controls give you a leg up in creative flexibility.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let’s talk image quality because, at the end of the day, a camera’s sensor is the engine that drives the picture-making.

The FH10 uses a tiny 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring just 6.08 x 4.56mm (27.72mm²). This small sensor size inherently limits image resolution and dynamic range - in this case, the FH10 offers 16 megapixels at a max resolution of 4608 x 3456 pixels. While that sounds decent on paper, expect image quality to fall short in low light and with subtle color gradations, plus its fixed anti-aliasing filter slightly softens fine details.

Contrast that with the Sony RX100 VII’s much larger 1” BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8mm; 116.16mm²), packing in 20 megapixels at a resolution of 5472 x 3648 pixels. The RX100 VII sensor’s backside illumination improves low-light sensitivity, translating to cleaner images and better color depth. According to DXOMark scores, the RX100 VII earns a respectable overall rating of 63 and boasts strong dynamic range performance (~12.4 EV) plus superior low-light ISO capability (418 ISO at base noise threshold).

If you prioritize image quality for prints, landscapes, or cropping flexibility, the RX100 VII’s sensor delivers far more professional results. The FH10 feels adequate for social media snaps and casual photo albums but reveals its limits quickly in challenging lighting or when bigger output size is required.

Screen and Viewfinder Experience: Composing Your Shot

The FH10 sports a modest 2.7-inch fixed TFT LCD with just 230k dots resolution - pretty sleepy by today’s standards. It’s fine for quick composition and image review but doesn’t offer touch capabilities or brightness sophistication; outdoor usability can be frustrating on sunny days.

The RX100 VII, by contrast, boasts a brighter, tilting 3” TFT LCD touchscreen with a sharp 921k-dot resolution. This screen provides flexibility - flip it up for selfies or down for low-angle shots. Plus, dedicated touch-to-focus functionality lets you direct focus intuitively, which is a real boon in dynamic shooting environments.

A significant advantage for the RX100 VII is its built-in 0.59x magnification electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2360k-dot resolution and 100% coverage - the FH10 has no viewfinder at all. For serious photographers shooting outdoors or in bright conditions, the EVF offers critical compositional precision and stability, especially when tracking subjects or fine-tuning frames.

The FH10’s lack of an EVF and low-resolution screen make it feel very much like an entry-level compact, while Sony’s rich screen and EVF combo serve enthusiasts who care about composition accuracy and control.

Picture Quality in Action: Real-World Samples

Panasonic FH10 front Panasonic FH10 screen back Sony RX100 VII front Sony RX100 VII screen back

How do these differences translate to real photographs? My extensive testing across genres and lighting scenarios reveals clear patterns:

• Portraits: The FH10’s small sensor and modest lens aperture results in limited background separation and average skin tone rendition, leaning somewhat flat and prone to noise in shadows. In contrast, the RX100 VII shines with natural skin colors, smoother tonal gradations, and a pleasing bokeh thanks to a larger lens aperture range (F2.8–4.5) and bigger sensor.

• Landscape: The FH10’s 16 MP sensor provides decent detail in bright light but struggles with dynamic range. HDR highlights can blow out easily, losing subtle sky details. The RX100 VII captures wider tonal ranges, retaining shadow detail and delivering sharp, vibrant landscape images suitable for prints.

• Wildlife & Sports: With its sluggish 1 fps continuous shooting, the FH10 is barely able to track moving subjects. The RX100 VII, with up to 20 fps burst shooting and sophisticated face and eye autofocus (including animal eye AF!), is a dramatic step up for capturing fast-paced moments with sharp results.

• Street & Travel: The FH10’s extreme portability and silent shutter provide discreetness, but limited control and image quality can hold back serious street shooters. The RX100 VII’s better ergonomics and zoom range (24–200mm) cater well to diverse travel scenes, though it’s noticeably bulkier.

• Macro & Night: Both cameras have limitations here, but the RX100 VII’s better low-light performance and optical stabilization offer a modest advantage. The FH10’s macro focus starts at 5cm, useful for close-ups, while RX100 VII’s 8cm minimum focusing distance is acceptable but less impressive.

Overall, the RX100 VII’s higher-end sensor and advanced autofocus systems lead to demonstrably better image fidelity across nearly every genre.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

AF speed and accuracy matter a lot for wildlife, sports, and candid shooters.

The FH10 employs contrast-detection AF with an unknown number of focus points and supports basic autofocus modes (single, continuous, and center AF). It lacks face or eye detection autofocus and has no phase-detection elements. This results in hunting autofocus, especially in low light or on moving subjects, which can be frustrating when you’re trying to nail a fleeting moment.

Sony RX100 VII utilizes a hybrid AF system combining phase-detection and contrast-detection AF with approximately 357 focus points covering 68% of the frame. The inclusion of Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals offers a serious edge for sharp portraits and wildlife shots. Continuous AF tracking works smoothly even at high burst rates (20 fps), a feature I stress-tested with satisfying results at a local bird sanctuary and sports matches.

For action and wildlife photographers, RX100 VII is the clear winner. The FH10 can disappoint those areas due to its limited AF system and slow burst rate.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing, rainproofing, or professional-grade durability, but the RX100 VII boasts a more robust build typical of a premium compact, able to withstand better the rigors of daily use and travel.

The FH10’s plastic shell feels lightweight and somewhat fragile in comparison, potentially worrying if you drop it or use it in harsher environments.

For photographers prioritizing ruggedness, neither fits the bill fully, but RX100 VII feels destined for heavier workloads and better longevity.

Lens, Zoom Range, and Stabilization

• Panasonic FH10: Fixed 26-130mm equivalent zoom lens (5x optical zoom), max aperture f/2.8-6.9. Optical image stabilization included. Good for casual snapshots and modest zoom reach but the slow telephoto aperture limits low-light ability.

• Sony RX100 VII: 24-200mm equivalent zoom (8.3x optical zoom), max aperture f/2.8-4.5, also optically stabilized. The longer zoom range and faster aperture throughout most of the zoom are major advantages for a large sensor compact. Ideal for travel, portraits with beautiful bokeh, and wildlife at a distance.

The RX100 VII lens versatility and stabilization markedly outshine the FH10, enabling better creative freedom and image sharpness handheld.

Video Capabilities

The FH10 offers basic video at 1280 x 720 pixels (HD) at 30 fps using Motion JPEG codec - quaint by today’s standards and lacking external mic support or modern codecs. So it’s really only suitable for casual home movies.

In contrast, the RX100 VII is a 4K-capable compact camera, pumping out 3840 x 2160 video at 30p in efficient, high-quality XAVC-S format. It offers advanced video features including slow-motion options, microphone input (but no headphone jack), and better stabilization for smooth handheld footage.

For content creators or vloggers looking for decent video in a truly pocketable camera, the RX100 VII is a standout. The FH10’s video features barely scrape the surface.

Connectivity and Storage: Sharing Made Simple?

The FH10 has no wireless connectivity, no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You’re stuck downloading images via USB 2.0 cable or removing the SD card, which feels dated in a wireless world.

The RX100 VII includes built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC, making it simple to transfer images directly to phones or control the camera remotely. This passive feature brings a significant convenience boost for social media shooters and those on the go.

Both support SD cards, but the RX100 VII also accepts Memory Stick cards, common in Sony’s ecosystem.

Battery Life and Practicality

Both cameras offer similar battery life rated around 260 shots per charge, which is modest for the RX100 VII given its expanded features but typical for a compact with a big sensor and EVF.

Neither is stellar for extended professional shoots without spare batteries. The FH10’s smaller sensor and lacking EVF help stretch battery life, but the lack of advanced features means less battery drain.

The RX100 VII’s battery is rechargeable via USB, which is a plus in travel or remote scenarios.

Price and Value: Are You Getting Your Money’s Worth?

Here’s the kicker. The Panasonic FH10 launched at approximately $110 USD - a budget camera designed essentially for casual users or those after an ultra-portable digital camera with basic needs.

The Sony RX100 VII, on the other hand, commands a hefty price tag near $1,300 USD (and often more now), positioning it as a premium large-sensor compact aimed at demanding enthusiasts and professionals wanting a true pocket powerhouse.

Examining overall performance scores confirms this gap - the RX100 VII’s advanced sensor, autofocus, video, and versatile zoom justify its steep price for users who need that level of quality and control.

How They Score in Major Photography Genres

Breaking it down by genre:

• Portraits: RX100 VII excels with superior color, bokeh, and eye AF; FH10 is limited.
• Landscape: RX100 VII’s dynamic range and resolution produce crisp, vibrant shots; FH10 performs okay in good daylight.
• Wildlife/Sports: RX100 VII’s burst rate and AF tracking dominate; FH10 struggles.
• Street: FH10’s stealth and size are advantages; RX100 VII’s image quality and zoom offset bulk.
• Macro: Both limited, but RX100 VII edges out with image quality.
• Low Light/Night: RX100 VII’s high ISO and stabilization are major pluses.
• Video: RX100 VII vastly superior.
• Travel: FH10’s pocketability vs RX100 VII’s versatility and image quality.
• Professional Work: Only RX100 VII is viable; FH10 too basic.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Panasonic FH10
Pros:

• Ultra-compact and lightweight
• Simple operation, beginner-friendly
• Very affordable

Cons:

• Small sensor limits image quality
• Slow autofocus and burst rate
• No RAW support or manual controls
• Basic screen, no EVF
• No wireless connectivity or advanced video

Sony RX100 VII
Pros:

• Large 1" sensor with excellent image quality
• Fast, reliable hybrid AF with real-time eye tracking
• High burst rate (20 fps)
• 4K video with mic input
• Bright tilting touchscreen + high-res EVF
• Versatile 24-200mm zoom lens
• Wireless connectivity and USB charging

Cons:

• Much larger and heavier (not truly pocket-sized for all)
• Expensive price tag
• No weather sealing

Final Verdict: Which Camera Should You Choose?

If you’re a total beginner, tight on budget, or simply want a tiny, fuss-free camera for casual snapshots and sharing moments without getting into technicalities, the Panasonic FH10 fits that bill admirably. It’s a camera for everyday carry, for “point-and-shoot” simplicity, or as a backup camera - but be prepared for modest image quality and limited controls.

For photography enthusiasts, professionals, or anyone serious about image quality, versatility, and performance that punches well above that size, the Sony RX100 VII is an unmatched compact powerhouse. It packs DSLR-like autofocus and image quality into a pocketable body while offering advanced video tools and a wide zoom range, though it comes at a premium price.

In my experience, nothing else in the pocket compact world offers the combination of features that justify the RX100 VII’s cost - except perhaps stepping up to larger mirrorless systems. If your budget allows and your photography demands lean toward quality and flexibility, the RX100 VII is an investment that will reward you over years.

If price is a barrier and your photography needs are modest, the FH10 remains a decent little camera that reminds us there’s still a place for straightforward, affordable digital compacts in the age of smartphones and mirrorless giants.

Choosing a camera ultimately comes down to your priorities: size vs quality, simplicity vs control, price vs performance. Hopefully, this comparison clears the fog, giving you a practical perspective rooted in real-world testing to help you pick the perfect fit for your photographic ambitions.

Happy shooting!