Panasonic FH2 vs Panasonic GF7

Let's look a bit more closely at the Panasonic FH2 and Panasonic GF7, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are manufactured by Panasonic. The resolution of the FH2 (14MP) and the GF7 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the FH2 (1/2.3") and GF7 (Four Thirds) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The FH2 was brought out 5 years earlier than the GF7 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FH2 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GF7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the FH2 grades against the GF7 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic FH2 Gallery & Panasonic GF7 Gallery.

In case you're intending to lug around your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH2 provides external dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) and the Panasonic GF7 has proportions of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 266 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FH2 and Panasonic GF7 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the FH2 versus the GF7.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH2 and GF7 is 96 and 90 respectively.

More often than not, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements purely by looking at specs. The photograph below might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the FH2 and GF7.

All in all, both of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FH2 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic GF7 will give you more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older FH2 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.