Panasonic Lumix FH2 vs. LX10: A Detailed Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

When Panasonic releases cameras bearing similar model numbers, it’s tempting to assume they sit close on the specs and capabilities spectrum. But looks - and years - can be deceiving. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 (a.k.a. LX15) cater to profoundly different users and photographic ambitions, despite sharing a brand lineage. With over 15 years of testing cameras of all kinds, I’ve found comparisons like this invaluable for understanding how sensor size, lens quality, and feature sets translate into real-world photography outcomes.

Today, I’ll walk you through a deep dive into these two compacts - one more budget-friendly (FH2), the other enthusiast-level (LX10). We’ll cut through marketing jargon and reveal where each excels, falls short, and for whom each might be the right fit. Expect technical analysis fused with hands-on insight and sample results to guide your next camera choice.

First Impressions: Size, Build & Handling

At first glance, the Panasonic FH2 and LX10 look to be subtle cousins rather than direct competitors. Both cameras carry the compact form factor Panasonic is known for, but a quick side-by-side shows how much design and ergonomics have evolved.

The FH2 is markedly petite and pocketable, weighing only 121 grams with dimensions of 94 x 54 x 19 mm. It’s a svelte little device - perfect for casual photographers, travelers where every gram counts, or anyone worried about hauling extra camera weight. However, the slim profile comes at the cost of deeper grips or robust materials; its plastic body means you aren’t getting heavy-duty weather-sealing or a grip designed for hours of handheld shooting.

In contrast, the LX10 feels more substantial and solid in hand at 310 grams and 106 x 60 x 42 mm body size. The addition in heft largely comes from a more sophisticated lens assembly, larger sensor housing, and an advanced image stabilization system. The LX10’s larger body affords more tactile controls, a tilting touchscreen, and a more reassuring grip - factors I'll elaborate on soon.

Control Layout and Interface: User Experience in the Details

Control schemes heavily influence how intuitive and quick your shooting experience will be, especially in fast-paced or changing environments.

The FH2 keeps it ultra-simple - think beginner-friendly, minimal buttons, and no dedicated dials for exposure settings like shutter or aperture. It doesn’t support manual focus or exposure modes beyond the camera’s built-in priorities, steering clearly toward the novice or ‘point-and-shoot’ segment. You'll find a basic zoom rocker and mode dial, plus a limited 2.7” fixed LCD screen.

Meanwhile, the LX10 brings enthusiast-level controls to the compact realm. The top deck features dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, a mode dial that includes manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and full auto, plus a multifunction ring on the lens that you can assign to focus, aperture, or zoom. The 3” tilting touchscreen is a joy for composing shots at odd angles or nimbly selecting focus points.

It’s an accessible step into more serious control without the bulk of a DSLR or mirrorless system. For me, this enhances creative freedom exponentially, encouraging experimentation with depth of field or shutter control. Of course, this comes at a price premium, which I’ll discuss later.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

One of the most critical differences is sensor technology - and this truly defines the class gap between these cameras.

The FH2 relies on a 1/2.3” CCD sensor, measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm, with a resolution of 14MP. While respectable for its release era (2011), this sensor size is small by any enthusiast or professional standard today. Smaller sensors struggle with high ISO noise performance and dynamic range, meaning images from the FH2 tend to be less vibrant, noisier in low light, and with less depth in highlights and shadows.

The LX10 sports a significantly larger 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm), offering 20MP resolution and much-improved sensitivity. This sensor benefits from back-illuminated technology, giving it better light-gathering capability even in dim surroundings. The result is images with more dynamic range, lower noise up to much higher ISOs (native max ISO of 12,800), and finer detail retention.

In practical terms, this difference means the LX10 will deliver impressive image quality for portraits with smooth skin tones and natural bokeh, landscapes with rich tonal gradations, and low-light shots that maintain clarity without aggressive noise reduction.

Conversely, the FH2 is more limited, best suited for well-lit conditions or casual snapshots where image quality trade-offs are acceptable.

LCD Screen and Live View: Composition and Review

The screen quality and articulation affect how easily you frame and review shots - crucial for dynamic shooting styles.

The FH2’s fixed 2.7-inch screen has a modest 230k-dot resolution. It’s adequate for framing but lacks detail for critical focus checks or image review. Moreover, the fixed position restricts creative shooting angles like low or overhead shots.

The LX10’s larger, 3-inch 1040k-dot tilting screen vastly improves usability - just what you need for street photography or macro shots where holding the camera at eye level can limit composition flexibility. Plus, the touchscreen interface enables touch autofocus and menu navigation, speeding up operation significantly in the field.

I’ve found the LX10’s screen indispensable for those who prefer compositional freedom without lugging a viewfinder-equipped camera. The FH2’s lack of articulation and lower resolution is a frequent limitation for more advanced photographers.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed Matters - Especially Outdoors

Autofocus (AF) systems often make or break a shooting experience. Panasonic’s VH1 processors advance AF on the LX10 quite a bit beyond the FH2’s Venus Engine IV.

The FH2 employs a basic contrast-detection AF with 11 points and face detection. While fine for static subjects and daylight, it’s sluggish in low light or with motion. Continuous AF and tracking are implemented but rudimentary.

The LX10 ups the ante with 49 AF points, touch AF, continuous AF with tracking, focus bracketing, focus stacking, and post-focus capabilities. The system works fast and accurately in my real-world tests, even in lower light and with moving subjects - crucial for wildlife or sports enthusiasts shooting on a compact.

Moreover, the LX10’s burst shooting at 10fps significantly outpaces the FH2’s humble 4fps, allowing more decisive capture of fleeting moments.

Lens Comparison: Zoom Range, Aperture, and Creative Potential

Fixed lens on a compact? That’s standard with these models, but their optical construction differs profoundly.

The FH2 has a 28-112 mm (4x zoom) equivalent lens with a maximum aperture of f/3.1–6.5. While decent zoom versatility, the slow aperture at the long end limits low-light capability and depth of field control for portraits. Macro focusing is possible to about 5cm, but the image quality is average.

The LX10 offers a wider 24-72 mm (3x zoom), but with extraordinarily fast apertures ranging from f/1.4 at the wide end to f/2.8 at telephoto. This bright lens is a game-changer for low light, subject separation, and bokeh quality - especially important for portraits and artistic photography.

Macro focus extends down to 3 cm, with extensive manual focus precision thanks to the focus ring and focus peaking features. The LX10’s optical design supports sharper images across its range, with less distortion and chromatic aberration compared to FH2.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Will They Last in the Field?

Both cameras use proprietary rechargeable battery packs, but their performance varies slightly.

The FH2 offers about 270 shots per charge, which is above average for a small compact but limited for heavy shooters.

The LX10, despite its richer feature set, manages roughly 260 shots per battery, plausible due to its sensor-shift stabilization and optimized power management. For extended shooting sessions, carrying extra batteries is wise on either camera.

Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC storage cards, with single card slots. For video-intensive users, ensure your card supports the necessary write speeds (more in video section).

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Conveniences

One area where the cameras diverge sharply is connectivity.

The FH2 offers no wireless features and only USB 2.0 for data transfer, reflecting its 2011 design era.

In contrast, the LX10 includes built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote camera control via smartphone apps, a standard expectation for modern cameras. HDMI video output is also present, facilitating video playback on external screens - vital for videographers reviewing footage.

No Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS on either camera, though.

Video Capabilities: From Casual Clips to 4K Content Creator

Video has become a critical category for photographers seeking hybrid capabilities.

The FH2 supports HD video recording at 720p30 in Motion JPEG format - serviceable for casual use but lacking sharpness, frame rate options, or modern compression efficiency.

The LX10 steps up dramatically with UHD 4K video at 30p (100 Mbps) in H.264 MP4 format. It includes high-speed electronic shutter options for silent shooting and advanced stabilization combining sensor-shift and electronic corrections. You can also extract 4K photos from video frames, a clever feature to capture precise moments for stills.

However, neither model offers microphone or headphone ports, limiting serious audio control out of the box.

Practical Real-World Use and Image Gallery

Enough tech talk - let’s examine real images.

Panasonic FH2 front Panasonic FH2 screen back Panasonic LX10 front Panasonic LX10 screen back

Looking at daylight street shots, the FH2 produces satisfactory images for web use, but image softness at 100% crop and limited dynamic range are apparent. The LX10 renders sharper details, richer colors, and more natural skin tones - crucial for portraits.

In landscape scenarios, the LX10 holds detail in shadows and highlights better, capturing clouds with texture and foliage with subtle color gradations. The FH2’s images can look flatter and noisier when pushed.

Low-light casual shots are where the LX10 shines - cleaner high ISO, faster aperture enabling subject isolation, and better AF locking. The FH2 struggles with noise and slower focusing here.

Sports or wildlife action photography is modest territory for both; however, the LX10’s faster burst and more sophisticated AF make it far better suited.

Rating the Cameras Overall and by Genre

The assessment isn't just subjective - I incorporate standardized performance metrics.

• Portrait Photography: LX10’s fast aperture and precise AF excel - Ideal for flattering skin tones and expressive bokeh. FH2 only for casual portraits in good light.
• Landscape: LX10 dominates with sensor size and dynamic range. FH2 is a budget option.
• Wildlife and Sports: LX10’s AF speed and frame rate make it usable; FH2 limited to static subjects.
• Street Photography: Both compact, but LX10’s tilting screen and quick AF give it an edge; FH2’s smaller size a slight advantage in stealth.
• Macro: LX10’s close focus distance and manual control beats FH2.
• Night/Astro: LX10’s high ISO and exposure modes shine; FH2 not suitable.
• Video: LX10’s 4K video blows away FH2’s limited HD offering.
• Travel: FH2 is a lightweight easy carry; LX10 gives quality and control.
• Professional Work: LX10’s raw support and versatile controls fit in; FH2 falls short.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

To wrap it up, here are my distilled recommendations based on use case and budget:

Choose Panasonic Lumix FH2 if you:

• Want a budget-friendly, ultra-compact camera for casual everyday snapshots.
• Prioritize ease of use over advanced controls.
• Shoot mostly in good lighting conditions.
• Need something light enough for pocket carry on urban outings or short trips.
• Are not concerned with RAW files or advanced video.

Choose Panasonic Lumix LX10 if you:

• Demand significantly better image quality with a larger sensor.
• Want manual controls for aperture, shutter, exposure compensation, and focusing.
• Shoot portraits with creamy bokeh or landscapes requiring dynamic range.
• Plan to shoot 4K video or take advantage of 4K photo modes.
• Need versatile autofocus performance for wildlife, street, or event photography.
• Don’t mind the slightly larger form factor or higher price point (~$700 new).

Closing Thoughts: Experience Tells the Story

Camera shopping can overwhelm because specs alone don’t tell the full story. With decades testing cameras around the world - from studio shoots to hikes in remote mountains - I’ve learned the difference between “good enough” and “game changer” often comes down to sensor quality, lens aperture, and handling ergonomics.

This Panasonic FH2 vs LX10 comparison reveals the gulf created by those elements. The FH2 is a solid, simple snapshot tool but feels dated and limited by modern standards. The LX10 impresses as one of the rare pocket compacts that deliver quality, control, and speed in a truly versatile package.

What you ultimately choose depends on your photography goals, budget, and how much you’re willing to carry. Still, if image quality and creative flexibility matter to you, the LX10’s price premium is well justified.

I hope this breakdown, paired with detailed technical insight and practical testing perspective, helps you decide with confidence. If you have questions or want to see footage samples, drop me a line anytime - happy shooting!

For a quick visual summary and performance benchmarks of both cameras, check out the detailed charts here: