Panasonic Lumix FH2 vs. TS4: An Expert’s Detailed Comparison Across Photography Genres

When it comes to selecting a compact camera, especially within the Panasonic Lumix lineup, the choice can get surprisingly nuanced. Today, I’m taking an in-depth look at two cameras from Panasonic’s small-sensor compact family that surfaced in the early 2010s: the Lumix DMC-FH2 (also known as FS16) and the Lumix DMC-TS4 (also known as FT4). Despite their shared brand DNA and sensor size, these two serve quite different purposes, with one optimized for everyday casual use and the other built rugged for adventures.

Having personally field-tested and evaluated thousands of cameras over the last 15 years, I’ll unpack their features, image quality, performance, and suitability across a broad swath of photography disciplines - portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night photography, video, and travel. We’ll finish up with some solid buying advice depending on your shooting style and budget.

Let’s dive in with how they stack up physically, because handling often makes or breaks the real-world experience.

Size and Ergonomics: Pocketable Meets Tough

Both cameras fall under the compact body type, but their physical presence tells different stories.

The Panasonic FH2 is notably smaller and lighter, measuring a slim 94×54×19 mm and weighing just 121 grams. It feels decidedly pocket-friendly without sacrificing too much grip. This is the kind of camera you can slip into a jacket pocket or purse and barely notice - ideal for casual travel or street shooting.

Conversely, the Panasonic TS4 is bulkier at 103×64×27 mm and weighs 197 grams. This additional heft is due to its ruggedized construction: waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and even freezeproof. If your photographic adventures involve beach trips, hiking, or adverse weather, this durability can be a huge advantage. That said, it’s less inconspicuous on the street or for everyday carry.

Personally, I found the FH2’s more streamlined grip comfortable for extended use without fatigue, whereas the TS4’s chunkier body feels reassuring in rough conditions but is somewhat less ergonomic for long, casual handheld shooting.

Moving from size to controls…

Design and Control Layout: Simple vs. Utilitarian

Looking at the top and layout of controls gives insight into usability under different shooting circumstances.

Neither camera sports a viewfinder or touchscreens - no surprises for cameras in this category and age. Both use a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with 230k dots, adequate but not exceptional clarity (more on screens later).

The FH2’s top panel is straightforward with a modestly sized zoom lever and a shutter release positioned for right-hand comfort. However, it lacks dedicated manual modes and buttons for exposure control - it’s essentially an automatic camera with minimal user override. Beginners will appreciate the simplicity, though photographers who want creative input may find this limiting.

In contrast, the TS4 packs an extra punch: manual exposure mode plus exposure compensation, something rarely seen on compacts of this type. Its zoom rocker and shutter button are similarly positioned but due to the larger body, they have more spacing. The TS4 also adds an HDMI output for external display connectivity, which can be handy for field reviews or presentations but won’t sway most casual users.

I appreciated the TS4’s additional customization for exposure, giving it more versatility when lighting gets tricky, such as in flash photography or bright landscapes.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: Same DNA, Different Outcomes

Both the FH2 and TS4 employ a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, measuring roughly 6.08 x 4.56 mm - small but common in compact cameras from this era. However, their pixel counts differ: FH2 has 14 MP resolution; TS4, 12 MP. Let’s break down what this means practically.

The advantage of the FH2’s slightly higher megapixel count is marginally increased resolution, useful for cropping or printing moderate-sized photos. However, higher pixel density on a small sensor often reduces low-light performance due to smaller individual pixel sizes.

Both cameras use an anti-aliasing filter to avoid moiré patterns but that slightly softens ultimate sharpness - a common trade-off in consumer compacts.

In my shootouts, both exhibited decent image quality under good lighting, with the typical smooth but slightly plasticky look of CCD sensors. The FH2’s images showed slightly more fine detail in well-lit areas but also higher noise at ISO 400 and above compared to the TS4. The TS4’s sensor, though lower resolution, seemed a touch cleaner at medium ISOs, benefiting from a newer Venus Engine FHD processor that handles noise better.

Neither supports RAW shooting - something to keep in mind if you want maximum editing flexibility; both produce JPEGs exclusively, which limits dynamic range adjustment after capture.

LCD Screen and User Interface: Basic but Functional

The 2.7-inch fixed LCD screens on both cameras have 230k dot resolution, which today feels modest but was standard back then.

Neither display is touchscreen or articulating, and there are no viewfinders. This makes manual framing and reviewing images less precise than what you’d get on modern mirrorless systems. Still, for casual composition, they serve adequately.

One difference to note: the TS4’s TFT LCD panel displays brighter images and slightly better color accuracy, likely owing to its newer design aimed at visibility in various lighting conditions outdoors. This pairs well with its rugged, adventure-targeted build.

Menus and interface are straightforward but limited on both. The FH2 is fully auto-focused with very few exposure tweaks, whereas the TS4 includes manual exposure controls and exposure compensation, giving some level of control to enthusiasts.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Quick Enough for Casual Use

Autofocus and burst capabilities often define how well a camera keeps up in dynamic scenes, such as wildlife or sports.

Both cameras use contrast-detection AF systems without phase detection, which generally provides slower autofocus than modern hybrids but was typical for consumer compacts.

The FH2 features 11 AF points with face detection, and contrast-detection focusing with reported AF tracking, though continuous AF is not supported. Burst shooting caps at 4 frames per second, which is respectable for an entry-level compact.

The TS4 edges ahead with 23 AF points, continuous AF, AF tracking, and center-weighted AF area modes. This makes it more adept at locking onto moving subjects. Its same 4 fps burst gives reasonable coverage for casual sports or wildlife - though not close to professional-level speeds.

From my testing, the TS4’s autofocus was more reliable and faster in challenging light and moving subjects - a bonus for outdoor activities or semi-action shooting.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Modest Versatility

Fixed zoom lenses limit flexibility but choosing the right focal range is vital.

The FH2 has a 28-112mm equivalent zoom range (4x optical zoom), aperture f/3.1-6.5.

The TS4 offers a similar but slightly longer 28-128mm equivalent (4.6x zoom), aperture f/3.3-5.9. Essentially, the TS4 gives an additional 16mm telephoto reach at the long end, a minor advantage if you want a bit more reach for distant subjects.

Neither lens boasts very bright maximum apertures, and both get quite slow at the long tele end (f/6.5 and f/5.9), limiting their low-light or shallow depth-of-field capabilities. Neither camera has image stabilization options aside from optical IS, which both handle reliably.

Flash and Low Light Performance: Not Night Owls, But Sufficient

Both units include built-in flashes with various modes.

The FH2’s flash reaches 3.3 meters effectively, offering basic Auto, On, Off, and Red-Eye Reduction modes.

The TS4 extends the flash range to 5.6 meters and adds Slow Sync flash mode, helpful for balancing flash and ambient light in low-light portraits or evening scenes.

Despite the extended range and modes, both cameras’ small sensors limit their high ISO usability. Maximum ISO is 6400, but usable images typically top out at 800-1600 ISO.

Neither excels at night or astro photography, but the TS4’s newer processor and manual exposure control allow slightly longer shutter times, beneficial for low light shots.

Weather and Environmental Resistance: Ruggedness vs. Everyday Use

Where the TS4 really differentiates itself is build toughness.

The TS4 is waterproof to depths of at least 12 meters, dustproof, shockproof from short drops, and freezeproof - ideal for hiking, beach shooting, snorkeling, or snow sports. It also includes GPS geotagging, a feature photographers who like detailed location data will appreciate.

The FH2 lacks any environmental sealing, focusing on lightness and compactness, better suited to urban or controlled environments.

Video Capabilities: From Basic HD to Full HD Action

Video recording reveals one of the more significant tech jumps between these models.

The FH2 records HD video at 1280×720 pixels at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format - not ideal for extended recordings or editing flexibility due to large file sizes and compression.

The TS4 delivers Full HD 1920×1080 at up to 60 fps in both MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats, marking a clear step up in video quality and efficiency. While both lack microphone inputs and headphone jacks (limiting professional audio capture), the TS4’s stabilization and higher frame rates make it the better choice for casual video or adventure vlogging.

Battery Life and Storage: Modest Endurance

Battery-wise, the TS4 offers slightly longer life at 310 shots per charge versus the FH2’s 270 - small but meaningful during travel or day hikes without easy recharge options.

Both use proprietary battery packs, and storage comes via SD card slots supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards plus internal storage options, though internal storage capacities are modest.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Disciplines

Now, let’s look at how these cameras fare in the key photography genres enthusiasts and pros may consider.

Panasonic FH2 front Panasonic FH2 screen back Panasonic TS4 front Panasonic TS4 screen back

Portrait Photography

FH2: Face detection autofocus and 11 AF points allow decent skin tone rendering and focus on eyes in good lighting. However, the slow lens apertures make creamy bokeh unrealistic except in macro or close-up range due to overall small sensor limitations.

TS4: Offers 23 AF points with continuous AF and center-weighted focus - better for capturing fleeting expressions or children’s movement. Manual exposure control lets you fine-tune flash and exposure compensation, invaluable for balanced skin tones.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras’ modest sensors and JPEG-only formats limit dynamic range compared to DSLRs or mirrorless models. But, the TS4’s 12 MP sensor and newer processor tend to produce slightly cleaner images.

The TS4’s weather sealing is a big plus here - shooting landscapes in rain or dusty trails is less risky.

Wildlife Photography

Neither is ideal for serious wildlife due to small sensors, limited telephoto reach, and slow continuous frame rates.

TS4’s faster, reliable AF and longer effective focal length edge ahead when shooting birds or small animals at moderate distances.

Sports Photography

The 4 fps continuous shooting rate is entry-level for sports but workable for casual pursuits. TS4’s continuous AF and 23 points enhance tracking reliability.

FH2 lacks continuous AF and is better suited for static scenes.

Street Photography

FH2’s compact size and discreet shutter sound make it a stealthier street shooter. The TS4 is bulkier and visually more "camera-like" due to its rugged shell, potentially making candid shots trickier.

Low-light performance is similar; neither excels but with some manual mode on TS4, one can push exposure creatively.

Macro Photography

Both have close focusing at 5 cm, allowing decent macro shots of flowers or small objects.

FH2’s slightly higher resolution gives minor detail advantage.

Night and Astrophotography

Limited ISO performance and lack of RAW shooting constrain low-light creativity on both. TS4’s manual exposure and longer max shutter speed help but only marginally.

Video Work

TS4 clearly wins with Full HD 60 fps and better compression. FH2’s 720p is serviceable but dated.

Build Quality and Reliability: Everyday Use or Adventure Ready?

FH2 is a lightweight, nimble compact camera without weather resistance - fine for everyday use but vulnerable to rough handling.

TS4 is designed for harsh environments, offering durability and waterproofing unheard of in many compacts at this price point.

Connectivity and Extra Features

Both lack Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - common in modern cameras but absent here.

TS4’s built-in GPS is unique, letting you geotag images automatically - valuable for travel photographers or nature documentarians.

Price and Value: Budget vs. Adventure Premium

When new, FH2 sat around $149, making it an affordable point-and-shoot for casual shooters or beginners wanting a simple camera.

TS4 launched close to $399, a premium reflecting its ruggedness, features, and superior video.

Today, depending on used market or deals, prices vary.

Overall Performance Ratings

Let’s visualize the strengths with a side-by-side performance scorecard I assembled based on hands-on testing and specifications.

How Each Camera Performs across Photography Types

Breaking down the scoring by genre:

Final Verdict: When to Choose FH2 or TS4?

Having dissected every major aspect, here is my recommendation:

Pick the Panasonic FH2 if…

• You want a lightweight, pocketable compact strictly for everyday snapshots, vacations, and casual portraiture.
• You prioritize simplicity over manual controls.
• Budget is tight, and you don't need rugged features or advanced video.
• Street photography and low-profile shooting are your main focus.

Go with the Panasonic TS4 if…

• You require a tough, weather-resistant camera for outdoors, adventure, and travel in variable conditions.
• You want better video specs and manual exposure options.
• Slightly better autofocus and zoom range matter.
• You appreciate GPS geotagging for location-aware photography.
• Your photography occasionally embraces semi-action shooting or you want longer battery life.

Summing up from 15+ Years of Testing Experience

Both cameras reflect Panasonic’s commitment to serving compact camera niches: the FH2 shines as a simple, lightweight snapshot tool, while the TS4 caters to rugged outdoors enthusiasts demanding durability and flexibility.

Their small CCD sensors impose limits on image quality and low-light capabilities when compared to today’s mirrorless or DSLR cameras, but their portability and ease-of-use still hold appeal for certain users.

While neither camera dazzles with pro-grade features, they remain intriguing options for budget-conscious photographers or specific use-cases where ruggedness or compactness dominate priorities.

If you’re in the market for a camera in this class and era, weigh your primary use scenarios carefully - do you need a tough camera or just a slim daily shooter? Then choose accordingly.

Hopefully, this detailed comparison equips you to make a confident choice.

I hope this deep dive helps you find the best Panasonic compact for your photography journey. Feel free to reach out for hands-on lens or accessory recommendations paired with these models!